Fire Scene Operations Guide

• The purpose is to provide personnel with a safe and effective guideline for fire scene operations.
• An aggressive interior fire attack is the standard by which the St. Lucie County Fire District operates
• The Risk Assessment must be evaluated prior to starting interior operations.
• A Rapid Intervention Team (RIT) will be established on any Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health (IDLH) incident
• A well-communicated scene size-up by the first arriving unit should paint a picture of the scene to better prepare other incoming units
• Side "Alpha" will be identified by geographical location and relayed to all incoming units
• If unable to perform a complete 360 degree of the incident, incoming units and Communications must be notified
• Thermal Imager Camera (TIC) is a primary tool to be used during size-up, fire attack, search and rescue, and overhaul
• A 5 part arrival report is the basic template utilized for incident size-up:
  • Who are you?
  • Describe the building
  • What do you have?
  • What are you doing?
  • What do you need?

Confirmed Structure Fire

• Once on scene of a structure fire the initial Company Officer or Incident Commander (IC) must announce over the radio, "we have a confirmed structure fire."
• Confirmed structure fire (working fire) is defined as a fire inside a structure where:
  • There is structural involvement
  • Hose lines are pulled and,
  • Water is flowing

Apparatus Placement

• The officer on the first arriving apparatus will determine where to position the apparatus
• Their decision must be based on several factors:
  • Overall Objectives
  • Fire Extent and Location
  • Water Source
  • Type of Structure
  • Structural Integrity
  • Additional Resources
  • Overhead Power Lines
  • Contents- Explosives, Hazardous Materials, etc
• The collapse zone is one and a half times the height of the building
• Units approaching the scene, without an assignment, should contact Command

Command Options

• An incident requires only the response of one company, and is not expected to escalate beyond the commitment of this company, does not require the formal activation of the Incident Command System (ICS)
• Any incident involving two or more companies, in the judgment of the on-scene ranking officer, or an incident that has the potential for escalation, formal activation of the ICS is required
  • Nothing Showing – Investigative Mode: Requires investigation by the initial arriving Company while other units stage and await an assignment.
  • Passing Command - Immediate Action Mode: Circumstances may be encountered that require aggressive offensive actions on the part of the first arriving company

Establishing Command

• Initial IC shall establish command and name the incident and remain in command until it is transferred or the incident is stabilized and terminated
• Once command is established, all fire ground operations will go through command, with the exception of imminent life safety hazards
• Once command is established it is imperative that the level of accountability be communicated over the radio
• Level 1: Personnel Accountability Tag (PAT) placed on the Unit Identification Pad (UIP) of the apparatus to which personnel are assigned
• Level 2: UIP placed on the designated Tactical Accountability/Entry Board (TAEB)
• Level 3: Personnel that are making entry into the hazardous area are to remove a second PAT and attach it to the entry board at the controlled entry point.

Water Supply Options

• Forward Lay: Hose is laid from the water source to the fire
• Reverse Lay: Hose is laid from the fire to the water source
• Supply lines shall be a minimum of 3" diameter
• Anticipated water flows of less than 500 GPM will require one (1) 3" supply line
• Water flows of 500-1000 GPM will require two (2) 3" supply lines
• Water flows of 1000-1500 GPM will require three (3) supply lines
• First Due Tanker: Placed in a location as near as possible to the attack engine with egress for refill a priority
• Second Due Tanker: If a water shuttle evolution is implemented, the IC may call for another engine to hook up to the nearest source of water supply to rapidly refill the tankers
• A four-way valve (Humat) will be placed on the 4 1/2" hydrant outlet when a first due engine establishes their own water supply
• When a large volume of water is needed, consideration should be given to laying two lines.
• An independent, secondary water source may be needed to supply apparatus for defensive operations, aerial devices and large fire volume

Pressurized Water Extinguisher

• Should be considered when nothing is showing upon arrival (investigative mode)
• When there is an indication of viable life and the structure is still tenable, but a hoseline is not yet available
• The pressurized water extinguisher is not a replacement for a hoseline
• Communications shall be notified if making entry to any IDLH utilizing a “water can”

Rescue

• Life safety is the highest tactical priority. The IC should consider the potential for rescue at all times
• Type of occupancy, time of day, and visual clues will help identify the rescue situation
• In a multiple story building the immediate fire area and the floor above the fire are the search and rescue priorities

Primary Search

• A rapid primary search is initiated when there is an indication of viable life and the structure is still tenable
• Searches should be based on reported victim location, the area closest to the fire, the largest number of possible victims, and then the remainder of the structure
• The common types of searches include right-hand, left-hand, targeted, orientated, and wide area
• Notify the IC when: a victim has been found, when the primary search is all clear, or of any significant findings or changes

Secondary Search

• A secondary search of the structure should be performed when conditions allow
• The secondary search should be a more thorough and methodical search when fire and smoke conditions improve, ensuring all potential victims have been located
• Notify the IC when a victim has been found, when the secondary search is all clear, or of any significant findings or changes

Fire Attack Options

• Offensive Attack: An aggressive interior attack is the standard by which we operate, emphasizes a rapid stretching of hose lines to the seat of the fire
• Company Officers should identify the location and extent of the fire, then select the appropriate tactics to overcome the volume of fire
• The initial attack lines have the greatest impact on the outcome of the incident
• A minimum of one 1 3/4 inch hoseline will be deployed on all fires with structural involvement
• Additional attack lines should be considered based on fire conditions and water supply
• A backup hoseline should be deployed once the initial attack lines are in place
• Notify the IC when water is on the fire, fire contained and/or when the fire is under control

Defensive attack

• May be initiated at large or expanding fire operations, when the structure is untenable, or until ventilation occurs and firefighters can safely enter the structure
• Exposure protection should become a priority.

