ISFSI continues work on the Principles of Modern Fire Attack

CENTREVILLE, Va. — The International Society of Fire Service Instructors continues to move forward with delivery of a Principles of Modern Fire Attack Program. 

The ISFSI received funding from the Department of Homeland Security’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program to deliver this material at 100 fire service venues across the U.S. in 2015. The program went through a pilot delivery at the Ohio Fire Academy in November and the finishing touches and refinements are almost complete. 

An ISFSI committee has selected a team of well-known and respected instructors from all sectors of the North American fire service. They completed a train-the-trainer session immediately following delivery of the pilot program. 

This session provided an opportunity for the instructors to work directly with research engineers and students to discuss both fire dynamics and the instructional methodology best suited to the delivery of a successful program.

A great deal of time and attention was placed on ensuring that the instructors have a clear understanding of the research supporting the tactical recommendations included in the program. Part of the program is a discussion of the SLICE-RS approach to fireground tactical decision making for company officers and firefighters. 

This decision making guideline has been endorsed by the ISFSI, and the International Association of Fire Chief's Volunteer Combination Officers Section and Firefighter Safety, Health & Survival Section. The SLICE-RS method was developed to incorporate research findings and recent experience applying this research at actual incidents into the actions of the first arriving engine company. 

Some of the areas of focus and clarification include:

Rescue remains the highest strategic priority on the fireground.
When companies are attempting a rescue ahead of the application of water, they should consider the Vent-Enter-Isolate-Search technique as a primary tactical option. As water is applied, they may very well use standard primary and secondary search methods, but still may opt for a VEIS approach if conditions warrant.

In any case, all fire buildings should be searched to ensure no occupants are inside the IDLH atmosphere.

Not all fires are cooled from the exterior prior to entry.
Initial cooling is dependent on the presence of increased temperatures, high pressure, heavy smoke or heavy fire conditions within the structure. When these conditions exist, the fire department should attempt to apply water from a strategically advantageous position as quickly as possible in order to improve civilian survivability and remove the thermal threat to firefighters.

Solid stream, limited movement are the safest methods for exterior attack.
Use a solid or straight stream with limited nozzle movement when applying exterior streams immediately prior to initiating interior operations. This will help avoid the entrainment of air, blocking of the flow path (ventilation opening) and disturbance of the thermal balance, allowing firefighters to move and function more aggressively and efficiently upon entry.

Fire departments that incorporate these tactics should devote time to ensure their firefighters have received both classroom and hands-on training to ensure they understand the proper concepts and field application of the research. Simply editing standard operating procedures or guidelines without incorporating hands-on training should be avoided.