Fire Incident Size Up Evaluation

Incident Size Up

• The Incident Commander (IC) evaluates the following factors during a size-up:
  • Building: Construction type, size, interior arrangement, age, condition, value, compartment/separation, vertical/horizontal openings, utility characteristics, concealed spaces, exterior access, fire's effect on the structure, time projection on fire's continued effect.
  • Fire: Size, extent, location, stage, ventilation limitations, vent openings and flow path, direction of travel, type and amount of material involved, material left to burn, smoke volume/velocity/density/color, duration of fire.
  • Occupancy: Specific occupancy, type-group, associated value characteristics, fire load, status (open/closed/vacant), contents, time of day, property conservation profile
  • Life Hazards: Number, location, condition, incapacities of occupants, commitment required for search and rescue, fire control needed for search and rescue, need for Emergency Medical Services (EMS), estimated time of fire's effect on victims, spectator exposure, hazards to fire personnel, rescuer access to victims, escape route characteristics
  • Exposures: Access/arrangement/distance of external exposures, access/arrangement/nature of internal exposures, combustibility of exposures, direction of fire spread.
  • Resources: Personnel and equipment on scene, responding, and in reserve, estimated response time for personnel and equipment, personnel and equipment condition, capabilities of personnel, commander capabilities, apparatus capabilities and limitations, hydrant numbers and locations, supplemental water sources, water supply adequacy, built-in fire protection systems, outside agency resources.
  • Other Factors: Time of day, day of week, season, special hazards due to holidays or events, weather, traffic, social conditions, operational obstructions, apparatus movement and use limitations.

Incident Priorities and Benchmarks

• Life Safety/Rescue: "Primary search all clear"
• Incident Stabilization: "Situation contained"
• Command Structure: Must match the incident's complexity, not just its size.

Defensive Fire Attack Steps

• Establish Command:
• Evaluate fire spread/write off:
• Establish collapse zones:
• Identify tactical positions:
• Prioritize streams:
• Provide large, well-placed water:
• Determine additional resources:
• Surround and drown:

Offensive Operations

• The IC develops a clear Incident Action Plan (IAP) including:
  • Fire attack plan:
  • Search plan:
  • Coordination of tactics:

Defensive Operations

• Defensive from onset: Used for structures with advanced fire showing and no savable victims, structures with a low probability of extinguishment in a salvageable condition, structures with low value and/or high risk, advanced fire conditions, and a low life hazard.
• Offensive operations transitioned to defensive operations: Used for offensive fire attacks that are not making progress, lack of on-scene resources, a "call for PAR" announced on the ALL-CALL talk group.
  • Actions include: withdrawal, repositioning of hose lines to protect exposures, adjusting hose lines to protect exposures.
• Primary goal: Life safety.
• Secondary goal: Exposure protection.

Property Conservation

• Initiated after fire suppression activities have stopped.
• Steps: Evaluate damage to the overall fire area, evaluate salvage value of various areas, determine manpower and equipment needs, comment required companies for salvage functions, redirect hose lines from fire control to salvage.

Fire Stream Management

• Factors for effective hose lines: Size, placement, speed, mobility, supply.

Vent Factors

• Factors affecting fire growth and development:
  • Wind speed and direction
  • Other vent openings
  • Progress of fire attack

Flow Path Principles

• Enlarging or creating openings increases fire growth and spread.
• Interrupting the flow path by limiting or controlling openings can limit fire growth.
• Keeping doors closed limits oxygen feeding the fire.

RIT Company

• Requires a minimum of 4 firefighters present prior to any IDLH (Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health) atmosphere; two IN and two OUT.
  • The OUT firefighters are responsible for maintaining awareness of the IN firefighters.
  • One OUT firefighter maintains visual, voice, radio, or signal line contact with the crew in the IDLH atmosphere.
  • Standby members maintain:
    • Number
    • Location
    • Function
    • Time of entry
    • Identity
  • One standby member may perform other functions.
• 2 IN 2 OUT exception: In cases of known life hazards where immediate action could prevent loss of life,
  • The RIT is staffed by at least two companies.
• If 4 firefighters are not initially present, the following actions can be performed:
  • Exterior, transitional attack
  • Exposure protection
  • Equipment setup
  • Water supply
  • Stretching and charging attack line

RIT Super

• Operations as Safety Officer until relieved.
• Performs a 360-degree assessment.
• Monitors all talk groups.
• Reviews accountability.

RIT Equipment

• Residential:
  • 200' rope
  • Chain saw and circular saw with a metal blade.
  • Attic ladder.
  • RIT Pack
  • 2 Thermal Imaging Cameras (TICs)
  • Hand tools
  • Charged hose line.
• Commercial:
  • 200' search rope
  • Chain saw and circular saw with metal blade
  • 2 TICs
  • Hand tools, rabbit tool, battering ram
  • Stokes basket
  • RIT pack
  • Charged hose line.

