Fireground Size-Up and How to Read Smoke

Every Firefighter should know how to Read Smoke and recognize the warning signs of Hostile Fire Events. Proper Size-Up will not only assist with establishing a good Action Plan, but it can also save the lives of Firefighters. The "Art of Reading Smoke" was originally developed by Dave Dodson and has become very popular among Firefighters of all ranks. This type of training should become a standard part of every FF Rescue/Survival and Rapid Intervention curriculum. Please feel free to check out my other videos on KZbin - My Channel Page is Dale G. Pekel.......
Train, Stay Prepared, Be Aggressive, Make the Save - SURVIVE!
Dale G. Pekel

[@fyremanbill]

Many years in the fire service and there was some information provided in this video that I was unaware of. Every firefighter both career and volunteer should watch this at least once. Great presentation Dale! Thanks

[@michaeledlin9995]

Brings back memories thank you. We trained right back then.

[@janvanholten7592]

Very very good video. We sometimes have to accept that a builing is lost, .......it's saving lives of firefighters.

[@zaydee07]

One of my favorite Presentation. I could use this in the future and share to others. Thanks a lot Dale!

[@zaydee07]

Dale, do you remember me? I thank you for all the video you shared and uploaded here. I still remember 3 years ago when you reply to my inquiry. Glad, i made it from Lifeguard to EMT and now a professional Firefighter. Thanks to you Dale! :) -from the Philippines.

[@TheWaynelds]

@@zaydee07I guess he doesn’t remember you

[@medicinelady20]

I'm hoping to soon join my fiance on the FD an' found this video VERY helpful in giving me a visual guide to what he's been trying to teach me. THANK YOU!!!

[@paulojayvillanueva425]

This Video is Very helpful for as here In Philippines, even we are insufficient in advanced Equipments, atleast in Knowledge We are Updated :) Thanks Sir Dale,

[@dragonfireproductions790]

Saludo ako sa inyo sir!

[@tommyleanza510]

This is an amazing amount of useful information... THANK YOU!

[@ejack1018]

This is what not to do this can lead to a deadly situation, thank God your all alive and you need more training starting from leaving your firehouse bunking up and putting fire lines where they need to be and ventilation the search and rescue was awful as well wow!!!!

[@adamfraser8522]

Amen.

[@jesteranonisgamegameover2321]

How about you keep your opinions to yourself and shut up. I am sick and tired of reading your racist tirades every time open the comment section of a video.

[@antiqueqttomes4739]

WOW! thank you for sharing, I always wondered if the color of smoke was telling. that was very informative, you guys have all my respect!

[@Texasreiguy]

Dave is a brilliant man.. And has done many good things for the fire service. Thanks for the video Dale.. Keep em coming.. Stay safe

[@firejohnnym]

Sat through Dave Dodson's class a few years back. This is a great summary! Thanks for posting this.

[@m.proximus1930]

Many thanks for this, sit. It's one of those videos that can be watched several times to let it sink and then compare and contrast it to actual fire calls in the area. There's a slow push away from penciling at a few recent trainings I've gone to, so I'm going to stay tuned...

[@trpool77]

The first fire in this video is Houston Texas. They know what they are doing. They are a bit more aggressive than most departments but because of that they save lives all the time.

[@moemcgovern7345]

I know this information is for Firefighters; but I think it's a good idea, for civilians to understand as well. Especially if it's your property.

[@johnnykATL]

Very good and informative video, you are exactly right, reading smoke is a fundamental. Thanks for taking the time to make and post!

[@vivixdragon]

This guys accent is godlike, Good stuff

[@ffandrewd2986]

👍

[@christopheryoung8190]

There is great wisdom in this video. Well worth the time to view. Thank you for producing and uploading this.

[@b0xcrash]

You are right, & this is a good example. But there will come a day in your walk as a Firefighter when you make a mistake, a judgment or reaction that does not follow common sense or training. Everything from as small of a thing as doing a vehicle/apparatus walk around to missing a victim alive during initial search. It is easy to point out others mistakes & faults, but admit your own, learn from your mistakes & receive correction/instruction is what will make the difference.

[@owensweetland342]

At the 2:20 mark I watched the fire diminish in size and knew it was coming. It's as if the fire takes a deep breath before exhaling.

[@jmburke3324]

Great video..I watch a lot of your training videos and find each one is more helpful than the other..you do great work, Thank You !!

[@texasboy5117]

Good info for a dad who has a fire fighter son.

[@firedogbme5659]

This video was well done - lots of good information in here. But at 4:14, it should be noted that the FF's are in a training prop specifically designed to allow FF's to safely experience flashover. While the "pencil" technique works well in the prop, it doesn't always work well in the field. Ironically, the prop is intended to illustrate the early signs of impending flashover so you can get OUT of the room in time - not to "stay and play". Still good info for sure, thanks Dale.

