SOG's

Unit Assignment Board

• The oncoming operational captain must post the following on the station's unit assignment board at the beginning of each shift:
  • Training and daily assignments
  • Daily unit and position assignments
  • Burn or no burn notice
  • Scheduled events
• The operational captain must note the unit designation and personnel in the station logbook
• The operational captain must ensure all of the following items are on the unit assignment board:
  • Personnel
  • Assignments
  • UIP's
  • Unit training

Daily Operations Bulletin

• Dispatch supervisor is responsible for preparing the daily operations bulletin.

Automatic Fire Alarm Response

• Units respond Code 1 upon dispatch to an automatic fire alarm.
• Units dispatched to an automatic fire alarm reported as a water flow alarm Code 3

Communication Center Notifications

• All units should cancel if the communication center is notified that there's no emergency by a business or homeowner.

Fire Alarm Procedures

• A fire alarm may be reset after a thorough search of the building determines there is no fire.
• A fire alarm can be reset if there is no presence of fire conditions.

Water Flow Alarms

• Silence the alarm, perform a 360 size-up, and locate outside risers when responding to an automatic fire alarm reported as a water flow alarm.
• When responding to a reported water flow alarm, checking for actual water flow is not required.

Fire Alarm System Issues

• Lack of a Knox box or an inoperative fire alarm system requires advising the area BOSS supervisor.

Fire Protection Systems

• The first arriving engine should be assigned to support the systems when a fire occurs in a building equipped with a fire protection system

Water Supply and Fire Department Connections (FDC)

• Two 3" supply lines should be connected to the supply and FDC.
• A fire department connection (FDC) needs to be charged and maintained at 150 PSI.

Fire Pump Procedures

• A fire pump should be tagged if present but not started at a fire

Sprinkler Systems and Fire Control

• Sprinkler systems should not be shut off until fire is extinguished, or at the IC’s discretion.

Fire Hose in Cabinets

• Fire hose in hose cabinets can be used in an emergency.
• Hose is not the first line attack hose nor used to supply sprinkler systems.

Emergency Vehicle Lighting

• Turn off highbeams to prevent blinding oncoming traffic when responding to emergencies at night.

Public Assistance Requests

• A public assist is considered a non-emergency request for assistance.

Structure Fire Arrival Reports

• "Nothing showing" in arrival report for residential structure fire requires all units to slow to code 1.

Response Types

• Dumpster/trash fires with no exposure require a Code 1 response.

TAC Channels

• TAC 14a and 15a are fireground simplex channels operating within a 1 mile radius

Fireground Terminology

• "Water on the fire" means the company located the fire and is applying water to confine and extinguish the fire.
• "Fire extinguished" indicates the fire attack company confined the fire, eliminated further extension, and protected any exposures.
• Defensive mode is assumed, but Offensive mode must be declared.

Incident Command

• Progress reports should occur every 1 to 5 minutes or as major tasks are completed, more frequently in initial stages.
• The communication center shall announce benchmarks every 5 minutes to assist the IC with time-tracking.

Emergency Communications

• "Emergency Traffic" is for imminent danger, announced by the dispatcher.
• The communication center shall sound radio alert tones and instruct immediate evacuation during an emergency; this is repeated once.
• Units on scene are to blast air horns intermittently (1-10 seconds on, 1-10 seconds of silence) for 50 seconds during an emergency evacuation.
• Silence is required when 10-24 code (law enforcement assistance needed) is used.
• The communication center shall sound the radio alert tones for emergency traffic, mayday, and emergency evacuation (but not 10-24 code use).
• The channel marker has a timed short beep over radio to indicate an event is ongoing and to keep transmissions brief.

Radio Communication Protocol

• VHF Radio communications begin by hailing the other agency, using their agency name three times, followed by "Palm Beach County Fire Rescue, over."

Passports

• Primary and backup passports measure 2"x4" and have a rigid back with velcro.

Incident Command System

• The Incident Commander (IC) assigns an accountability officer based on incident needs.

Company Operations

• A minimum of 3 personnel is needed to be considered a company.

Special Operations and TRT

• On special operations or TRT, the accountability leader controls entry at a controlled entry point.

IDLH Operations

• the "two in/two out" rule applies to offensive operations in an Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health (IDLH) environment.

Response Requirements

• Small LP leaks without fire, fuel leaks, chemical emergencies, and cars in canals without trapped victims require all responding units to use Code 1 response.
• The term "object located" or "3 pulls" signals a victim or object is found.
• the "3 pulls" signal is used when comms are inoperable.

