In today's world, things change constantly. Today's Firefighters must also be ready for the challenge of how their response to a structure fire has also changed.
The Construction Industry in general has had to develop new materials and methods of manufacturing just to keep up with the increase in demand. This in effect has made structural firefighting more dangerous. The increase of fire loads have doubled.
Firefighters of the past fought fires of materials made primarily from cotton and wood. The present day firefighter faces building contents of polyurethane and plastic. With this modern manufacturing development, fire involvement causes higher temperatures and much quicker burn rates than before.
You can also include lightweight construction techniques and highly energy efficient buildings to the problems that today's firefighters must be prepared for.
The establishment of effective SOP's will prepare the firefighter for confronting a fire in today's modern building construction. The development of Incident Priorities, Strategic Goals and Tactical Objectives will help guide the operation to a safe and successful outcome. 

Battalion Chief Mick Stowers