[@charliewood1680]

Some times we have to stsy to knock it down if there are victims trapped in not running no where untill I absolutely have to I'm going to try to get the ignition point down

[@amberjustin]

Love these videos and pass them around as much as I can. Thanks, and keep em coming!

[@tjwtbone]

This is a great addition to Dodson's class - thanks.

[@jonnyM_007]

@dale G. Pekel - thanks Brother 👊 this is SUPER important to drill into every FF's head

[@ofcv1238]

Amazing video - many thanks for your work, powerfully helpful and meaningful

[@jelracer98]

Thank you for the refresher

[@TheMattpr]

thanks it was a great learning tool I'm currently in training to be a interior firefighter

[@PoppaBlue59]

Good luck in your career. Always remember this; If you are standing in smoke, you are standing in fuel. Hope this helps. Stay safe out there.

[@nadsy_tas7231]

Great video mate I plan on doing a video on reading smoke in the next few weeks, keep up the good work

[@bengarcia9612]

I just found your channel after seeing this comment turns out you're great

[@nadsy_tas7231]

ben garcia Thankyou for the compliment mate, feel free to check out the Facebook page also named The Secret Firefighter and share with people who may be interested, lets all share our knowledge and create a safer workplace, stay safe regards TSF

[@nazirbey5168]

Learned a lot thanks

[@derrickguffey4775]

I wonder just how many lives, firefighter and civilian have been saved through this knowledge.

[@hbhouston2]

Very very helpful video!! Thanks.. More videos soon please!

[@tombanman5943]

so much to learn, i get more out of your ten min vid than an hour in a book! thanks

[@ofcv1238]

Great video and very helpful insights!

[@張七元]

Thank you for your sharing

[@jean6061]

This is really informative. Thank you for sharing it here.

[@FitFazal]

Good stuff, brother!!!

[@joshua12084]

I've seen that christmas tree video a hundred times

[@zahidbhutto7759]

Very informative video thanks

[@MaxSafeheaD]

LOL @ 3:00!!! Nice one buddy, don't look back now but you just torched half your crew!!!

[@PoppaBlue59]

Very nice job, thanks for posting.

[@joshc8599]

very informative. great video!

[@mihnic0504]

Very good, thanks.

[@der0hund]

Excellent video!

[@user-rs7bh6sd5x]

Thankyou,DALE!What nice video this is.I will try to make known to JapaneseFF.

[@SeabrookFireRescue]

Great video! Thanks for sharing.

[@sroutte20]

As always, great, informative video. Thanks for sharing brother.

[@brandt11cps]

Great video, very informative. I definitely plan on using what I learned from it.

[@25mfd]

That's a CLASSIC sign of a SMOLDERING FIRE. Ventilation at the highest point is advised in order to prevent a sudden introduction of air into an OXYGEN starved fire building. A BACKDRAFT will ensue if proper ventilation isn't performed.

[@A.V.G22]

Great video

[@SkateparkLessons]

👏🏽 🙏🏽👏🏽

[@PLATANUTRE18]

great video, good information.

[@freeamericausa1]

Every fire department, and firefighter should have this video, or the book. It WILL save you, or another firefighter's life. Watch, or Read it until you can say the words yourself by memory. And then. Watch or Read it again. You'll be sure to come back again.

[@gplustree]

There's just something about narrated fire videos. They're mesmerizing. That accent tho. Wisconsin? Eastern Minnesota?

[@michaelmonaghan2717]

Still a great video!

[@trevorzzealley2670]

Good information , even if I`m not a firefighter .

[@ntfd125]

@smarttubber123 You've got about 3-5 seconds to get out. Thats why its critical to be able to read smoke. You need to be able to recognize these conditions so you can get out or prevent it.

[@mlk4life]

great video thanks for sharing - only think I think would have also been great to include was smoke colors and how to identify at night/day what the colors determine. But great vid ty again.

[@gotgank]

Good video.

[@TheAbabeed]

thank you .. greeeeeat tips!!

[@GhostRecon511]

great vid man thanks

[@smarttubber123]

awesome thanks

[@MB4675]

Good video. But at the 6:51 mark you said that one hostile event can change to another. This is true, where the smoke explosion changes to a flashover. This flashover condition in this video was caused by the positive pressure fan placed at the front window. It should be stated that firefighters improperly using of equipment and techniques can cause these hostile events as well.

[@niklamb7903]

Very hostile, youre dumb and dont know shit

[@johnsteiner3417]

Now on Penciling, you show the short bursts of water cooling the gasses down. So I take it the person viewing through the thermal imagining would have to inform the hose crew they need to start Penciling?

