High Rise Fire Operations

1. High Rise Fire Operations

2. Most Challenging of all firefighting incidents. • Close Coordination and tight control of all resources are demanded yet difficult to achieve. • Without direction and proper coordination, confusion develops rapidly and the risk of life safety increases.

3. Guidelines give pre-determined direction during high rise emergencies. Proper training and experience will play an important role in the successful management of these incidents.

4. Three Common Problems • Water Supply • Functionality of fire protection systems • Occupant evacuation

5. Initial Assignments First-in unit/Recon Team (Minimum 3 people) Establishes Command, performs an exterior survey, and gives an initial size-up. The primary function of this team is to locate the fire as soon as possible. The second arriving unit will assume command.

6. The Recon Group Supervisor must proceed with the following: • Meets with management or maintenance personnel (if present) • Checks enunciator • Obtains elevator drop-key and master key/card • Investigate the fire floor • Give size-up • Initiate suppression/rescue/evacuation • Prepare to transfer to Fire Attack Group, Evacuation Group or Division Supervisor

7. The Recon Group Supervisor officer must decide the following: • What is the Tactical Priority? • Rescue (Life safety, including their own) • Fire Control • Property Conservation

8. Recon Team • How much and what size hose will be needed to extinguish the fire? How far will the fire travel, allowing the time for hand lines to be advanced to the fire floor? • Are there fire extension considerations? How can the fire be confined?

9. Recon Team • After the Recon team gives its size-up, it will be reassigned by the Incident Commander as needed. Options include retreating to a safe area to wait for the Fire Attack or be reassigned as the Evacuation Team dependent upon direction of the Incident Commander.

10. Second AssignmentCommand/Lobby/Water Supply • Second unit will automatically assume command • First arriving Truck may or may not be assigned due to the need for Aerial Operations • Company Officer report to lobby for command functions

11. Second Assignment • Engineer obtains water supply to building standpipe/sprinkler systems • Additional personnel will be assigned to lobby control after more equipment has arrived.

12. Lobby supervisor • Coordinate incoming units. • Check control room for alarms and systems check. • Controlling the entrances/exits • Controlling the elevators and access to the stairways

13. Lobby supervisor • Securing the building manager and/or building engineer. They should remain in this area for technical advice as needed. • Prepare for possible shut down of utilities and HVAC systems. • Maintain list and control all personnel that enter the building. • Coordinate with Evacuation Team on established routes for evacuation of occupants allowing for a minimum of conflict with advancing firefighting equipment.

14. Third AssignmentFire Attack (Minimum six personnel) • The fire attack group has the responsibility to mount an aggressive attack on the seat of the fire with confinement and extinguishment as the main goal. Two 3-person companies should be assigned to fire attack. The first crew will be the fire attack and the second crew will be the back up crew to provide for safety for the first attack team. Hose lines should be connected to the standpipe outlet one floor below the fire.

15. Fire Attack • Before ascending to the fire floor, the fire attack office must get specific instructions on: • Stairwell to be used • Fire floor • Fire Location if Possible • Elevator Use • Radio Frequency

16. Fire Attack • The Fire Attack Team will report initially to Command but will be reassigned to Operations as the incident expands.

17. Fourth AssignmentRescue/Evacuation (Minimum Six Personnel) • Locate, relocate, or remove any trapped occupants. • May only need to assist. • Search Teams should be at least 3 personnel • Lifelines may need to be used if ventilation has not taken place. • Could be large numbers of people needing evacuation.

18. Search Team Responsibilities • Controlling and communicating information to all occupants in its assigned area • Ensuring its area of responsibility is searched and cleared of occupants when instructed to relocate or evacuate.

19. Search Team Responsibilities • Carrying out an evacuation plan with little direction • Reporting adverse conditions • Communicate with command or operations to assure the best stairwells are used in the event of evacuation

20. Ventilation (Minimum three people) • Ensure a safe path for heat, smoke and products of combustion to leave the structure. • Two fans to pressurize stairwell. • Exhausted air should be ventilated out of the stairwell that penetrates the roof. • Knockout panels should only be removed after contacting command.

21. Ventilation • Contact command BEFORE removing any knockout panels. • Always monitor CO levels when using gasoline powered fans. • Pressurized stairwells cannot be used for ventilation until the pressure has been relieved. • The building engineer and pre-plan should have information on the HVAC system that will affect ventilation

22. Incident Command • Time is utmost importance • Assignments take much longer • Call additional resources early • Put personnel 2 to 3 floors below the fire early • Anticipate longer and more frequent rehab times

23. Incident Command • The first arriving Battalion Chief will receive a progress report from the incident commander and establish a command post outside the structure. The perimeter will be dictated by the incident location and the nature of the call.

24. Responsibilities of the Incident Commander • Assume command and establish an effective operating position. • Rapidly evaluate the incident (size-up). • Initiate, maintain, and control the communication process. • Provide for the safety, accountability, and welfare of personnel. • Identify the overall strategy, develop an incident action plan, and assign companies and personnel accordingly.

25. Responsibilities of the Incident Commander • Coordinate overall emergency activities. • Coordinate activities of outside agencies. • Provide for continuity, transfer, and termination of command.