Emergency Evacuation

• Do not remain in the hazard zone to reposition lines or retrieve equipment.

Urgent Message

• Airhorn blast: 10-second blast, 5 seconds silence, another 10-second blast.
• PAR performed after:
  • Airhorn blast

Urgent/Mayday Communications

• Member calls "Urgent" on the foreground or tactical channel being used.
• Gives the situation and appropriate recommendations to protect members.
• PRV (Pressure Reducing Valve) - adjust: if non-adjustable PRV is found, the IC must be notified.
• PRD (Pressure Relief Device) - disconnect.

Lobby Control/System Group

• 3rd Engine and 1st Medic to arrive:
  • Bring a small status board and obtain a large account board.
  • Maintain an activity log using ICS 214 to record crew designations and assignments.
  • Obtain elevator keys and stairwell keys.
  • Recall elevators and locate stairwells
  • Assign firefighters to operate the elevator in fire service mode.
  • Locate the fire control station.

System Control Functions

• Contact the building engineer.
• Control the building communication system.
• Assign a firefighter to check and operate the fire pump.
• Locate the elevator control room.
• HVAC system.
• Electrical system.
• Maintain an activity log.

USE Group

• Upper search and rescue/evacuation.
• 2nd Ladder and 1st Rescue.
• Tools include: 200' rope, TIC, rabbit, forcible entry tools, water can.
• Search and evacuation priorities:
  • Attack stairwell
  • Evacuation stairwell
  • Floor above the fire
  • Top floor
  • Elevators
  • Other areas.
• Victims found are moved to the CCP (Casualty Collection Point).
• Occupant evacuation is accomplished using in-house public address systems.
• Only evacuate floors in immediate danger or those affected by smoke.

High Rise Resource Group

• Maintain appropriate equipment levels 2 floors below.
• Resources include: SCBAs, hose and standpipe kits, hand tools, RIT packs, rope, lights, fans.
• The Resource Group Super determines appropriate equipment levels.
• The Operations Section Chief determines manpower.

High Rise Stairwell Support

• This group moves equipment from the lobby to the resource support floor.
• One company gathers equipment.
• One company receives equipment at the resource level.
• One firefighter for every two floors.
• Continuous carbon monoxide (CO) monitoring takes place where companies are operating without SCBAs.

High Rise Vent Group

• This group determines effective ventilation based on:
  • Location of fire and smoke conditions
  • Building and fire floor layout
  • Wind velocity and direction
  • Accessible horizontal and vertical openings
  • Smoke stratification and stack effect

BioWatch

• BAR - BioWatch Actionable Result: Means a BioWatch detector has detected the DNA of a substance, triggering a response by the local BioWatch Steering Committee.
• HazMat 1 and the Special Ops Deputy Chief are part of the BioWatch Steering Committee and response plan.
• BioWatch detectors test for different biological agents in Central Ohio.
• Each detector is visited daily by the EPA.
• BAR Notification:
  • The public health officer contacts the Fire Administration Officer (FAO) and requests to speak with Environmental Safety 2 (ES2).
  • ES2 is notified of the detector's location and contacts HazMat 1 or the Special Ops Deputy Chief.
  • Notifications usually occur in the evening.
• ES2 Responsibilities: ES2, HazMat 1, and/or the Special Ops Chief contact the station with the detector to provide information..
• BAR Activities: EPA visits the detector that tests positive, wearing Level C protective clothing.
• Confirmation of a BAR:
  • Columbus Health provides prophylaxis to all firefighters and immediate family members who worked at the station at least 48 hours prior to the BAR.

Threat Level Staging

• Designed to eliminate the possibility of a secondary device deployment.
• Staging occurs in multiple locations, not in one announced location.
• Upon notification, all responding companies pull to the side of the road or a convenient area no closer than 1/4 mile from the incident.
• Companies announce they are "Threat Level Staged".
• Staging locations are varied but not within 100 yards of another responding company.

Use of Threat Level Staging

• Used when a threat is known.
• Used for reports of known terrorist incidents.
• Used for explosions in large venues.

HazMat Action Plan

• First Responder Ops Level: All CFD members are trained to this level.
• Expected actions: Take defensive actions without trying to stop the release, protecting persons, property, and the environment.
• Response will include:
  • 3 Engines
  • 2 Ladders
  • 1 Rescue
  • 2 Battalion Chiefs
  • 1 Medic
  • 1 EMS Officer
  • Air supply
  • SO2 (Sulfur Dioxide)
  • HazMat 4.

First Arriving Unit

• Respond from upwind, uphill.
• Determine and announce a safe staging area.
• Isolate the scene.
• Deny entry to unprotected personnel.

This quiz covers the critical factors that Incident Commanders assess during a fire incident size-up. It includes elements about building characteristics, fire dynamics, occupancy details, and potential life hazards. Test your knowledge on how these factors influence incident management strategies.