Coral Springs-Parkland Fire Department Procedures

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Questions and Answers

What is the role of the Incident Commander during the first five minutes of a structure fire response?

Consult a building pre-plan, if available (correct)

Direct all personnel to evacuate the area

Shut down all nearby power sources

Establish a perimeter around the fire scene

What is a Working Fire defined as?

A fire in a structure that extends beyond the room of origin or involves structural members (correct)

A fire that can be controlled with a single fire hose

A fire extinguished within the room of origin

A fire that only damages the exterior of a structure

Which of the following should be included in the initial size-up report to Dispatch?

Weather conditions at the scene

Presence of civilian casualties

Local media presence

Unit establishing incident command (correct)

What is an Energy Storage System (ESS)?

A power storage system designed for lithium-ion batteries Signup and view all the answers

What should the Incident Commander assess for determining the need for additional alarms?

Resources needed based on the situation Signup and view all the answers

What does the personnel accountability system help achieve during an incident?

Ensuring all personnel are accounted for at the incident command post Signup and view all the answers

What action should be performed first by the first arriving unit at the scene?

Contact Dispatch with initial scene information Signup and view all the answers

Which factor is NOT considered when assessing the need for additional alarm assignments?

Weather conditions at the time of the fire Signup and view all the answers

Which initial operational mode should be declared based on life hazards, fire extent, and available resources?

Offensive Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary responsibility of the first arriving engine at a fire scene?

Performing a 360 size-up Signup and view all the answers

Which task should the second due engine prioritize during fire suppression efforts?

Establishing the water supply Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of establishing a hot zone at a fire scene?

To restrict entry to only authorized personnel Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following roles can the third due rescue unit assume if needed?

Stage and await orders Signup and view all the answers

What should be reported after performing a 360 assessment during an incident?

Initial fire tactics Signup and view all the answers

Which factor must be considered when establishing rapid intervention crews (RIC)?

Size and layout of the building Signup and view all the answers

What should be included in the Incident Action Plan (IAP)?

Resources and personnel assignments Signup and view all the answers

What action should the second arriving chief take at the scene?

Assume the role of Safety Officer Signup and view all the answers

What is a key consideration when reporting points of entry during an incident?

Access problems or hazards Signup and view all the answers

What initial strategy should be declared immediately after the assessment report?

Offensive or Defensive based on conditions Signup and view all the answers

Which resource may be considered but is not automatically dispatched?

Building Department Signup and view all the answers

What is a responsibility of the Ladder Company upon arrival at a fire scene?

Conduct ventilation Signup and view all the answers

How should the area for post fire investigations be prepared?

By ventilating the area first Signup and view all the answers

How should apparatus position be determined at a scene?

According to the available building pre-plan or as directed by the IC. Signup and view all the answers

What should personnel wear when responding to a fire scene?

Full personal protective equipment including SCBA. Signup and view all the answers

What is a key consideration for the Incident Commander (IC) when ordering apparatus into a scene?

Space for incoming units for immediate operations. Signup and view all the answers

What should personnel communicate to the IC during operations?

Status of their assigned tasks. Signup and view all the answers

What action should personnel take if Li-ion batteries are suspected in a fire?

Use copious amounts of water to cool adjacent batteries and allow time for burning. Signup and view all the answers

During fire suppression, what is the first operational step for personnel?

Conduct a continuous scene size-up. Signup and view all the answers

What should be considered when searching for the seat of the fire?

Resources available, scene conditions, and fire location. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of cooling the space during firefighting operations?

To reduce high thermal conditions and improve conditions for trapped occupants. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a recommended action when engaging in ventilation activities?

Conduct ventilation only at the direction of the IC. Signup and view all the answers

What should personnel do if they are unsure of the flow path during operations?

Consult with the IC and gather information. Signup and view all the answers

How long should water be applied to reset the fire?

10 to 30 seconds. Signup and view all the answers

What should personnel regularly check before engaging in forcible entry?

If doors and windows are unlocked. Signup and view all the answers

Which element is NOT a consideration for the IC when assessing a fire scene?

Availability of snacks for personnel. Signup and view all the answers

What is the recommended minimum distance personnel should maintain from a large commercial energy storage system (ESS) involved in fire or off-gassing?

300 feet Signup and view all the answers

What should be done with Li-ion batteries that can be safely removed from a structure?

They should be submerged in water or placed in a containment device. Signup and view all the answers

During a Li-ion fire inside a structure, what may be necessary to control the fire effectively?

Additional hand lines Signup and view all the answers

What personal protective equipment (PPE) should be worn when working around Li-ion batteries involved in fire?

Full PPE including SCBA with face-piece Signup and view all the answers

What should firefighters avoid when moving Li-ion cells or battery packs?

