Firefighting Operations In High-Rise and Standpipe-Equipped Buildings

By District Chief David M. McGrail (Denver Fire Dept.)

This book establishes a proper firefighting mindset and promotes maintaining preparedness for the extreme physical and mental demands of firefighting operations in high-rise and standpipe-equipped buildings. Armed with firefighting weapons that would be much more appropriate at a car fire, far too many fire departments are on a collision course with disaster and tragedy, should they encounter a serious high-rise fire. District Chief McGrail draws from his 25 years of experience, along with lessons learned from many other fire service professionals, to provide a foundation for success and safety during high-rise and standpipe operations. The words "Everyone Comes Home" are just words. The actions necessary to ensure that everyone does come home are based on a lifelong commitment to excellence and the consistent application of good fireground habits. This book is a compilation of those good habits and the many lessons learned by a man who is truly passionate about firefighting and firefighter safety and survival.

Among the many valuable topics covered in this book are:

• Standpipe system pressure regulating devices, pressure restricting devices and pressure reducing valves
• Cautious and disciplined elevator use during high-rise operations
• Elevator rescue operations
• Proper engine company suppression selection, including techniques to operate more powerful firefighting weapons with limited manpower
• Air support operations during high-rise emergencies, with or without an internal resource

Table of Contents:

• The firefighting mind-set
• The high-rise building
• Low-rise and other standpipe-equipped buildings
• The standpipe system
• The problem defined
• Elevator operations
• 7 stairway operations
• Hoseline selection
• Nozzle selection
• The standpipe equipment kit
• Engine company operations
• Water supply
• Truck company operations
• Search and rescue operations
• Air movement and ventilation
• Rapid intervention team (RIT) operations
• Command and control
• Air support operations
• Communications
• Preparing for battle