1
Q
What type of commercial space has become the predominant type in the Las Vegas Valley according to the document?
A
Strip malls.
2
Q
Why do developers favor strip malls according to the document?
A
They maximize revenue from limited land through multi-tenant leasing.
3
Q
What kind of buildings are strip malls generally described as?
A
Large, lightweight commercial buildings subdivided into individual tenant spaces.
4
Q
What typically separates individual strip mall units?
A
Non-rated partition walls.
5
Q
What increases the risk of lateral fire extension in strip malls?
A
The absence of proper fire-resistive barriers in the attic space and mansards.
6
Q
What should the initial size-up identify in a strip mall fire?
A
The fire’s point of origin, structural features affecting fire behavior, and early horizontal extension.
7
Q
What are critical priorities due to rapid fire progression in strip mall fires?
A
Establishing control boundaries and prioritizing exposure protection.
8
Q
What must the tactical approach consider in strip mall fires?
A
Ventilation profiles, roof construction, and the potential for early structural compromise.
9
Q
What does successful mitigation in strip mall fires demand?
A
Coordinated operations including rapid resource deployment, strategic water application, effective communications, continuous reassessment, and robust command and control.
10
Q
What is the F3L response for a strip mall incident?
A
Two engines, one truck, and one closest BC.
11
Q
How is the jurisdictional BC notified on an F3L strip mall response?
A
By landline.
12
Q
When does Dispatch send an F3L alarm for a strip mall incident?
A
For oven fires extinguished less than 5 minutes ago and fires in appliances, water heaters, or electric outlets, unless there are multiple callers.
13
Q
If the first arriving unit finds a working fire on an F3L strip mall response, what should it do?
A
Upgrade the fire to an F3H alarm.
14
Q
What is the F3H response for a strip mall fire?
A
Six engines, two trucks, two rescues, two closest BCs, EMS1, and AR1.
15
Q
When is a 3rd BC assigned on an F3H strip mall response?
A
If neither of the first two BCs is jurisdictional.
16
Q
What can be pulled in place of an engine as a closest-in four-person crew on F3H?
A
HR44 and or CBRNE3.
17
Q
When does Dispatch send an F3H response to a strip mall fire?
A
For strip mall fires.
18
Q
What should any confirmed fire in a strip mall warrant?
A
Consideration of a second alarm.
19
Q
When is a second alarm no longer a consideration but a necessity at a strip mall fire?
A
Upon confirmation of extension.
20
Q
Why is requesting a full second alarm at the outset more effective than adding units individually?
A
It ensures the proper complement of resources arrives together, reduces confusion, streamlines accountability, and clarifies the incident scope from the beginning.
21
Q
What is the 2nd Alarm Request for F3H strip mall fires?
A
Three engines, one truck, one rescue, and one BC.
22
Q
What is the 3rd Alarm Request for F3H strip mall fires?
A
Three engines, one truck, one rescue, and one BC.
23
Q
Where should the command post be located at a strip mall fire?
A
Where the IC has a good view of the scene and surrounding area, ideally on two sides.
24
Q
Which two sides should the IC ideally see from the command post?
A
Generally the front and the most critical side.
25
Where is the command post typically positioned at a strip mall fire?
In front of the Bravo or Delta exposure buildings or possibly across the street in a driveway.
26
What should command post placement not interfere with?
Apparatus movement.
27
What can glass storefronts provide for firefighters?
Quick, easy access.
28
What caution is given about breaking glass storefronts?
They can create large, unchecked ventilation openings.
29
What can operable sprinkler systems do in strip mall fires?
Effectively slow or stop fire spread.
30
What should be prioritized early regarding sprinkler systems?
Support of these systems.
31
What can anchor stores serve as in a strip mall fire?
A barrier to fire spread.
32
How are anchor stores typically separated according to the document?
By a firewall and a small gap between buildings.
33
What can partition walls between suites do?
Help slow fire spread.
34
What should partition walls not replace?
Strategically placed hoselines in exposure units.
35
What type of roof assemblies can fail quickly in strip mall fires?
Unsupported, lightweight roof assemblies.
36
What can further compromise roof integrity in strip mall fires?
Large, concentrated loads.
37
What do common attics provide in strip mall fires?
A pathway for fire spread.
38
Where must crews check for attic fire spread?
In all immediate exposures.
39
What do mansards and facades often create?
An unchecked avenue for fire spread and a collapse hazard.
40
What kind of fire environment do large, undivided areas with varying fire loads create?
Bigger, hotter, and faster-moving fires.
41
What can parapets and mansards create regarding roof access?
An obstacle to roof access.
