Introduction (1 of 4)

1. Introduction(1 of 4) • Response – Series of actions that begin when a crew is dispatched to an alarm and end with their arrival at the emergency scene

2. Introduction (2 of 4) • Response actions include: – Receiving the alarm – Donning PPE – Mounting the apparatus – Exiting the station – Driving to the scene – Positioning/parking the apparatus – Dismounting the apparatus

3. Introduction (3 of 4) • Size-up – A systematic process of gathering in- formation and evaluating the situation – Begins at alarm receipt – Continues during response – Includes initial on-scene observations

4. Introduction (4 of 4) – IC and company officers responsible for obtaining information to manage the incident – Fire fighters are involved in the process of gathering and processing information.

5. Response (1 of 2) • Response begins with preparation for response. • Ensure that PPE is complete, ready for use, and in good condition. • Ensure PPE is in designated location.

6. Response (2 of 2) • SCBA – Conduct daily inspection at beginning of each tour of duty. • Recheck PPE and tools thoroughly after returning from each emergency response.

7. Alarm Receipt (1 of 6) • Process begins when an alarm is received at the fire station. • Often a communications center dispatches individual units. • Most departments have both a primary and back-up method of transmitting alarms.

8. Alarm Receipt (2 of 6) • Radio, telephone, or public address systems are often used to transmit information. • Use of computer terminals and printers to transmit dispatch messages increasing

9. Alarm Receipt (3 of 6) • Some fire departments use a system of bells to transmit alarms. – Outdoor sirens or horns may summon fire fighters in volunteer or rural departments. – Most volunteer fire fighters receive dispatch messages over pagers.

10. Alarm Receipt (4 of 6) • Dispatch information will include: – Incident location – Type of emergency – Units due to response

11. Alarm Receipt (5 of 6) • Computeraided dispatch systems often provide additional information. • Telecommunicator provides additional information when available. – Sent in dispatch messages to later responding units or transmitted by radio while en route – Information can help in planning.

12. Alarm Receipt (6 of 6) • Response to alarm should be prompt and efficient. – Walk briskly to the apparatus. – Do not run. – Shut off appliances. – Wait until apparatus doors are fully open before leaving.

13. Riding the Apparatus (1 of 3) • Don PPE before mounting apparatus. – Don SCBA after apparatus stops at scene. • All equipment must be properly secured. • Be careful mounting apparatus. – Steps are high and slippery.

14. Riding the Apparatus (2 of 3) • You must wear your seatbelt and/or harness. • Noise produced by sirens can damage hearing. – Wear hearing protection. – Hearing protection devices often include radio and intercom capabilities.

15. Riding the Apparatus (3 of 3) • During transport, limit conversation. • Listen for instructions and additional information. • Consider factors that could affect the incident: – Time of day or night – Temperature – Location and type of incident.

16. Emergency Response (1 of 2) • Fire apparatus driver must exercise caution while driving. • Never compromise safety for faster response time. • Fire apparatus drivers have special training. – Fire apparatus drivers must always consider the actions of other drivers first.

17. Emergency Response (2 of 2) • Personal vehicles – Fire fighters who respond in personal vehicles must follow laws, regulations, and SOPs. – Some areas allow volunteer fire fighters to use colored lights to request a right of way.

18. Prohibited Practices • Do not ignore departmental SOPs. • Do not unfasten your seatbelt. • Do not dismount until the vehicle comes to a complete stop. • Never stand while riding. • Do not hold onto the side of a moving vehicle. • Do not ride on the rear step.

19. Traffic Safety on the Scene • Be aware—constantly! – Drivers may not see fire fighters • Follow departmental SOPs for closing roadways. • Highways are very dangerous. • Use traffic cones or other devices. • Wear reflective vests over PPE.

20. Arrival at the Incident Scene • Fire fighters work in assigned teams. – Companies or crews • Teamwork and discipline are essential. • Apparatus-responding fire fighters make up the crew assigned to that vehicle. • Independently-arriving fire fighters report to IC to be assigned to a company or crew.

21. Freelancing • Dangerous practice of acting independently of command instruction • Unacceptable and is not tolerated • The safety of each fire fighter at the scene can be compromised by freelancing. • Do not respond to an emergency incident unless you have been dispatched.

22. Personnel Accountability System (1 of 3) • Used to track every fire fighter at every incident scene – Maintains an updated list of the fire fighters assigned to each vehicle or crew – Tracks each crew’s assignment

23. Personnel Accountability System (2 of 3) • Personal accountability tags (PATs) • Tag information may include: – Name – ID number – Photograph – Medical history

24. Personnel Accountability System (3 of 3) • Fire fighters deposit PATs in a location on the vehicle. • PATs are collected from each vehicle and taken to the command post. • Fire fighters responding directly to the scene: – Report to the command post to deposit their PATs and get an assignment

25. Controlling Utilities (1 of 2) • One of the first tasks that must be accomplished • Follow departmental SOPs • Task often assigned to a certain company or crew. – However, all fire fighters should know how to shut off building utilities.

