Many observations must be made when the first engine company or squad arrive on scene. To effectively and safely engage in fire extinguishment activities, the on scene officer and firefighters must recognize and relay information to on scene firefighters, incoming companies and incident command. The following are key factors and elements that ALL responders on scene should be looking for.

Location of the fire scene/seat of fire – residential, business, time of day, what area of the structure

Size and intensity - has fire broken through the roof or walls or is it still confined to the compartment

Smoke color, volume, velocity, density- A big indicator of what and where the fire is, how hot, how it's spreading and rate (see more on reading smoke)

Exposures- What could possibly become involved

Witnesses and Occupants- Hopefully someone in the area has “accurate” information to relay

Building Construction- Is the structure being used for what it was designed for? Have alterations been made? Can building use dictate possible victims?

Crowds and Their behavior- Is a crowd forming, or were they present when the fire was started?

Wind and Weather- Direction, velocity, what season, foot prints in the snow? Could the cause be weather related?

Visible Modifications- boarded windows, removed bars from windows, abandoned structure?

Unusual objects in area- forcible entry tools, gas cans by doors or inside occupancy

Vehicles or people leaving the scene- Observe anyone running away or trying to not be seen, and look for familiar faces in the crowd

Fire Suppression systems/Fire Detection/Alarms- Is their suppression? Is it working? Have the strobes or alarm panels been tampered with?

Reading Smoke- Smoke is fuel. It is a by product of the combustion process. Smoke can contain carbon monoxide, benzene, hydrogen cyanide and acrolein. All of these have a low ignition temperature and wide flammable range. Black, dark, fast moving smoke is fuel rich. Fuel rich smoke can ignite and even possibly explode.. Flameover/Rollover can occur overhead without being seen because the dark, thick smoke can conceal it. Carbon based fuels (class bravo fuels) yield dark smoke, whereas class alpha fuels are lighter in color and volume. Small amounts of “puffing” smoke could indicate back draft conditions. If you see higher volumes then chances are self ventilation has occurred. Small waves coming from eaves or smoke stained windows indicate the need for ventilation. Reading smoke is an ongoing learning opportunity and there is no absolute. As every fire scene is different, always remember to do a size-up and read your smoke.

Smoke Shortcuts:

Black/Thick/Fast= heat and explosive

Black/Thin/Fast= flame near

White w/ speed=hot but distant

Uniform speed/color from many places=deep seated

Brown=unfinished wood being heated (a warning sign of collapse in lightweight wood construction)

Scene size up should coincide with stretching attack lines, hooking the plug and establishment of command. As details are discovered they need to be relayed to the appropriate individuals and if need be, information can be noted for post- incident briefings. Not only will the collection of this data aid in extinguishment and completion of firegound activities, it may also add to available evidence if criminal charges that may arise in cases of arson.

It's your fire scene…its up to you to make it as safe as possible.

{About the author. Michigan Firefighter I&II, EMT-B, Certified Instructor And Company Officer I&II certified. He is Training Officer for Bertrand Township Fire Training Division, a Fire Technician and Instructor at DC Cook Nuclear Plant, a state Advocate for Everyone Goes Home and operates the D.I.Y. Firefighter website http://engineco22.net}