IRVING, Texas — The Irving Fire Department is emphasizing the importance of pre-incident planning as crews work to improve safety and efficiency during emergency responses.
According to the department, pre-incident planning allows firefighters to gather critical information about buildings before an emergency occurs, helping them operate more effectively when responding to fires or other incidents.
Recently, fire crews conducted a non-emergency training exercise by walking on a building roof to better understand its layout and structural conditions. Officials said the hands-on approach helps identify potential hazards, including heavy equipment such as HVAC units and solar panels, and prepares crews to apply appropriate vertical ventilation techniques during an emergency.
The department said pre-planning efforts also include identifying key details such as entry and exit points, fire panel and sprinkler system locations, emergency contact information for building managers, nearby fire hydrants, and hazards unique to each property.
Officials noted that the information gathered during these preparations is used by incident commanders and responding personnel to more efficiently manage emergencies and reduce risks.
The department stated that proactive preparation plays a critical role in improving outcomes during real-world incidents.
