> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://lfbknowledgebase.co.uk/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://lfbknowledgebase.co.uk/information-and-documents/firefighter-development.md). # Firefighter Development {% hint style="danger" %} This page and all other London Fire Brigade documents do **not** qualify you to perform any skills or actions in the real world. This page is explicitly made for the London FivePD FiveM server and we take no responsibility for any actions performed outside of the video game environment. Do **not** use any content in this page as a substitute for real life firefighting training, and do **not** give any Firefighting advice based upon content of this page. Please **do** use knowledge attained from this page to better improve your own and others roleplay within the confines of London FivePD and video game environment. **This page does also not train you for the relevant roles. This is solely a refresher handbook for already trained personnel wanting to refresh their knowledge.** {% endhint %} ## Firefighting Basics
The Fire Triangle The Fire Triangle or combustion triangle is a simple concept which most should know. It is a scientific principle that is important for all people to be aware of. It helps people understand how fires sustain themselves and is essential background information in situations where you may have to use fire safety equipment. The fire triangle, or combustion triangle, is the three components needed to ignite and sustain a fire. The three ingredients of a fire triangle are; heat, fuel and oxygen. If just one of these elements is removed from the triangle the fire’s ability to sustain itself is removed and is therefore extinguished. * **Heat**: A source of heat is required in order for ignition to occur, and different materials have different ‘flash points’ e.g. the lowest temperature at which they ignite. Unfortunately, combustion reactions also produce heat as they burn, further increasing the temperature of the fuel. For some types of fire, the heat can be cooled with the application of water. * **Fuel**: A fire cannot begin if there is no material to burn. Homes and businesses are full of flammable materials, such as paper, oil, wood and fabrics. Any of these can serve as a fuel for a fire. Fuel is often the hardest element to remove from the Fire Triangle due to the volume of fuel available, therefore its vital to store fuels appropriately to prevent the hazard of a fire. * **Oxygen**: Earth's atmosphere is made up of 21% oxygen therefore there is more than enough oxygen to trigger and sustain the Fire. To sustain the combustion reaction, oxygen (or an oxidising agent) is needed, as it reacts with the burning fuel to release heat and CO2. Commonly used items to remove the element of oxygen within a fire are Fire Blankets and Fire Extinguishers.
Fire Hoses The London Fire Brigade utilise a variety of different hose sizes: * 22mm Hose - 18.3 meters in length this yellow high pressure hose reel can be used in small spaces, as it’s easy to manoeuvre. * 45mm Hose - at 23m in length this is the standard hose, commonly used in house fires. Most of our 45mm hose is red, but when it needs to be taken out of service, we’re replacing it with yellow hose which is easier to see. * 70mm hose – at 23m in length this hose is used in different scenarios. Its wide diameter delivers lots of water fast, but the weight of that water makes it harder to manoeuvre. This hose is also being replaced with yellow hose. * 70mm aerial hose – with some added length bringing this hose to 30m, it can be used on aerial appliances. * 12mm chimney hose – this slim hose has a rose on the end, which spurts water in all directions, helping to extinguish fires in chimneys **Hose layer units (HLU):** * Hose layer units are used throughout London. Each HLU contains 140 sections of 90mm hose, each 30m in length (4km in total). So when there’s a fire without a nearby hydrant or water source, a HLU can lay hose from the nearest water source all the way to the fire. **High Volume Pumping Units (HVP):** * A HVP carries a submersible pump, with a very wide hose. This can be used both to suck up and remove water in a flood, and draw water from bodies of water which can then be used to fight fires. {% hint style="warning" %} **The use of an HLU or HVP must be authorised by a command member or the Incident Commander.** {% endhint %}
Fire Classes It is very important that Firefighters know the different kind of Fire Classes. For example using the Fire Classes guide helps a Firefighter understand the best extinguisher to use for that fire whilst minimising the risk of increased electrical shock, burns or explosions. There are six types of Fire Classes - A, B, C, D, E and F.
