Full lesson plan· Truck Company Priorities Coordinated With Fire Attack

Coordinated Search, Ventilation, and Forcible Entry

Shared by Bryan Butcher

OBJECTIVE Members will prioritize forcible entry, primary search, ventilation, laddering, and utility control while coordinating each action with command and the attack line. CORE CONCEPTS Truck work changes the building. Opening a door, window, or roof can alter flow paths and fire growth. The goal is not to complete isolated tasks quickly; it is to perform the right task at the right location and time to support rescue and suppression. OPERATIONAL APPLICATION Conduct a 360 when assigned and report access, victims, basement indicators, roof profile, utilities, and hazards. Force the selected entry while controlling the door. Search from known areas toward the greatest survivability profile, maintaining orientation and communicating progress. Place ground ladders for rescue and secondary egress. Vent only with a clear objective, location, and coordination signal. Confirm the attack line is ready and command understands the action. Mark searched areas according to department practice and report all-clear benchmarks accurately. PRACTICAL EXERCISE Using a familiar building, assign a four-person truck crew. Have them state tool assignments, choose entry and ladder locations, identify search priorities, and explain which openings they would delay until the engine is ready. Run a radio-based tabletop, then a hands-on evolution without smoke. SAFETY AND LIMITATIONS Monitor fire behavior before and after openings. Avoid working above uncontrolled fire without protection. Maintain two means of egress when practical, control glass and falling debris, secure ladders, use spotters, and operate saws only with trained personnel and required PPE. KNOWLEDGE CHECK 1. Why must ventilation be coordinated with suppression? 2. What information should the 360 provide? 3. How does a search crew maintain orientation? 4. Where should ladders be prioritized? 5. What should be transmitted when a primary search is complete? INSTRUCTOR NOTE Use this lesson as a discussion and skills-development framework. Department SOPs/SOGs, the incident commander, medical control, manufacturers' instructions, and the authority having jurisdiction always control.

The full drill steps, attachments, discussion and completion tracking for this training are available to Station Table members.