Emergency Operations Chapter 7

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary reason for the NFPA's emphasis on fire fighter rehabilitation during extreme weather conditions?

To maintain the structural integrity of buildings during weather events.

To prevent dehydration and heat exhaustion. (correct)

To ensure fire fighters have adequate rest and recovery time.

To minimize the risk of equipment failure due to extreme weather.

What was the primary cause of fire fighter deaths in 2018?

Traffic accidents while responding to emergencies.

Exposure to hazardous materials during incidents.

Structural collapses during fire suppression operations.

Medical issues and overexertion. (correct)

What is the recommended course of action for fire fighters after a slow duty day?

They should inspect their equipment for any potential damage or wear.

They should still change out of their duty uniforms and clean up before leaving the fire station. (correct)

They should participate in training exercises to stay proficient in their skills.

They should take advantage of the slow day by going home early.

What is the primary role of a Rapid Intervention Crew (RIC)?

To rapidly deploy to rescue lost or trapped fire fighters. (C) Signup and view all the answers

How many members typically make up a Rapid Intervention Crew (RIC)?

4 (A) Signup and view all the answers

When is a Rapid Intervention Crew (RIC) typically activated?

When a fire fighter sends a mayday signal. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary responsibility of the Rapid Intervention Crew (RIC) while standing by at an incident?

To monitor fire ground radio communication. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the key factor that typically triggers a transfer of command?

When the incident commander is unable to continue the operation. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the principles of NIMS that is applicable to all incident situations?

Complexity (A), Size (B), Type (C), Cause (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which course must be taken to fulfill an introduction to the National Incident Management System?

IS-700: NIMS, An Introduction (B) Signup and view all the answers

How many levels of command are included in the Incident Command System (ICS)?

Three levels (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT one of the five components of NIMS?

Resource allocation (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of the tactical level in ICS?

Actions necessary to achieve strategic goals (B) Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to take the latest available version of ICS courses?

To have current information and best practices (A) Signup and view all the answers

What responsibilities do tactical supervisors hold within ICS?

Managing a group of resources to accomplish objectives (A) Signup and view all the answers

What occurs at the task level of the ICS?

Conducting actions required to achieve tactical objectives (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary responsibility of the first-arriving fire officer?

Establishing command and managing the incident (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT one of the three strategic priorities for initial incident command?

Resource allocation (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the recommended span of control for emergency operations?

3-5 individuals (D) Signup and view all the answers

In the event of an incident, when can the initial IC be relieved of command?

When the situation stabilizes or command is transferred (A) Signup and view all the answers

What must the fire officer develop in order to manage an incident effectively?

Strategies and tactics (C) Signup and view all the answers

What should the command structure do in relation to the size of the incident?

Be only as large as the incident requires (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which task is NOT part of the operational aspects of command?

Identifying potential hazards (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the initial action to be taken when the first person arrives at the scene of an incident?

Establish command and use ICS concepts (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of size-up during an emergency incident?

To gather and process information systematically. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which step in the five-step size-up process involves making assumptions about what cannot be seen?

Make assumptions about what cannot be seen. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What should be done if little or no progress toward fire control has been achieved after a primary search?

Consider transitioning to a defensive strategy. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Why is maintaining frequent two-way communications important during an emergency incident?

It ensures safety and informs of changing conditions. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is a critical factor when developing an Initial Action Plan (IAP)?

It must consider all pertinent information and resources. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of a rapid intervention team at a fire scene?

To rescue firefighters in distress. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What does the process of size-up require according to fire officers?

A systematic evaluation of specialized knowledge. (A) Signup and view all the answers

How does an experienced officer adjust their initial plan during an emergency incident?

They continuously evaluate and modify the plan as new information is gathered. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What must be included in the initial briefing to the new IC?

Incident conditions and safety considerations (D) Signup and view all the answers

When is command officially transferred to the new IC?

When the new IC has been briefed (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which role might the previous IC take after command is transferred?

