FIRE OPERATIONS IN VACANT OR ABANDONED STRUCTURES (VACANT)

Course #

25-VACANT-1

Course Length

4 Hrs

Lead Instructor(s)

Richard DeGroot

Course Cost

• In-County: $25
• Out-of-County: $30

Course Goal

Provide first responders with risk-based strategies to safely size-up and operate at incidents involving vacant and abandoned structures.

Course Description

Vacant/abandoned buildings pose elevated risks: structural instability, hidden hazards, and accelerated fire spread. This course reviews size-up indicators of vacancy, collapse warning signs, defensive vs. offensive decision points, establishing collapse/exclusion zones, exposure protection, and marking/communication practices to keep crews safe.

Prerequisites

• Entry Level-Interior Fire Fighter (ELIF) or Essentials of Fire Fighting (EBM)

Student Equipment / Supply Needs

• Pen/Pencil
• Notebook