Multi-Family Fires: What PIOs Need to Know • The 5% Series

Описание: Multi-family fires are low-frequency, high life-hazard incidents — and they demand a different level of preparation from Public Information Officers.

Each year, an estimated 88,000 to 108,000 multi-family building fires occur in the United States, compared to more than 330,000 single-family home fires. With 25 to 100 residents potentially inside a single building, these incidents quickly escalate operationally, medically, and from a communications standpoint.

In this episode of the 5% PIO Series, I break down:
• The differences between multi-family buildings
• The fire code, fire alarm and sprinkler systems
• Common causes of multi-family fires
• High life hazard situations
• Post-fire humanitarian response and displacement realities
• Crisis communication challenges with HOAs and property owners

We also discuss why media requests for inspection reports are common after injury or fatality fires — and how PIOs can prepare.

I’ve created a Multi-Family Fire PIO Worksheet, along with a fillable PDF version, to help capture the most critical information before speaking with journalists. Both are linked below in the Google Drive for anyone who wants to use them.

Multi-family fires are complex incidents that often require larger first-alarm assignments, additional alarms, ladder rescues, extended hose stretches, and coordinated shelter operations. As PIOs, our job is to anticipate those complexities and communicate clearly, accurately, and calmly.

If you’re a Fire PIO, Chief Officer, or Communications professional in the fire service, this episode will help you prepare for one of the most challenging types of residential incidents.