Windsor Fire Department

1. Windsor Fire Department Incident Command and Control

2. Incident Command and Control • Definitions • Initial Arrival Reports • Follow-up Reports • Task Assignments • Transfer of Command • Staging/Rehab • Tactics Refresher

3. Definitions • All Clear – No fire or extension in area assigned. • C.A.A.N. Report – Conditions/Actions/Air/Needs Report – Progress report to command from crews operating in hazard zone • Command Mode – Nothing Showing (further investigation-report to follow), Fast Attack (immediate action needed for scene stabilization), Command Mode (due to scope of incident, stationary incident commander required right at the outset of first arriving officer) • On Deck Crew – crew assigned on arrival to standby as RIT team. May be rotated into suppression work, if another crew is moved up from staging to take their place. • P.A.R. Report – Personnel Accountability Report – officer or acting officer in charge of a crew relays to command all assigned members are accounted for.

4. Definitions • Strategy – Offensive (Interior) / Defensive (Exterior) fire attack • Staging – Geographical location at an incident where personnel and equipment can be assembled for later deployment. Often at the same location as rehab. Must be actively overseen by an officer or acting officer

5. Initial Arrival Report • Announce arrival • Building/area description • Describe problem • Action being taken • Resource determination • Declare strategy • Assume/name command

6. Building Descriptors • Basic categories (based on 200’ pre-connect, apparatus spotted 50’ from the entry point) • Small – 100% hose line coverage/access • Medium – 75% hose line coverage/access • Large – 50% hose line coverage/access • Mega – 25% hose line coverage/access • Heights – Describe stories above grade

7. Building Descriptors - Occupancy • Residential – Single family home • Mutli Unit residential – Apartment/townhouse/row house style • Strip Malls • Commercial/Industrial (Stand Alone building) • High Rise (over 7 stories – not applicable in our coverage area) • Public Assembly -community halls/churches/schools • Institutional – hospitals • Well Known Structures – Windsor Legion/Superstore

8. Describe the Problem • Nothing Showing • Light Smoke Showing • Smoke Showing • Working Fire • Offensive/Defensive • Exposures

9. Location • What Floor • Apartments/Strip Malls – Middle or end? • Larger Occupancies – What Side (A/B/C/D) • Exposures (A1/B1/etc)

10. Incident Action Plan (IAP) • 1st arriving officer must announce the following • The tasking of their unit (running a line/catching hydrant) – what is the strategy (offensive/defensive) • Location (headed to 2nd floor/basement) • Task assignment for incoming gear (take command on exterior/set up water supply,etc) • Addresses location of command and what is going on for incoming units, and will help prevent freelancing

11. Follow-up Report • 360 to be done as soon as possible. For large buildings, may have to detail another person to assist with this • Any changes to the Incident Action Plan should be announced at this point (was nothing showing in front, at the C side you see a working fire) • Where accountability will be set up (if applicable – usually A side) • Immediate/potential safety concerns (propane tanks/viable rescues/etc)

12. Resource Determination • Keep units responding that are enroute already, in code one response mode • Request additional resources and/or mutual aid as required (don’t forget to cover the station if no station officer present) • Keep units responding that are enroute already, downgrade them to code 2. • Cancel all backup units, situation can be handled with apparatus and personnel onscene.

13. Task Assignments • Important for incoming units/officers to be fully aware of what they are assigned to do • Be sure that you know which way to enter a scene when there are more than one route – coming the wrong way into a scene can cause a major disruption/delay in IAP. • Understand your tasking. If not sure, ask, don’t assume, and don’t think it’s a sign of weakness. Better be sure.

14. Task Assignments • DO NOT let your crew off the truck before you understand your tasking. • DEPLOY your crew in support of the tasking that command has issued for you. • YOUR CREW does not elect what their assignment is in support of the tasking. YOU deploy them. If they cannot do the task due to training and they tell you so, that’s fine, redeploy them accordingly.

