Over the decades, firefighters have adopted new tools, put on ever-more sophisticated protective clothing, and innovated new ways ways to combat the unpredictable dangers of the fireground. Despite all this change, the heart of what we do—our unswerving dedication to saving lives and property—remains the same.
There seems to be an ongoing, dynamic tussle between the old habits and the new demands of the profession. On one side you have the “old guard”—the “purists,” as some might call them. These are the grizzled firefighters who have honed and amassed expertise through real-world emergencies. Their knowledge of fire dynamics, building construction, and proper tactics doesn’t just come from a book or a training manual. It’s ingrained, a feeling that’s been shaped by countless runs and knowledge passed down through generations of firefighters who have found out what truly works (and does not) at working fires. They trust the known and proven ways of doing things, the things that have been transmitted to them, the shared experiences of success through past success.
On the other side, you have the “new wave,” or the “challengers.” These people are the “crazies,” the true believers, the rapid-change aficionados, the technology and strategic zealots who see the endless possibilities for emerging technologies and novel strategic practices. They realize the staggering potential that science, engineering, and information technology can bring to our profession. They are the tireless advocates of advancements: drones with infrared cameras able to peer through thick smoke to find a trapped victim or an overlooked hotspot; enhanced thermal imaging cameras that expose the invisible perils of superheated gases and structural collapse; and communication networks that allow an unprecedented level of information to be shared in real time.
Bridging the Divide
Negotiating the tension between these two sides can seem like walking a tightrope. The more-experienced members might declare: “We’ve put outhundreds of fires this way— we’ve done it historically and have only met success with it, so it’s obviously working.” The up-and-coming generation, more attuned to technology and data, might respond: “Oh but think of what we could do—how much faster, how much safer, how much more effectively we could operate and do our jobs if we judiciously incorporate these new tools and methods.”
For our profession, the most productive and lasting way forward is not to choose one side or other, but to seek a harmonious and mutually respectful mixture: a means of deeply honoring and leveraging the priceless experiential wisdom of yore while concurrently embracing the hopefulness-informed-by-evidence of tomorrow. In bridging tradition and innovation, the power and relevance of rigorous scientific research has never been more apparent.
Generations of firefighters have learned from the immediate, high-stakes experience of real emergencies, witnessing in person what works in the chaotic and unpredictable environment of a working fire. This experiential knowledge, handed down from old-timers to newbies, is an invaluable asset, our operational DNA. Yet this days we have another indispensable weapon in our collective toolkit: the systematic, no-nonsense rigor of the scientific method. Fire dynamics scientists are employing sophisticated mathematical models capable of predicting fire behavior, controlled experimental studies performed in realistic fire environments, to untangle the intricate dance of fire spread, heat transfer, and combustion. They work to ensure that the tactics used by firefighters are effective and the impacts of those tactics are researched and tested over a wide range of parameters. Although sometimes challenging, this evidence-based approach provides a reality check with which to measure both our much-loved traditional practices and those cutting-edge, untested technology practices.
The Research: Ventilation
Two of the leading and most credible entities performing this critically important are National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and UL Research Institutes’ Fire Safety Research Institute (FSRI). They employ state-of-the-art tools that include precise, controlled live-fire experiments conducted in dedicated purpose-built and fully instrumented burn buildings. Researchers carefully measure subtle temperature differences, study airflow, and examine the effectiveness of various suppression techniques and. This scientific approach allows us to go beyond hearsay and develop a more reliable comprehension of the complicated and sometimes erratic behavior of fire.
What’s especially amazing is how often these studies tend to affirm some of the fire service’s inherited wisdom. Firefighters have always known that controlling the flow path of air into a burning building is the most critical component of a successful and safe operation. We have also historically stressed the importance of controlling the oxygen available to the fire. Today, FSRI research, combining state-of-the-art fire modeling and well-monitored fire experiments, shows that the effects of this simple-sounding but crucial tactical action can have lifesaving impacts. Their advanced simulations and meticulous experiments have demonstrated beyond doubt how quickly a fire can increase in intensity and spread with uncontrolled ventilation. This underscores the lifesaving significance of the most fundamental tactics, meticulous door control or well-planned ventilation strategies. While seasoned firemen have always stressed these tactics based on anecdotal, the evidence derived from research strongly supports their continued application at today’s fires.
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The Research: Water Application
Likewise, NIST’s extensive investigations into water application for fire suppression have produced significant— and sometimes surprising— findings that supplement and often support established applications (management of hose streams). The research findings on water flow rate at various fire scenarios notes the significant effect of water droplet size in rapidly absorbing heat (energy). These studies provide a scientific underpinning to the hose handling and water application methods veteran firefighters have refined by intuition from to years of on-the-ground experience. The research can help clarify why certain time-honored means of applying water to fires remain so effective, notwithstanding the development of increasingly complex and sophisticated water delivery systems such as ultra-high-pressure systems and specialized fire attack nozzles designed to deliver particular droplet size and spray patterns. Regardless of the type of technology we use, it will always be essential to have a solid knowledge of heat transfer, fire chemistry, and fire in general.
