Hardening Your Home

Firefighter Triage of your home is sorting structures based on keeping firefighters safe and the likelihood that the building can be protected. There are 4 categories to consider:

Defensible - Prep and hold, safety zone present

Defensible - Stand alone safety zone present. (Few tactical challenges.)

Non-defensible - Prep and leave, no safety zone. (Unsafe for firefighters, they will do what time will allow.)

Non-defensible - Rescue drive by. No safety zone. (Unsafe for firefighters, too much debris, to many hazards to justify time allowed; make sure home is evacuated.)

Q:  What are firefighters looking for when deciding if your home is to be defended against an approaching fire?

A:  Most importantly, firefighters need to feel safe while attempting to protect the home. They will be looking for a "safety zone", that is an area they can defend and remain safe if fire overruns the property. The elements of a good safety zone are many, and variable. Things to consider are:

Does the home have a wide area of non flammable surface or very low combustible, mowed area surrounding it? 

Is the driveway clear and free of overhanging, diseased, crowded, unmitigated trees?

What is the condition and composition of the home? Is the area around the home and under the decks clear of flammable material and debris? Are the gutters clear? Is the roof and siding fire resistant?

Has the property owner removed ladder fuels  and forest floor debris from the area? Removing dead wood, ladder fuels, and duff (biomass) from the forested areas lowers fire intensity, improving the defensibility of a home, but just as importantly, lowers the fire temperature,  keeping firefighters safer.

Q:   What can I do to assist firefighters who are trying to save my home?

A:  A well mitigated property will help firefighters save your home. Biomass removal keeps fires cooler, prevents crowning (the most dangerous type of fire), and allows firefighters to focus on your home. 

Keeping gutters, nooks, under deck areas clear of pine straw and other flammable material is important. Most homes burn from flowing/blowing embers, not from the fire front reaching the home. Remove anything that will "catch" embers (leaves, pine straw, deck furniture, door mats, firewood piles, stored building materials, etc.) 

Ensure any openings where embers can enter the house are closed and/or covered. Mesh or screen with openings smaller than 1/8 inch over all windows, eaves, and other openings. 

Q:  What will put a smile on my firefighters face when they pull up to triage my house?

A:  Leave your porch light on (smoke makes daylight dark), a "We are gone" door hanger or note on your front door with your cell phone number. Put your garden hose(s), ladder(s),  and sprinkler(s) in the front yard. Leave your front door unlocked, and keys in any car you are leaving behind (firefighters will move them to a safer location if they have time and access to keys.) Before you leave your house, take down your curtains, turn off the gas at your propane tank, leaving the cover in the up position. 

Some believe chocolate, coffee, and Copenhagen are the fuels for all firefighters. Perhaps leave those at the front door!