Fire Incident Control Procedures

Size Up on Arrival

• The Incident Controller assesses the situation upon arrival, determining if any persons are missing or unaccounted for and necessary immediate actions.
• Factors considered during the size up include information provided by other emergency services, signs of current occupation, identifying occupants still in the building and their location, immediate threats to life, and the availability of personnel and equipment.
• Based on the information, the Incident Controller determines tactical approaches.
• In extreme cases, if the fire is well advanced or the building is structurally unsafe, immediate rescue may not be possible, prioritizing firefighter safety.
• The structure fire risk assessment graph highlights the relationship between time and temperature, indicating the point of structural collapse and the "window of safety". This graph guides the Incident Controller's decision regarding offensive or defensive structural fire attack.

Prioritising the Search and Rescue Operation

• Rescue operations follow set priorities for a coordinated approach and maximizing firefighter effort.
• Priorities include occupants most severely threatened, the largest group of occupants, remaining occupants within the building, and occupants in exposed areas.
• When immediate rescues are not obvious, searches are conducted with priorities: known and suspected occupied areas, entry and exit points, windows and balconies, and other areas.
• Occupants tend to move towards exits or ventilation points in heavily smoke-logged buildings. Areas behind doors and under windows should be thoroughly checked.

Sector Commander Actions

• The Sector Commander acknowledges Mayday calls, notifies the IC, tasks the BA Emergency Team, directs emergency response of deployed BA Teams, conducts a dynamic risk assessment, and requests necessary resources.
• Ideally, the BA Emergency response is directed from the affected ECP.

Incident Controller Actions

• The Incident Controller acknowledges Mayday calls, assumes responsibility, delegates response to the Sector Commander (if appointed), restricts radio traffic during Mayday operations, provides resources, advises ComCen, conducts a dynamic risk assessment, reviews tactical modes, and advises the Safety Officer.
• The Incident Controller declares the conclusion of Mayday operations.
• Considerations include upgrading the alarm, establishing a sector to support rescue activities, and evacuation requirements.

ComCen Notifications

• Upon receiving a Mayday call, ComCen requests an ambulance, informs the Duty Commander, and applies existing ComCen Standard Operating Procedures for any confirmed injuries.

Sudden Air Loss Procedure

• In case of sudden air loss, confirm the cylinder valve is turned on.
• If the valve is on, operate the supplementary supply valve.

Entry Control Points

• Entry Control Points (ECP) are set up on the inner cordon perimeter to control entry and exit, monitor safety, and ensure rapid emergency response.
• Each ECP has an assigned Entry Control Officer.

Entry Control Officer Responsibilities

• Site and setup the ECP under direction.
• Wear a jerkin.
• Collect tallies, record 'time in', and place in the ECB.
• Ensure PPE is correct.
• Monitor radios and alert the IC or SC to any BA Emergencies.
• Ensure task agreement and working location before clearance.
• Bracket BA teams.
• Record task/location/delivery details, TDO/TOW, RA, and RI times.
• Ensure the BA Emergency Team and BA relief team are available.
• Dispatch relief teams when needed.
• Identify exiting team members and return their tallies.
• Instruct exiting teams to report to the IC/SC for information and further tasking.
• Follow BA Mayday procedures.

Merlin Failure

• Inform the Officer in Charge.
• Arrange for a replacement Merlin ECB as soon as possible.
• The main clock on the Merlin may continue working for several hours even if the power fails.

This quiz focuses on the crucial initial assessment procedures conducted by an Incident Controller when responding to fire emergencies. Participants will explore essential factors that influence decision-making, such as assessing the situation, prioritizing rescues, and evaluating structural safety. Understanding these elements can significantly enhance firefighting tactics and safety protocols.