15. Transfer of Command • Allows for command to be shifted without confusion to another officer • Can be from a senior officer to junior officer and vice versa • A senior officer need not assume command from a junior officer on arrival, if the junior officer has things in hand • A senior officer can assume command for any number of reasons, even if the junior officer feels they have things in hand

16. Transfer of Command • Transfer of command can take place face to face or over radio. • Ensure that transfer of command is broadcast over the air to ‘39, so that everyone is aware of who is IC. ’39 should note same on the incident report sheet.

17. Staging - Apparatus (Level I) • Units should stage in proximity to the incident scene until tasked by command. • This level of staging allows for command to deploy incoming units without them landing on the scene in a haphazard manner, jamming up scene. • This could be down the block from the scene, around the corner on an intersecting street, etc.

18. Staging – Apparatus (Level II) • Units are staged a distance away from the scene, as assigned from command for potential deployment. • Units are not yet required at the scene • Could be a parking lot several blocks away from the scene • Mostly for major incidents where multiple units and departments are involved. • An officer should be put in charge of the marshalling area for these units, and units deployed out of here as required by the IC via this staging officer.

19. Staging – Level I

20. Staging – Level II

21. Staging/Rehab - Personnel • A personnel staging area should be set up near Rescue 6 • All un-committed firefighters should marshal here/ be directed here if seen wandering around or attempting to self-task. • A Staging/Rehab officer shall be assigned to control this site. • Requests for personnel shall be acted on by this member to deploy members to the task assigned by the IC. • Consider having EHS personnel onsite at this location for vitals check on members on larger scale incidents.

22. Staging – 3 Deep Deployment • It is important to keep operational resources constantly backed up. • When a crew from the on-deck position is deployed for whatever reason operationally, you must pull from staging a crew to replace that. • At that time, you can backfill staging if it is getting depleted. • Staging officers need to keep track of resources, and if it is getting low, request IC for more bodies early, not after the last personnel on hand are committed.

23. Exposures • Potential property near a fire that may become involved as a result of the main fire. Important consideration as we may leave an initial fire to burn when it is lost to save a neighbouring property. KNOW WHEN THE BATTLE IS LOST. • Important to note where in proximity to the main fire the exposure is. • A/B/C/D (Alpha/Bravo/Charlie/Delta) side of the fire building, running clockwise. “A” side is typically your street address side – to be announced by IC.

24. Exposures • In the event of a strip mall or row house, you may have multiple exposures on a given side. • A fire in the middle of a 6 unit row house, for example.

25. Exposures • Consider large calibre streams for exposure protection. • Get an aerial device in the air as soon as possible when exposures are a potential hazard and it doesn’t look like a quick knockdown is going to happen • ALWAYS check the interior of an exposure when there has been external extension to a building. OPEN the exterior and interior to be sure. • It is not unheard of to pull an adjoining exposure down to prevent extension.

26. Exposures

27. Evacuation • The time will come when it is required to abandon an interior attack. • There are two main evacuation signals: 3 blasts of the air horn on apparatus surrounding the scene, and Radio call to evacuate. • On clearing the structure, a P.A.R. is to be given by the crew officers, tags are to be collected and accountability check will be done by Safety Officers/Accountability Officers. • Once all members are accounted for, tactics can be re-evaluated

28. Tactics Refresher • Any incident is successful or not so successful based on the first 5-10 minutes of the call. • Think ahead of the situation you currently see in front of you. • Make sure the resources you have are enough, if in doubt, call for help from the start – DON’T get caught playing catch up.

29. Tactics Refresher • For most calls, we use the standard 1-3/4”. Don’t get tunnel vision, know when the incident is not a run of the mill call, and run lines accordingly. • Shed fire – 1-3/4” works pretty good. • Fully involved detached garage – 2-1/2” should be your first pull. • What about an apartment fire on the 3rd floor? First thought may be 2-1/2”,,,but how easy will that be to move? 1-3/4”? Quick deployment - - but can I catch the fire before it gets much more advanced? What about master streams??

