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HomeMy WebLinkAboutEO 703-00 Structure Fireground SafetySAN LUIS OBISPO CITY FIRE EMERGENCY OPERATIONS MANUAL E.O. 703.00 STRUCTURE FIREGROUND SAFETY Revised: 5/15/2019 Page 1 of 4 Purpose The fireground is an inherently dangerous place, and San Luis Obispo City Fire Department is committed to safety as its number one priority. All personnel operating on the fireground must have a heightened situational awareness and consideration for safety at all times, and must communicate key safety information upward, across, and downward within the chain of command. Although every Structure Fire Emergency Operating Guideline contains safety information, the following guidelines represent key safety concepts supported by the San Luis Obispo City Fire Department. Also refer to EO 505.00 Incident Safety Officer for further information. Risk Management All personnel must keep in mind the following “Rules of Engagement” as per EO 701.00 Fireground Strategy and also outlined in NFPA 1500 Appendix A.8.2.2: • We may risk our lives a lot, in a calculated manner, to protect savable lives. • We may risk our lives a little, in a calculated manner, to protect savable property. • We will not risk our lives to save what is already lost. The safety of firefighting personnel represents the major reason for an effective and well-timed offensive/defensive decision and the associated write-off by the Incident Commander (IC). The IC should ask the following question—“What is the survival profile of any victims in the involved compartment?” Then, if or when the rescue of savable victims has been completed, the IC must ask himself: "Is the risk to my personnel worth the property I can save?" Firefighter safety must be the IC’s number one priority. General Fireground Safety Guidelines The fireground is defined as: The area inside an imaginary boundary that has been determined according to the foreseeable hazards related to the incident. All personnel entering the fireground perimeter must: • Wear proper PPE, including SCBA • Have crew intact/accounted for • Have radio accessibility • Be given a specific assignment, staged, or be in Rehab • All others stay outside Efforts should be made to minimize fireground confusion/congestion and to limit the number of personnel exposed to fireground hazards to only those necessary to successfully control the SAN LUIS OBISPO CITY FIRE EMERGENCY OPERATIONS MANUAL E.O. 703.00 STRUCTURE FIREGROUND SAFETY Revised: 5/15/2019 Page 2 of 4 operation. Individuals or crews must be restricted from wandering about the fireground or congregating in non-functional groups. If personnel have not been assigned to a task or do not have a necessary staff function to perform, they must remain outside the fireground perimeter. All personnel working inside IDLH environments must work in teams of at least two as per EO 704.00 Two In-Two Out. Life Safety Hazards will be communicated and flagged with red and white banner tape as per EO 502.05 Life Hazard Zones. A personnel accountability system will be in place as per EO 503.00 Emergency Incident Accountability. Two-out crews (RIC) shall be provided when personnel are working within IDLH environment as per EO 705.00 Rapid Intervention Crew. Evacuation of personnel, notification of Emergency Traffic (such as Firefighter down or missing), changing from offensive to defensive operation, etc., will be performed according to EO 502.00 Emergency Incident Warning and Evacuation. When it is necessary to engage personnel in exceptionally hazardous circumstances (i.e., to perform a rescue), Command should limit the number of personnel and the amount of time exposed to an absolute minimum and ensure that all feasible safety measures are taken. In extremely hazardous situations (large quantities of flammable liquids, LP gas, hazardous materials, difficult marginal rescues, etc.), Command will engage only an absolute minimum number of personnel within the hazard zone. Unmanned master streams should be utilized wherever possible in these situations. The IC should consider providing (or requesting Dispatch to provide) time checks at 15 minute intervals on the incident scene. This should help set trigger points for adjusting tactics, reconsidering potential of building collapse, crew fatigue and rehab needs, etc. Tactical Positioning Positioning of operating companies can severely affect the safety/survival of such companies. Personnel must use caution when placed in the following positions: • Above the fire (floors/roof) • Where fire can move in behind them • When they cannot control their position/retreat • When involved with opposing fire streams • Combining interior and exterior attack • The basic strategy (offensive or defensive) is not known • With limited access--one way in/out • When