Fire Response Guidelines for Toronto Services

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

Who is responsible for ensuring that each alarm response is thoroughly investigated?

Officer In Charge of the first arriving apparatus

TFS Communications Centre personnel

Incident Commander (correct)

District Chief

What should the Officer In Charge do upon discovering a false or accidental fire alarm?

Notify the Communications Centre to downgrade the alarm

Wait for the District Chief's instructions

Clear all other responding apparatus immediately (correct)

Investigate further before making a decision

Which factor is NOT considered when determining whether to clear incoming apparatus before investigation?

Complexity of building facility

Size of building facility

Time of day the alarm was received (correct)

Willingness of on scene personnel

What is the prerogative of the Company Officer at the scene?

To decide whether to clear all apparatus Signup and view all the answers

What must Company Officers do upon hearing claims of a false alarm by building personnel?

Investigation must be conducted to verify the claim Signup and view all the answers

What is a requirement for District Chiefs dispatched to incidents?

Respond with lights and sirens until cleared Signup and view all the answers

What should TFS Communications Centre personnel possess regarding downgrading responses?

Thorough understanding of TFS guidelines Signup and view all the answers

Which component is NOT explicitly mentioned as influencing the response to alarms?

Condition of the fire response equipment Signup and view all the answers

When must the District Chief assist with clearing apparatus at the scene?

Only when requested by the Incident Commander Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'downgrading' refer to in the context of fire response?

Reducing the number of responding apparatus Signup and view all the answers

What must be included in the Location of Interest (LOI) record regarding fire alarm testing?

Description and location of work being done Signup and view all the answers

When is a First Alarm response dispatched to an address?

If smoke, flames, or odours are reported Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of notifying the TFS communications centre before fire alarm maintenance?

To create a record in the CAD system Signup and view all the answers

If the LOI information is not recorded for a reported address, what action should be taken?

Dispatch a First Alarm response Signup and view all the answers

What information is NOT typically reviewed to determine the nature of an alarm?

The contact telephone number of the maintenance personnel Signup and view all the answers

Which event type should be used for incidents reported as alarm bells ringing due to maintenance?

Fire Alarm Check Call Signup and view all the answers

What additional information assists in determining the response level to an alarm?

Floor number, unit number, or building number Signup and view all the answers

Which response is appropriate when a LOI matches the reported alarm location?

Dispatch a single emergency vehicle Signup and view all the answers

What happens if a fire alarm system is tested without notifying the TFS communications center?

No response will be dispatched even if alarms ring Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential consequence of not reviewing the LOI information for a response?

Improper allocation of emergency resources Signup and view all the answers

Who can contact the communications centre to request a downgrade after a First Alarm response has been dispatched?

On site building manager, security, maintenance company, or homeowner Signup and view all the answers

What must be confirmed by the call taker before downgrading due to a false alarm?

The information related to the dispatched incident and relevant personnel Signup and view all the answers

What happens if further information is received that identifies a false alarm?

Updated information shall be relayed to responding crews Signup and view all the answers

What procedure must the communications centre follow regarding responding vehicles after an incident?

One apparatus must continue in emergency mode while others are cleared Signup and view all the answers

What is the communication protocol when an apparatus is cleared from an incident response?

Status updates must be recorded in the GTAC Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT required to be confirmed before downgrading a response?

The date of the original false alarm Signup and view all the answers

How should the communications centre inform responding crews about the status of the incident?

Via radio transmission Signup and view all the answers

What overall function does the communications centre serve during an incident response?

Directing responding apparatus based on new information Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the dispatched emergency vehicle that is directed to continue responding?

To ensure that the incident remains under emergency protocol Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the other dispatched emergency vehicles, including the District Chief, not designated to continue responding?

They are cleared by the communications centre Signup and view all the answers

What is the response when an alarm call is received but there is no information about fire alarm testing or maintenance?

A First Alarm response is dispatched. Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the Operations District Chief in the event of a confirmed fault in the fire alarm system?

To inform the communications centre of the fault. Signup and view all the answers

What happens if a single emergency vehicle is dispatched due to alarm bells ringing?

The Operations Captain must update the communications centre. Signup and view all the answers

How long can the single emergency vehicle dispatch continue at maximum?

Until the end of the Operations Division shift. Signup and view all the answers

What instruction is given to the alarm company if a call is received and there is no fire alarm testing or maintenance information?

To contact the subscriber. Signup and view all the answers

What condition must be verified by the call taker to continue the response to alarms indicating fault?

