Emergency Response Procedures Guide

1. Response and Size-Up

2. 10 Objectives (1 of 2) • Describe your role in assuring safe and efficient response to an emergency scene. • Describe how to ride an emergency vehicle safely. • Describe how to dismount an emergency vehicle safely.

3. 10 Objectives (2 of 2) • Describe how to shut off utilities. • Define and describe size-up.

4. 10 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

5. 10 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

6. 10 Introduction (3 of 4) • Size-up • A systematic process of gathering information and evaluating the situation • Begins at alarm receipt • Continues during response • Includes initial on-scene observations

7. 10 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.

8. 10 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.

9. 10 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.

10. 10 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.

11. 10 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

12. 10 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.

13. 10 Alarm Receipt (4 of 6) • Dispatch information will include: • Incident location • Type of emergency • Units due to response

14. 10 Alarm Receipt (5 of 6) • Computer-aided 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.

15. 10 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.

16. 10 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.

17. 10 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.

18. 10 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

19. 10 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.

20. 10 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.

21. 10 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.

22. 10 Dismounting a Stopped Apparatus • Ensure apparatus comes to a full stop. • Check for traffic before opening doors. • Check for other hazards present • Downed power lines • Hazardous materials • Grab a handrail and step down. • Be careful when dismounting.

23. 10 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.

24. 10 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.

25. 10 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.

26. 10 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

27. 10 Personnel Accountability System (2 of 3) • Personal accountability tags (PATs) • Tag information may include: • Name • ID number • Photograph • Medical history

28. 10 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

29. 10 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.

30. 10 Controlling Utilities (2 of 2) • Controlling utilities prevents: • Electrocutions of fire fighters • Gas explosions • Unnecessary water damage

31. 10 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.

32. 10 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

33. 10 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

34. 10 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.

35. 10 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.

36. 10 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.

37. 10 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

38. 10 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

39. 10 Managing Information • Information must be continually reassessed to ensure action plan is still valid. • Two categories of information: • Facts • Probabilities

40. 10 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

41. 10 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

42. 10 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.

43. 10 Facts (4 of 11) • Preincident plan • Provides details about a building’s construction, layout, contents, special hazards, and fire protection systems

44. 10 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

45. 10 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.

46. 10 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.

47. 10 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.

48. 10 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.

49. 10 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

50. 10 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