Fire has always been a part of human history. Since the beginning of time, it has brought warmth, light, and the means to cook our food, but also destruction and danger. While fire has been with us forever, the way we fight it has changed dramatically. As we continue to advance our homes, vehicles, and infrastructure with modern materials and cutting-edge technologies, challenging fires will remain a reality. And with them, the mission of firefighters remains: to respond swiftly, think strategically, and act wisely.
Fires today can behave in unpredictable ways. The materials we use in modern furniture and buildings tend to burn faster and produce dense, toxic smoke made up of substances not commonly encountered just a few decades ago.
This poses a challenge for firefighters, especially during an internal attack. Despite wearing advanced protective gear, toxic substances in the smoke, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and other carcinogens, can still penetrate protective clothing and be absorbed through the skin. These exposures accumulate over time and pose long-term health risks. (1) (2)
In 2022, the World Health Organization (WHO) reclassified the profession of firefighting from “possibly carcinogenic to humans” (Group 2B) to “carcinogenic to humans” (Group 1). This marked a significant acknowledgment of the occupational cancer risks faced by firefighters. (3)
How can we protect our firefighters in a world where the fires are faster, hotter, and more toxic than ever before?
Adapting tactics and reviewing available equipment can support both efficient fire suppression and reduced exposure to harmful substances. One such approach is the external offensive attack, inspired by the Quadrant Model (Kwadrantenmodel) developed in the Netherlands following the tragic De Punt incident 2008. This model encourages a more structured and thoughtful assessment before committing to an internal attack. (4)
By carefully evaluating the situation, e.g. using thermal imaging cameras, input from occupants, and a full sensory picture of the scene, firefighters can create better conditions before entry. It’s not a one-size-fits-all solution, but a step toward balancing operational effectiveness with long-term firefighter health.
Using techniques that enable fire suppression from the outside may offer tactical advantages in certain scenarios. By penetrating walls or roofs, a fine water mist can be introduced into the fire compartment, creating turbulence in the hot gases and contributing to a decrease in temperature. Lowering the temperature helps prevent hazardous events such as flashovers or backdrafts. Once the temperature and smoke development have decreased, controlled ventilation can help improve visibility and contribute to creating safer conditions for entry.
Studies conducted by Cold Cut Systems have shown that using this approach significantly reduces the concentration of toxic particles, such as carcinogenic PAHs, on firefighters’ protective clothing compared to traditional internal attacks under similar fire loads. This method doesn’t just fight the fire; it creates safer working conditions and minimizes toxic exposure.
The study focused on a tactic called SAVE – an acronym for Scan, Attack, Ventilate, Enter – which serves as a practical model for improving procedures ahead of an interior fire attack. As part of this approach, Cobra can be used to cool fire gases, then ventilate the space, making it safer and cleaner for firefighters to enter.
The mission of firefighting has never been easy, and the challenges continue to evolve. Embracing new knowledge, reassessing tactics, and applying preventive measures before committing to internal operations may help reduce health risks for those exposed on the front line.
Strategic firefighting involves more than extinguishing flames; it is also about preserving life, both immediately and in the long term.
References
1. Håkansson, Lena and Trewe, Anders. Contamination Comparison. 2024.
2. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and associated occupational exposures. Jameson, Charles William. [ed.] Stewart BW, Straif K Baan RA. Lyon (FR) : s.n., IARC Scientific Publications, No. 165.
3. IARC Monographs on the Identification of Carcinogenic Hazards to Humans Volume 132. IARC Monographs. 2023, Occupational Exposure as a Firefighter, Vol. 132.
4. René Hagen, Annemieke Hendriks, Jaap Molenaar. Quadrant Model for Fighting Structure Fires. s.l. : Process Team Fire Service Doctrine/Brandweeracademie, 204.
