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Worcester Fire Department District Chief Gary Fleischer joins the B Shifter podcast to share his expertise on critical fire ground factors in century-old wood-frame buildings, particularly New England's iconic triple-deckers.
• Construction characteristics of triple-deckers, typically built between 1890-1920 as worker housing near factories
• Balloon frame construction creates continuous void spaces from basement to attic with no fire stops
• Original materials include true dimension 2x4s (full 2"x4") and often asphalt or asbestos siding
• Buildings typically built very close together (sometimes just 5 feet apart) creating exposure problems
• Vertical fire spread challenges requiring simultaneous tactics on multiple floors
• First-arriving company officers must "own the incident" with thorough size-up and clear assignments
• Importance of quick water application on exterior fires before they extend into concealed spaces
• Search priorities in densely populated residential structures
• Primary access challenges including blocked rear exits and cluttered stairwells
When you see these older structures in your community, remember they require specific tactical considerations due to their construction methods and arrangement. Train your officers to recognize critical fire ground factors that will drive your incident action plan.
This episode features Josh Blum, Chris Stewart, Gary Fleischer and John Vance.

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This episode was recorded on March 19, 2025.