[@kellyt5187]

I wish I could pull these crews off these roofs. No need to cut a hole endangering your crew when fire has already vented itself.....i.e. Cut its own hole. You would be surprised how often I see this. This risk vs benefit scenario is too heavy on the risk side.......especially when conditions are too heavy for a victims life to exist inside the structure. And if you must cut a hole, do it and get the hell off. You'd also be surprised how often I see FFs having a picnic after cutting the hole. Be smart.....

[@chrism6904]

I was thinking the same thing. They have no business up there!

[@davechapman490]

EXACTLY!! I say the same damn thing on so many video's, drives me crazy that Command will send guys up on a roof that's already self-ventilated, like you're going to make any big f'ing difference with some 2' x 4' hole when half the roof is already blowing smoke...pffftt. High pressure, dark brown smoke pouring out already, GTFO!!! I see it mostly still, from American departments, I'm sure there's probably a few departments up here in Canada that still do it, but we won't unless it's absolutely necessary and we do it from a platform or aerial ladder. What are they gonna save at that shack anyway? It's a goddamn parking lot tomorrow, so get those guys OFF THE ROOF!

[@JorgeGinzo]

I was yelling at the video the whole time "...get off that roof!"

[@davechapman490]

+Jorge Ginzo +Deceivingly Charming - Yah, this activity drives me nuts to watch! Sure, there are times when horizontal ventilation thru a roof can make a big difference when combined with other tactics to reach your goal, but if you've got flames already punching thru the roof, use a damn platform, or a ladder truck. If you need to get off the platform/ladder to cut, use a proper harness and TIE OFF! Keep the life line as tight as possible, so if you do fall thru, you don't fall far and can climb back out. If these are not available, or can't reach, set up foot and/or roof ladders to spread the load and surface area and cut from there, anything to give your guys a stable platform and something to tie off to. Stay safe!

[@raystinsky]

You're confusing vented with ventilated.

[@DAngeloDino]

Where have you been Dale? Love your videos.

[@DALEGPEKEL]

Thanks for the support and kind words Dino! - Just haven't had the time to put any real work into video production - I don't make any money off my videos so they often get put on the back burner (so to speak).

[@DAngeloDino]

You’re welcome! If you need help at all or to brainstorm some ideas, I have interest and passion for our profession as well. Thank you!

[@DALEGPEKEL]

@@DAngeloDino Great to hear! - Thanks again!

[@DAngeloDino]

Be safe. Thank you.

[@moemcgovern7345]

There isn't enough money in the world, to get me to be a fire fighter.

[@junkdeal]

Now go to "house fire leaking gas meter" and at 5:58 see a good example of "black fire" just like in this video. Isn't it interesting that at 8:38 in this video the condo bldg looked hopelessly out of control and an impending total loss, and just like that the firefighter knocked it almost out with the wide stream. All the stuff on fire outside was off-gassing and that was the massive flames. I don't think most people understand that when they see an early-stage inferno.

[@WilliamSeibertwillis923]

2:28 - this is why your line should be charged and air pack on when you approach your point of attack.... i have been an explorer in my department for 2 weeks, and i know this. common sense

[@paintbllr04]

Masking up and charging your line at the front door is common practice and taught in departments. They should have been paying attention to the smoke condition but then again monday morning quaterbacking is easy.

[@safarnaspro]

thank so much..the video is very good,,,,congratulations for your video..FD Cusco-39

[@thomasgioello9491]

I have my first live burn today with my recruit class. I appreciate the video. How do you know, when inside, what type of pattern you should use with your nozzle? I have heard that making a wider pattern with a fog nozzle will protect you, but using a narrow pattern will allow more water to reach the fire before evaporating.

[@lt.murfeztruckee4725]

My man Thor hence the term rt to fight , left for life! As you've already probably found out a fog pattern may introduce to much water and create steam causing you to burn yourself and your comrades, Penciling w/ a coordinated attack (ventilation) is still tried and true method. Peace

[@kevinkelm1739]

+LT.Murfez truckee rt

[@kevinkelm1739]

+LT.Murfez truckee you need to watch Governors Island 21st century New York when you spray water in the room it cools and whether it's right for fight left for life

[@Village_idiot1236]

Might already know it by now, but they're are now teaching to stay with a 30-45 degree angle to disrupt the thermal layering vis indirect attack before transitioning into hitting the seat of the fire with a straight stream. There is a controversy behind it, but this new technique has studies to back it up from what i'm told.

[@ProbablyRight]

Kevin Kelm true, both streams cool, but there's a lot more at play than cooling. Straight stream or solid bore nozzles provide reach-giving you the ability to hit a room as you move down a hallway. Those "tiny droplets of water" in your fog patterns may provide gas cooling resulting in gas contraction, but the do not provide surface cooling and the ability to penetrate to the seat of the fire. I'll stand with LT.Murfez on this, if you are interior/offensive the nozzle is on "Right to Fight."

