First On Scene At House Fire, Aurora, CO 4/18/14

[Guest]

Good series of photos, but what is "laminar smoke"? It's not in my dictionary.

All of us Colorado Firefighting folks learned that term from Dave Dodson's "The Art of Reading Smoke" training.  Dave was originally from Colorado but he has taken the training across the country.  Sizing up smoke can help paint a good picture of what's going on inside the structure like what stage the fire is in, fire load, location etc. 

 

 

 

Not turbulent smoke. Just kind of floating.

 

I had never heard of it as part of a size up either, but those folks in Colorado are pretty high up in the stratosphere, not sure if it is the altitude or other considerations.

 

As ususaly Chief Toneslider did a great job.  If you are ever in Denver look him up he is a great guy and buff.

 

We typically have a few reading smoke classes around Denver every year.  Those combined with Brunacini's Blue Card and our Initial Radio Reports have gotten quite in depth.  Number of floors, size based on 200' pre-connect length, voicing if there is a basement or walkout basement, conditions showing, strategy, initial tactics and command name.  Once the IC completes the 360 a follow up report is given which may only confirm the initial radio report and nothing more, or new information may be shared that changes strategy or tactics.  Using this incident here's an example of what the standard on scene report is around most of the Denver area...

 

Dispatch Engine 13 on scene, small two story single family with a basement, light laminar smoke showing from both floors, offensive strategy, investigating, in command on the alpha side.

 

Follow up report after 360...

 

Dispatch Engine 13, 360 complete working deck fire with extension, advancing an 1 3/4" for fire attack to the charlie side, Truck 14 enter through the alpha side for primary search.

 

Thanks maxim, I always enjoy buffing with visitors!