operating on the roof SAN LUIS OBISPO CITY FIRE EMERGENCY OPERATIONS MANUAL E.O. 703.00 STRUCTURE FIREGROUND SAFETY Revised: 5/15/2019 Page 3 of 4 • Operating under involved roof structures • When operating in a building that has been burning for more than 30 minutes • In areas containing hazardous materials • Below ground fires (basements, etc.) • In areas where a backdraft potential exists • In situations where rapid fire spread or flashover potential exists • Above/below ground rescue • When the RIC team has been activated Fire Attack When performing interior attack, all personnel, especially company officers, must exercise SITUATIONAL AWARENESS, i.e. remaining aware of fire conditions, communication channels, and other operating crews. Personnel, especially officers, must realize that fire conditions can deteriorate extremely rapidly, and must correspondingly keep their crews out of harm’s way. One of the most important components to recognizing warning signs is the ability to read the smoke conditions—dense, turbulent, high-volume, black smoke should always be regarded as extremely dangerous. Personnel should utilize safe positioning, whether interior or exterior, where possible/available, in an effort to safeguard against sudden hazardous developments such as backdraft explosion, flashover, structural collapse, etc. When operating in a defensive mode, crew operating positions should be as far from the involved area as possible and still remain effective. Position and operate from behind barriers if available (fences, walls, etc.). When operating in an offensive strategy, personnel should be aggressively offensive. An effective, coordinated interior attack operation directed toward knocking down the fire often eliminates most eventual safety problems. In situations where crews must operate from opposing or conflicting positions, such as front vs. rear attack streams, roof crews vs. interior crews, etc., communications must be made to coordinate actions with those of the opposing crew in an effort to prevent needless injuries. When operating above or below ground level, at least two (2) separate escape routes/means should be established, such as stairways, ladders, exits, etc., preferably at opposite ends of the building or separated by considerable distance. Ground crews must be notified and should be evacuated from interior positions before ladder pipes go into operation. SAN LUIS OBISPO CITY FIRE EMERGENCY OPERATIONS MANUAL E.O. 703.00 STRUCTURE FIREGROUND SAFETY Revised: 5/15/2019 Page 4 of 4 Personnel should not operate exterior streams, especially larger hand lines, master streams, ladder pipes, etc., into an area where interior crews are operating. Avoiding this will assist in preventing injuries to personnel due to stream blast and the driving of fire and/or heavy heat and smoke onto interior crews. Interior firefighting operations should be abandoned when the extent of the fire prohibits safe operating or the structure becomes unsafe to operate within. Divisions/Groups The safety of firefighting personnel represents a major reason for fireground divisionalization. Division and Group supervisors must maintain the capability to communicate with forces under their command so that they can control both the position and function of their companies. Division supervisors and company officers must be able to account for the whereabouts and welfare of all crews/crew members under their assignment. Company officers must ensure that all crew members are operating within their assigned area only. Crews will not leave their respective assignments unless authorized by their commanding officer. Rehabilitation The primary focus of Rehab should be proper hydration, restoring normal body temperature, and rest for personnel. Studies have shown the effects of excess heating (both external and internal) and dehydration on health and safety of firefighters, and officers should be mindful of this fact. Rotation of companies to allow sufficient time for cooling (or warming in extremely cold weather), hydration, and rest should be factored in on all working incidents. Officers should continually assess the physical condition of their assigned companies. When crew members exhibit signs of significant physical or mental fatigue, the entire crew should be assigned to a Rehab area if possible. The Rehab area should be in a safe location to allow removal of heat retaining PPE as needed, non-caffeinated fluid replenishment (water or electrolyte replacing drinks or a mixture of both), shade, and adequate air movement over personnel. Another important function of rehab is to provide medical evaluation for personnel showing signs or symptoms of heat related illness. Once rehabbed, the company officer will advise his/her commanding officer that the crew is ready for other assignments.