IN THE AFTERMATH OF THE CHARLESTON tragedy, there has been an active dialogue throughout the Fire & Rescue community about building construction and building codes.  Firegeezer asked Jim Featherstone – code name LightRock – if he would pen something relevant for us.

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Where Are The Firewalls ?

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Last week, there was another of what has become seemingly commonplace in Northern Virginia: A fire involving several townhouses. In this case, the fire occurred in Gainesville, VA, which is located in rapidly growing western Prince William County, about 30 miles west of Washington, DC. As the photo that accompanies this column clearly illustrates, at least 4 townhouses quickly became involved. Despite rapid and, from all reports, competent response from local fire department units, preliminary damage estimates approach $1.5 million.

In discussing this fire with some of my friends and business associates – many who have been members of the firefighting community in the DC metropolitan area for 20 to 30 (or even more) years, one recurring theme was that fires like this used to be rare but are now becoming a far more frequent occurrence.

Back in the prime of my firefighting and fire chiefing days during the 1980’s and into the early ‘90’s, we used to have lots of townhouse fires. Yet, in most all cases (unless the buildings were under construction) these fires typically involved a single unit or address, with the occasional and minor extension to an adjoining unit. I can remember many a townhouse that was reduced to the proverbial smoldering heap, but we typically were able – in the lingo of the day – “keep it between the walls.”

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Today, there are more firefighters and fire trucks than there were 15-20 years ago. Training is more extensive. Tools and equipment are first rate. There is more emphasis than ever on incident command, organization and safety. Despite this, it seems that — at least in Northern Virginia and the DC area generally — the firefighting balance of power has shifted.

Why is this?

I’m putting my money on a combination of “modern” building codes and materials. First and foremost, the masonry firewalls (more…)

WHILE WATCHING THE VIDEOS  of the Sofa Center fire in Charleston, one of the things that many firefighters noticed was an apparent absence of an Incident Command System (ICS).  What immediately jogged it into focus was the picture of the Fire Chief standing in front, talking into a portable radio.  There were no aides, no support staff, and no designated command post.

Perhaps these basic parts of a command structure were there and just didn't appear on the video.  But the Charleston Post & Courier did an investigation and found out that there really was no viable ICS incorporated into the Charleston FD's standard procedure.

In an interview with the Assistant Chief, the Post & Courier reported that he, as incident commander, entered the fire building several times with the firefighters.  He also said that his actions were in accordance with CFD's training and procedures.

The Fire Chief says that he does not even know if his department's policies align with federal and state guidelines.  Chief Thomas said Garvin acted in accordance with departmental firefighting policy, which allows the fire scene commander to actively participate in fighting a fire. "He can get into the fire," Thomas said. He said doing so does not compromise his commander's ability.

It will be interesting to see if the investigation of this fire is able to produce a set of those guidelines.  Two years ago the State Governor ordered all fire departments to see that their policies were in line with the National Incident Management System.  If Chief Thomas doesn't know what the NIMS is, then it follows that he ignored the Governor's orders. 

Does the Charleston Fire Dept. ever have drills designed to test their command system?  Several other of his public statements indicate a severe shortcoming with their operational command.  If you haven't yet read the story from Sunday's Post & Courier, I urge you to do so now.  It is HERE. What type of ICS does your department have?  What do you think about it now?  Do you train regularly with it?  Use the Comments section to tell us what you use and any thoughts you may have about this situation.And while you are here, take a moment to participate in our poll.  It will be open for 72 hours.