Size-up and Damage Assessment

1. Size-up and Damage Assessment Key Points in the morning session: • Use Size-up and Damage Assessment for CORE Team safety • Seven steps of Size-up • How to perform basic structural damage assessment • CORE response is based on level of damage • Damage Assessment and Status Card forms

2. Scene Safety & Size-up CORE team safety is Rule #1. Size-up • is used by all CORE teams • is a continual process • promotes team safety Size-up the situation before initiating action and on an on-going basis. Firefighter discusses Size-up

3. Size-up Process 1. Gather facts. • What happened? • What are the hazards? • How many people are injured? • Are special tools or equipment needed? Atascadero 2004 heavy damage

4. Size-up Process 2. Assess the scene. • Is the scene safe? 3. Identify your resources. • Who is on your team? • Are they CORE trained? • Do you have personal protective equipment? • Do you have needed supplies? • Do you need more help? Woman checking for hazards

5. Size-up Process 4. Establish your priorities. • What needs to be done first? Second? Third? 5. Develop a plan. • Assign people to do what needs to be done, first, second and third. • Remember, the plan may change. CORE team

6. Size-up Process 6. Conduct operations. • Suppress small fires • Secure utilities • Provide medical treatment • Perform light search & rescue CORE team doing cribbing

7. Size-up Process 7. Evaluate your progress. • Monitor your operations. • Are you accomplishing the task? SIZE-UP IS A CONTINOUS DATA GATHERING PROCESS

8. Damage Assessment Damage Assessment is used in TWO ways: 1. Damage assessment is part of the Size-updone by every CORE team. 2. Damage Assessment is also used by the Neighborhood Incident Commander to understand the neighborhood situation.

9. Performing Damage AssessmentDamage Assessment Team The Damage Assessment Team: - Provides a quick damage overview to the Neighborhood Incident Commander - Does superficial damage assessment (street view) - Uses the Damage Assessment Form. .

10. Performing Damage AssessmentDamage Assessment Team Go at a walking pace Look for signs of damage & injuries Record on the Damage Assessment Form • Stop only • To save a human life • To mitigate an imminent threat Team assesses damage

11. Performing Damage AssessmentCORE Team Size-Up Size-up requires detailed damage assessment before initiating CORE team action Northridge 1994 soft story collapse

12. Performing Damage AssessmentCORE Team Size-Up Check all six sides! Top: electrical wires, falling debris, damaged chimney or roof Four sides: signs of structural damage, cracking around doors or foundation, vertical and horizontal lines Bottom: water, debris, injured people, cracks, and liquefaction

13. Signs of Structural Damage Horizontal lines uneven, shifted, sagging Foundation not level, split, shifted Vertical lines slanted, off set, bowed Entry ways sidewalk broken or uneven Large Exterior Cracks Building separation gaps between buildings Liquefaction seepage near base, pooling Ground effects fissures, sink holes, landslides

14. Signs of Structural Damage Horizontal lines uneven, shifted, sagging Vertical lines slanted, off set, bowed Northridge 1994 heavy damage CORE Citywide Exercise Skills Workshop

15. Signs of Structural Damage Foundation not level, split, shifted Vertical lines slanted, off set, bowed Northridge 1994 cripple wall failure CORE Citywide Exercise Skills Workshop

16. Signs of Structural Damage Large Exterior Cracks Foundation not level, split, shifted Northridge 1994 heavy damage off foundation CORE Citywide Exercise Skills Workshop

17. Signs of Structural Damage Liquefaction - seepage near base, pooling Ground effects - fissures, sink holes, landslides New Zealand 2011 liquefaction, sink hole and sewage leak CORE Citywide Exercise Skills Workshop

18. Damage Classification Three levels of damage: LightModerateHeavy Use the more cautious assessment Light = OK to enter Moderate = Hurry in & out Heavy = Never enter Northridge 1994

19. Damage ClassificationLight Damage Indicators Superficial damage Broken windows Fallen or cracked plaster Minor damage to contents Calexico April 2010 Cracked plaster Cracked window glass

20. Damage ClassificationLight Damage LightDamage Response Size-up! Secure utilities (if needed) Locate, triage, and prioritize removal of victims Document actions on a Status Card CORE members carry an injured person

21. Damage ClassificationModerate Damage Indicators More obvious damage Exterior decorative work damaged Large amounts of cracking Not leaning, attached to foundation Significant damage to contents Northridge 1994 Kitchen contents Northridge 1994 porch roof separation

22. Damage ClassificationModerate Damage ModerateDamage Response Size-up! Secure utilities (if needed) Before entering – where are victims? Get in & get out quickly Document your actions on a Status Card CORE members assist an injured person

23. Damage ClassificationHeavy Damage Indicators Extensive general damage Partial or total structural collapse Buildings tilting or off their foundations Buildings that are obviously structurally unsafe Northridge 1994 First floor collapse Northridge 1994

24. Damage ClassificationHeavy Damage Response Size-up! NEVER enter a heavily damaged building for any reason. Secure perimeter. Shut off utilities, if it is safe to do so. Document your actions on a Status Card Atascadero 2004 heavy damage

25. Damage Assessment Form Enter data Do not enter “No” or “zero” CORE Citywide Exercise Skills Workshop

26. Status Card Tear card in half CORE Citywide Exercise Skills Workshop

27. Summary Size-up is a continuous data gathering process. Necessary for safety. Superficial damage assessment is done by the Damage Assessment Team. Detailed damage assessment is part of Size-up . CORE response is based on the level of damage. Use the Damage Assessment and Status Report forms.