[@280StJohnsPl]

Lots of mistakes being made here that can get someone killed....for example at 2:26 guys all standing up, one in front of the door. No one is ready to move in, line is not charged, they are still putting their gear on and it is readily apparent that the place is about to light up. Keep your eyes open and pay attention to what's happening around you guys and STAY LOW....bunker gear and hoods can give a false feeling of security and you may not feel the heat. Expect the unexpected....to be ready when the shit hits the fan ! Stay Safe

[@jesteranonisgamegameover2321]

Boy, you like hearing yourself talk...why don't you shut up and keep your nursery school knowledge to yourself

[@Axel-ib9ms]

Great Video! Forgive me for butting in, I would love your opinion. Have you considered - Rozardner Lucky Interview Reality (should be on google have a look)? It is a good exclusive product for firefighter interview tips without the hard work. Ive heard some interesting things about it and my GF finally got astronomical success with it.

[@niklamb7903]

I do not agree, Ive been a firefighter for a year. Ive seen some shit you're dumb AF

[@charliewood1680]

I'm a volunteer firefighter and civilians just don't understand how fighting fires is a tactical game

[@trancasist]

que tan difícil seria conseguir esta información en español latino ya sea por medio de vídeos o material didáctico?.les mando un cordial saludos

[@salivatesilver3658]

Indont get it why no water misting into the area while the guys are standing in front of that door?

[@smarttubber123]

oh can you do a flashover video please?

[@littleblitz8239]

That wouldn't be Dave Dodsen from Dallas, Texas, would it?

[@ff5gus]

Oh thank you for telling me I can choose a fog nozzle for extinguishment..... Cuz I was starting to believe that after 34 years on the job, I was having the solid bore jammed up my ass as the nozzle to go with..... I'll take a variable pattern nozzle anyday!!!

[@smarttubber123]

so if flashover occurs ur pretty much screwed?

[@TheWaynelds]

@smarttubber123 Not exactly. Flashover is the transition from 'room contents fire' to 'structure fire'. Once flashover occurs, it enables rapid fire spread because of the tremendouse amount of heat being generated. But if firefighters are quick to act on this, they can knock the fire down and get it controlled before it gets worse. Man i need to quit watching these fire related videos during the night, they give the the creeps, scare the shit out of me, and make it hard to fall asleep.

[@TheGreenfield7]

What does "seat" of the fire mean? Sorry im not a firefighter.

[@briandennard2488]

TheGreenfield7 the seat of the fire is the actual material that is burning.. where it all started and is coming from. your main goal is to get to the seat of the fire.

[@actionfire4036]

it means where the fire starts

[@actionfire4036]

And occurs and spreads

[@networkbike543]

Just too much situational awareness, get some water on it. By the way why are the fireman trapezing around the roof.

[@TheWaynelds]

What exactly does "smoke stained" windows mean?

[@ProbablyRight]

TheWaynelds this question was 5 years ago, and still unanswered. Here it goes: During fire growth off gassing occurs inside of the burning compartment as a result of contents of the room being superheated. The off gassed particles combine with water (steam) in the air and collect on the window as condensate. The condensate makes the window dirty looking and as condensate continues to build up the dirty water streaks down the windows. The next stage of fire growth heats the entirety of the room (including the glass) past 212*F, the condensate then evaporates back off of the glass leaving the dirty particles behind staining the glass. Seeing a window like this on a house tells you about the fire growth. Windows typically break around 600*F, so as the fire continues to grow, seeing windows that are stained and cracked indicate that the room is very hot and on it's way to flashover. Hope that helps!

[@MsJinkerson]

where there is smoke there is fire

[@hftfire]

Learn a few things about CAL FIRE... allegedfirephysics.com and www.hftfire.com ENJOY! Tell 'em how ya feel!

[@ea16947]

Hello Dale G Pekel The problem The Elmira fire department in Elmira NY has trouble responding to a fire is inconsiderate drivers wont pull over for the trucks with their lights and siren on. I also have a video on youtube it is titled Robert Gildea preaches. I put the video on youtube to reach the youth of America with touretes syndrome with the Gospel of the Lord Jesus. People with touretes can understand the Gospel touretes is nueralogical not mental. Your friend in Jesus Robert Gildea Elmira NY Romans 6:23

[@TheWaynelds]

ea16947 Why are you talking about kids with touretes and the gospel on a fire fighting training video?

[@hviking1956]

K

[@igdes1]

This is good to know. How do I know when my marshmellow is cooked just right?

[@snoopfurlow1275]

Fire ain't nothing to play with,!