OBJECTIVES
Upon completion of this lesson you will be able to:
- Define Size Up.
- Describe the importance of Size Up.
- Describe the acronym “COAL WAS WEALTH”.
- Define Scene Assessment.
- Describe the role of incident Commander.
- Describe how to Approach the Fire.
- Describe the Monitoring of Operations.
- Describe the Log Down (recording of events) and the Salvage Operations.
1. SIZE-UP:
Size-up, Pre-Fire Planning, and Incident Communications:
- Situation Evaluation.
- On and off the fire ground.
- Fire problems.
- Potential fire problems.
- Begins with pre-planning.
2. Who does size-up?
- Incident Commander.
- Company Officer.
- Firefighter/lead fire rescuer.
2.1 When do we size-up? Importance of size-up:
- Before the Incident.
- When call is received.
- On arrival.
- Throughout the incident.
2.2 Before the Fire:
- Pre-Fire Planning.
- Target Hazard Surveys.
- Familiarization with 1st affected Area:
- Building Types.
- Roof Types.
- Occupancy Types.
2.3 When the Alarm is Received:
- Time & Date.
- Weather.
- Address.
- Call Type.
- What’s Available.
- Other Information.
2.4 On Arrival:
- Position of Apparatus:
- Three-sided view.
- Personal Position:
- 360-degree inspection.
- Rear view.
- Exposures.
On Arrival:
- Better overall picture.
- Easier to match actions to conditions.
- Easier to match available resources.
3. Best information of Size-up can be obtained by acronym
“COAL WAS WEALTH”
- C – Construction.
- O – Occupancy.
- A – Apparatus and Personnel.
- L – Life Hazard.
- W – Water Supply.
- A – Auxiliary Appliances.
- S – Street Conditions.
- W – Weather.
- E – Exposures.
- A – Area & Height.
- L – Location & Extent of Fire.
- T – Time.
- H – Hazardous Material.
4. Scene Assessment:
In scene assessment, you must assess:
- Assessing the Extent of Damage.
- Assessing the Casualties involved.
- Nature of Fire.
- Assessing the Support and Back up Requirements.
- Establishing an Effective Communication with Control Room.
- Accurate Assessment Reporting to Control Room.
- Wind Direction.
- Determination of Collapse Zone.
- Cordon Off Area (Both Internally & Externally).
5. Role of Incident Commander:
- Establishing Effective Incident Command Post.
- Selection of suitable location for operations.
- Selection of suitable firefighting methods.
- Ventilation.
- Establish effective communications between fire parties & on-scene command.
6. Approach the Fire
- Cutting of supplies (electricity, gas, fuel etc.).
- Fire entry method.
- Arrange firefighting equipment.
- System checks.
- Rescue & Evacuation of casualties.
- Back up & support parties.
- Cordon off the Area.
- Boundary Cooling.
- Removal of Potential Hazards.
7. Monitoring the operations:
- Monitor fire spread (Conduction, Convection & Radiation).
- Continuous monitoring of changing conditions during operations.
8. Log Down (recording of events):
Following steps must be considered when log down of data:
- Accurate log (record) of all events with timings.
- Accurate reporting of all logged events.
8.1. Salvage Operations:
You must consider during salvage operations:
- Salvage the property.
- Minimize the damage.
- Preserve the evidence for investigations.
Conclusion:
Firefighting operations rely heavily on accurate and timely scene assessments, commonly referred to as “size-up.” This process evaluates critical factors such as building construction, occupancy, life hazards, and water supply, encapsulated in the acronym “COAL WAS WEALTH.”
Effective size-up begins before an incident through pre-fire planning and continues with situational awareness during emergencies. Incident commanders and responders assess fire progression, potential hazards, and resource allocation to minimize risks.
Accurate logging of events ensures accountability, while salvage operations preserve property and evidence. Studies show that thorough size-up significantly reduces operational failures, highlighting its role as a cornerstone of effective firefighting.
Emma Lee, an expert in fire safety with years of firefighting and Rescuer experience, writes to educate on arescuer.com, sharing life-saving tips and insights.