Barnstable County Fire Chiefs Tactical Response Guide

A standardized approach to managing emergencies, used by many organizations including fire departments.

OSHA standards regarding the use of respirators in the workplace for safety.

A directive establishing the National Incident Management System (NIMS).

A system for coordinating emergency responses by various organizations.

A system for organizing emergency response, with designated roles and responsibilities.

A standard for fire officer professional qualifications.

Standard for Fire Department Safety Officer.

Guidelines for incident commander's rules for firefighter safety.

A fire and emergency services company officer textbook.

A fire and emergency services chief officer textbook.

A PAR (Personnel Accountability Report) is a check to ensure all firefighters are accounted for during an incident.

Offensive fire suppression tactics involve directly attacking the fire to extinguish it.

Defensive fire suppression tactics focus on preventing the fire from spreading further.

CAN reporting is a standardized way for firefighters to provide updates on their conditions, actions, and needs to the Incident Commander.

A chain of communication where information flows from lower levels to higher levels within a fire department.

Specific tasks that firefighters need to accomplish to achieve the overall incident goals.

The first fire engine to arrive at an incident.

The second fire engine to arrive at an incident.

The officer responsible for managing and coordinating water supply operations at an incident.

A method of transporting water from a distant source to the fire scene using multiple pumpers connected in a chain.

Using tanker trucks to transport water from a distant source to the fire scene.

The role of the Incident Commander in establishing control and managing the incident effectively.

An initial assessment of the situation, identifying the nature of the fire and potential hazards.

A thorough search of the fire area to locate and rescue any trapped victims.

A designated area where fire apparatus and personnel are organized before being assigned tasks at an incident.

A basic medical check-up for firefighters after a fire incident, including visual examination, blood pressure, pulse, oxygen saturation, and carbon monoxide levels.

A document used to record vitals and any treatments during rehabilitation, ensuring accountability and documentation of medical information.

A document used to record any injuries received by firefighters during an incident and any treatments provided beyond basic rehabilitation.

An individual responsible for tracking the location and status of all personnel operating at an incident, ensuring everyone is accounted for.

An environment considered immediately dangerous to life and health, requiring special safety protocols and accountability measures.

An individual responsible for managing and overseeing the rehabilitation process, ensuring firefighters receive necessary rest and medical attention.

A designated area where firefighters gather after completing their assigned tasks, awaiting further instructions or reassignment.

A designated single point for firefighters to enter and exit the rehabilitation area, facilitating accountability and tracking.

A roll call taken to verify the location and status of all firefighters at an incident. It is done after an emergency evacuation, MAYDAY, backdraft, or at any time the IC deems necessary.

An immediate and complete withdrawal of all personnel from a building or hazard area due to imminent danger. It is announced by the fire alarm operator and involves sounding emergency signals on all apparatus.

A planned withdrawal of personnel from a building or hazard area, usually done when operations are no longer successful or in preparation for a change in strategy. Equipment retrieval is allowed if practical.

The first arriving company officer establishes Command at the incident. The street or building number is used for incident location identification.

In an emergency evacuation, apparatus operators sound their air horns for two seconds, repeating this signal for 30 seconds. The fire alarm operator signals this evacuation and then signals the end of the signal.

After any evacuation, the Incident Commander (IC) conducts a PAR to ensure all personnel are accounted for.

A PAR is conducted after any emergency evacuation, MAYDAY, backdraft, and at any time the IC deems necessary to ensure personnel safety.

If firefighters are not accounted for after a PAR, the RIT (Rapid Intervention Team) is dispatched to the last known location where the person or persons were working.

Tracking and knowing the location and status of all units and personnel at an incident.

Regularly checking in with all units on the fireground to ensure everyone is safe and accounted for.

The leader of a designated team responsible for rescuing firefighters in distress.

Gathering information from the IC, assessing the incident scene for hazards, locating exits, and ensuring appropriate equipment and PPE.

The RIT Chief may report to the IC, Safety Officer, OPS Chief, Division or Group Supervisor, depending on the incident.

The RIT Chief should position the team outside the hazard zone, ideally near the reporting position within the ICS structure.

The RIT team should be equipped with the necessary tools for rescuing firefighters, based on their skill level and the type of incident.

The RIT team should familiarize themselves with the structure before responding to a rescue situation.