Fireground Operations: Structure Fires

1. Fireground Operations: Structure Fires Union County SOG 3.16

2. Fireground Operations: Structure Fires • PURPOSE • To provide a uniform guideline for first arriving units to determine strategic and tactical goals when evaluating structure fire.

3. Fireground Operations: Structure Fires • OBJECTIVE • To insure all Union County first arriving companies or fire personnel follow uniform guidelines in determining strategic and tactical goals at structure fires.

4. Fireground Operations: Staging • Upon Arrival (Ref: Union County SOG 3.12) • The first officer on the scene will: • Transmit a brief and concise initial radio report to include: • Unit Number (i.e. E-310) and “on the scene”. • Height of building (how many stories) • Type of construction (i.e. wood frame, masonry, etc.)

5. Fireground Operations: Staging • Upon Arrival (Ref: Union County SOG 3.12) • The first officer on the scene will: • Occupancy (apartment, single family, etc.) • Conditions on arrival (i.e. working fire, smoke showing, etc.) • Any exposure problems

6. Fireground Operations: Staging • Upon Arrival (Ref: Union County SOG 3.12) The first officer on the scene will: • Action being taken ( i.e. investigating, quick attack, etc.) • Set up Command (Setting up Main street command) • Officer in charge ( Lt. Disbennett in charge)

7. Fireground Operations: Structure Fires • Upon Arrival (Ref: Union County SOG 3.12) • The first officer on the scene will: • Conduct an on the spot size up. • Assume command until formally relieved. • Perform a 360 • Determine Primary objective (i.e. Protect exposures, extinguishment, search and rescue, etc.)

8. Fireground Operations: Structure Fires • Upon Arrival (Ref: Union County SOG 3.12) • The first officer on the scene will: • Conduct an on the spot size up. • Develop a plan of action • Assign other arriving companies • Transfer command with face to face briefing of situation.

9. Fireground Operations: Structure Fires • Fireground Communications and Coordination • Good communication and proper coordination are essential at structure fires. The IC must provide the necessary coordination of various fire ground activities. The IC must communicate all instructions and vital information clearly to those who he is supervising.

10. Fireground Operations: Structure Fires • Fireground Communications and Coordination • The IC should assign a fire ground frequency to be used by all personnel operating on the fire ground. (car-to-car, Hi-band state mutual aid, etc.)

11. Fireground Operations: Structure Fires • Tactical Considerations • The tactical objectives in fighting a structure fire shall be in order of priority as follows: • Rescue • Human life is the most important consideration at a fire or other emergency. • A Primary and secondary search shall be conducted at all structure fires.

12. Fireground Operations: Structure Fires • Tactical Considerations • The tactical objectives in fighting a structure fire shall be in order of priority as follows: 2. Exposure protection • Exposure protection is a tactic used to prevent a fire from spreading to an uninvolved building or buildings.

13. Fireground Operations: Structure Fires • Tactical Considerations • The tactical objectives in fighting a structure fire shall be in order of priority as follows: 3.Confinement • Tactics used to keep the fire from spreading in the building of origin. • These may be offensive or defensive in nature.

14. Fireground Operations: Structure Fires • Tactical Considerations • The tactical objectives in fighting a structure fire shall be in order of priority as follows: 4.Extinguishment • Tactics used to completely extinguish the fire • At some point a thorough overhaul of the effected area must be performed to insure total extinguishment of the fire.

15. Fireground Operations: Structure Fires • Tactical Considerations • The tactical objectives in fighting a structure fire shall be in order of priority as follows: 5.Overhaul • Tactics used to open all void or hidden spaces where fire might hide from extinguishment efforts. • Overhaul should be performed by fresh crews if possible to reduce the chance of fatigue related injuries.

16. Fireground Operations: Structure Fires • Tactical Considerations • The tactical objectives in fighting a structure fire shall be in order of priority as follows: 5.Overhaul • Personnel should only remove their SCBA after the area is appropriately monitored and deemed safe by the Operations Officer or Incident Commander.

17. Fireground Operations: Structure Fires • Tactical Considerations • The tactical objectives in fighting a structure fire shall be in order of priority as follows: • 6.Ventilation • Tactics employed to remove smoke and super heated gases from the fire building. • May be vertical, horizontal, or positive pressure. • May be used at any time during the operations.

18. Fireground Operations: Structure Fires • Tactical Considerations • The tactical objectives in fighting a structure fire shall be in order of priority as follows: (Cont.) 6.Ventilation Ventilation may be used to: • Protect potential victims • Prevent backdraft and flashover • Make the interior more tenable for firefighting operations. • Prevent further extension of fire into uninvolved areas

19. Fireground Operations: Structure Fires • Tactical Considerations • The tactical objectives in fighting a structure fire shall be in order of priority as follows: 7.Salvage • Tactics used to safeguard personal property from the effects of the fire, firefighting operations, exposure to the weather.

20. Fireground Operations: Structure Fires • Tactical Considerations • The tactical objectives in fighting a structure fire shall be in order of priority as follows: 7.Salvage Salvage tactics may include: • Removing water from structure • Covering property with salvage covers • Removing property from fire building • Covering opening to keep out weather and secure the building.

21. Fireground Operations: Structure Fires • Tactical Considerations • The tactical objectives in fighting a structure fire shall be in order of priority as follows: 7.Salvage Salvage tactics may include: • Covering opening to keep out weather and secure the building.

22. Fireground Operations: Structure Fires • Tactical Considerations • The tactical objectives in fighting a structure fire shall be in order of priority as follows: 8.Utility Control • Shut off water if possible (Notify Water Department) • Shut off gas or propane if possible (Notify proper company)

23. Fireground Operations: Structure Fires • Tactical Considerations • The tactical objectives in fighting a structure fire shall be in order of priority as follows: • Utility Control • Shut off electric main breaker at the panel if possible ( make note of any breaker already tripped) • Never Shut off electric at meter. IC must insure that the proper electric company has been notified. Fire personnel are never to pull a meter.

24. Fireground Operations: Structure Fires • Tactical Considerations • Safety (ref: Union County SOG 3.02) • A Safety Officer should be appointed at all structure fires. • All personnel working at the scene of a structure fire are responsible for observing proper safety procedures and reporting deviations of those procedures by others.

25. Fireground Operations: Structure Fires • Tactical Considerations • Safety (ref: Union County SOG 3.02) • All personnel working at the scene of a structure fire are responsible for observing the changing conditions and reporting to command any condition which might endanger civilians or firefighting personnel. • Proper PPE will be worn by all personnel on the fire ground at all times.