Creating a Safer Fireground

1. Creating a Safer Fireground Firetown Training Specialist 1

2. LLCCESS Firetown Training Specialist 2

3. Fire Department RIC Deployment Operations • Lookouts • Locations • Communications • Conditions • Escape Routes • Safety Zones • Safety Equipment Firetown Training Specialist 3

4. Course Objectives • List six common factors associated with firefighter injuries and deaths • Describe three common threads associated with “EVERY” injury or death • List 14 WATCH OUTS for structure fires Firetown Training Specialist 4

5. Course Objectives • Explain why the concept of pressure is the single most important element in the predication of a hostile event. • Explain the theory of “BIG EXITING”. • Describe the importance of awareness of: • Rapid Fire Progression • Proactive Openings and Egress Portals • Single Access Points • Facades & Mezzanine • Line Deployment Firetown Training Specialist 5

6. LLCCESS Background • 10 Standard Fire Orders. • 14 Situations to Shout “Watch out”. • NIOSH Fatality Reports. • USFA Line of Duty Death Investigations. • United States Marines Combat Readiness Report. RPDM Firetown Training Specialist 6

7. RIC Operations • Importance of Rapid Intervention • The job of the RIC is one of the most important fireground assignments. It requires an aggressive yet carefully coordinated response. The lack of a coherent procedure or planhas been the most common element of failed firefighter rescue attempts. • Implementing a well thought out plan and using practiced procedures (systems), reduces risk and offers a downed firefighter the best chance for survival. • RIC is more than just a check mark on the tactical worksheet. RIC must have: • First hand knowledge of the incident, • Must be ready to respond instantly to firefighter emergencies, • Once assigned, should not be reassigned to other functions. • RIC members should be experienced, aggressive, well-trained • who understand the importance of RIC in all of its aspects.

8. RIC Operations • Regulations and Reality • According to OSHA regulations 29 CFR 1910 and 1926, no fewer than four fully equipped and trained firefighters will be on scene before interior firefighting operations begin in an “immediately dangerous to life or health” (IDLH) atmosphere. • This is known as the “Two-In/Two-Out Rule” • The exceptions to this OSHA regulation are: • Fire is in its incipient or beginning stage and there is no IDLH atmosphere. • There’s a known life-hazard situation where immediate action could prevent loss of life. • Past incidents and studies have proven that no fewer than 12 firefighters were needed to rescue 1 downed firefighter. The United States Fire Administration states, “Rescue teams with only 2 firefighters can be dangerously inadequate.”

9. Firefighter Safety in IDLH Conditions DEFINITIONS: [29CFR 1910.134(g)(4)(i)(ii)(iii)] and [CCR, Title 8, Section 5144(g)(4)(A)(B)(C)]. For interior structural fire fighting, at least two (2) personnel shall enter the IDLH condition and remain in visual or voice contact at all times. At least two (2) personnel shall be located outside the IDLH condition. All personnel in an IDLH condition shall wear an SCBA. Note: One of the two personnel located outside the IDLH condition may be assigned to an additional role, such as Incident Commander, Safety Officer, etc. as long as this person is able to perform assistance or rescue activities without jeopardizing the safety or health of any of the personnel working on the incident. Note: Nothing in this rule is meant to preclude personnel from performing emergency rescue activities before an entire team has assembled.

10. RIC Operations Regulations and Reality In two incidents in particular, the Brett Tarver incident in Phoenix and L.A. City’s Whittier incident, it took at least 10 fire companies to perform the rescue. Tarver did not survive, L.A.’s downed firefighter did. After Tarver’s death, Phoenix FD conducted over 200 Rapid Intervention drills and concluded it takes 12 firefighters to rescue 1 firefighter. They also found it takes approximately 21 minutes on average to rescue a downed firefighter. During the drills, 1 in 5 rescue members got into trouble themselves, leading to a RIC deployment. For every RIC deployment reported, there are usually more that follow, with more near misses that go unreported. On Tarver’s incident, there were dozens of “maydays” sounded, with one firefighter transported respiratory distress.

11. In 1990 Deborah Wallace warned the fire service about the hazards of plastics. The warning has gone unheeded Firetown Training Specialist

12. RISK MANAGEMENT • High-risk activities are ripe for a discipline known as risk management. • One of the great gurus of this field was a fellow known as H.W. Heinrich. • One area he focused on was the link between close-calls, mishaps, and major events.

13. H.W. HEINRICH • In a nutshell, he developed a ratio (rounded off for our purposes) that: • For every 300 mistakes made…. • 30 of them (10 percent) will end up in a mishap (an event with consequences)…. • And one of the 300 will end up in a tragedy, generally either death or great bodily injury.

14. LET’S BE REALISTIC! • If you have never performed or practiced an emergency operation and suddenly you are faced with this assignment, chances are that you will not perform well. • Far too few firefighters train to respond to a firefighter entrapment. • Far fewer actually perform one! • The lack of experience and training in this area will undoubtedly be the downfall of many Rapid Intervention teams deploying into a structure for an “EMERGENCY TRAFFIC”.

15. HOW DO YOU PREPARE FOR THE ASSIGNMENT OF RIC? • Talk to other members about “close-calls”. • Be proficient with the RIC kit and other equipment available at the firehouse. • Practice different scenarios including self-rescue. • Read Case Studies involving firefighter fatalities/ injuries. You will see a pattern develop (no PAL activation, etc.)

