Loss Control
Course
Firefighter II
Unit I
Overhaul
Essential
Question
What can
firefighters
effectively do to
ensure that
debris, trash,
and hazards are
removed from
the emergency
scene, while
preserving
evidence and
information that
may be used for
fire cause
determination?
TEKS
§130.300(c)
(8)(A)(B)(C)
Prior Student
Learning
Completed
assigned
reading and use
of previous
knowledge,
skills, and
experience
Estimated Time
2 hours lecture
and 2 hours
skills
demonstration
Rationale
If loss control at a fire scene is not properly conducted there is a danger of
rekindles, lost evidence, and greater damage to the structure than was
caused by the initial incident. Loss control consists of, but is not limited to,
salvage and overhaul, as well as preserving and protecting evidence that
may be used by investigative personnel to determine the origin and cause
of the fire.
Objectives
The student will be able to:
1. Explain the philosophy of loss control
2. Discuss overhaul operations
3. Discuss locating hidden fires
4. Explain safe debris removal
5. Explain the firefighter’s responsibility in preserving evidence
6. Discuss the proper procedure for restoring a fire scene prior to
returning it to the occupant
Engage
Engage the students in a discussion about customer service. As a public
service employee, the public is in fact our employer and pays for the service
with tax dollars. Because so much of a firefighter’s image is to inherently
destructive, while forcing entry into a building, ventilating a roof, and
discharging copious amounts of water to extinguish a fire, many citizens are
unaware of the care and concern firefighters have for their property, and the
effort they put forth to protect it. The loss control methods employed by
firefighters can greatly improve our image for the communities we are
pledged to serve. Use the Discussion Rubric for assessment.
Key Points
I. Loss Control Terminology
A. Customer Service – the quality of an organization’s relationship with
individuals, both internal and external, who have contact with the
organization
B. Loss Control – the practice of minimizing damage and providing
customer service through effective mitigation and recovery efforts
before, during, and after an incident
C. Loss Control Risk Analysis – the process in which specific potential
risks are identified and evaluated; the goal is to develop strategies
to minimize the impact of these risks
II. Salvage – methods and operating procedures firefighters use to save
property and reduce damage from water, smoke, heat, and exposure
during or immediately after a fire, by removing property from the fire
area and protecting it from further damage
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A. Develop Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to address
coordinated efforts and results during salvage operations
B. Preplanning for residential and commercial occupancies to protect
valuable contents related to the occupancy type
1. Residential – furniture, bedding, photographs, important
documents, art, etc.
2. Commercial – business records, cash, furniture, computers,
filing cabinets, etc.
C. Training firefighters in the use of salvage covers and floor runners
to perform salvage operations efficiently
III. Salvage covers and equipment
A. Salvage covers are waterproof, and can be made of cotton duck,
plastic, or other materials that will protect unaffected furniture and
building areas from heat, smoke, and water damage.
B. Also know as tarps or tarpaulins
C. Salvage cover sizes
1. 9 x 12 feet
2. 12 x 14 feet
3. 12 x 18 feet
4. 14 x 18 feet
D. Floor runner sizes
1. Widths of 24, 27, 30, and 36 inches
2. Lengths of 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 feet
E. Equipment
1. Should be located in readily accessible areas on the
apparatus
2. Typical equipment carried on an apparatus:
a) Electricians pliers, side cutters, chisels
b) Tin snips, roof cutter, adjustable wrenches
c) Pipe wrenches, hammer(s), sledge hammer
d) Various saws, knifes, bars, screwdrivers
e) Battery-operated tools, hydraulic jack, screws/nails
f) Plastic sheeting, wooden wedges and plugs
g) Sawdust, mops, squeegees, scoop shovels
h) Brooms, mops, sprinkler kits, water vacuum
i) Submersible pump, sponges, chamois, paper towels
j) Rags, electrical extension cables, adapters
k) Salvage covers, “J” hooks, “S” hooks, floor runners
l) Duct tape, plastic bags, rope, bungee cords
F. Salvage cover rolls and folds
1. One-firefighter spread with a rolled salvage cover: one person
can quickly unroll a cover across the top of an object and
unfold it.
