About This 2-Story Victorian #2 Fire Training Simulator
This second Victorian scenario features an alternative exterior and layout for additional incident command variety. Two-story Victorian construction often includes balloon framing, large attic voids, and lightweight additions that significantly affect fire spread and collapse risk. Use this simulator for officer development, recruit training, and command drills. Drag and drop fire and smoke onto the photo to build scenarios. It is free, runs in the browser on desktop and mobile, and needs no software installation.
How to Use It
- Study the photo for a minute as if you were the first-arriving officer on scene.
- Drag fire, smoke, wind-driven smoke, and personnel onto the scene to create a scenario.
- Give your size-up report and initial action plan, then change the scenario and repeat.
Size-Up Considerations for a 2-Story Victorian
- Construction: Many older Victorian homes use balloon framing, where wall cavities run open from the foundation to the attic. Fire can travel up inside the walls and reach the attic with little visible fire on the floors below.
- Additions: Later additions and enclosed porches may use lighter construction than the original house, which can speed fire spread and raise collapse risk.
- Floors and stairs: A second floor means interior stairs and possible occupants above the fire. Narrow stairways can slow hose advancement and rescue.
- Roof and attic: Large attic voids and several roof planes affect roof access, ventilation, and where fire can hide.
- Occupancy: Older large homes are often remodeled or divided into several units, so ask about additional occupants.
- In the photo: a gabled porch roof covers the entry, a brick chimney rises on one side, and the second floor has banks of windows. A one-story neighbor sits close on the right, a fence runs along the front, vehicles are parked at the curb, and overhead lines and a street light stand in front. Think about exposures, ladder placement, and apparatus access.
Practice Scenarios
- Fire on the front porch extending to the second-floor windows.
- Smoke from the attic with no visible fire on the floors below.
- Fire in a rear addition spreading into the main house.
- Fire on the right side spreading toward the neighboring house.
Discussion Questions
- What are your first three observations on arrival, and what do they tell you?
- How might balloon framing and later additions change where you look for fire extension?
- What is the greatest life hazard, and what is your first priority?
- Which hoseline goes where, and what resources would you request?
- What would make you change from an offensive to a defensive strategy?
This tool is for training discussion only. Always follow your own department's standard operating procedures and local protocols.
