OG 4050 Residential Attached Garage Fires

Issued By: OPERATIONS (S. Thurber)    
Approved By: Fire Chief William H. Mosher
Date of Issue: 2011/01/05

PURPOSE: 

To provide direction to the Incident Commander (IC) during decision making and delegating task assignments on a confirmed fire in an attached garage.

OBJECTIVE:

Incident Commanders will have direction regarding the decision making and delegation of task assignments at a confirmed fire in an attached garage. 

SCOPE:

This operating guideline applies specifically to the Incident Commander at emergency scenes but as this position may change between members it is recommended that all career and members review and understand the procedure to be followed.

PROCEDURE:

Attached Garage Fires

Never make entry into a garage to make a fire attack!!

•    If the fire has extended into the living area the first line must be taken inside for primary search and fire control, also to control access and egress and to keep the fire away from potential victims.

•    The second line will then be used to extinguish the fire from the exterior.

•    If the fire is contained to the garage i.e. No visible smoke on the interior of the structure or the man door between the garage and the living area can be seen and is closed, the fire shall be extinguished from the exterior either through the main garage door or man door.

•    The second line will then be taken inside the living area and a primary search conducted.

•    Once the fire is out you may proceed into the garage for overhaul. Overhead doors must be secured from closing on their own.

OPERATING GUIDELINE REVIEW:

This operating guideline shall be reviewed when/if there are changes/amendments to the procedure followed at residential attached garage fires.