Helmet Cam: Roof Ventilation at House Fire in San Bernardino, CA

Video by: San Bernardino Co FFs. Video info: Ride along with Medic Truck 311 (MT311) and Medic Engine 311 (ME311) from San Bernardino County Fire on a fire in the City of #Victorville. Station 311 is in the City of #Victorville and is one of the busiest in Southern California, running over 7,500 calls in 2013. This particular video is from 2013 and shows vertical ventilation on a single family home. Crews fighting the fire inside had trouble getting to the attic space due to an illegal operation. The ceiling was insulated with drywall, plywood and lathe/plaster, which made it very hard to get through to extinguish the attic fire. Crews interior and on the roof coordinated to get a hose line to the roof to knock down the fire. While not a normal tactical practice, #SBCoFD FF’s had to adapt and overcome to extinguish the fire. Damage to the home was isolated to one room, and the attic space. While units were committed on the Structure Fire, other resources were moved into the City of #Victorville to provide un-interuppted service to the City of Victorville.

Personnel at FS311 are very well versed and experienced in Vertical Ventilation and Truck Company Operations. While vertically ventilating, crews take burn time and building construction in mind. This particular home was of “conventional” construction, which relies on roof member size and strength, with 1”x12” roof coverings. This method of construction is a Firefighter friendly construction, and allows firefighters to be aggressive, yet knowing a good solid roof is below them. Newer homes are of a lightweight construction, and rely on trusses to make strength. These homes are not FF friendly, and can be very dangerous with even a short burn time.

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helmet cam san bernardino