26. Incident Command Functions • The Incident Commander is ultimately responsible for the successful management of the incident. Functions of the incident commander include but are not limited to:

27. Incident Command Functions • Provide progress reports to radio • Check life hazards and evacuations • Check HVAC status • Ensure availability of building keys • Assign apparatus to FDC’s • Confirm the location and extent of the fire

28. Incident Command Functions • Determine if a water flow alarm is in operation • Ensure elevator control • Activate firefighter service • Assign Elevator operator • Call Building personnel (engineer) • Ensure elevator company representative is responding

29. Incident Command Functions • Get progress report from recon • Assess situation status and ensure adequate staffing • Designate Base Area • Assign Officer to Fire control room • Assign personnel to check exterior of the building • Have Police establish a safety perimeter around the building

30. Incident Command Functions • Request utility personnel and outside agencies when needed • Assign qualified personnel to evaluate fire pump status and related equipment • Assign personnel to the incident organizational structure as the structure grows • Be pro-active in deployment and decision making

31. Tactical FunctionsBase • Assembly point from which large quantities of personnel and equipment are distributed. • Primary point outside the structure for personnel to report and receive their assignments.

32. Tactical FunctionsBase • Large area close for good response but far enough not to hamper operations. • Base manager is usually first arriving engine or truck officer • Base manager reports directly to command

33. Base Manager Responsibilities • Verifying the location of Base with the incident commander • Determining the most appropriate access route to base for responding units • Coordinating with Lobby Control to establish one or more safe access routes to the incident structure

34. Base Manager Responsibilities • Maintaining an accurate log of apparatus, equipment and personnel responding to and within Base area • Assuring that companies are kept together and recording the time companies arrive and depart from base • Assuring that equipment is delivered to interior units as needed

35. Interior Staging • Close proximity to the fire. • Usually 2-3 floors below the fire. • Same area used to rehab personnel if large enough.

36. Interior Staging Manager Responsibilities • Verifying the location of Interior Staging with the Operations • Establish effective and ongoing communications with Operations to coordinate personnel movement • Establish effective communications with Logistics to coordinate equipment movement and deployment

37. Interior Staging Manager Responsibilities • Assure that the area is safe for personnel to rehab and stage for deployment • Ensure that personnel do not by-pass the Interior staging floor • Plan for the layout of Interior staging to keep personnel and equipment that have been utilized separated from ready equipment and personnel

38. Interior Staging Manager Responsibilities Ensure that a suitable location is set up for Rehab of personnel and that personnel are monitored for illness or injury • Maintain an accurate log of personnel rotating in and out of staging being sure to keep enough reserves as needed by Operations

39. Interior Staging • Additional personnel directed to Interior Staging should always bring priority equipment from Base or Lobby. No one should ever go to Interior Staging empty handed!

40. Interior Staging • The following list of equipment is commonly stockpiled at Interior Staging; • SCBAs and Air Bottles • Fire Hose, nozzles, hose appliances and fittings • Forcible entry tools • Ladders

41. Interior Staging • Fans • Salvage Covers and Tools • Medical Supplies • Portable Lights and hand lights • Food and Water with utensils • Any other items deemed necessary for the incident

42. Rapid Intervention Teams • Safety of all personnel is paramount • Maximum distance is one floor away • RIT teams may be in somewhat hazardous atmosphere and must be rotated.

43. Rehab • The operating time on a high rise incident will necessitate rehabilitation for personnel operating on the incident scene. The rehab group will respond to the closest area that is safe and conditions facilitate effective rehab for operating personnel. The rehab group will usually be located on the same floor as interior staging. This will allow crews to move from operating positions to rehab without exiting the building. After crews have had sufficient time to rehab they will then be ready to return to an operating position through interior staging.

44. Medical Branch • The Medical Branch will be designated in the event of injury or illness to occupants of the building. This is separate from the unit that is responsible for rehab of department personnel. Depending on the number and severity of injuries to occupants the Medical Branch can simply be one unit or multiple units with the triage, treatment and transport groups reporting to them. The medical branch director will report directly to the incident commander.

45. Rules for Elevator Use • The exact location of the fire must be known before using elevators • Check the hoist way initially and periodically for smoke • NEVER take an elevator to the fire floor, always exit at least 2 floors below the fire • Never move an elevator more than 5 floors without checking for full control over the car • NEVER pass the fire floor

46. Rules for Elevator Use • Never use the elevator until Firefighter Operation has been activated • Always activate the emergency stop before exiting a stalled elevator • Always carry a forcible entry tool to escape the car in an emergency • Elevator use should be limited to 6 personnel per car

47. Rules for Elevator Use • Due to the potential hazards of elevator use, elevators should only be considered for use for fires above the 4th or 5th floor • Do not use freight elevators unless a special situation makes it necessary. These elevators are generally hazardous due to the trash and debris stored around them

48. Communications • The efficient coordination of incidents, particularly high rise incidents requires prompt complete and frequent reports. Properly functioning radios are essential for good communications. Discipline in radio communications can mean the difference in life and death.

49. Communications • Any person should use the mayday call whenever a firefighter is missing or trapped. • Try to conduct as much face-to face communications as possible • Know who you are reporting to and who is reporting to you • Know which tac channel you have been assigned

50. Communications • In the event that communications are hampered by building construction, try talk-around channel for radio transmissions