42
What can crews look at to estimate parapet height?
The scupper location.
43
What should crews anticipate about Charlie-side access?
Fortified man doors and limited room for apparatus placement.
44
What special structural feature may some Las Vegas strip malls have?
Basements.
45
What may older strip malls lack in the attic space?
Partition walls extending through the attic space.
46
What may strip malls built before the mid-1980s lack?
Draft stops or partition walls dividing the attic space.
47
What does an attic without compartmentation allow?
Rapid horizontal fire spread.
48
What may strip malls built after the mid-1980s through the early 2000s have in the attic?
A draft stop or partition wall.
49
What limitation may attic draft stops or partition walls have in strip malls built after the mid-1980s through the early 2000s?
They may not extend completely to the roof decking or run entirely from Alpha to Charlie.
50
How are attic spaces in strip malls constructed in the early 2000s before 2007 typically divided?
By occupancy partition walls extending to the underside of the roof decking.
51
What do occupancy partition walls in early-2000s pre-2007 strip malls help do?
Slow horizontal fire spread.
52
What does post-2007 construction allow above separate occupancies if sprinklered?
Common attic spaces.
53
Why do many post-2007 occupancies still have partition walls?
For security reasons.
54
What does modern fire code limit within mansards and facades?
Open spaces to 100 linear feet without a draft stop.
55
What do many older buildings lack within mansard and facade spaces?
Any protection against fire spread.
56
What can strip mall occupancies contain?
A wide variety of small businesses and occupancy uses.
57
Why do strip malls harbor significantly different hazards?
Because many different occupancy uses exist under the same roof.
58
What can create a barrier to performing a 360 in strip mall fires?
Large building layouts and limited rear access.
59
What can rear vehicle access impede?
Apparatus placement and keeping personnel and equipment outside the collapse zone.
60
How can exposure units be identified in strip mall fires?
By their orientation to the primary fire unit, such as Bravo 1, Bravo 2, Delta 1, and Delta 2.
61
Where should initial exposure efforts usually focus?
On the side with the most significant potential for loss.
62
What can limit interior access in strip mall fires?
Excessive storage and debris.
63
When are fires in strip malls typically identified and reported early?
During business hours.
64
What does the document say about life hazard in strip mall fires?
Low life hazard.
65
What must be verified regarding units in a strip mall fire?
Evacuation of the primary and exposure units.
66
What fire trend is associated with modern building construction in strip malls?
More ventilation-limited fires.
67
What should be prioritized because it drives the IAP in strip mall fires?
Identification of the type and location of the fire.
68
Name one fire type or location specifically listed as driving the IAP in a strip mall fire.
Contents fire.
69
Name another fire type or location specifically listed as driving the IAP in a strip mall fire.
Attic fire.
70
Name another fire type or location specifically listed as driving the IAP in a strip mall fire.
Mansard fire.
71
Name another fire type or location specifically listed as driving the IAP in a strip mall fire.
Loading dock fire.
72
What is the document’s resource expectation for a strip mall fire confined to a single unit?
An F3H alarm will be adequate.
73
What strip mall fires will often require additional alarms?
Fires extended beyond the suite of origin or into the attic or void spaces.
74
What does fire code require for buildings over 5,000 square feet?
They must be sprinklered.
75
How often should hydrants be located according to the document?
Every 300 feet, or every 400 feet when the building is sprinklered.
76
What should business complexes with four or more hydrants and or sprinklers have?
At least two water supply sources.
77
What is the most relevant special circumstance in strip mall fires?
Weather.
78
What warning is given about high winds in strip mall fires?
They can overcome PPV fans and create exposure problems.
79
If hazards exceed the safety system’s capabilities, what must the operational strategy be?
Defensive.
80
If the safety system will adequately protect firefighters, what strategy can be used?
An offensive interior strategy.
81
In the RMP, when will we risk our lives a lot?
To protect a savable human life, in a highly calculated and controlled manner.
82
In the RMP, when will we risk our lives a little?
To protect savable property, in a highly calculated and controlled manner.
83
In the RMP, when will we not risk our lives?
To protect lives or properties that are already lost.
84
What must be continuously reassessed throughout the incident operation?
The RMP.
85
What does a calculated and controlled manner require regarding command?
Incident command established.
86
What does a calculated and controlled manner require regarding accountability?
Accountability system established.
87
What does a calculated and controlled manner require regarding communications?
Effective communications.
88
What does a calculated and controlled manner require regarding PPE?
Proper PPE.
89
What does a calculated and controlled manner require regarding safety procedures?
Safety procedures in place.
