Transitional Fire Attack 1 
Transitional Fire Attack
Strategy & Tactics - 2014 Final Exam
By: Garrett Christian
A transitional fire attack is a combination of both defensive and offensive techniques that can only be used in very specific situations. It is widely known as a “quick knockdown from the exterior with a straight stream directed off the ceiling to hold a fire in check, and allows firefighters to perform an offensive fire attack under safer conditions for victims and for the fire attack crew”.
The transitional fire attack is used when a structure fire has visible flames from one or more openings (windows, doors, etc.), and the time needed to make an offensive attack will allow the fire to reach flashover, extend to uninvolved rooms, and/or extend to other nearby structures. If the location of the fire within a structure isn’t known or an offensive attack can be made safely and effectively, a transitional attack isn’t appropriate and will not be used. A transitional attack is not based on the idea of unburned to burn and push the fire back. The idea behind it is more along the lines of simply getting water on the fire as quickly as possible. There are both advantages and disadvantages to this tactic.
As mentioned above, the idea behind this tactic is to get water onto the fire as soon as possible. If this can be achieved, the fire will remain cooler and more controlled for a limited amount of time allowing for fire crews to quickly search for victims (search and rescue), locate power/utility shut off valves, and to get a better understanding of the structure’s lay out.
There are some disadvantages to consider when using this tactic. The main issue is that it needs to be performed 100% correctly, or it is ineffective. If it is not done correctly or in the appropriate situation, there is a great risk of pushing the fire. Temperatures could rise substantially and smoke could fill adjacent rooms and/or previously uninvolved areas. Defensive back up crews and resources
Strategy & Tactics - 2014 Final Exam
By: Garrett Christian
A transitional fire attack is a combination of both defensive and offensive techniques that can only be used in very specific situations. It is widely known as a “quick knockdown from the exterior with a straight stream directed off the ceiling to hold a fire in check, and allows firefighters to perform an offensive fire attack under safer conditions for victims and for the fire attack crew”.
The transitional fire attack is used when a structure fire has visible flames from one or more openings (windows, doors, etc.), and the time needed to make an offensive attack will allow the fire to reach flashover, extend to uninvolved rooms, and/or extend to other nearby structures. If the location of the fire within a structure isn’t known or an offensive attack can be made safely and effectively, a transitional attack isn’t appropriate and will not be used. A transitional attack is not based on the idea of unburned to burn and push the fire back. The idea behind it is more along the lines of simply getting water on the fire as quickly as possible. There are both advantages and disadvantages to this tactic.
As mentioned above, the idea behind this tactic is to get water onto the fire as soon as possible. If this can be achieved, the fire will remain cooler and more controlled for a limited amount of time allowing for fire crews to quickly search for victims (search and rescue), locate power/utility shut off valves, and to get a better understanding of the structure’s lay out.
There are some disadvantages to consider when using this tactic. The main issue is that it needs to be performed 100% correctly, or it is ineffective. If it is not done correctly or in the appropriate situation, there is a great risk of pushing the fire. Temperatures could rise substantially and smoke could fill adjacent rooms and/or previously uninvolved areas. Defensive back up crews and resources
References: Used: Fire Officer: Principles and Practice, 2nd edition, 2010 Fireengineering.com Firehouse.com Firerescue1.com Backstepfirefighter.com