30. SITUATION DRIVEN!!!

31. SITUATION DRIVEN !!

32. SITUATION DRIVEN !!

33. WATER ??? WHAT WATER ????? • Remember what you have on board for water. • #3 – 800 gallons/ 1050 GPM Pump • #5 – 800 gallons/ 1500 GPM Pump • #1 – 800 gallons/ 1500 GPM Pump • #2 – 2000 gallons/ 1500 GPM Pump • #10 – 3200 gallons / 625 GPM Pump • #11 – 625 gallons / 1050 GPM Pump • Better get more if you have a working fire ! Booster tanks wont last you long!

34. Hydrants / Tankers • If it looks like a job that you cannot handle with what you have on board, either catch a hydrant on the way in to the call, or have the next due piece establish water. • Remember – assign water supply on your IAP !!! • In the rural area, remember to bring the water with you (tankers) and that, at some point, we need a water supply to fill them. Assign a water supply officer to co-ordinate this if required! • Think via geography, where are the next closest tankers? Don’t forget New Ross and Chester when in Vaughan!

35. Aerial Devices • Plan for these large apparatus early. If you think you need one, get it on the road and in place before other apparatus block up the scene. • Think exposures, or if not an issue, major suppression power. • Get these units an independent water supply if possible • Watch the wires! • Know where the next aerials are, and get one on the road if it looks like a major incident (Wolfville is closest, New Minas has a 55’ Snorkel, Kentville has a large platform similar to Wolfvilles as well).

36. Structure Fires • 1st unit in should spot just past the fire building, out of collapse zone, allowing a view of 3 sides on the approach. • Town initial Response (2 Pumpers/Snorkel), County, (3 Pumpers, 2 Tankers, Snorkel) • Catch a hydrant on way on or assign next due apparatus to do so. • Arrival report, 360, follow-up report, assign resources • Request RCMP and NSPC. EHS should be onsite as well. • Offensive/Defensive Operation • Offensive, ensure on deck crew/RIT in place

37. Structure Fires - Afterwards • Fire Marshal to be notified, and brought to the scene for investigation if beyond the skills of those present. • Fire Marshal to be brought to the scene for any fire involving injury or death. Additionally, any incendiary fire (used to be called suspicious fires) they should attend. • Gather info from owners/occupants (contact info) • Careful of ‘interrogating’ people. Could be a police issue. • Welfare of the occupants is our concern as well. Red Cross should be notified if required for shelter/clothing. • Fire Marshals Report to be filled out for any structure/vehicle fire or any fire with injury/death.

38. Vehicle Fires • Where is it (in a garage – will be considered a structure fire), driveway ( could be an exposure problem), 101 hwy (traffic is a hazard) • What is burning? When dispatch says “vehicle fire”, ask what it is.. A ½ ton truck vs. a highway tractor hauling gasoline is quite a difference…but both are “vehicles”. • On highways set up a safe work area even if it means shutting the road down. Work with the RCMP on this. • Consider HAZMAT for placarded commercial vehicles. Call early, takes a bit for them to get it together. • 2 pumper response normally, #11 and #12 at Stn 2 area

39. Motor Vehicle Accidents • Safety of responders paramount • Pumper, Rescue 6, SSV9 rule of thumb • #7 if extended periods of traffic control anticipated • Pumper to stage in “fend off” position • Block roadway if needed, work with RCMP • Leave room for Rescue Units • Consider unified command on a common channel with IC of RCMP • Wrap checked vehicles with fire line tape

40. Motor Vehicle Accidents • RCMP role is investigative. Try not to destroy evidence • Treat all victims, deceased or otherwise, with respect • Consider REV BILL being brought to scene for serious calls. Fatalities in particular • Consider CIS callout, at least make sure the crews are met with downstairs on return to the station. Go from there • Arrival report is just as important with these kind of calls, though it may be sparse to start, remember the follow-up report!

41. Grass/Brush/Forest Fires • Truck #3 / Truck #11 should be primary • Don’t commit #9 too quick, in case we need the RTV. • Anything out side of town limits, advise DNR. Make sure if you want them, you ask for them to come, otherwise its just a notification. • When they arrive at a woods fire, its their call. We liaise and work with their IC. • Remember frequent rehab/crew rotation • Bunker suits are a no-go. Make folks get their coveralls on. Heat exhaustion will be a real hazard here.