90
What does a calculated and controlled manner require regarding risk?
Continuous risk assessment by all members.
91
What are standard conditions in Strategy and IAP?
The incident’s current and forecasted critical factors.
92
What must be identified before taking any action?
The incident’s critical factors.
93
What provides the foundation for effective initial and ongoing action?
Current, accurate, and relevant information.
94
What must Command base the IAP on?
Tactical priorities.
95
When conditions are not standard, what must crews do?
Adapt tactics to the conditions present.
96
Why is an accurate description of strip mall layout and problem location within the BIR crucial?
It ensures successful deployment of resources and eliminates Alpha-side confusion.
97
When making exposure assignments, what side should the IC give precedence to?
The side with the most significant loss potential.
98
What is the side with the most significant loss potential typically?
The long side or the side unprotected by fire stops, fire walls, or anchor stores.
99
Name one common initial assignment at a strip mall fire.
Transitional or blitz attack through a storefront if indicated.
100
Name another common initial assignment at a strip mall fire.
Fire Attack.
101
Name another common initial assignment at a strip mall fire.
Exposures.
102
Name another common initial assignment at a strip mall fire.
Evacuations or primary search and check for extension.
103
Why must evacuations, primary search, and check for extension be prioritized early?
To identify and address lateral fire spread.
104
After pulling ceiling, what should crews report to Command?
Whether the attic is common or divided and the truss type.
105
Name another common initial assignment at a strip mall fire.
Charlie Division.
106
Name another common initial assignment at a strip mall fire.
FDC Support.
107
Name another common initial assignment at a strip mall fire.
Water Supply.
108
Name another common initial assignment at a strip mall fire.
Roof.
109
Name one additional assignment at a strip mall fire.
Backup.
110
Name another additional assignment at a strip mall fire.
On-Deck.
111
Name another additional assignment at a strip mall fire.
RIT.
112
Name another additional assignment at a strip mall fire.
Ventilation.
113
Name another additional assignment at a strip mall fire.
Salvage.
114
Name another additional assignment at a strip mall fire.
EMS Group.
115
Name another additional assignment at a strip mall fire.
Fire Medical.
116
Name another additional assignment at a strip mall fire.
EMS.
117
Name another additional assignment at a strip mall fire.
Rehab.
118
Name another additional assignment at a strip mall fire.
Command.
119
Name another additional assignment at a strip mall fire.
Incident Safety Officer.
120
What must crews coordinate all ventilation operations with?
Interior fire attack crews.
121
Why must ventilation be coordinated with interior fire attack crews?
To avoid changes in flow path, unintended fire spread, loss of visibility, or compromised escape routes.
122
When can crews use natural ventilation in a strip mall fire?
When there is little to no smoke visible inside the occupancy of origin, such as a pot on the stove or a small incipient-stage fire.
123
When should crews consider PPV in a strip mall fire?
When smoke conditions show low to moderate density, limited volume relative to the compartment, and minimal velocity or pressure.
124
What does effective use of PPV require?
Adequate exhaust openings near or directly opposite the air inlet.
125
How should PPV exhaust outlets be sized?
Appropriately to allow controlled removal of smoke and heat and ensure a clear flow path.
126
When should crews consider vertical ventilation in a strip mall fire?
When smoke conditions indicate high density, substantial volume relative to the compartment, and visible velocity or pressure.
127
Why are attic or plenum fires in strip malls especially dangerous?
Shared, often unprotected attic voids allow fire to rapidly spread beyond the point of origin.
128
What does successful mitigation of strip mall attic fires require?
Understanding construction features, early identification of attic involvement, and coordinated tactical decision-making.
129
What early crew assignments help attic-fire recognition?
Assigning crews to the involved occupancy, immediate exposures, and the roof as soon as resources permit.
130
In a strip mall attic fire, how should the first-arriving engine ideally handle water supply and position?
Secure its own water supply and position in front of and outside the collapse zone.
131
What should the first-arriving engine apply in a significantly involved attic fire?
Transitional water via the deck gun, large-diameter handlines, and or ground monitor.
132
What caution is given about interior operations within an involved unit with active attic or plenum fire?
Unsupported, lightweight roof assemblies will fail quickly when exposed to fire.
133
What should crews assigned to immediate exposures do in a strip mall attic fire?
Enter, evacuate occupants, conduct a primary search, and use the TIC to identify heat signatures.
134
How should ceiling be opened in immediate exposures adjacent to the primary fire unit?
From front to back to confirm or rule out attic involvement or extension.
135
What should crews do when they recognize attic involvement?
Notify the IC by Priority Traffic and request necessary resources.
