By Brent Brooks, Acting District Chief for the Toronto Fire Services

I committed to personally dedicating time and support to 100 fire departments to research best practices.

I’m happy to report that I have exceeded this goal. I will share insights from over 100 fire departments contributing to this research.

This initiative aims to enhance training and tactical practices, specifically focusing on high-rise firefighting operations.

During my visit to these fire departments, I had the opportunity to observe various firefighting equipment and deployment methods.

I noted how the weight of the equipment impacts firefighter deployment and effectiveness.

I witnessed the challenges that firefighters face when recovering from exertion.

It became evident that even the most physically fit firefighters encounter difficulties due to heavy equipment.

This experience inspired me to explore potential solutions to enhance our overall effectiveness.

I sought feedback from the 100 Fire Departments, which provided insights into our realistic response times and helped determine if fire ground assignments could be feasibly completed based on fire and smoke conditions.

This observation prompted me to delve into the scientific principles of ergonomics and firefighter behaviour.

What is our actual capacity to deploy resources faster than smoke and fire spread?

As a firefighter studying high-rise buildings, I analyse and predict how a building will respond when on fire.

I focus on learning the logistical aspects of firefighting operations within buildings and finding ways to improve our strategies for extinguishing fires, evacuating people, and ventilating smoke.

Thanks to the involvement of these 100 fire departments, we have developed specialised nozzles and techniques for water delivery and, most importantly, firefighter deployment models.

Firefighters may have varying opinions based on their education and experiences.

It’s important to share these perspectives to gain a comprehensive understanding.

We fact-check each other to assess proposed tactics for improvement.

Please keep an open mind; This approach will significantly enhance our ability to respond to emergencies.

I have visited 36 of the world’s 118 tallest buildings and have studied through my membership with the Council of Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat.

This has allowed me to establish valuable connections and maintain regular communication with engineers, designers, and architects specialising in constructing some of the world’s most distinctive buildings.

We collaborate to share insights on retrofitting existing structures and designing future buildings.

This networking has helped me connect the dots by providing different perspectives, giving us all a better understanding of how firefighting operations, evacuation of occupants, and smoke control can work together.

I aim to stay updated with the latest technology and building design and share that knowledge with others.

I am committed to ensuring firefighters can operate safely and effectively to achieve the best possible outcome for the people inside buildings.

About the IFSJ Influencer

Brent Brooks is an Acting District Chief for the Toronto Fire Services with 30 years of experience.

He has dedicated himself to research and development, significantly improving high-rise operations worldwide.

Brent is committed to equipping firefighters with modern tactical approaches and specialised equipment knowledge for standpipe-equipped buildings.

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This article was originally published in the December 2024 issue of International Fire & Safety Journal. To read your FREE digital copy, click here.