42. Investigation – Silent Calls • We get a lot of them. 40 last year. • You should not go alone, take another member with you. • These can go downhill quick-especially when you tell someone to put a fire out. Call RCMP if required. • Contact Valley via VHF and announce your location and what you are doing. If you get in trouble, at least we can find you. • Calls received at station, etc. If it seems like a potential emergency, instruct people to hang-up and call 911, you can gather a crew on hand and radio it in on your way as well.

43. Alarms/Sprinkler Alarms • Initial response 2 pumpers. • May be called in by alarm co or a person in a building. • First unit should respond to location of alarm panel. • Once location is determined from panel (if not a general alarm), crews should head for this spot to check. • If a general alarm, systematic check of all parts of the building is required. • All equipment to be worn (PPE/SCBA on back/lights/forcible entry tools/Water Can) to be taken by crews. OFFICERS TO MONITOR THIS.

44. Alarms/Sprinkler Alarms • Alarm panel may be silenced once it has been determined that folks have evacuated. A member should be located in proximity to any muster area to ensure the people do not re-enter the premise when the bells stop. • Alarm panel may be reset once the cause of the alarm has been located and rectified if possible. When the panel is reset and stays reset, you should announce to ‘39 that the “Panel is Re-set and holding”. • If a sprinkler has gone off, when appropriate the system main line valve should be closed and a sprinkler company called in by the owners to service the system.

45. Alarm/Sprinkler Alarm • In the event an alarm will not reset, or a sprinkler system has activated, it is up to the property owner to arrange an hourly fire watch until the system is back up and running. • In the event of a sprinkler alarm, the first in unit should stage in proximity to the building FDC while the officer attends the alarm panel. • Take all particulars regarding cause of alarm, contact people onscene, and owners names/contact information for the report. Required for issuance of bylaw tickets, particularly in Town limits.

46. CO (not CO2) Alarms • Carbon Monoxide (CO not CO2) alarms are set off by incomplete combustion. • Occurs in oil, wood, propane, natural gas heating, and from vehicle exhaust in attached garages. • Any time we are investigating these type of alarm, crew should go in with SCBA active, with the gas detector. • A call received at the station for this should result in an alarm. • Remember, ventilating with a gas powered fan will likely increase CO levels in the location. Use electric fans. • Instruct people to have heating equipment checked if the possible cause.

47. Chimney Fires • How big is the house? • Where is the chimney? • Use aerials to access the chimney where possible, weather permitting (wind storms not such a good idea) • DO NOT commit crews to the roof in untenable conditions. We may cause more damage dealing with it from inside, but such is life. • When using aerials, watch for wires. Crews to harness up. • Check interior (all levels) with TIC for extension. • Instruct owners not to use system till checked and OK’d by qualified personnel.

48. Mutual Aid Calls • Units should respond with an officer or acting to all mutual aid alarms. • If they request two pumpers , send #5,#1,#3 OR #11 AND #2 (contrary to popular belief…#2 is a pumper too). This keeps our other pumpers available. • Crews and apparatus answer to our officer on these calls. If what they ask you to do is not reasonable for the gear and/or crew, refuse the task. The Chief Officers will back you up on this. • Take a TMR radio with you on mutual aid calls.

49. Station Officer • In charge of the Station during a call. • Call in Mutual Aid cover when things are depleted. • Remember who is there already, you may have to call from farther afield (ie HFD and BFD are at the fire, maybe call Wolfville to cover off). • Let command know on TMR Windsor Private if possible who you brought. That way they know what they have to draw from. • Food for crews.

50. Some Other Points • Medical / Ice Rescue / Water Rescue / JAWS calls – make sure the crew you take are trained. If you have to be the BAD GUY, be the BAD GUY, remove and replace members as required for these calls. If they are not trained for it, it is a liability. • Medical Response - #9(6) / #12(11) • Ice - #5 with crew (in suits before u leave)/ #6 gear only, add #11 with crew (in suits before u leave) if in Stn 2 area – ( w/zodiac if open water present) • Water – #9 w/zodiac, #6 gear only, #5 with crew (in suits before u leave)