Which personnel initiate stairwell pressurization during an incident?

The initiation of stairwell pressurization is typically under the jurisdiction of the personnel operating the second and third ladder E/O (Engine Officers). In a fire or rescue situation, maintaining a viable environment for evacuation and access is critical, especially in high-rise buildings. The second and third ladder E/Os are positioned to assist with the overall coordination of operations in the building and have the capability to implement stairwell pressurization as part of the firefighting strategy.

Stairwell pressurization helps prevent smoke and toxic gases from entering the stairwells, thereby creating a safer route for both rescues of trapped individuals and the evacuation of occupants. The personnel in these positions are trained to assess the conditions and respond by activating the systems designed to manage smoke movement within the building.

In contrast, while the first Ladder E/O and the Operations Chief play important roles in the incident response, their primary responsibilities may not directly include the technical initiation of stairwell pressurization. The Rescue Team Leader focuses on the safety and operational integrity of the rescue efforts rather than the direct management of smoke and pressurization systems. Consequently, the correct personnel to initiate stairwell pressurization during an incident are those in the roles of the second and third ladder E/Os