Essentials of Fire Fighting , 5 th Edition

1. Essentials of Fire Fighting, 5th Edition Chapter 17 — Loss Control Firefighter I

2. Chapter 17 Lesson Goal • After completing this lesson, the student shall be able to perform loss control operations following the policies and procedures set forth by the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ). Firefighter I

3. Specific Objectives 1. Explain the philosophy of loss control. 2. Discuss planning and procedures for salvage operations. 3. Describe salvage covers, salvage cover maintenance, and equipment used in salvage operations. (Continued) Firefighter I

4. Specific Objectives 4. Summarize basic principles of salvage cover deployment. 5. Summarize methods used to catch and route water from fire fighting operations and cover openings using salvage. 6. Discuss overhaul operations. (Continued) Firefighter I

5. Specific Objectives 7. Describe tools and equipment used in overhaul. 8. Discuss fire safety during overhaul. 9. Discuss locating hidden fires. 10. Summarize the overhaul process. (Continued) Firefighter I

6. Specific Objectives 11. Clean, inspect, and repair a salvage cover. (Skill Sheet 17-I-1) 12. Roll a salvage cover for a one-firefighter spread. (Skill Sheet 17-I-2) 13. Spread a rolled salvage cover – One-firefighter method. (Skill Sheet 17-I-3) (Continued) Firefighter I

7. Specific Objectives 14. Fold a salvage cover for a one-firefighter spread. (Skill Sheet 17-I-4) 15. Spread a folded salvage cover – One-firefighter method. (Skill Sheet 17-I-5) 16. Fold a salvage cover for a two-firefighter spread. (Skill Sheet 17-I-6) (Continued) Firefighter I

8. Specific Objectives 17. Spread a folded salvage cover – Two-firefighter balloon throw. (Skill Sheet 17-I-7) 18. Construct a water chute without pike poles. (Skill Sheet 17-I-8) 19. Construct a water chute with pike poles. (Skill Sheet 17-I-9) Firefighter I

9. Specific Objectives 20. Construct a catchall. (Skill Sheet 17-I-10) 21. Locate and extinguish hidden fires. (Skill Sheet 17-I-11) Firefighter I

10. Philosophy of Loss Control • Minimize damage and provide customer service through effective mitigation and recovery efforts • Builds goodwill (Continued) Firefighter I

11. DISCUSSION QUESTION How does effective loss control contribute to goodwill in the community? Firefighter I

12. Salvage and Overhaul • Most effective means of loss control • Restoration of the property Firefighter I

13. Salvage • Operations that aid in reducing primary and secondary damage during fire fighting • Primary damage is caused by the fire • Secondary damage is caused by fire suppression activities (Continued) Firefighter I

14. Salvage • Both primary and secondary damage can be minimized through salvage • Some damages cannot be avoided • Starts as soon as adequate personnel are available • May be done simultaneously with fire attack Firefighter I

15. Overhaul • Consists of operations involved in searching for and extinguishing hidden or remaining fires • Protecting the scene and preserving evidence are components of overhaul (Continued) Firefighter I

16. Overhaul • If possible, do not start overhaul operations until • Fire is under control • Fire cause has been determined • Evidence has been identified and protected Firefighter I

17. Salvage • Methods and operating procedures by which firefighters attempt to save property and reduce further damage • Removing property • Covering property • Other means (Continued) Firefighter I

18. Salvage • Proper salvage operations • Early planning • Knowing the procedures • Being familiar with tools and equipment Firefighter I

19. Planning for Salvage Operations • Efficient operations require planning and training • SOPs should be developed (Continued) Firefighter I

20. Planning for Salvage Operations • Preincident plans • High-value contents • Residential occupancies • Commercial occupancies • Work with loss-control representatives Firefighter I

21. DISCUSSION QUESTION What should be done with other smaller items, such as photographs and documents? Firefighter I

22. Salvage Procedures • Operations can be started at same time as fire attack • Group building contents into compact piles (Continued) Firefighter I

23. Salvage Procedures • Group household furnishings in center of the room • Raise furniture off wet floors (Continued) Firefighter I

24. Salvage Procedures • Commercial occupancies present special challenges (Continued) Firefighter I

25. Salvage Procedures • Large quantities of water can be removed by a variety of methods • Water may ruin finishes; wipe off surfaces Firefighter I

26. Salvage Covers • Made of waterproof canvas materials • Manufactured in various sizes • Have reinforced corners and edge hems (Continued) Firefighter I

