The next time you enter a residence and knock down a fire, take a minute to protect the contents before you start pulling the ceiling or dousing remaining hot spots. That ugly green couch may be somebody’s bed, and the television set may be the occupants’ most valuable possession. Having some basic salvage equipment can help you save the belongings as well as the building. It will also give you ISO points.

Salvage covers are probably the most-versatile and least-expensive item you can purchase. They can be used to cover furniture, protect carpets, channel run-off water, or carry debris out of the building. The Insurance Services Office assigns points if each engine carries two salvage covers, and each service unit or truck carries ten covers. ISO specifies 12- by 18-foot covers, but will accept 12 feet by 14 feet for equal credit. The covers may be made of canvas or rip-stop plastic. The number of ISO points for these items on the 100-point Fire Suppression Rating Schedule are relatively small — 0.06 total points on engines, 0.13 on ladders and 0.30 on service units — but the value in protecting property can be worth much more than that.

Portable lights and cords also are handy items to aid salvage operations and will gain more ISO points. Lights can illuminate areas if the power has been cut and can help prevent secondary damage and improve safety as firefighters move about the interior. Electric cords and junction boxes can also provide power for ventilation fans and wet vacuums to assist during overhaul. ISO assigns points if each service or ladder carries three floodlights and has a 2,500-watt or larger generator. The lights must be 500-watt minimum and can be floor lights, lights mounted on tripods, or generator/light combinations. The lights are worth a total of 0.08 points on a ladder and 0.18 on a service unit. The generator is worth 0.16 points on a ladder and 0.37 points on a service unit.

Ventilation fans not only help control smoke and provide a safer environment for firefighters during the fire attack, but they can also assist removing airborne products of combustion afterwards. ISO will accept either smoke ejectors or positive pressure ventilation fans and assigns 0.13 points for them on ladders and 0.30 on service units.

Water damage is often more severe than fire damage. The sooner you remove the water from the floors, the less chance of long-term damage. Wet vacs can help remove water inside the affected rooms and also prevent secondary damage to rooms or apartments on the floors directly below.

Other useful salvage equipment you might consider includes canvas debris containers, squeegees, square-nose shovels and more.