In 1999 Paul Grimwood first introduced the 3D Firefighting concepts in his firefighting manual Flashover and Nozzle Techniques (published in seven languages) bringing '3D Firefighting' to firefighters across the globe.
In 2003 and 2005 the 3D Firefighting methods were further described in two additional books published with Paul and his co-authors, Koen Desmet, Ed Hartin, John McDonough and Shan Raffel, describing in some detail the Swedish firefighting tactics that changed the face of European compartment firefighting from the 1980s onwards.
The entire firefighting philosophy that Paul brought through the introduction of 3D Firefighting encouraged firefighters to use tactics that would take control of the air-track (flow-path). These approaches included tactical ventilation using 'open-up and shut-down' methods of controlling fire intensity; PPV safe zoning concepts; high-flow direct attack at the fire base by employing adequate water (L/min) matched to the potential fire load (MW), and 3D water-fog tactics.
This is the one tip that no firefighter should ever forget. What's above you matters as much as what's in front of you! If you fail to recognise that smoke is fuel and that it may be transporting over your head to fall down behind and trap you, it may be too late. This is where placing water into smoke in a precise and controlled manner, using short bursts to keep the smoke layer cool and high, may save your life. As fire smoke/gases are cooled they contract and rise, or maintain level. If too much water hits the walls and ceiling this mass evaporation may cause the layer to drop.
Author's Royalties donated in aid of
Katie Piper Burns Foundation