Chief Officer Training Curriculum

1. Chief Officer Training Curriculum Operations Module 13: Enclosed Mall Simulation Exercise

2. Objectives • Identify structural characteristics of enclosed malls • Identify safety considerations associated with enclosed mall incidents • Establish incident objectives • Determine strategies

3. Objectives (continued) • Select tactics • Identify and request resources • Select alternate solutions • Establish an appropriate ICS organization to manage the incident

4. Overview • Complex structural characteristics of enclosed malls • Internal fire protection systems • Pre-incident preparation • Incident considerations • Fire extinguishment

5. Roofs • Metal decking • Concrete • Wood • Glass/Plexiglass™/Lexan™

6. Large Area Under One Roof • Anchor stores • Large, possible multilevel • Large storage areas • Linking stores • Face open mall or concourse area • Remotely located storage areas • Kiosks • Located throughout mall • Difficult to navigate in blackout conditions

7. Types of Occupancies • Amusement mall • Clothing store • Department store • Electronics • Grocery • Meeting rooms • Movie theater

8. Types of Occupancies (continued) • Pet store (live animals) • Pharmacy • Restaurants • Skating rink • Specialty shops • Sporting goods

9. Other Concerns • Frequent remodeling • Heavy fire load • Limited access • Multiple entrances

10. Location • Within large cities • Frequently on fringes of city or between cities • Building codes may be less stringent • Requires significant first alarm response • Water supply may be inadequate • Response time may be increased • Frequent traffic congestion

11. Internal Fire Protection Systems • Zoned sprinkler and standpipe systems • Hydrants on property • Smoke removal systems • Requires specific knowledge by local fire departments

12. Types of Fire Alarms • Water flow • Smoke detector • Pull-box alarm • Heat detectors

13. 911 Calls • Calls for assistance • At an address • At a store name • At mall entrances • At parking area • Account for possibilities in pre-incident planning

14. Pre-Incident Planning • Preconstruction input • Thorough knowledge of structure and fire protection systems • Frequent drills and incident preplanning sessions • Good working relationship with mall management, security, and maintenance personnel

15. Incident Considerations • Divide into geographical areas (ICS divisions) • Life safety • Assist with evacuation • Protect lanes of egress • Provide search and rescue • Provide for medical assistance

16. Fire Extinguishment • Employ internal fire protection systems • Large water supply needs • Importance of ventilation • Confine fire • High personnel requirements • Personnel sources

17. Activity 13.1: Enclosed Mall Simulation Exercise

18. Columbia Mall • 70-acre complex • 1.5 million square foot structure • Built in two sections during the 1960’s and 1970’s • Concrete Block Structure (CBS)

19. Columbia Mall (continued) • 6 anchor stores • 60+ linking stores • 750 feet of concourse between east and west anchor stores • 7,500 parking spaces (3,500 in 4 parking garages)

35. Module Summary • Complex structure • Large area • Many different types of occupancies • Heavy fire load • Pre-incident planning • Incident considerations • Fie protection systems • Large water supply • Ventilation • High personnel requirements