2. One-firefighter spread with a folded salvage cover: some
departments carry folded covers instead of rolled. Two
firefighters are required to fold the cover, but one firefighter
can deploy it.
G. Two-firefighter spread with a folded salvage cover:
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1. Some large covers cannot be handled by one firefighter alone.
2. The balloon throw is the most common method for two
firefighters to deploy a large salvage cover.
IV. Water chutes and catchalls
A. A water chute can be constructed with a salvage cover or floor
runner wrapped around two pike poles.
B. Catchalls are retaining basins, usually made from salvage covers,
that catch water dripping from above.
V.
Covering openings
A. Exterior openings must be secured before leaving the premises.
B. Cover any doors, windows, or other openings that have been
opened or removed, using plywood, plastic or other materials to
keep out the weather.
C. Cover roof openings with plywood, plastic, etc.
D. Make sure the premises are secure before leaving; use padlocks,
hammers, nails, etc.
VI. Overhaul – those operations and activities conducted once the main
body of the fire has been extinguished.
A. Overhauls consist of
1. Searching for and extinguishing hidden fires
2. Placing the building and its contents in a safe condition
3. Determining the cause of the fire
4. Preserving evidence of arson
B. Overhaul should not begin until authorized by the Incident
Commander (IC), the fire investigator in charge of the investigation.
VII. Fire Safety during overhaul
A. Safety is a major concern during overhaul.
B. Steps to establishing safe conditions during overhaul
1. Inspect the premises for dangers.
2. Develop an operational plan.
3. Provide personnel the needed tools and equipment to work
safely.
4. Eliminate existing hazards (utilities, etc.).
5. Firefighters must wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE),
including Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA), until all
fire has been extinguished, ventilation is completed, and the
atmosphere has been proven safe for lower levels of
protection.
C. Situational awareness for firefighters during overhaul is important.
D. Additional safety considerations during overhaul operations
1. Continue to work in teams of two or more.
2. Maintain awareness of available exit routes.
3. Maintain a Rapid Intervention Crew (RIC) throughout the
operation.
4. Monitor personnel for needed rehab.
5. Beware of hidden gas or electrical utilities.
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6. Continue using the accountability system until the incident is
terminated.
VIII. Locating Hidden Fires
A. Begin by evaluating the condition of the area to be searched for
hidden fires. Two factors to consider that affect the stability of the
building:
1. The intensity of the fire determines the extent to which
structural members have been weakened.
2. The amount of water used for extinguishment due to additional
weight placed on the floors and walls
B. When evaluating structural stability, consider the following
indicators:
1. Weakened floors due to floor joists being burned away
2. Concrete that has spalled due to heat
3. Weakened steel roof members (the tensile strength of steel is
affected at about 500 degrees F)
4. Walls offset because of elongation of steel roof supports
5. Weakened roof trusses due to burn-through of key members
6. Mortar in wall joints opened due to excessive heat
7. Wall ties holding veneer or curtain walls melted from heat
8. Heavy storage on mezzanines or upper floors
9. Water pooled on upper floors
10. Large quantities of wet insulation
C. Firefighters may be able to detect fires by sight, touch, sound, or
electronic sensors
1. Sight
a) Discoloration of materials
b) Peeling paint, cracked plaster, and rippled wall paper
c) Smoke emissions from cracks and burned areas
2. With the back of the hand, touch and feel the walls and floors
for heat.
3. Sound
a) Popping or cracking of fire burning
b) Hissing of steam
4. Electronic sensors
a) Thermal (heat) signature detection with thermal imaging
b) Camera
c) Infrared heat detection
IX. Overhaul Procedures
A. Typically, overhaul begins in the area of the most severe fire
involvement.