136
What is one example of a resource crews may request after recognizing attic involvement?
Additional companies.
137
What is another example of a resource crews may request after recognizing attic involvement?
Hose lines.
138
What is another example of a resource crews may request after recognizing attic involvement?
Pike poles.
139
Where should exposure crews direct hose streams in a strip mall attic fire?
Into the attic space and toward the primary fire unit.
140
What should Command prioritize on the Charlie side in a strip mall attic fire?
An engine company with a dedicated water supply.
141
What should the Charlie-side engine company do in a strip mall attic fire?
Secure utilities, gain access, report conditions, connect to the FDC if located to the rear, and support a truck company if aerial water application becomes necessary.
142
What should the IC use a truck crew on the roof to do in a strip mall attic fire?
Confirm or rule out attic and mansard involvement via smoke indicator holes and inspection cuts.
143
What roof access advantage can a Charlie-side truck provide?
It helps eliminate the obstacle mansards and parapets create when accessing the roof.
144
Name one roof operation a truck company may perform in coordination with the IC and interior crews during a strip mall attic fire.
Cutting a heat hole.
145
Name another roof operation a truck company may perform during a strip mall attic fire.
A trench cut.
146
What is a trench cut typically used for in a strip mall attic fire?
As a defensive tactic to slow lateral fire spread.
147
Name another roof operation a truck company may perform during a strip mall attic fire.
Using a piercing nozzle.
148
Name another roof operation a truck company may perform during a strip mall attic fire.
Operating handlines in coordination with an engine to extinguish difficult-to-reach fires.
149
What difficult-to-reach fires are specifically listed for coordinated handline operations?
Mansard and attic fires.
150
Is PPV generally recommended for strip mall attic fires?
No.
151
What is the preferred ventilation tactic for strip mall attic fires?
Vertical ventilation.
152
When should vertical ventilation begin for strip mall attic fires?
Only after interior crews or truck companies on the roof have initiated fire suppression.
153
What caution is given about vertical ventilation on strip mall roofs?
The roofs can often fail rapidly under fire conditions.
154
What should be considered regarding labor demands in large attic fires requiring a trench cut?
Two truck companies may be necessary.
155
Why do mansards present significant hazards during firefighting operations?
They often contain hidden void spaces and lack fire-stopping, creating unchecked pathways for rapid fire spread.
156
What can happen when fire vents through the front of an occupancy and impinges on the mansard?
It can quickly degrade attachment points and supports, leading to partial or total collapse.
157
What risks do collapsing mansards create?
Crush injuries, blocked egress for interior crews, and damaged or obstructed hoselines.
158
What are the two classifications of mansards listed in the document?
Supported and unsupported.
159
How is a supported mansard typically characterized?
By an overhang with vertical, load-bearing support members carrying the bulk of the material weight.
160
What caution is given about supported mansards?
Check for mansard involvement before advancing personnel and equipment beneath it.
161
How can an unsupported mansard be quickly identified?
By the absence of vertical support members.
162
What construction method can make an unsupported mansard very strong?
Cantilevered roof assemblies projecting beyond an exterior wall.
163
What challenge exists with cantilevered unsupported mansards?
Fire spreading from the attic to the mansard, and vice versa, is more likely.
164
How should crews treat unsupported mansards until proven otherwise?
As if they are constructed with hangers and carriage bolts.
165
What unsupported mansard construction method presents a much higher likelihood of collapse?
Use of hangers and or carriage bolts directly attaching an overhang to an exterior wall.
166
How should crews treat any fire involvement in an unsupported mansard?
As if it is attached by carriage bolts and hangers until proven otherwise.
167
What should be communicated in the BIR or Follow-Up Report regarding a mansard?
Its presence and whether it is supported or unsupported.
168
If conditions indicate possible or obvious mansard involvement, what must happen before committing crews underneath and beyond it?
Extension must be confirmed or ruled out.
169
Who is in the best position to open up the mansard and confirm or rule out extension?
A truck crew assigned to the roof.
170
What is one quick and effective technique for accessing and observing mansard conditions from below?
Removing light fixtures.
171
What should happen immediately if mansard involvement is confirmed?
Communicate the finding by Priority Traffic.
172
Where must crews at the front of the building operate if mansard involvement is confirmed?
Outside of the collapse zone.
173
What should be prioritized for interior access if mansard involvement is confirmed?
Alternative access such as Charlie-side doors or exposure units.
174
What should a truck crew on the roof be equipped with if mansard involvement is confirmed?
A hoseline.
175
What should the roof truck crew do if mansard involvement is confirmed?
Expose and extinguish concealed fire within the mansard.
