Attacking the fire
A firefighting team attacks the fire with the correct medium, aiming at the base and the seat of the fire, while managing ventilation so as not to feed it, and cooling the boundaries — the bulkheads and decks around the fire — to stop it spreading through the structure. This is the key point that basic firefighters must grasp: fighting the seat of the fire is only half the job; a fire spreads through hot bulkheads and decks into the next space unless those boundaries are cooled. After the fire is out, a reflash watch stays on scene because a fire can reignite from hot remains.
- Attack the fire at its base and seat with the correct medium.
- Manage ventilation carefully — opening a space can feed the fire with air.
- Cool the boundaries around the fire to stop it spreading through bulkheads and decks.
- Set a reflash watch after the fire is out, as it can reignite from hot remains.
WARNING — Cool the boundaries to stop the spread Fighting the seat of the fire is only half the job. A fire spreads through hot bulkheads and decks into adjacent spaces unless those boundaries are cooled — check and cool the spaces above, below and beside the fire.
TIP — Ventilation is a double-edged tool Opening a space can clear smoke but also feed the fire with fresh air. Ventilation is managed deliberately as part of the tactics, not opened up without thought, because air is one of the three things the fire needs.