B. Should begin as soon as possible after the fire is declared under
control
C. Carried out systematically:
1. Determine the path of travel
2. Remove necessary material in order to check for extension of
the fire
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D. Have a basic understanding of building construction
E. Check the attic and basement for fire extension
X.
Protecting Fire Scene Evidence
A. In most jurisdictions, the fire chief has the legal responsibility for
determining the cause and origin of a fire. The fire chief may
delegate his authority to fire officers, fire investigators, or
firefighters.
B. The first arriving firefighters should observe any unusual conditions
that may indicate an incendiary fire.
1. Vehicles and people present in the area
2. The status of doors and windows (locked or open)
3. Evidence of forced entry by anyone other than firefighters
4. Contents of the room (Are the rooms in expected order,
ransacked, unusually bare, or absent of furnishings?)
5. Indications of unusual fire behavior or more than one point of
origin
C. En route, firefighters should make mental note of the following:
1. Time of day
2. The weather and natural hazards
3. Barriers that block fire department access
4. People leaving the scene in haste; most people are intrigued
by fire and remain at the scene to watch
D. Upon arrival at the scene, firefighters should take notice of the
following:
1. The time of arrival and the extent of the fire, noting the color
and movement of smoke and flames
2. Wind direction and velocity
3. Whether doors and windows are locked or unlocked
4. Fire location – this information may help determine the origin
of the fire.
5. Containers or cans that may have been used to transport
accelerants
6. Burglary tools such as, pry bars, screwdrivers, etc.; they may
have been used to break into the building.
7. Familiar faces – notice people who are seen at numerous
fires; they may be habitual fire setters.
E. Observations made during firefighting operations – Continue
making observations that may lead to the determination of the fire’s
cause.
1. Unusual odors
2. Abnormal behavior of the fire when water was applied may
indicate the use of an accelerant.
3. Obstacles hindering firefighting such as doors nailed shut,
furniture placed in front of doors, and hallways that could
impede firefighters
4. Incendiary devices – material or chemicals designed and used
to start a fire
5. Trailers – combustible materials, such as rolled rags, blankets,
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newspapers, or flammable liquid are often used to intentionally
set fires in order to spread fire from one point or area to other
points or areas.
6. Structural alterations – alterations made to expose wood or
other combustible materials that can allow a fire to spread
quickly through a structure
7. Fire patterns – note fire movement and intensity patterns.
8. Heat intensity – look for evidence of high heat intensity.
9. Availability of documents – a lack of important documents may
indicate that the fire was planned.
10. Fire detection and protection systems – check for tampering,
such as being shut off.
11. Intrusion alarms – check for tampering, such as being shut off.
12. Location of the fire – look for possible ignition sources.
13. Personal possessions – have items been removed or
replaced?
14. Household items – have items been removed or replaced with
cheaper items?
15. Equipment or inventory – look for obsolete equipment or
inventory because this may be an indicator of a set fire.
16. Business records – check for location change; they may have
been moved to be endangered by the fire.
XI. A Firefighter’s Responsibility after the Fire
A. As a firefighter, you have two responsibilities after a fire. One is to
gather information that may lead to a fire cause determination, and
this is very different from your responsibility restoring the premises
to residents after an accidental fire, while conducting loss control
activities.
B. When a fire remains under investigation, your responsibilities are as
follows:
1. Once investigators have completed their work, firefighters
should continue to preserve evidence and control the scene.
2. The scene may have to be secured by a law enforcement
agency, such as the police department or fire marshal’s office.
3. Legally the fire scene must remain in the possession of the fire
department and under their control until the investigation is
complete.
C. In matters of loss control your responsibility is
1. An opportunity to put your department in a good light with your
community
2. Minimizing damage to the structure and its contents during
and after fire control operations; this is the core of the fire
service mission: “To Save Lives and Property.”
