BFD Training 6/24/13

Belton members met for regular bi-monthly training and used this time to catch up on a lot of business from previous projects, the SCFR conference and other happenings of the fire department.  Chief Sims brought everyone up to speed with what happened at the conferences in Myrtle Beach and North Charleston.  Training for the night included going over size up by use of two methods:  ABCD and IDEAL.  New bunker gear was also issued to some members with others being measured.

A- Address

B- Building Description

C- Conditions

D- Deployment and directives


First, confirm the address of the incident.  Many fires are called in by witnesses, neighbors or homeowners with cell phones.  Accurately determining the incident location can affect running routes, layout instructions and apparatus placement.  .

Next, provide a useful description of the building.  Simply stating "working fire" doesn't get the job done.  An adequate description of the building will help incoming engine companies determine line size and length, trucks companies plan their searches, ladders and ventilation and chiefs’ consideration for additional resources.

Going hand in hand with the building description is a report of conditions.  When describing conditions, paint a picture for incoming units.  Describe how much smoke and/or fire you have and give a specific location within the building.

Finally, announce what you are doing and what needs to done (deployment and directives).  This begins with identifying the operational mode (investigating, rescue, offensive or defensive).  This automatically tells incoming units what mindset to be in.  Next, provide any additional instructions to specific units or to dispatch.  This may include layout or placement instructions, announcement of special hazards or requesting additional alarms.

Below are a couple of examples to help you get started:
“Engine 1 is on-scene at 1 Main St.  I have a 1-story single family dwelling with light smoke showing from the Charlie/Delta corner. This will be a working fire, Engine 1 has it’s own water supply and will be going offensive, Command will be passed to Battalion 1,”

“Battalion 1 is on-scene at 321 Terrace Drive with a 2-story commercial dwelling with fire showing from the Second division side Alpha.  This will be an offensive working fire.  Engine 1 will be attack on Division 2, Engine 2 will pull a back up line and Truck 1 will report to the roof for ventilation and give me ladders for egress.  I also need a Second Alarm.”


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I - Identify arriving unit (s)

D - Describe what you see

E - Explain what you intend to do

A - Assume Command

L - Let incoming units know what you want them to do or where you want them to go

Sample IDEAL Size-up / First-in Report

Engine 1 to fire department dispatch – (I)

- we are on the scene of a multi-story school with nothing showing (D)

– we’ll be investigating (E)

– Captain Maness will be Command (A)

– Engine 2 & Rescue 12 can stage out on Anderson St. (L)