Loyalsock firefighters face hoarding conditions and entanglement while trying to do a search and attack the fire

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Loyalsock Volunteer Fire Company No. 1 video: This video follows firefighters responding to a house fire complicated by hoarding conditions, restricted access and entanglement hazards. Crews navigate heavy clutter while searching the structure, locating the fire and moving hoselines into position.

Let’s watch crews in action: Wires and accumulated contents obstruct movement and complicate firefighting efforts. Inside, firefighters encounter heat, entanglement problems and fire behind their position. Unable to locate stairs to the second floor, they suggest ladder access while requesting additional hoselines to attack the fire at the rear of the structure. The video demonstrates how hoarding conditions hindered searches, fire attack and access throughout the structure.

3 highlights for firefighter training:

• Recognize access and entanglement hazards: Wires and heavy clutter restricted movement and one firefighter needed help getting free. Discuss how crews identify hazards, maintain an exit route and assist an entangled member.
• Coordinate hoseline placement and water delivery: Repeated requests for lines and water exposed coordination challenges. Review how crews communicate line location, readiness and water needs during search and suppression.
• Reassess fire location and access: Fire appeared behind crews, and interior access to the second floor could not be found. Discuss how changing conditions inform progress reports, crew positioning and alternate access decisions.

Crew questions:

• What hazards in this structure could trap or separate our crew and how would we maintain an exit route and assist an entangled firefighter?
• How would we communicate hoseline location, water availability and readiness so search and suppression crews understand each other’s progress?
• If we discovered fire behind us and could not locate stairs to the second floor, what would we report to command and how would we reassess our position and assignment?

What training opportunities do you see for your department in this video?