Command Competence fire service papers and articles address fire dynamics, compartment fire behavior training (CFBT), ventilation, live fire training, simulation, and structural firefighting. The collection includes conference papers and previously published articles developed to connect fire science, training, and fireground practice.
Publication information is provided where available. Readers should consider the research, standards, and terminology in use when each resource was originally written or presented.
Fire Dynamics and Tactical Operations
Ventilation Strategies: International Best Practice
This paper examines the similarities and differences in ventilation strategies and tactics in the United States, United Kingdom, Europe, and Australia with a focus on developing a more comprehensive framework for fireground operations. Also available in Croatian: Ventilacijske Strategije: Svjetska Iskustva I Metode (Nikola Tramontana, Trans.). This paper was presented at:
- IV Strucni Skup Vatrogasaca Opatija, Croatia, 2008
- Brandbekämpfungsseminar, Feuerwache Böblingen, Germany 2007
Extreme Fire Behavior: Understanding the Hazard
This paper provides an overview of compartment fire development and potential for extreme fire behavior such as flashover, backdraft, and smoke explosion. This paper was presented at:
- IV Strucni Skup Vatrogasaca Opatija, Croatia, 2008
- South Alberta Firefighters Conference, Lethbridge, Canada, 2008
- International Firefighting Safety Conference, Sydney, Australia, 2009
- International Firefighting Safety Conference, Perth, Australia, 2009
Fire Behavior Indicators and Fire Development
This paper provides an overview of critical fire behavior indicators using the B-SAHF organizing scheme (Building, Smoke, Air Track, Heat and Flame) and examines their relationship to the stages of fire development (incipient, growth, fully developed, and decay) and burning regime (fuel or ventilation controlled). This paper was presented at the South Alberta Firefighters Conference, Lethbridge, Canada 2008.
Fire Development in a Compartment Part 1
Originally published on Firehouse.com, this article examines basic combustion concepts, heat transfer, and the combustion of solid fuels that form a foundation for understanding compartment fire development. A Spanish translation by Juan Kunstman is also available: Desarrollo del fuego en compartimentos parte 1.
Training and Simulation
Live Fire Training as Simulation:
The Role of Fidelity in Effective Training
This paper examines live fire training as a simulation of fires in the built environment and presents a potential methodology for exploring critical elements in fidelity (the extent to which the simulation reflects reality). This paper was presented in October 2009 at the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency in Sandö, Sweden.
How Much Science is Necessary?
This 2009 paper examines limitations in fire service standards and curricula at the time of publication and discusses the need for firefighters and fire officers to develop scientific literacy to understand and apply practical fire dynamics. This paper was presented at the 2009 International Firefighting Safety Conference in Sydney, Australia.
What is Compartment Fire Behavior Training?
Originally published on Firehouse.com, this article explains the basic concept behind compartment fire behavior training (CFBT) as an integrated framework for developing structural firefighting knowledge and skills. A Spanish translation by Juan Kunstman is also available: ¿Por qué es importante el entrenamiento en comportamiento del fuego (CFBT)?
Why is CFBT Important?
This article was originally published on Firehouse.com. Originally published on Firehouse.com, this article examines historical firefighter fatality trends and discusses how compartment fire behavior training and appropriate instructor qualifications can contribute to firefighter safety. This article points out how CFBT can improve firefighter safety and the importance of CFBT Instructor Qualifications. This article is also available in Spanish: ¿Qué es el entrenamiento sobre comportamiento del fuego en compartimentos? (Juan Kunstman, Trans.).