Division or group supervisor (D) Signup and view all the answers

What evolves from the FIRESCOPE and Phoenix Fire Ground Command programs?

Incident Command System (ICS) (D) Signup and view all the answers

What determines the need for an expanded management structure during an incident?

The size and complexity of the incident (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a responsibility of the first-arriving fire officer?

Determine public communication strategies (C) Signup and view all the answers

What are the three levels of command in the ICS?

Strategic, Tactical, and Task (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best represents the purpose of NIMS?

To enable effective and efficient emergency management across all organizations (B) Signup and view all the answers

What are the three phases of the size-up process?

Prearrival Information, On-Scene Observations, Post-Incident Review (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is one type of information that should be considered during the 'On-Scene Observations' phase of the size-up process?

Weather conditions (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is a factor that can indicate high heat release rates?

Dark smoke (C) Signup and view all the answers

What factors should be considered when approaching a modern structure with no visible smoke?

Caution and concern should be increased due to the likelihood of a ventilation-limited fire. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the meaning of "soften the target" when referring to smoke?

Lower the density of smoke. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is a key characteristic of a ventilation-limited fire?

The fire is burning slowly due to a lack of oxygen. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is a factor that is a key part of the size-up process but not directly related to the fire dynamics?

The availability of water sources (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the Lloyd Layman's Five-Step Size-Up Process?

To develop a strategy for fighting the fire. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Chapter 7: Command of Initial Emergency Operations

Fire officers are expected to perform duties of first-arriving officers at any incident
This includes assuming initial command, establishing basic management structure, and following Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
Fire officers must be competent in working within the Incident Command System (ICS) at every incident, functioning as unit, group, or division leaders
Past incident command systems were inconsistent, requiring standardized practices
FIRESCOPE and Fire Ground Command (FGC) were developed to address major incidents, especially California wildfires
FIRESCOPE was used in multi-agency wildland incidents with more than 25 resources or operating units
FGC addresses all-hazards incidents in small and medium urban emergencies
In the 1980s, National Incident Management System (NIMS) was established to consolidate California's FIRESCOPE and Phoenix's FGC systems
NIMS provides a consistent framework for incident management, enabling effective cooperation among organizations in emergency response
NIMS-compliant communities receive federal grant funding
ICS training is essential for disaster assistance eligibility, from introductory courses to advanced incident command
NIMS includes five components: preparedness, communications, resource management, command and management, and ongoing management and maintenance
ICS includes three levels of command: strategic, tactical, and task
First-arriving officers have responsibility for initial command until relieved by a higher-ranking officer
First five minutes are crucial in incident management
ICS can be expanded as needed to ensure adequate command structure
Initial Incident Command focuses on strategic level priorities—life safety, incident stabilization, and property conservation
Initial IC develops an Incident Action Plan (IAP) based on incident priorities
IAP outlines strategic objectives and procedures for incident management
Priorities include life safety, incident stabilization, and property conservation
The Incident Action Plan (IAP) is a critical component of the ICS, outlining strategic objectives and procedures
The size and the complexity of the incident determine the extent of the command structure, requiring more levels of management in larger incidents
Tactical priorities are developed concerning the order of importance
Critical considerations in size-up include tactical priorities, property conservation, and incident stabilization
Tactical safety is vital— protective clothing and SCBA offer significant protection, but dangers exist
Non-emergency operations and training are critical for officer safety
Rapid Intervention Crews (RICs) are essential for rescuing and assisting trapped personnel in large incidents
Transfer of command is a crucial aspect of incident management, requiring a streamlined, documented, and efficient process
Fire officers are expected to perform initial command duties, encompassing command of the situation, establishing structure, and adherence to SOPs
Size-up is an ongoing process, continuously evaluating and adjusting the incident response approach

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Description

Explore the critical responsibilities of fire officers as first-arriving responders during incidents. This chapter focuses on the importance of the Incident Command System (ICS) and the historical development of standardized practices like FIRESCOPE and the National Incident Management System (NIMS). Test your knowledge on how these systems enhance emergency response across various incidents.