High-Rise Fire Tactical Decision Game
This high-rise fire tactical decision game places the first arriving company officer at a reported fire in a 24-story residential building in East Orange, New Jersey. Dispatch reports smoke and sparks from the roof at 175 Prospect Street. Shortly afterward, the alarm system activates smoke detectors on Floors 23 and 24, and callers report smoke in hallways from Floors 19 through 24. You respond with multiple engines, ladder companies, a medic unit, and command officers during evening hours when residential occupancy is likely high.
Critical factors influencing the first arriving officer’s size-up and tactical priorities include:
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High-rise residential occupancy with many potential occupants
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Smoke conditions reported on several upper floors
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Fire alarm activation without sprinkler waterflow
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Long travel distance to the fire floor
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Need to establish stairwell control and accountability
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Coordination of building systems and fire department operations
Incident Video
This high-rise fire TDG includes a simulation video showing conditions during response and arrival. The initial segment illustrates exterior conditions and the approach to the building. A second segment shows lobby conditions and information from the annunciator panel indicating smoke detector activation on multiple upper floors. Later video from an unmanned aerial vehicle provides an overhead view of smoke and fire conditions near the roof and shaft area. These video segments allow participants to observe cues that inform recognition-primed decision making during high-rise incidents.
Important Lessons
High-rise incidents require careful coordination of strategy, logistics, and command structure. Initial companies must establish control of building systems, identify attack and evacuation stairwells, and manage elevator use. Crews ascending the building in this incident encountered heavy smoke beginning on Floor 19 while searching for the fire location. Fire was ultimately found in a shaft area extending between the basement and roof. Lines were stretched to both locations, and crews attacked the fire from the top and bottom of the shaft until it was extinguished. This high-rise fire TDG includes an additional learning section reviewing typical high-rise tactical and support assignments and common approaches to incident organization.
Recognition-primed decision making helps officers interpret incomplete information during high-rise operations. Reports of roof smoke, upper-floor alarms, and hallway smoke create multiple possible problem frames. Officers must evaluate these cues while coordinating incoming resources and managing occupant safety. Effective command requires early organization of divisions and groups, clear communication, and disciplined accountability as companies move through the building.
Learn more about how to use 10-Minute Training and find additional tactical decision games in the 10-Minute Training Library.