How to Give a Size-Up Report: Format, Examples, and Practice

How to Give a Size-Up Report

Your size-up report is the first real information anyone has about what's happening on scene. Every unit responding is listening. Dispatch is listening. The chief is listening. Your size-up sets the tone for the entire incident — it tells everyone what you're dealing with and what you're going to do about it. Get this right and you build a solid foundation. Get it wrong and everyone's operating on bad information.

What Is a Size-Up?

A size-up is the ongoing process of evaluating conditions at an emergency scene. Your INITIAL size-up report — the one you give on the radio when you arrive — is a snapshot of what you see in the first 30-60 seconds. It's brief, structured, and informational. You're painting a picture for everyone who's not there yet.

The Components of a Good Size-Up

A solid initial size-up follows a consistent format. Departments vary, but the essential elements are:

1. Unit Identification and Arrival

"Engine 7 on scene." Simple. Let everyone know you're there and establishing command.

2. Building Description

Give them the big picture — what kind of building are we dealing with?

• Construction type: "Two-story ordinary construction" or "single-story lightweight residential."
• Occupancy type: "Single-family dwelling," "strip mall," "garden-style apartment."
• Size: General dimensions or footprint if relevant. "25 x 50 residential."

3. Conditions Found

This is the critical piece. What are you seeing?

• Smoke conditions: Color, volume, velocity, location. "Heavy black smoke from the second floor, Side Alpha."
• Fire conditions: Visible fire? Where? How much? "Fire showing from two windows on the Bravo side, second floor."
• Life hazard: Any visible victims? Time of day (suggests occupancy)? "Occupied residential, cars in the driveway."

4. Action Plan

What are you going to do about it? This tells incoming units what to expect.

• "Engine 7 will be pulling an 1-3/4 for fire attack."
• "Engine 7 will be investigating."
• "Going defensive — all units stage for a PAR."

5. Command Declaration

Establish command or pass it. "Engine 7 will be [street name] Command."

Putting It Together — Examples

Here's what a complete size-up sounds like:

"Engine 7 on scene of a two-story ordinary construction, single-family dwelling. We have heavy smoke showing from the second floor, Side Alpha, with fire visible from the Bravo-side windows. Engine 7 will be stretching an 1-3/4 to the second floor for fire attack. Engine 7 will be Elm Street Command."

Nothing-showing example:

"Engine 7 on scene of a two-story wood-frame residential. Nothing showing from the exterior. Engine 7 is investigating with a four-person crew. Engine 7 will be Oak Avenue Command."

Side Designations

Use the standard ABCD system based on the side you approach from:

• Side Alpha (A): The address side — where you pull up. The front of the building.
• Side Bravo (B): Left side as you face Alpha.
• Side Charlie (C): The rear. Opposite of Alpha.
• Side Delta (D): Right side as you face Alpha.

Use these every time. "There's fire on the left" means nothing to a unit approaching from a different direction. "Fire showing, Side Bravo" is universally understood.

Common Mistakes

• Too long: Your initial size-up should be 15-30 seconds. If you're talking for a minute, you're giving a TED talk, not a size-up.
• Too vague: "We've got a fire" tells nobody anything useful. Describe what you SEE.
• No action plan: Telling people what you see without telling them what you're doing leaves incoming units guessing.
• Tunnel vision: You see fire from Alpha and report it. But did you look at three other sides? Conditions on Charlie might be completely different.
• Forgetting the 360: Before committing resources, you or someone needs to see the whole building. Don't commit to an offensive attack based only on what Side Alpha shows you.
• Mic fright: Nerves make you freeze, ramble, or key up without being ready. Practice your format until it's automatic.

How to Practice

Size-up is a perishable skill — you have to practice it regularly.

• Windshield size-ups: Every time you drive past a building, give a mental size-up. Construction type, occupancy, access, water supply.
• Photo drills: Pull up fire photos online and practice giving a size-up based on the image. Time yourself.
• Ride-along practice: When responding, practice your radio report before you arrive. Even if you're not the officer, rehearse what you'd say.
• Record yourself: Use your phone. Play it back. You'll hear the hesitations, the filler words, and the missing information.
• AI practice tools: Use scenario-based tools that present you with a scene and grade your size-up in real time.

The Bottom Line

A good size-up is like a good foundation — everything else you build on the fireground depends on it. Practice the format until it's second nature. Be concise. Be specific. Be accurate. And remember: conditions change. Your size-up doesn't stop after the initial report. Keep updating command as conditions evolve.