176
What additional complexity do two-story strip malls introduce?
Vertical access challenges, increased life hazard potential, and concealed vertical voids.
177
What may second-floor units in two-story strip malls be used for?
Residential, commercial, or storage uses.
178
What can lightweight construction and open stairwells allow in two-story strip malls?
Rapid vertical fire spread.
179
What life-safety concern can a lower-level fire create in a two-story strip mall?
It can impinge on stairwells and cut off egress.
180
What can complicate evacuation and search in second-story units?
Lack of direct exterior access.
181
What can voids between floors and in vertical chases do?
Facilitate concealed fire spread and delay detection.
182
When is vertical ventilation a consideration in a two-story strip mall fire?
When smoke conditions indicate high density, substantial volume, and visible velocity or pressure, if the involved unit is on the second story.
183
What should be clearly defined in defensive strip mall fires?
Defensive boundaries.
184
What may crews still be able to do in defensive strip mall fires?
Save part of the building.
185
What is common practice when the unit of origin is no longer reasonable for interior operations?
Operate defensively on the primary fire unit and offensively in the exposure units with clearly defined boundaries.
186
What should be established in defensive strip mall fires?
Cutoffs.
187
What can trench cuts do in defensive strip mall fires?
Slow lateral fire spread and save uninvolved portions of the building.
188
How should roof crews use trench cuts in defensive strip mall fires?
In coordination with interior crews with charged hoselines.
189
What types of exposures may strip mall fires have in defensive conditions?
Both internal and external exposures.
190
What tactical supervision should be considered in defensive strip mall fires?
Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, and Delta Divisions.
191
Name one common initial assignment in a defensive strip mall fire.
Blitz attack through a storefront if indicated.
192
Name another common initial assignment in a defensive strip mall fire.
Exposures.
193
Name another common initial assignment in a defensive strip mall fire.
Evacuations or primary search and check for extension.
194
Name another common initial assignment in a defensive strip mall fire.
Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, and Delta Divisions.
195
Name another common initial assignment in a defensive strip mall fire.
FDC Support.
196
Name another common initial assignment in a defensive strip mall fire.
Water Supply.
197
Name one additional assignment in a defensive strip mall fire.
On-Deck.
198
Name another additional assignment in a defensive strip mall fire.
RIT.
199
Name another additional assignment in a defensive strip mall fire.
EMS Group.
200
Name another additional assignment in a defensive strip mall fire.
Fire Medical.
201
Name another additional assignment in a defensive strip mall fire.
EMS.
202
Name another additional assignment in a defensive strip mall fire.
Rehab.
203
Name another additional assignment in a defensive strip mall fire.
Command.
204
Name another additional assignment in a defensive strip mall fire.
Incident Safety Officer.
205
How many tactical channels do many strip mall fires use?
A single tactical channel.
206
When should a secondary tactical channel be considered at a strip mall fire?
When adding a second alarm.
207
What should Command use the second tactical channel for?
Communications with the Level 2 Staging area.
208
How are LVFR offensive strip mall fire organizations commonly structured?
With individual units assigned to specific tasks.
209
When are divisions common in strip mall fires?
During defensive strip mall fires.
210
What must be continuously performed so firefighters can operate safely and go home unharmed?
Size-up, evaluation, and revision.
211
What must happen if tactics are not working?
The approach must be changed.
212
At ETNs and completion of tactical benchmarks, what must be done?
Reevaluate the strategy and IAP.
213
During de-escalation of strip mall fires, to whom is Command commonly transferred?
An Engine or Truck company.
214
How deep should deployment be maintained until Fire Control and Primary All Clear are achieved?
3-Deep Deployment.
215
What must be ensured before returning units to service?
That enough resources remain to complete salvage and overhaul operations efficiently.
216
What weather condition should be considered when demobilizing units?
Excessive heat.
217
What should be conducted before releasing units?
A hot wash.
218
Which units can be released before the hot wash?
On-Deck or Staged units.
219
When are hot washes unnecessary?
For low-level fires or fires easily controlled by the first-arriving unit.
220
What incident priority must be addressed before terminating Command?
Customer stabilization.
221
What does customer stabilization involve for strip mall fires if the property manager cannot secure the affected units?
Mobilizing utility companies and a board-up company.
222
When must NV Energy pull the electric meter at a strip mall fire?
If damage to the walls, interstitial floor space, or attic compromises the building’s construction.
223
When must SW Gas secure gas to the structure at a strip mall fire?
During any significant fire.
224
What should also be requested when appropriate at a strip mall fire?
Investigators.
Strategy and Tactics
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