26. Controlling Utilities (2 of 2) • Controlling utilities prevents: – Electrocutions of fire fighters – Gas explosions – Unnecessary water damage

27. Electrical Service (1 of 2) • Know what types of electrical drops and meters are in use in your area. • Work with utility companies for specific training. • High-voltage systems require electric company or trained personnel from premises to shut off electricity.

28. Electrical Service (2 of 2) • Call electric company to shut down power from a utility pole. • Necessary if: – Outside wires are damaged by fire – Working with ladders or aerial apparatus – Risk of explosion exists

29. Gas Service (1 of 3) • Natural gas and LP gas used for heating and cooking – Natural gas delivered through underground pipes – LP gas stored in a tank on premises or through underground pipes

30. Gas Service (2 of 3) • Usually a single valve for entire building • Often located outside building • May be in basement of older buildings – When handle is in-line with piping, gas is on. – When handle is at a right angle to the pipe, it is off.

31. Gas Service (3 of 3) • Valve for LP gas system is usually located at the storage tank. – Often has a distinctive handle that indicates direction to turn to open or close valve – To close, rotate handle to fully closed position. • Do not reopen system—call in utility.

32. Water Service • Can usually be shut off by closing one valve at the entry point • There is usually also a valve inside the basement of the building where the water line enters.

33. Size-up (1 of 2) • Process of evaluating an emergency situation to determine what actions need to be taken and what resources are needed to control an emergency • IC uses size-up to develop initial plan • At major incidents, size-up might continue through several stages. • Ongoing size-up

34. Size-up (2 of 2) • Fire fighters must understand how to: – Formulate an operational plan – Gather and process information – How this information can change plans during the operation • Fire fighters often asked to obtain information or report observations for ongoing size-up

35. Facts (1 of 11) • Data elements that are accurate and based on prior knowledge, a reliable source of information, or an immediate, on-site observation • Initial dispatch information contains facts. – Location – Nature of the situation

36. Facts (2 of 11) • Based on facts, an officer makes expectations about the incident: – Whether a building is likely to be occupied or unoccupied – Whether the occupants are likely to be awake or sleeping – Whether traffic will delay the arrival of additional units

37. Facts (3 of 11) • Weather conditions – Snow and ice delays the arrival of fire apparatus. – Strong winds can cause rapid extension or spread of a fire. – High heat and humidity may cause heat casualties.

38. Facts (4 of 11) • Preincident plan – Provides details about a building’s construction, layout, contents, special hazards, and fire protection systems

39. Facts (5 of 11) • Basic facts about a building can be observed upon arrival. – Officer considers the size, height, and construction of the building. – Action plan for a single-story, wood-frame dwelling different than a steel-frame high-rise tower

40. Facts (6 of 11) • Age of the building is another fact to consider. – Building and fire safety codes change over time. – Balloon-frame construction can provide a path for fire spread. – Newer buildings use trusses.

41. Facts (7 of 11) • Plan for rescue and attack considers information about the building layout and stairways. • Special factors that will assist or hinder operations are identified. – Bars on windows • Building occupancy is critical. – Office building has a different set of issues than a school.

42. Facts (8 of 11) • Fire size and location help determine hose line placement, ventilation sites and rescue priorities. – Direct visual observations are good but are not complete. – Flames issuing from only one window suggest fire is in just one room, but it could spread through void spaces. – Smoke can obscure view of fire.

43. Facts (9 of 11) • Inside fire fighters can use observations and sensations to work safely. – A crackling sound may indicate the seat of the fire. – Blistering paint could indicate the fire is in the walls.

44. Facts (10 of 11) • IC needs to gather as many facts as possible. – Company officers report observations to IC – Each company has a unique view to report. – IC may request a reconnaissance report. • An inspection and exploration of a specific area

45. Facts (11 of 11) • Progress reports – Regular progress reports from companies working in different areas update information. – Enables IC to judge if an operational plan is effective

46. Probabilities (1 of 2) • Factors that can be reasonably assumed, predicted, or expected to occur, but which are not necessarily accurate • Use history and experience to predict future events. • Attack plan based on probabilities

47. Probabilities (2 of 2) • IC quickly identifies the probabilities that apply to a given situation. • Convection, conduction, radiation, smoke conditions, and fire conditions enable IC to predict fire extension. • IC also evaluates the potential for building collapse.

48. Resources (1 of 3) • All of the means available to fight a fire or conduct emergency operations – Requirements depend on the size and type of incident. – Availability depends on the capacity of a fire department.

49. Resources (2 of 3) • Basic resources are personnel and apparatus. • Firefighting resources usually defined as the numbers of engine companies, ladder companies, special units, and command officers required to control a particular fire

50. Resources (3 of 3) • Resources also include: – Water supply – Specialized equipment – Food and fluids for rehabilitation – Fuel for apparatus