27. Salvage Covers • Synthetic covers • Lightweight • Easy to handle • Economical • Indoor and outdoor use • Some covers may be disposable Firefighter I

28. Salvage Cover Maintenance • Proper cleaning, drying, and repairing increases service life (Continued) Firefighter I

29. Salvage Cover Maintenance • Canvas salvage covers • Wetting or rinsing with hose stream and scrubbing with a broom • Detergent solution if needed • Don’t let dry when dirty • Should be completely dry before being folded and placed in service (Continued) Firefighter I

30. Salvage Cover Maintenance • Synthetic salvage covers • Do not require as much maintenance as canvas • May be folded wet • Usually better to let dry first • After salvage covers are dry, examine for damage (Continued) Firefighter I

31. Salvage Cover Maintenance • Look up at the underside to locate holes • Mark holes with chalk or marking pen • Repair holes Firefighter I

32. DISCUSSION QUESTION What are some of the proper ways to repair holes in salvage covers? Firefighter I

33. Salvage Equipment • Should be located in a readily accessible area on apparatus • SOPs dictate where equipment is carried and who performs operations (Continued) Firefighter I

34. Salvage Equipment • Keep smaller tools/equipment in a salvage toolbox • Plastic tub may be used for supplies Firefighter I

35. Typical Salvage Equipment • Electrician’s pliers • Sidecutters • Various chisels • Tin snips • Tin roof cutter • Adjustable wrenches • Pipe wrenches • Hammer(s) • Sledgehammer • Hacksaw • Crosscut handsaw • Heavy-duty stapler and staples • Linoleum knife • Wrecking bar (Continued) Firefighter I

36. Typical Salvage Equipment • Padlock and hasp • Hinges • Screwdriver(s) • Battery-operated power tools • Hydraulic jack • Assortment of nails • Assortment of screws • Plastic sheeting • Wooden laths • Wooden wedges • Soft wood plugs • Sawdust (Continued) Firefighter I

37. Typical Salvage Equipment • Mops • Squeegees • Scoop shovels • Brooms • Mop buckets with wringers • Automatic sprinkler kit • Water vacuum • Submersible pump and discharge hose • Sponges • Chamois • Paper towels • Assortment of rags (Continued) Firefighter I

38. Typical Salvage Equipment • 100-foot (30 m) length of electrical cable • Pigtail ground adapters • Approved ground fault interruption device • Salvage covers • J-Hooks • S-hooks • Floor runners • Duct tape • Plastic bags • Cardboard boxes • Styrofoam™ blocks • Rope • Bungee cords Firefighter I

39. Equipment Descriptions • Automatic sprinkler kit • Needed for buildings protected by automatic sprinkler systems • Used to stop flow of water from an open sprinkler (Continued) Firefighter I

40. Equipment Descriptions • Carryalls — Used to carry debris, catch falling debris, and provide a water basin for immersing small burning objects (Continued) Firefighter I

41. Equipment Descriptions • Floor runners — Protect floor coverings; lightweight, tough, heat and water resistant, easy to maintain (Continued) Firefighter I

42. Equipment Descriptions • Dewatering devices • Used to remove water from basements, elevator shafts, and sumps • Should not use fire department pumpers • Trash-type pumps are best for salvage • Use a jet-siphon device or submersible pump for removal of excess water (Continued) Firefighter I

43. Equipment Descriptions • Water vacuum — Used to dewater floors, carpets, other areas where water is not deep enough to be picked up by submersible pump or siphon ejector (Continued) Firefighter I

44. Equipment Descriptions • J-hooks — Driven into walls or wooden framing to provide a strong point from which to hang things Firefighter I

45. Equipment Descriptions • S-hooks — Used for the same purpose as J-hooks but cannot be driven into walls or framing; must have a horizontal ledge Firefighter I

46. One-Firefighter Spread with a Rolled Salvage Cover • One person can quickly unroll a cover • May be carried on the shoulder or under the arm Firefighter I

47. One-Firefighter Spread with a Folded Salvage Cover • Two firefighters are needed to make fold • May be carried in any manner Firefighter I

48. Two-Firefighter Spread with a Folded Salvage Cover • Large salvage covers cannot be easily handled by a single firefighter • Carry this fold on the shoulder with open edges next to neck (Continued) Firefighter I

49. Two-Firefighter Spread with a Folded Salvage Cover • Position cover so carrier can grab lower pair of corners and second firefighter can grab uppermost pair (Continued) Firefighter I

50. Two-Firefighter Spread with a Folded Salvage Cover • Balloon throw is most common method for deployment (Continued) Firefighter I