Fires in below-grade areas are unlike any other fire to which we respond. The numerous dangers associated with advancing hoselines into these confined spaces while companies operate on the floors above have been linked to multiple firefighter fatalities, injuries and RIC deployments over the past few years. Valuable information from recent scientific studies by UL and NIST have pointed to intensified heat release rates, increased use of lightweight wood construction, wind-driven fires, improper fire suppression tactics, a lack of adequate ventilation, and inadequate water flow (gpm) as potential factors contributing to this rise in fatalities, injuries and RIC operations. Topics to be covered include incident management, size-up, search, ventilation, attack line selection and advancement, pre- and post-control overhaul, firefighter safety and rapid intervention.