The Dynamics of the Discourse
The tussle between the “old guard” and the “new wave” continues. Veteran firefighters’ experiences bring a critical perspective based on real-world observations and a deeply rooted intuitive understanding of fireground dynamics gleaned from hundreds or thousands of high-stress incidents. The focus is on intrinsic reliability, robustness over the decades, and basic firefighting capabilities that have kept firefighters safe and help mitigate fire incidents effectively. Advocates of new approaches and technology have justifiably emphasized the potential for great advances in firefighter safety, overall operational effectiveness, and improved outcomes that might be achieved through the selective and purposeful use of innovations. Examples include advanced thermal imaging tools that afford greater visibility in smoke-filled spaces, versatile unmanned aerial systems (UAS) for aerial perspectives and enhanced situational awareness, and state-of-the-art digital communications systems that enable truly seamless, real-time information dissemination throughout the fireground.
In navigating the debate, we need to strike a balance that continues to esteem both the accumulated wisdom of practical experience and the rigorously tested observations of scientific inquiry. The growing body of high-quality scientific literature generated by organizations such as NIST and FSRI is crucial. These studies provide an objective, evidence-based, and at times refreshingly nuanced perspective on fire dynamics that allows both established and innovative practices to be evaluated dispassionately. Scientific confirmation can help provide a transparent and credible explanation of how and why traditional methods work— and why we might adopt certain new technologies and tactics.
Examples
Thermal imaging technology has become ubiquitous in the fire service. Such advanced technology often provides an edge in quickly finding trapped persons and monitoring fire. But we should not dismiss the basics, those of the everyday experiences of the firefighter: observations, judgment, and sound common sense. A comprehensive knowledge of buildings, an accurate understanding of fire behavior, and an understanding of the inherent limitations of the thermal imaging technology itself are all required for interpreting thermal images and making operational decisions that are effective and safe.
Likewise, the knowledgeable application of newer suppression techniques—coordinated outside fire attack and slow, precise interior operations—is enriched by the in-depth scientific knowledge of fire dynamics, ventilation characteristics, and the potential for extreme fire growth derived from advanced fire modeling. Yet the success safety achieved by such advanced tactical methods still ultimately depend on the sound judgment, integrated risk assessment skills, and practical environment control experience possessed by competent incident commanders and well-trained staff and crews.
Finding the Balance
Fire officers must strike a balance between the practical lessons learned over decades of experience while respecting the objective and increasingly sophisticated lessons learned through scientific research. By actively encouraging the open expression of ideas, a respectful approach to different ways of thinking, and promoting collaboration between those with traditional firefighting experience and those who are excited about new technology, we can ensure that the desire to adopt new fireground technology is strategic, thoughtful, and applied in an evidence-based manner. Such an integrative approach will help improve our overall operational effectiveness, enhance the safety and long-term health of our members, and ultimately help us save lives and property.
References
Anderson, R. (2019). The enduring principles of firefighting. Fire Engineering Books & Videos.
Firefighter Safety Research Institute (FSRI). (2017). Impact of ventilation on fire behavior in single-family dwellings. UL Firefighter Safety Research Institute.
Firefighter Safety Research Institute (FSRI). (2020). Positive pressure attack: Tactics and considerations. UL Firefighter Safety Research Institute.
Grimwood, P. (2015). Euro Firefighter: Firefighting tactics and equipment. PennWell Corporation.
Kerber, S. (2012). Analysis of firefighter fatalities in residential buildings. National Institute of Standards and Technology.
Kerber, S., Madrzykowski, D., & Stroup, D. (2015). Effectiveness of fire department vertical ventilation tactics in single-family homes. Fire Technology, 51(1), 1-26.
Klinoff, T., Domin, R., & Shanley, M. (2021). Impact of coordinated ventilation on fire behavior in residential structures. Fire Technology, 57(3), 1235-1258.
Madrzykowski, D., & Fleischmann, C. M. (2000). Fire suppression tactics under wind-driven fire conditions. National Institute of Standards and Technology.
Martinez, S., & Lee, J. (2023). The role of drone technology in enhancing fireground situational awareness. Journal of Emergency Services, 48(2), 78-92.
National Fire Protection Association. (2022). NFPA 1001: Standard for firefighter professional qualifications.
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). (2020). Water delivery for fire suppression: A review of current research (NIST Technical Note 2094).
Rogers, E. M. (2003). Diffusion of innovations (5th ed.). Free Press.
Smith, A., & Jones, B. (2018). Factors influencing technology adoption in the fire service. Journal of Fire and Emergency Management, 6(1), 45-60.
Scott Guillerault is the fire chief and emergency management director for the City of Ellsworth, Maine. He is a 34-year veteran of the fire service, with experience spanning both volunteer and combination fire departments in Maine and South Carolina. He holds a bachelor of science degree in fire science from Columbia Southern University and is a Nationally Registered Paramedic. He is actively involved in the fire service community and is committed to improving firefighter safety, leadership development, and community engagement.