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.10

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

Introduction (1 of 4)ResponseSeries of actions that begin when a crew is dispatched to an alarm and end with their arrival at the emergency scene 10

Introduction (2 of 4)Response actions include:Receiving the alarmDonning PPEMounting the apparatusExiting the stationDriving to the scenePositioning/parking the apparatusDismounting the apparatus10

Introduction (3 of 4)Size-upA systematic process of gathering information and evaluating the situationBegins at alarm receiptContinues during responseIncludes initial on-scene observations10

Introduction (4 of 4)IC and company officers responsible for obtaining information to manage the incidentFire fighters are involved in the process of gathering and processing information.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.10

Response (2 of 2)SCBAConduct daily inspection at beginning of each tour of duty.Recheck PPE and tools thoroughly after returning from each emergency response.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.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

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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.

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Alarm Receipt (4 of 6)Dispatch information will include:Incident locationType of emergencyUnits due to response

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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 routeInformation can help in planning.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.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.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.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 nightTemperatureLocation and type of incident10

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.10

Emergency Response (2 of 2)Personal vehiclesFire 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. 10

Prohibited PracticesDo 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. 10

Dismounting a Stopped ApparatusEnsure apparatus comes to a full stop.Check for traffic before opening doors.Check for other hazards presentDowned power linesHazardous materialsGrab a handrail and step down.Be careful when dismounting.10

Traffic Safety on the SceneBe awareconstantly!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.10

Arrival at the Incident SceneFire fighters work in assigned teams.Companies or crewsTeamwork 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.10

FreelancingDangerous 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. 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 crewTracks each crews assignment 10

Personnel Accountability System (2 of 3)Personal accountability tags (PATs) Tag information may include:Name ID number Photograph Medical history 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 assignment10

Controlling Utilities (1 of 2)One of the first tasks that must be accomplishedFollow departmental SOPsTask often assigned to a certain company or crew.However, all fire fighters should know how to shut off building utilities.10

Controlling Utilities (2 of 2)Controlling utilities prevents:Electrocutions of fire fightersGas explosionsUnnecessary water damage10

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.10

Electrical Service (2 of 2)Call electric company to shut down power from a utility pole. Necessary if: Outside wires are damaged by fireWorking with ladders or aerial apparatusRisk of explosion exists10

Gas Service (1 of 3)Natural gas and LP gas used for heating and cookingNatural gas delivered through underground pipesLP gas stored in a tank on premises or through underground pipes10

Gas Service (2 of 3)Usually a single valve for entire buildingOften located outside buildingMay be in basement of older buildingsWhen handle is in-line with piping, gas is on.When handle is at a right angle to the pipe, it is off.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 valveTo close, rotate handle to fully closed position.Do not reopen systemcall in utility.10

Water ServiceCan usually be shut off by closing one valve at the entry pointThere is usually also a valve inside the basement of the building where the water line enters.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 emergencyIC uses size-up to develop initial planAt major incidents, size-up might continue through several stages.Ongoing size-up10

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-up10

Managing InformationInformation must be continually reassessed to ensure action plan is still valid.Two categories of information:FactsProbabilities10

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 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 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. 10

Facts (4 of 11)Preincident plan Provides details about a buildings construction, layout, contents, special hazards, and fire protection systems

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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 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.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 windowsBuilding occupancy is critical. Office building has a different set of issues than a school. 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.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. 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

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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 10

Probabilities (1 of 2)Factors that can be reasonably assumed, predicted, or expected to occur, but which are not necessarily accurateUse history and experience to predict future events.Attack plan based on probabilities10

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. 10

Resources (1 of 3)All of the means available to fight a fire or conduct emergency operationsRequirements depend on the size and type of incident. Availability depends on the capacity of a fire department. 10

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 10

Resources (3 of 3)Resources also include: Water supply Specialized equipment Food and fluids for rehabilitation Fuel for apparatus 10

Water SupplyWater supply is a critical resource. In area without hydrants, water supply could limit operations Takes time to establish water supply from static source Limited amount of water can be delivered by tanker shuttle. 10

Mutual Aid AgreementsFire departments agree with surrounding jurisdictions to assist each other if a situation requires more resources than the local community has. 10

Incident Action Plan (1 of 3)Outlines the steps needed to control the situation Based on information gathered during size-up Revised and expanded during incident10

Incident Action Plan (2 of 3)Based on five basic fireground priorities:Rescue victimsProtect exposuresConfine the fireExtinguish the fireSalvage property and overhaul the fire10

Incident Action Plan (3 of 3)Saving lives is the highest priority.Saving property is the remaining priority.Priorities are not separate and exclusive. Priorities guide the IC in making decisions.10

RescueAlways the highest priority!Need for rescue depends on:Type of occupancyTime of dayDegree of risk to the occupants livesOften the best way to protect lives is to extinguish the fire quickly. 10

Exposure ProtectionKeep the fire spreading beyond the area of origin or involvement. Keep fire from spreading from structure of origin to an exposure. IC must sometimes weigh potential losses. 10

ConfinementFocus on confining fire to a specific area. IC defines a perimeter and plans operations so fire does not expand beyond the area. 10

ExtinguishmentDepending on size of fire and the risk, IC mounts either:Offensive attackDefensive attack10

Offensive AttackUsed with most small firesFire fighters enter structure, seek out seat of the fire, and overpower it.10

Defensive ModeUsed when fire is too large or dangerousFire fighters are not in the building.Heavy streams operated from outsideAt times, fire is allowed to burn itself out.10

Salvage and Overhaul (1 of 2)SalvageConducted to save property by preventing avoidable property lossesRemoval or protection of property that could be damaged during firefighting or overhaulGoal is to reduce smoke and water damage to structure and contents.10

Salvage and Overhaul (2 of 2)OverhaulProcess conducted to ensure the fire is completely out Floors, walls, ceilings, and attic spaces are checked for signs of fire.Debris is removed and thoroughly doused. 10

Summary (1 of 3)Preparation for response begins long before an alarm is received.Fire fighters must adhere to safe operating practices when responding to an incident:Remain seated and wearing a seat belt.Use caution when driving to ensure arrival on scene.Be alert when dismounting on roadways.10

Summary (2 of 3)Fire fighters must understand how to size-up an incident.Size-up determines incident action plan.10

Summary (3 of 3)Specific actions taken are based on incident priorities:RescueProtect exposuresConfine fireExtinguish fireSalvage and overhaul10