Question

Explain why the fire service uses an acronym to assist in the development of the strategies and tactics

Answer 1

Dear friend

Fire service operations take place in dangerous, time-sensitive environments (figure 2.1). A slight delay in operations, especially when the first fire apparatus are arriving and positioning, can adversely affect subsequent operations and the outcome of the incident. Delays caused by poorly located fire hydrants, confusing fire alarm system information, ineffective communication systems, or inaccessible equipment can have a ripple effect on other aspects of the operation. During these delays, the fire will likely grow exponentially, expanding the hazard for both occupants and firefighters. Fire service operations are performed at all times of the day or night, in any weather conditions, and frequently in unfamiliar environments. The work is mentally stressful, and physically exhausting. Crew variations (due to time off, transfers, replacements, other emergency responses, etc.) introduce additional challenges. Firefighters’ workplaces are the buildings and areas in which they deal with emergency incidents. So, they have an unlimited variety of workplaces. Without knowing the location or circumstances of the next incident,
traditional risk assessments for worker safety cannot be effectively undertaken. Risk assessment must be done in a dynamicmanner. The need to carry out inherently risky fire suppression and rescue tasks must be balanced with the need to maintain firefighters’ safety. In these situations, pertinent information, building protective features, and protection systems help make for a more favorable work environment for firefighters, along with proper strategy, tactics, and protective equipment. Information is frequently limited during emergency operations. This can impact initial decisions, which in turn can affect the incident duration and outcome (figure 2.2). However, decisions must be made very quickly, despite the unknown factors at an emergency scene. These factors, many of which can be critical, include the incident origin location(s), what materials are involved or exposed, how long the incident has progressed, what directions the hazard is spreading, where the occupants are located, building construction features, and installed protection systems.

To deal with such a dynamic and fluid fire environment, firefighters must be able to quickly identify exactly what is going on inside the building from the exterior on arrival. In such situations Fire Service uses an acronym. Let me explain with two examples.

1. Conducting a proper size-up on arrival sets the foundation from which we develop and implement an effective incident action plan. The most familiar and frequently used is the common 13-point size-up acronym COAL WAS WEALTH: Construction, Occupancy, Apparatus/staffing, Life hazard, Water supply, Auxiliary appliances, Street conditions, Weather, Exposures, Area, Location/extent, Time, and Height). This size-up memory aid provides a vast amount of information that is essential to incident operations and the development of the overall strategic and tactical objectives.

2. A second, more task-oriented, size-up that focuses on several elements critical to effective interior fire suppression operations is the acronym BELOW: Building construction, Extent/location, Life hazard, Occupancy, and Water. Although this is an excellent streetwise prompt to use to rapidly gather task-oriented information, it is missing one critical component—smoke. The importance of being able to read and comprehend what the smoke coming from a structure is signifying on arrival of first-due companies is an extremely important component of setting the tactical objectives required at basement fires. Since this critical information must be included in our first-due company size-up, the letter "S" for smoke is added, and the BELOW acronym is revised to read as ELBOWS: Extent/location, Life hazard/safety, Building construction/intelligence, Occupancy, Water supply, and Smoke).

Hope i have provided required information to you. Thank you.