Thermal Imaging Cameras (TIC'S) Thermal Imaging cameras are used by firefighter crews to identify the location of a Fire, or any hotspots, especially when the fire may be obscured by dense smoke or objects. TIC’s can also be used to rapidly locate unconscious victims who may have become incapacitated within the Fire in heavy smoke or low light atmosphere's. An ideal location for this TIC to be used would be within underground car parks, apartment buildings, factories and/or forests. The TIC was introduced to the London Fire Brigade in 2016 and has since been a vital part of its equipment carried on most frontline appliances as well as boats. {% hint style="info" %} To use a Thermal Imaging Camera in game, you get one from an appliance by typing **`/tic collect`** and**`/tic store`** once finished. {% endhint %}
Fire Escape Hoods A fire escape hood is worn over the head. The tight seal around the hood prevents any smoke from getting in. So the only air you’ll breath comes through the filter, which removes the toxic gasses found in smoke – providing clean, safe air for 15 minutes. Fire escape hoods are carried in almost every appliance used by the London Fire Brigade and used to shelter victims found within a fire from smoke inhalation. They can be used when trying to navigate someone through a thick smoke filled area and allow victims to remain in the danger zone for longer without the risk of inhaling smoke or toxins. They are used to buy more time to firefighters tasked with extraction. Fire escape hoods are very easy to put on and can be placed upon children and adults. Once the Fire Escape Hood is placed upon a casualty, you may lead them to safety or wait within the danger zone accompanying the casualty until a safe extraction route is established. Fire Escape hoods are not forcible upon a casualty. {% hint style="info" %} Fire escape hoods aren’t modelled in game, so if you wish to utilise these, roleplay them through `/me` and `/gme`. {% endhint %}
Water Monitors and Ground Monitors Water monitors play a crucial role in protecting lives, property, and the environment. These specialized devices are designed to deliver a high volume of water or firefighting foam over long distances, providing an effective means of combating fires, especially in hazardous or hard-to-reach areas. There are 4 types of Water Monitors: * **Manual Monitors** - Manual fire water monitors are handheld devices that provide firefighters with flexibility and mobility during firefighting operations. They are typically lightweight and portable, allowing firefighters to direct water or foam precisely at the source of the fire. Manual monitors are often employed in scenarios where access is limited, or where fixed monitors are not available. * **Portable Monitors** - Portable fire water monitors are larger than manual monitors but still retain a level of mobility. They are usually equipped with a base and wheels, making them easy to transport to different locations. Portable monitors are commonly used in industrial settings, oil refineries, chemical plants, and other areas where the risk of fires is high, and access to fixed firefighting systems may be limited. * **Fixed Monitors** - Fixed fire water monitors are permanently installed in strategic locations, such as industrial facilities, airports, storage tanks, or marine vessels. They are designed to provide continuous and automated fire protection. Fixed monitors can be controlled manually, or remotely, allowing operators to aim the water or foam at specific targets. These monitors often have a high flow rate and can deliver large volumes of extinguishing agents over considerable distances. * **Oscillating Motors** - Oscillating fire water monitors are fixed monitors that can move horizontally and vertically to cover a larger area. They are equipped with a motorized mechanism that allows the monitor to sweep back and forth or up and down, enabling a broader coverage of the fire. Oscillating monitors are commonly used in situations where a wide area needs to be protected, such as storage yards, helipads, or open-air facilities. The current Ground Monitor used by the London Fire Brigade is the Akron Mercury Ground Monitor. As mentioned these pieces of equipment are versatile in offensive and defensive fire attack modes are carried on most frontline appliances. {% hint style="info" %} **Within London FivePD LFB, a maximum of one water monitor can be placed from a single pump appliance.** To place a water monitor, you can type **`/watermonitor setup`**, and it will spawn in front of you in the direction you’re facing. It is also vital that we place the water monitors at a distance from each other (minimum of two meters) to prevent the script from glitching. To enable a monitor, press **‘E’**. The pitch of the water spray can be alternated by the use of the up and down arrow keys. This helps for high rise or long distance fires. To pack away a water monitor, you can type **`/watermonitor remove`**, and it will delete the closest monitor to you. {% endhint %}
Extra Equipment Carried In A Front Line Appliance * **MIBS Stretcher:** Multi-integrated Body Splint Stretcher (MIBS) is used for rescuing injured people from confined spaces. They can be strapped onto the flexible stretcher and winched up. We do not have a modelled MIBS in game, so you need to utilise `/me` to roleplay these out. * **Environmental grab bag:** This contains putty to stop a leak, absorbent to soak up liquid and mats to put over drains to stop harmful substances from getting into the water supply. They are mainly used during chemical spill incidents. We do not have modelled grab bags in game, so you need to utilise `/me` to roleplay these out. * **Gas tight suits/Hazmat Suits:** these are worn over a firefighter's usual protective clothing and BA set to prevent them from being contaminated by any dangerous substance, be it a solid, liquid or a gas. After the incident they are hosed down or firefighters stand in a portable shower to wash any dangerous particles away. * **Lighting:** on top of the fire engines are large powerful lights which can illuminate a scene in the dark. There are also transportable lights in the lockers that can be rigged up away from the fire engine. These can be collected using your third eye and collecting them from