Carrying them in their hands Signup and view all the answers

What type of decontamination should be performed before releasing units from a scene involving hazardous materials?

Gross decontamination Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary agent recommended for fire confinement and exposure control involving Li-ion batteries?

Water Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about Li-ion battery emergencies is true?

They can escalate rapidly and violently. Signup and view all the answers

In regards to removing Li-ion batteries from a structure, what should not be done regarding interior stairs?

Move them unless properly over-packed by HAZMAT specialists. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a response protocol for ESS and Li-ion powered devices during emergencies?

Ensure scene preservation for evidence. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Purpose and Scope

This document outlines the arrival and on-scene procedures for Coral Springs-Parkland Fire Department units responding to structure fires.
It references various policies like Incident Command, Fireground Accountability, Emergency Response, Incident Management, Rapid Intervention/Two-In Two-Out, Staging, Rehabilitation, Decontamination Protective Ensembles, and Water Supply.

Definitions

ESS: Energy Storage System using lithium-ion batteries.
Water Supply: Water provided to assigned fire apparatus from a water source.
Water Source: Fire hydrant, drafting site, or apparatus water tank.
Working Fire: A fire extending beyond the room of origin or involving structural members.

First Five Minutes

The first arriving unit contacts Dispatch and provides information about:
- Unit on-scene.
- Initial scene size-up.
- Unit establishing incident command (IC).
- Mode of operation.
The IC should:
- Consult a building pre-plan if available.
- Locate a primary staging area and direct units accordingly.
- Establish the personnel accountability system.
- Assess resource needs and request additional alarms as necessary.
- Perform or direct a 360 assessment, reporting results to the IC.
  - Factors like construction type, fire location, utilities, victims, and special hazards are evaluated.
- Declare a command mode: Investigative, Fast Attack, or Command.
- Declare an initial operational mode: Offensive or Defensive, based on fire extent, life hazards, building construction, occupancy, and available resources.
- Develop an initial incident action plan (IAP) and assign tasks.
  - Tasks might include scene safety, search and rescue, fire attack, water supply, ventilation, and rapid intervention crew (RIC).
- Utilize groups or divisions to maintain proper span of control.
- Report the following:
  - Points of entry.
  - Any hazards or access problems.
  - Initial operating mode.
  - Initial tasks and tactics.
- Establish a hot zone with restricted entry.
- Contact communications for response level updates or to request additional resources, including RICs.
- Advise dispatch to initiate the working fire protocol upon confirmation of a working structure fire.
  - This protocol involves additional resources like engines, rescues, the fire inspector, community emergency response team (CERT), air support, utilities, and law enforcement.
The IC should request law enforcement at the command post as needed.

Procedures

1st Due Engine:
- Performs 360 size-up, initiates life safety, and suppression measures.
- Considers portable standpipes, transitional attack, and VEIS (ventilation, entry, search, and isolation).
- Ensures enough space for aerial apparatus arrival.
- Considers establishing primary water supply.
2nd Due Engine:
- Establishes water supply according to procedure 412.
- Crew members report to staging.
- The driver-engineer may assist in establishing a decontamination area.
- If a water supply has been established, the engine may become the RIC (Rapid Intervention Crew).
3rd Due Engine:
- Assumes the role of RIC according to the Rapid Intervention procedure.
- Parks the apparatus in an appropriate location.
- Reviews pre-incident plans, if available.
- Surveys lower floors in multi-floor buildings to determine layout.
- Establishes a RIC staging area and two points of egress.
- Considers establishing a secondary attack line.
4th Due Engine:
- Adds one member to the RIC, with remaining crew members staging for orders.
Ladder Company:
- Considers need and sets up aerial device for:
  - Ventilation.
  - Forcible entry.
  - Securing power.
  - Checking for fire extension.
  - Providing a secondary means of egress.
  - Salvage operations during early fire control.
- The driver/engineer remains with the aerial device unless directed otherwise.
1st Due Rescue:
- Performs search and rescue.
2nd Due Rescue:
- Establishes a rehabilitation area.
- In a MAYDAY event, it becomes medical to treat downed firefighters.
3rd Due Rescue:
- Stages and awaits orders.
First Arriving Chief:
- Establishes command, or conducts a pass down before assuming it if it's already established.
Second Arriving Chief:
- Assumes the role of Safety Officer.
- Conducts a 360 survey.
- Monitors conditions, activities, and operations.
- Confirms utilities are secured and decontamination areas are established.
- Monitors and reports status to the IC for long-term events or when establishing zones like collapse zones, hot zones, and hazard areas.
Additional Units:
- Report to staging and await assignment.

Post Fire Investigations

The area should be ventilated and monitored using a gas multi-meter with members in full PPE and SCBA before investigations.
Investigations should not be conducted while the gas meter is activated.
The fire investigator checks in with the IC and obtains approval before entering the hot zone.