3. Making sure your efforts will be appreciated by the community
you serve
Activities
Demonstrate the following activities: provide the students with practice time,
and then assess the student performance with the included checklists.
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1. Roll a Salvage Cover for a One-Firefighter Spread
2. Spread a Rolled Salvage Cover One-Firefighter Method
Assessments
Loss Control Quiz and Key
Roll a Salvage Cover for a One-Firefighter Spread Checklist
Spread a Rolled Salvage Cover One-Firefighter Method Checklist
Discussion Rubric
Materials
Loss Control computer-based presentation
Salvage covers
Runners
Tarps
Resources
0135151112, Essentials of Firefighting (5th Edition), International Fire
Service Training Association (IFSTA)
Accommodations for Learning Differences
For reinforcement, students will participate in peer teaching (mentoring) and
team learning, participate in guided research and note-taking (web based),
and keep journals (key words and definitions)
For enrichment, students will participate in skills development and practice
related to loss control.
State Educational Standards
Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Career and Technical Education
130.300 Firefighter II (Two to Three Credits).
(8) The student explains the duties of a firefighter after a fire. The student
is expected to:
(A) Explain how debris is handled from fires, including house fires and
chemical fires;
(B) Describe the duties for gathering information that may lead to the
determination of the fire cause, including fire and security
surveillance; and;
(C) Identify the proper procedure for restoration of the premises after a
fire.
College And Career Readiness Standards
I. Nature of Science: Scientific Ways of Learning and Thinking
C. Collaborative and safe working practices
1. Collaborate on joint projects.
2. Understand and apply safe procedures in the laboratory and field,
including chemical, electrical, and fire safety and safe handling of
live or preserved organisms.
3. Demonstrate skill in the safe use of a wide variety of apparatuses,
equipment, techniques, and procedures.
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Name:_________________________
Date:___________________________
Loss Control Quiz
1. ___
The practice of minimizing damage and providing customer service through
effective mitigation and recovery efforts before, during, and after an incident, best
defines:
a. Salvage
b. Loss control
c. Overhaul
d. None of the above
2. ___
Methods and operating procedures firefighters use to save property and reduce
damage from water, smoke, heat, and exposure during, or immediately after a fire,
by removing property from the fire area, and protecting it from further damage best
defines:
a. Salvage
b. Loss control
c. Overhaul
d. None of the above
3. ___
Salvage covers are also called:
a. Tarps
b. Tarpaulins
c. Both a and b
d. Neither a or b
4. ___
Common salvage covers can be as large as:
a. 8 X 12 feet
b. 10 X 15 feet
c. 12 x 18 feet
d. 15 X 20 feet
5. ___
Runners can be as long as ____ feet.
a. 20
b. 30
c. 40
d. 50
6. ___
A one firefighter spread with a folded salvage cover requires ___ firefighter(s) to
fold it, and __ firefighter(s) to deploy it.
a. 1, 1
b. 1, 2
c. 2, 2
d. 2, 1
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7. ___
A water chute can be constructed with a _____.
a. Runner
b. Catchall
c. Salvage cover
d. Any of the above
8. ___
Overhaul consists of searching for hidden fire and:
a. Placing the building and its contents in a safe condition
b. Determining the cause of the fire
c. Preserving evidence of arson
d. All of the above
9. ___
Overhaul begins:
a. When authorized by the incident commander or lead fire investigator
b. As soon as the main body of the fire is extinguished
c. After ventilation is accomplished
d. After rescue is completed
10. ___
During overhaul, firefighters must wear PPE, including SCBA until:
a. All fire has been extinguished
b. Ventilation is complete
c. The atmosphere has been proven safe to wear lower levels of protection
d. All of the above
11. ___
Firefighters may be able to detect fires by:
a. Sight
b. Sound
c. Touch
d. Electronic sensors
e. All of the above
12. ___
When using their sense of touch, firefighters should feel walls, floors, and doors
with:
a. The palm of their hand
b. The back of their hand
c. Neither a or b
d. Either a or b
13. ___
In most jurisdictions, who has the legal responsibility for determining the cause
and origin of a fire?