the rear of the appliance. * **Positive Pressure Ventilation (PPV) Fans:** PPV Fans is a ventilation technique used by the fire service to remove smoke, heat and other combustion products from a structure. This allows the fire service to perform tasks in a more clearer environment. To utilise these in game, please type `/fan setup`, and to remove please type `/fan remove`. * **Do Not Cross Tape:** this red and white striped tape is used to cordon off an area during an incident to protect the public and control access to the area. We do not have a working tape script in game so you will have to use common sense. * **Cones:** If firefighters arrive at a scene before police, they can cone the area off to protect themselves (especially if on a road) and to cordon off the area. To get these, use your third eye at the rear of the appliance to collect them. * **Breathing Apparatus:** There are four BA sets on board the fire engine and firefighters wear them when they are dealing with incidents where there is smoke or chemical fumes. They wear the cylinders of air on their backs like a rucksack and these are connected by a tube to a face mask which fits over the face and is secured by straps around the head. The sets have a gauge which is on the shoulder strap in the front and firefighters check this regularly to see how much air they have left in the cylinder. They can last around 30 to 35 minutes on average on one cylinder of air. After an incident the cylinders are re-filled using a compressor. Instructions on how to use a BA set will be explained on another slide. * **Rescue Cushion:** The rescue cushion is an inflatable jumping device for rescuing falling/jumping people from buildings of up to 16 meters in height. It consists of an inflatable cubic frame. The frame is covered with a high tensile fabric. To place these, type `/rescuecushion setup`, and to remove type `/rescuecushion remove`. * **Jafco tools:** All fire engines carry a set of Jafco tools including pitch fork, broom, spade, beaters etc. These are often used at the scenes of incidents to assist with clearing access and clearing debris. These can be collected using your third eye from the rear of your appliance. * **Chimney rods and hose:** These special rods and hoses are used for dealing with chimney fires. These aren't modelled in game, so if needed you will need to roleplay these out with `/me`. * **Toolbox:** The toolbox contains all the equipment you would expect to find in a standard tool kit including a hammer, screwdrivers, spanners, a saw, pliers and a chisel. To roleplay this, you can use a selection of emotes from the emote menu. * **BA entry board:** Each firefighter who enters a building or confined space wearing a breathing apparatus (BA) set is recorded onto the BA board. The identification tag from their BA set, which contains their name, is slotted into the board and the time they went in is written next to it. One firefighter has the role of entry control officer and is in charge of this board, signing people in and out. If a firefighter wearing a BA set gets in to trouble, or is running out of air in their cylinder, the identification tag sounds an alarm to alert the entry control officer and immediate action can be taken. **Only ECO qualified personnel should be utilising a ECB on a scene.** ###
Entering A Building Sometimes Firefighters may be tasked with entering buildings to conduct primary or secondary searches, as well as to distinguish fires. It is in these times that no Firefighter shall enter the building alone for maximum crew safety. Upon arrival of the scene a Stage 1 Entry Control Officer will be appointed, if available. Once all crews are on scene, the Incident Commander may ask you to set up a piece of equipment called a ground monitor, or water monitor. Once all the necessary equipment has been set up the Entry Control Officer will gather you all in for a very quick and short briefing. In the briefing the Entry Control Officer will assign you a BA team and depending how many assets we have on scene the Entry Control Officer will split you into groups of 2-4 people per BA team with the callsign BA Team 1, BA Team 2 etc. Once all assets have been assigned a BA team, each BA team will be assigned a role. Let’s focus on BA Team 1. BA Team 1 are the assigned BA Team to conduct a primary search of the building for any unreported casualties or further hazards/fires. Before you enter the building the Entry Control Officer will give you a pull out pressure and this could vary from 100-150 bar based on the size of the scene. Once that has been set one of your colleagues from your BA Team will be appointed by the Entry Control Officer as a BA Team Leader. A BA Team Leader’s job is to take control of the BA Team which includes taking full control of radio communication for your BA Team to the Entry Control Officer, keeping up to date with your BA Teams pressure bar and finally making sure you lead your team through the building as safely and as efficiently as possible. Communication will be made on an as need basis, such as: * **Fire found** - ECO from BA team1, fire 3rd room in left hand wall, lowest pressure 280, continuing to fight the fire * **Casualty found** - ECO from BA team1 priority message, casualty found 2nd room in left hand wall, exiting now via the nearest available exit * **Changing floors -** ECO from BA team1, going upstairs to second floor, lowest pressure 250 **If no ECO is appointed, then the IC will be your first line of communication.**
Types of Searches A **Primary Search** is a rapid search to find anyone that may be inside a structure fire who still has a chance to survive if found. This is often one of your your first courses of action when you arrive at a fire. A **Secondary Search** is a more thorough search where there are no time constraints to find anyone that may have been missed during the primary search. These are mainly done when the fire is extinguished. A **Left/Right Hand Search** is a method you use to search a building. In fires, visibility is very low and it is easy to get lost. In a left/right hand search, you stick to the left/right hand wall. This makes sure you do not become lost, and you clear every room whilst also ending up at your starting place.
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