Community Risk Assessment Modeling: Results of Residential Fireground Field Experiments

Published

July 7, 2010

Author(s)

Adam M. Barowy, Kathy Notarianni, Jason D. Averill, Lori Moore-Merrell, Robert Santos

Abstract

This paper presents an overview of a large multi-year, multi-partner research study on Firefighter Safety and Deployment of Resources as well as specific results from more than 60 laboratory and residential fireground experiments designed to quantify the effects of various fire department deployment configurations on the most common type of fire—a low hazard residential structure fire. The goal of the residential fireground field experiments is to provide an in-depth understanding of how different deployment factors affect time to fire department interventions. In the field experiments, fire crews performed a series of 22 key fireground tasks that were timed while the thermal and toxic environment inside the structure was measured. Report results quantify the effectiveness of crew size, first-due engine arrival time, and apparatus arrival stagger on the duration and time to completion of the 22 fireground tasks and the effect on occupant and firefighter safety. The overarching goal of the full project is to enable fire departments and city/county managers to make sound decisions regarding optimal resource allocation and service based upon scientifically-based assessment; safe, efficient and effective emergency response system design; and the local government’s service commitment to the community.

Proceedings Title

Proceedings of the Twelfth International Conference

Conference Dates

July 5-7, 2010

Conference Location

Nottingham

Conference Title

Interflam 2010

Pub Type

Conferences

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Keywords

fire service deployment, fire safety, fire fighter safety, fire experiments, residential fires, fireground, community risk, NFPA 1710, emergency response

Citation

Barowy, A. , Notarianni, K. , Averill, J. , Moore-Merrell, L. and Santos, R. (2010), Community Risk Assessment Modeling: Results of Residential Fireground Field Experiments, Proceedings of the Twelfth International Conference, Nottingham, -1, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=905814 (Accessed October 12, 2025)