UL’s Fire Safety Research Institute has updated its Evidence-Based Structural Firefighting course to connect current fire-dynamics research with operational decision-making. The free online course was updated on September 22 and is designed for both firefighters and personnel responsible for training, policy and procedural consistency.
New search-and-rescue and hazard content
FSRI says the revision adds lessons built around 12 tactical considerations from its search-and-rescue research. It also expands guidance on coordinating search, rescue, suppression and ventilation before, during and after fire control. Additional material addresses implementation of NFPA 1700 guidance and emerging hazards including photovoltaic systems and battery fires.
The course page lists 151 minutes of instruction covering fire science, construction, heat transfer and personal protective equipment, suppression, ventilation, search and rescue, and implementation. It includes a final assessment and certificate of completion. The program is educational guidance rather than a universal incident playbook; departments still need to adapt tactics to staffing, construction, water supply, local procedures and incident conditions.
From research to operating guidance
The practical challenge is translating fire research into repeatable training and standard operating guidance without treating one tactic as appropriate for every structure. FSRI’s accompanying fireground playbook is intended to help departments organize evidence-based considerations for their own operations. SectechMedia follows related developments in its Fire & Safety channel.
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