a. Lead fire investigator
b. Fire Marshal
c. Fire Chief
d. Incident Commander
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14. ___
What is the mission of the fire service?
a. Fight Fire and Save Lives
b. Save Lives and Property
c. Serve and Protect
d. None of the above
15. ___
Typically, overhaul:
a. Begins in the area of most severe fire involvement
b. Begins as soon as possible after the fire has been declared under control
c. Both a and b
d. Neither a or b
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Loss Control Quiz Key
1. B
2. A
3. C
4. C
5. D
6. D
7. C
8. D
9. A
10. D
11. E
12. B
13. C
14. B
15. C
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Name:_________________________
Date:___________________________
Loss Control Checklist
Rolling a Salvage Cover for a One-Firefighter Spread
Directions – This is a two-firefighter skill. Two students must make the initial folds to reduce the
width of the cover and form the roll. Steps A through H are performed simultaneously by both
firefighters on opposite sides of the cover. Steps I through L are performed by both firefighters
stationed at the same end of the roll. You will begin on my instruction to start. Time will stop
when all identified steps have been accomplished and you put your hands in the air to signal
that you are finished with this skill. Do you understand these instructions?
1 pt.
each
Task steps
A. Grasp the cover on opposite sides with hands midway
between the center and the edge to be folded
B. Place the other hand on the cover as a pivot, midway between
the outside hand and the center
C. Bring the fold over to the center of the cover. This creates an
inside fold (center) and an outside fold
D. Grasp the cover corner with the outside hand
E. Place the other hand as a pivot on the cover, over the outside fold
F. Bring this outside edge over to the center and place it on top of, and in line
with, the previously placed first fold
G. Fold the other half of the cover in the same manner by using steps A
through F
H. Straighten the folds if they are not straight
I. Fold over about 12 inches at each end of the cover to make clean, even
ends for the completed roll
J. Start the roll by rolling and compressing one end into a tight compact roll;
roll toward the opposite end
K. As the roll progresses, tuck in any wrinkles that form ahead of the roll
L. Secure the completed roll with inner tube bands or Velcro straps, or tie it
with cords
Total points possible 12
Instructor’s Signature
Date
12
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Name:_________________________
Date:___________________________
Loss Control Checklist
Spreading a Rolled Salvage Cover: One-Firefighter Method
Directions – This is a one-firefighter skill. You will perform a spread roll using a rolled salvage
cover. You will begin on my instruction to start. Time will stop when all identified steps have
been accomplished and you put your hands in the air to signal that you are finished with this
skill. Do you understand these instructions?
NOTE: In addition to covering stacks of objects, the rolled cover may be used as a floor runner.
Just unroll the cover and spread it out as wide necessary.
1 pt.
each
Task steps
Start at one end of the object to be covered
Unroll a sufficient amount to cover the end
Unroll toward the opposite end and let the rest of the roll fall into place at the
other end
Stand at one end
Grasp the open edges where convenient, one edge in each hand
Open the sides of the cover over the object by snapping both hands up and out
Open the other end of the cover over the object in the same manner
Tuck in all loose edges at the bottom
Total points possible 8
Instructor’s Signature
Date
13
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Name_______________________________________
Date_______________________________
Discussion Rubric
Objectives
4 pts.
Excellent
3 pts.
Good
2 pts. Needs Some
Improvement
1 pt. Needs Much
Improvement
N/A
Pts.
Participates in group discussion
Encourages others to join the
conversation
Keeps the discussion progressing
to achieve goals
Shares thoughts actively while
offering helpful recommendations to
others
Gives credit to others for their ideas
Respects the opinions of others
Involves others by asking questions
or requesting input
Expresses thoughts and ideas
clearly and effectively
Total Points (32 pts.)
Comments:
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