IAFC's 10 Rules of Engagement for Structural Fire Fighting

Here are the IAFC's 10 Rules of Engagement for Structural Fire Fighting.

Acceptability of Risk

1. No building or property is worth the life of a firefighter
2. All interior fire fighting involves an inherent risk
3. Some risk is acceptable, in a measured and controlled manner
4. No level of risk is acceptable where there is no potential to save lives or savable property
5. Fire fighters shall not be committed to interior offensive fire fighting operations in abandoned or derelict buildings

Risk Assessment

1. All feasible measures shall be taken to limit or avoid risks through risk assessment by a qualified officer
2. It is the responsibility of the Incident Commander to evaluate the level or risk in every situation
3. Risk assessment is a continuous process for the entire duration of each incident
4. If conditions change, and risk increases, change strategy and tactics
5. No building or property is worth the life of a fire fighter

Every fire department in the country should be intimately familiar with the "10 rules of engagement for structural fire fighting" and the associated risk assessment chart.

Not only is it a critical component of fireground safety and scene size-up, it is now the standard by which our actions will be judged in the event of a LODD.

If you don't believe it, see pages 99-102 of the Firefighter Fatality Investigative Report for the Charleston Sofa Super Store fire (Routley Commission Phase II report).