16. Six Factors Associated with Firefighter Injuries and Deaths Firetown Training Specialist 16

17. Lookouts • Situational Awareness and Evaluation of the Event. • Getting the Big Picture. • Key indicators of structural failure. • Smoke under pressure and the impact on firefighter safety. • Fireground Forecasting and Lost Time Intervals Firetown Training Specialist 17

18. Location • Impact on primary access portals and emergency egress points and portals. • Utilizing Big Exitingas a standard practice. • Access and Egress communications PAR’S, CAR’S &PPPN’s • Utilization of a pro-active RIC Company. Firetown Training Specialist 18

19. Firetown Training Specialist 19

20. Communications Communications plans must be established prior to the event. As part of the RIC policy, a COMM-PLAN must be established and in place. Fire personnel must be familiar with the COMM-PLAN and frequently training using the plan. • Face to face communications. • Portable Radios. • Emergency Buttons. • Visual/Verbal Contact. • Ropes/Tag Lines. Firetown Training Specialist 20

21. Conditions • Size Up / Evaluate conditions, and communicate those conditions to superior officers. • Predict hostile events and locations of the potential events. • Read smoke and the pressure being developed. • Estimating “Lost Time” & Incident Time intervals. Firetown Training Specialist 21

22. Escape • Over useof single access point. • Utilization of “BIG EXITING”as a standard practice. • Facades and Mezzanine dangers. • Escape route planning. Communicated during Search Operations and exterior size up by RIC as part of incident preparation. Firetown Training Specialist 22

23. Six Steps to BIG EXITING Establish Pro-Active RIC Teams on ALL fires. Establish RIC Group when more than two RIC Teams are assigned the same incident. Firetown Training Specialist 23

24. Six Steps to BIG EXITING Placement of secondary ladders to windows and roofs is a primary function of RIC as part of the incident preparation. Firetown Training Specialist 24

25. Six Steps to BIG EXITING Avoid working under or around facades and mezzanines. Firetown Training Specialist 25

26. Six Steps to BIG EXITING Pull lines straight, and have adequate hose to reach the seat of the fire. Firetown Training Specialist 26

27. Six Steps to BIG EXITING When operating without hose lines utilize drop bags of rope bags. Firetown Training Specialist 27

28. Six Steps to BIG EXITING Provide lights at access points to show the way out. Firetown Training Specialist 28

29. Escape Route Planning Develop alternative access points and emergency egress points on all structures. (GO BIG EARLY) Firetown Training Specialist 29

30. Escape Route Planning Communicate egress points and exit locations to all personnel. Firetown Training Specialist 30

31. Escape Route Planning Clear protected Openings: Bars on windows. Metal Gates. Garage Doors. Roll-Ups. HUD Windows. Rear of structure. Firetown Training Specialist 31

32. Escape Route Planning Avoid entrance underneath heavy objects. Size up includes LOOKING UP!!! Firetown Training Specialist 32

33. Escape Route Planning Provide secondary means of escape. Firetown Training Specialist 33

34. Escape Route Planning Use drop bags where hose lines are not. Firetown Training Specialist 34

35. Escape Route Planning Always have alternative escape plans. Firetown Training Specialist 35

36. Safety Zones • Located outside the structure. • Two floors down in multi-story occupancies. • Close to the exit area. • No need for SCBA or other related safety items. Fire attack from safe area should include the use of large diameter hose lines, and solid streams. Firetown Training Specialist 36

37. Safety Equipment PPE is required. Failure to use it is NOT an option. Know its limitations. Enforce its usage. Firetown Training Specialist 37

38. The BIG “3” The three common denominators of every firefighter injury and fatality. Firetown Training Specialist 38

39. The BIG “3” Location Location: Fire in relation to exits. Failure to practice “Big Exiting”. Failure to open protected openings. Failure to realize fire is burning above you. Allowing opposing hose streams to operate. Firetown Training Specialist 39

40. The BIG “3” Conditions Conditions: Failure to recognize an impending “Hostile Event”. Failure to track time intervals. Lack of accountability or PAR. Failure to fall back to a defensive position. Failure to follow gut instincts. Tunnel vision/emotional involvement. Firetown Training Specialist 40

41. The BIG “3” Safety Equipment Safety Equipment: Failure to utilize PPE. Failure to understand the limitations of PPE. Failure to enforce the usage of PPE Firetown Training Specialist 41

42. Key Indicators of Structural Collapse • Structure Fire (Not Content Fire). • Rapid Fire Progression. • Heavy Pressurization. • Lost Time Interval • Heavy Fuel Load / Model Firetown Training Specialist 42

43. Hostile Fire Events • Flashover • Backdraft • Smoke Explosion • Rollover/Flameover • Vent Point Ignition Firetown Training Specialist 43

44. 14 Watch Out Situations for Structural Firefighting • You have a working fire and entry will be delayed. • Multiple companies are operating through a single access point. • Roof Division is being driven off the roof. • Air is being drawn into the structure and visibility is limited. Firetown Training Specialist 44

45. 14 Watch Out Situations for Structural Firefighting 5. You can hear the fire burning above you but cannot see it. 6. You realize you are working beneath a fascia or mezzanine. 7. You feel “Uncomfortable”. 8. Your low air warning device activates and you are still within the structure. Firetown Training Specialist 45

46. 14 Watch Out Situations for Structural Firefighting 9. You have made no progress on the fire. 10. You hear ventilation operations being conducted behind you. 11. You are unable to communicate with the I/C. 12. You have been on duty for an extended period of time. Firetown Training Specialist 46

47. 14 Watch Out Situations for Structural Firefighting 13. You are working with unknown personnel. • You feel training is something that the other guy needs. Firetown Training Specialist 47

48. Special Thanks Battalion Chief Mike Scott: Kent Fire Department. Battalion Chief John Nowell: LAFD Firetown Training Specialist 48