Up and down the ranks instinct plays a big survival part. As a Captain had a restaurant fire, 1st due engine (82). Truck forced the door, long hallway to main dining area. As we start to go in, instinct says "hold up." Hold my guys. Backdraft 5 seconds later. Guys ask me how did you know. Didn't, just a feeling. As a deputy respond to a factory fire in Brooklyn, 2nd alarm in. Wide avenue. Pull up and as getting out of car see engine with line into building thru overhead door, truck on the roof. Mezzanine type, half floor halfway into building. Heavy fire thru roof. Battalion Chief running by. I yell to him "get the line out of the building, and get the truck off the roof." No arguement. As I finish putting my gear on the engine has backed the line out and the last truckie is getting on the aerial. The roof collapses, knocks the engine down now on the sidewalk. Fire went to a 4th. May have lost 6 or 7 men if not pulled out at that exact time. Why, don't know, just a feeling. Usually a great move. Had a fire cellar of store as a BC in Manhattan. Pop cellar doors and start line down. Yellow blue smoke, don't like it. Back line out. Find out later color was from plastic bags stored in cellar. Line could have knocked it down. Didn't. Fire went to a 4th, building completely burned out. Win some. lose some. But the most important thing is, everyone went home. Building was rebuilt, looked great. Go with your instincts.
