Fire and Training: Size-Up and COAL WAS WEALTH

Host Doug Cline talks with Chris Naum about the essential practice of size-up in firefighting, focusing on the COAL WAS WEALTH acronym. Their discussion reveals the historical roots of size-up, dating back to 1932, and its evolution through the decades into an indispensable firefighting tool today. They emphasize the importance of considering various factors—building construction, occupancy, weather, and available resources—when assessing a fire scene. They highlight the dynamics of human performance, staffing, and the implications of various environmental conditions on incident outcomes.