BY BILL GUSTIN
Forcible entry operations are inherently dan-gerous. Firefighters attempting to force a door in a dark, smoky hallway can accidentally strike each other with sharp, heavy tools, resulting in lacerations and broken bones. Power saws produce a shower of sparks and flying metal fragments that can cause serious eye injuries. Forcing entry into a closed-up building can precipitate a rapid intensification of a fire or, worse, a backdraft because it introduces oxygen. Sparks from a metal-cutting saw or cutting torch can ignite accelerants spread about by an arsonist. Fear of crime, which far exceeds any concern for fire safety, can make the firefighter’s job of forcing entry more difficult and dangerous. Guard dogs, booby traps, and even armed civilians cannot distinguish between a burglar and a firefighter.
Presented here are some of the dangers of forcible entry and measures firefighters can take to minimize their risk.
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