Presence of smoke, flames, or odours. Signup and view all the answers

If the known fault in the fire alarm system can no longer be confirmed on scene, what is the next action?

Dispatch a First Alarm response to future alarms. Signup and view all the answers

What does LOI stand for in the context of incoming calls regarding fire alarms?

Local Operating Instructions. Signup and view all the answers

Which scenario would NOT result in a First Alarm response being dispatched?

Reporting alarm bells ringing with known testing information. Signup and view all the answers

What is the first action taken when an alarm company reports an alarm and there is no LOI information?

Review the LOI information. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Standard Operating Guideline for Clearing Accidental and False Fire Responses

Purpose: Provides guidelines for Toronto Fire Services personnel to clear apparatus from accidental or false fire responses.
Responsibility: The Incident Commander is responsible for investigating alarm responses to determine if the situation is under control before clearing apparatus. TFS Communication Centre personnel are responsible for understanding guidelines for downgrading responses and clearing apparatus.

Guidelines

General:
- If more than one apparatus responds and the Officer in Charge determines the alarm is false or accidental, all other apparatus, including the District Chief, must be cleared immediately.
- Company Officers at the scene may advise the District Chief if apparatus clearing is warranted. The Company Officer decides.
- Company Officers at the scene must verify claims of false alarms from building personnel prior to clearing all apparatus.
- Factors influencing whether other apparatus are cleared ahead of the first arriving apparatus include:
  - Competence of on-scene personnel.
  - Cooperation of on-scene personnel.
  - Building size.
  - Building complexity.
  - Volume of current responses by Toronto Fire.
Downgrading Emergency Responses/Clearing False Fire Responses:
- Emergency responses may be downgraded due to:
  - Fire alarm testing/maintenance notification.
  - Known fire alarm system faults.
Fire Alarm Testing/Maintenance Notifications:
- TFS Communications Centre must be notified of planned fire alarm testing or maintenance.
- This notification is logged, including description, location, contact, expected completion time, and addition details like floor or unit number. This helps determine if alarm bells ring during maintenance or for another reason.
- "FACC – Fire Alarm Check Call" event type is used when response required is for a single emergency vehicle for suspected ringing.
- During testing or maintenance, initial verification must check if smoke, flames or odors exist, which would change response level.
- If LOI (Location of Interest) information exists for the address, it will be reviewed to match with the reported alarm location to determine if a single vehicle response is appropriate
- If no LOI information exists, a First Alarm response is dispatched.
- If reported location matches LOI information, a single vehicle is dispatched.
Known Fault in Fire Alarm Systems:
- A First Alarm response is dispatched to addresses with ringing alarm bells but no recorded LOI information.
- If the fault is confirmed by the responding District Chief, only one emergency response vehicle is dispatched to subsequent reports if no smoke, flame or odors detected.
- The Operations District Chief is responsible for providing timeframe of single vehicle dispatch.
- If the fault is no longer confirmed at the scene, a First Alarm response is dispatched to subsequent reports, which may be downgraded after.
Cancellation of Responding Emergency Vehicles:
- First alarm response dispatched to addresses with ringing alarm bells if no LOI information exists.
- Following dispatch, downgrading can be initiated by onsite building managers, security, fire alarm maintenance personnel or homeowner.
- Downgrading requires confirmation of false alarm from person/entity, their information (name, relation to building), that the alarm is false, and that prior Notification of Fire Alarm Testing/Maintenance was provided and logged.
- The updated details are relayed to responding crews.
Additional Clearing Requirements:
- One apparatus continues in emergency mode, based on proximity to event.
- Other dispatched apparatus, including the District Chief, are cleared.
- Apparatus do not clear before directed by the communications centre using radio transmission ("Toronto Fire to apparatus responding to (address)...").
- Apparatus that clears the event updates status using the GTAC.
Cancellation of Response if Updated Prior to Leaving the Fire Station:
- If the fire alarm testing/maintenance company or building management confirms a false alarm and prior notification of Testing/Maintenance is logged, the response can be downgraded to a single emergency vehicle response.

Attachments (N/A)

Related SOGs: Includes Resetting Fire Alarm/Sprinkler Systems, Response Guidelines, and Squads.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

This quiz covers the Standard Operating Guidelines for clearing apparatus from accidental or false fire responses specific to Toronto Fire Services. It highlights the roles of Incident Commanders and Company Officers in managing these situations efficiently and effectively. Understanding these guidelines is essential for ensuring timely and safe operations.