Fighting fires in high-rise buildings revolves around size-up, establishing lobby control, understanding basic building systems, controlling air flow/stack effect (thus dictating smoke migration), initiating fire attack including strict control over the all-important attack stair, sustaining the assault, gaining control over the fire while minimizing risks to building occupants, knowing how to overcome the negative dynamics of wind-driven fires (it’s all about pressures), understanding fire department connection pump operations (pump to the roof, top of zone—not the fire floor), elevator operations, heating-ventilation-air-conditioning system capabilities, and standpipe deliveries (pressure relief valves, flow restrictors). All lead to a successful conclusion to fires that have proven to be unforgiving in nature to firefighters and civilians. These fires are low-frequency, high-impact events. Your greatest tool is knowledge. This class delivers just that from Curtis Massey, a 25-year high-rise fire service instructor, and Roger Sakowich, Fire Department of New York Manhattan borough commander.