Transitional Attack

• A transitional attack is a shift from offensive to defensive or vice versa
• The opening/breaking of windows or creating any openings in the structure will be coordinated by theIC and the fire attack group

Forcible Entry

• Multiple means of egress should be provided and controlled before any interior operations take place
• Opening or removing of hurricane protection systems and security bars should be considered

Ventilation

• There are several reasons to ventilate a structure to increase survivability for victims, change fire direction, stop a fire from moving, and to decrease smoke and heat for interior crews
• Any created ventilation point, vertical or horizontal, will draw the fire towards that fresh air supply
• Ventilation should be coordinated with fire attack through the IC and the fire attack group
• Firefighters assigned to ventilate a structure should bring appropriate tools with them to the structure which include but are not limited to: chainsaw, reciprocating saw, flat-head axe/Halligan bar ("irons"), pike pole/roof hook, K-12, flashlights, hoseline, and ladders

Salvage

• Salvage operations can often be started at the same time as fire attack and are aimed at preventing or limiting secondary losses
• Care will be taken to protect property and belongings to help reduce the extent of loss and facilitate prompt restoration of the property to full productive use

Overhaul

• Full personal protective equipment (PPE) will be worn at all times
• A thorough search of the fire area will be conducted to ensure no trace of active fire still exists
• The use of a wetting agent should be considered during the operation

Electronic Fire Alarm

• Firefighter safety, life safety, structural stability, securing utilities
• Accountability: Appropriate level for the incident scene

Apparatus Placement

• Single Resource Response: The first due apparatus will position on the "Alpha" side of the structure, allowing the officer to see three sides
• At small structures, the officer can complete the 360 degree size-up on foot
• Multiple Resource Response: These situations generally require investigation by the initial arriving Company while other units stage and await an assignment
• Apparatus must be positioned so they allow for expansion of the operation
• Apparatus placement at large commercial buildings and high-rise structures must leave room for aerial apparatus to effectively deploy

Water Supply

• With no report of smoke, heat, or fire, a water supply does not have to be established
• With a report of smoke or fire, a water supply should be established as soon as is feasible

Type of Attack

• Most electronic fire alarms are of an investigative nature
• A “water can" extinguisher and thermal imaging camera (TIC) should be carried by one member of the first due company
• Appropriate actions regarding attack mode should be made by the officer in the case of smoke, heat, or fire conditions found upon arrival

Forcible Entry

• Investigation of electronic fire alarms without signs of heat, smoke, or fire should initially be accessed by a key holder, Knox-Box and simple entry
• Communications, Division/Battalion Chief, and Law Enforcement will be notified if a hazard is noted and entry needs to be made
• The unit will stay on scene for a period of 30 minutes from the time the alarm was received if entry is not made

Fire Suppression Operations

• Firefighter safety, life safety, structural stability, securing utilities
• Accountability: Level 2 at a minimum, unless the situation or building dictates a higher level

Search

• A primary and secondary search will be completed on all structural fire scene operations.

Commercial Structures

• Accountability: Level 2 at a minimum, unless the situation or building dictates a higher level
• The Safety Officer will ensure that an Accountability Officer has been assigned
• Identify construction type, size, fire load, and occupancy of the structure.
• Apparatus Placement: First arriving apparatus be prepared to position at the front of the structure unless conditions dictate otherwise.
• Water Supply: Identification of fire department connections (FDC) and hydrant locations early in the incident is paramount.
• Ventilation: Consider preexisting openings such as scuttles, skylights, and HVAC systems.
• Identify different routes used for firefighting and evacuation.

Parking Structures

• Accountability: Level 2 at a minimum, unless the situation or building dictates a higher level. The Safety Officer will assure that an Accountability Officer has been assigned.
• Lack of visibility
• Moving vehicles
• Identification of FDCs and hydrant locations early in the incident is paramount.
• Consider the use of fixed or improvised standpipe systems.
• Locked roll down gates, stairwell doors, or drop arms may present unique obstacles.
• Ventilation: Low ceilings may cause a bank down effect with the smoke.

Abandoned Buildings and/or Buildings Under Construction

• Accountability: Level 2 at a minimum, unless the situation or building dictates a higher level. The Safety Officer will assure that an Accountability Officer has been assigned.
• Structures that have no local owner or landlord are considered abandoned.
• These properties pose a risk to firefighters and the public due to unauthorized occupants, unsecured utilities, and compromised structural members.
• Buildings under construction pose an increased risk to personnel
• Lack of a fire protection system
• Delayed fire detection
• Additional security measures may be in place over building openings and additional tools may be needed.