About This Center Hallway Apartment (Side Alpha Entry) Fire Training Simulator
This is the Side Alpha front entry view of the same center hallway apartment building shown from Side Bravo. Pair it with the Side Bravo view to run a two-sided incident command drill. Practice primary attack positioning, hallway entry decisions, corridor smoke management, search and rescue, and RIC for the initial attack companies. 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 Center Hallway Apartment (Side Alpha)
- Hallway entry: The primary attack comes through the main entrance and a central hallway. Smoke and heat pushed into the corridor and stairwell affect every occupant above and beside the fire.
- Life hazard: Multiple units mean many occupants who may be asleep or unable to self-rescue. Plan for search, rescue, and accountability.
- Stairwell: A stairwell can carry heat and smoke to the upper floors quickly. Think about how you would control it and protect the occupants.
- Fire escape: A fire escape is a second means of egress and a possible rescue path. Check its condition and where ladders could reach.
- Rapid intervention: Plan for a rapid intervention crew and a way to track crews before anyone enters.
- Construction: Older wood frame apartment buildings may have balloon framing or open voids that let fire extend vertically with little warning.
- In the photo: the building is three stories with a stucco exterior and a metal fire escape on the front with landings at each floor. The main entry is at ground level below it. Trees stand close along the right side, overhead lines and a utility pole are at the left, and cars are parked along the curb. Think about ladder placement, access to the entry, and exposures.
Practice Scenarios
- Fire in a first-floor unit near the entry with smoke filling the hallway.
- Smoke pushing up the stairwell with occupants on the fire escape landings.
- Second-floor fire venting onto the fire escape.
- Top-floor fire extending into the attic and toward the roof.
Discussion Questions
- What are your first three observations on arrival, and what do they tell you?
- How would your plan change when you view the building from Side Bravo?
- 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.
