This from Eric Haak:
The Calumet Park Fire Department received a report of a structure on the 12400 block of South Honore at about 1920 hours on Monday evening (7-21-14). Response time for the first engine and truck was less than two minutes. Companies arrived to find the occupants outside and a fair amount of smoke pushing from the front door. Companies made entry and quickly found the seat of the fire to be in a back bedroom. Within three minutes of arrival, the Calumet Fire Department had the fire knocked down and held in check. The fire did not extend to any other rooms or the attic. Posen, Midlothian, Merrionette Park and Riverdale went auto-aid.
Eric Haak photo
Eric Haak photo
Eric Haak photo
Eric Haak photo
Eric Haak photo
Eric Haak photo
Eric Haak photo
#1 by Eric Haak on July 22, 2014 - 9:37 PM
Cal Park’s engine was first in along with Posen’s truck shortly after. CP’s tower was not on the scene.
#2 by DMc77 on July 22, 2014 - 7:10 PM
I second Drew’s comments. The future of firefighting has been shown to us by UL and NIST. There is now science to backup the early anecdotal evidence.
In addidtion to using the below mentioned ”quick water” attack, the tactic of not ventilating has shown to be effective in preventing fire spread. Denial of oxygen enriched fresh air to a fire limits its growth. This can be achieved by closing doors and not breaking out windows until water is being applied to the seat of the fire. Use of coordinated ventilation is critical. Big cities that have been fighting fire the same way for over a century are buying into this. The second half of this decade will see more and more changes to the way we do things….
#3 by The DH on July 22, 2014 - 6:44 PM
Eric – first of all, great photos! Looks like you were in the right place at the right time to get some shots of the fire. Second question, did Cal Park respond with the tower or engine? If the tower, did they lead out or who was the first engine?
#4 by Martin Nowak on July 22, 2014 - 5:12 PM
The one day I’m out there and I miss this. Great Photos Eric
#5 by Drew Smith on July 22, 2014 - 4:56 PM
Capt. Bob I would take issue with your comments about spreading the fire by exterior water application. In my 30 plus years and as substantiated by numerous full scale actual live fires conducted by UL and NIST in partnership with Chicago and FDNY fire is not pushed by stream application. Use of fog patterns (and a rapidly agitated solid bore has the same effect) will cause steam to move into non involved areas. All those results and recommendations can be seen here: http://modernfirebehavior.com/
The greatest benefit is achieved when water is applied to the fire as soon as possible and the fire goes out. This can be accomplished from the interior or exterior using a hand line or master stream. The decision of what stream to use and from what location to apply that stream is based on the size-up and not by a “must do it this may every time” SOP that does not allow the company officer to evaluate the conditions. Regardless of the initial tactics, and assuming the structure is not in a position to collapse immediately, every structure must eventually be entered to complete extinguishment and overhaul.
I will reserve judgment about the details of this particular fire as a few photos cannot tell the whole story BUT given the limited info in this site it appears their tactics were prudent and efficiently carried out. I too would say job well done.
#6 by Capt. Bob on July 22, 2014 - 3:59 PM
Great job guys, an interior attack. Forcing the fire out the natural chimney, the bedroom window. I hope many departments take note. I continually observe this site and it just irks me to see first in companies shooting water into a window to knock down the flames. They are just spreading the fire throughout the interior.
Retired Fire Fighter