Resource Deployment

Apparatus:
- Positioned based on pre-plans or by the IC, prioritizing water supply, fire attack, aerial operations, collapse zones, backdraft and explosion potential, tool accessibility, and space for incoming units.
- If the structure includes an energy storage system (ESS) containing lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries, apparatus should position according to the ESS pre-plan or the Hazardous Materials Incident Response Procedure, if no ESS pre-plan exists
Personnel:
- Should be in full PPE, including SCBA.
- Should remain with assigned crews and enter the hot zone only when directed by the IC.
- Should communicate operations benchmarks to the IC, including when tasks are started, progress is made or not, and completion.
- Should communicate the side of the structure being accessed for interior operations.
- Should follow the "left and right-hand rule" when initiating search and rescue operations to indicate direction of travel.

Operations

Continuing Scene Size-up:
- The IC should conduct continuous size-up to account for changes in scene conditions, including:
  - Available resources.
  - Scene conditions.
  - Weather.
  - Fire location, flow, size.
- Results should be communicated to Dispatch.
Fire Suppression:
- Operations should include the following, when practicable, in sequential order:
  - Locate the seat of the fire:
    - Personnel determine the location and extent of the fire using tools such as thermal imaging cameras, entry tools, and hand lights.
  - Identify the flow path:
    - Personnel determine the fire flow path, which informs coordinated ventilation and suppression operations.
  - Cool the space:
    - From a suitable location, water application for 10 to 30 seconds reduces high thermal conditions and energy levels, especially in areas where occupants might be trapped.
    - Operations are communicated to operating units before and after completion.
  - Extinguish:
    - Personnel extinguish the fire directly as reasonably practicable based on conditions.
Additional Fireground Tasks:
- Search and Rescue:
  - The IC considers assigning personnel based on information from:
    - Dispatch.
    - Witnesses on-scene.
    - Occupants who have exited the structure.
    - Visual or auditory identification during size-up and operations.
- Property Preservation and Salvage:
  - Reasonable efforts are made to preserve property and reduce damage from smoke, fire, and firefighting, including:
    - Checking for unlocked doors and windows before forcible entry.
    - Closing doors of unaffected rooms.
    - Moving contents from affected rooms or covering them with salvage covers.
    - Isolating fire-affected areas from other parts of the structure.
- Ventilation:
  - Only conducted at the direction of the IC.
  - Coordinated with other operations to minimize unexpected changes in the flow path and to protect personnel.
Li-ion Battery Involvement:
- Thermal Runaway:
  - Li-ion batteries are prone to thermal runaway, so copious amounts of water are used to cool surrounding batteries and exposures to contain the fire.
- Large ESS Fires:
  - Personnel remain at least 300 feet away and utilize water control.
- Removable Batteries:
  - Batteries are submerged in water or placed in a containment device.
- Structure Fires with Li-ion Batteries:
  - Additional hand lines may be needed, and batteries should be removed before overhaul if possible.
- Handling Batteries:
  - Non-conductive tools and devices are used to move batteries, and members should reference the Lithium Ion Procedure.
- Evacuation of Batteries:
  - Interior stairs are not used unless batteries are properly over-packed by HAZMAT specialists.
- Protective Gear:
  - Full PPE, including SCBA, is worn at all times when working with Li-ion batteries or devices involved in fire or exposed to high temperatures.

Response Matrix

ALF Residential Fire: 3 Engines, 1 Ladder, 3 Rescues, 2 Chiefs
Commercial Structure Fire: 4 Engines, 1 Ladder, 2 Rescues, 2 Chiefs
Hospital Fire: 4 Engines, 1 Ladder, 3 Rescues, 2 Chiefs
Nursing Home Fire: 4 Engines, 1 Ladder, 3 Rescues, 2 Chiefs
Residential Structure Fire: 3 Engines, 1 Ladder, 2 Rescues, 2 Chiefs

Procedure Decision Tree & Universal Practices

Scene preservation practices are used whenever possible to preserve evidence for fire investigators.
ESS facilities and Li-ion powered devices can explode with significant structural damage potential.
Situations can escalate rapidly, needing a large restricted zone established by the IC.
Li-ion is not water-reactive, making water the preferred agent.
Batteries off-gassing or in thermal runaway create hazardous atmospheres, with firefighters required to remain on-air and avoid the vapor cloud.
Adequate gross decontamination is performed before releasing units from scenes with potential exposure to harmful substances, including smoke, soot, body fluids, and hazardous materials.

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Description

This quiz covers the arrival and on-scene procedures for the Coral Springs-Parkland Fire Department's response to structure fires. It includes key policies related to incident management and various definitions essential for effective firefighting operations. Test your knowledge on the critical first five minutes of response and the roles involved.