Offensive Mode Operations

• A minimum of four firefighters are required to be assembled on scene prior to initiating in offensive mode

Incident Command Modes

• Two-in/two-out rule applies to offensive mode operations

Minimum On-Scene Personnel

• There must be at least 4 firefighters at all times to enter a structure.
• A room and content fire and garage fires do not allow entry to a structure with less than 4 firefighters
• A single firefighter is allowed to enter a structure with less than 4 firefighters if there is a rescue profile

SCBA Cylinder Replacement

• SCBA cylinders at or below 4050 psi shall be replaced and filled

Mayday Procedures

• Personnel experiencing a "Mayday" must exit the IDLH immediately.
• The firefighter declaring "Mayday" must hold the emergency button on the radio for 5 seconds, which initiates 30 seconds of opened mic.
• A firefighter declaring Mayday in a safe refuge area should assume a vertical position.
• Decision to activate the CISM team after a mayday should be made by the Incident Commander.

Power Line Incidents

• Down power lines should be locked out after 6 operations or attempts to re-energize.
• Staging should be at least 1 1/2 times the height of the power pole from a downed power line.
• Power poles should be allowed to burn until the utility company confirms power is turned off.

Electrical Current Types

• Alternating current reverses direction several times a second.
• Direct current flows in one direction.
• TAC sticks can detect alternating and direct current.
• TAC sticks do not warn of shielded AC current.
• TAC stick operators should start on low sensitivity.

Equipment

• A machine, equipment, or system is inoperative and the energy source is isolated during complete shutdown.

Sprinkler Systems and IC Authority

• Lockout/Tagout can be applied to sprinkler control valves only if ordered by the IC.

Traffic Flow

• Downstream is direction traffic moves away from an incident; upstream is the direction traffic moves toward the incident.

Lane Identification

• Lanes are labeled with numbers starting from the far right lane.

Dispatch Protocols

• A suppression unit is dispatched for reported persons locked in a motor vehicle.

Elevator Operations

• Extrication is appropriate in elevator operations when the elevator is within 3 feet, removal is when the elevator is approx. 2 feet, and rescue mode less than 3 feet of the landing.

Landing Zones (LZ)

• A landing zone area's dimensions should be 100x100 feet.
• The pilot makes the final decision on whether or not to use the landing zone.
• Approaching an aircraft in a Landing Zone (LZ) does not require hearing protection as minimum appropriate PPE.
• Marshallers and tail rotor guards must wear full bunker gear, eye, and ear protection but not SCBA.
• When the landing zone is not fenced the ground crew should secure the area around the aircraft by positioning themselves approximately 15 yards around the aircraft once the rotor blades have stopped entirely.
• Maintain the landing zone for a minimum of 2 minutes after departure.
• Flares are not safe to use during nighttime landing procedures for trauma hawk unless as a very last resort to mark landing zone.

Gas Monitors

• Among units, EMS captains do not carry a 4-gas monitor.
• Rescue units carry a 5-gas monitor.

Respiratory Protection

• The preferred type of respiratory protection for atmospheric monitoring is the SCBA.
• The Drager X-am 2500 is used for passive atmospheric monitoring.
• The PAC 550 single gas CO monitor cannot be used for active atmospheric monitoring.
• The Drager X-am monitors have four alarm modes.
• After activation and emitting a distinct audible tone, danger is acknowledged in Drager X-am monitors mode A2.
• Detectable values must make their way back below a mode to silence certain alerts in which Drager X-am monitor mode A2 is used.

Gas Monitoring Equipment

• Oxygen, flammable gases and carbon monoxide are common gases among the 4-gas and 5-gas monitors, whereas carbon dioxide is not.
• Oxygen must be above 10% for the Drager X-am 2500 or Drager X-am 5000 monitors to operate correctly.
• A normal atmospheric condition is 20.9% for oxygen.

Hazardous Gases

• Hydrogen Sulfide, is a colorless odorless gas that is lethal in small quantities.
• A colorless gas, hydrogen sulfide, has a strong rotten egg odor that deadens senses quickly.
• Oxygen levels, carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide should be monitored when performing all below grade operations, or operations with biological decomposition.
• It is false that monitoring of hydrogen cyanide and organic vapors is unique to the Drager X-am 2500 4-gas monitor.
• Hydrogen cyanide is a colorless gas with a bitter almond odor, detectable at low levels (1-5 ppm) by 60-70% of the population. -The Drager X-am 5000 screen displays Organic Vapor (OV) for organic vapors.

Gas Detection Responsibilities

• Company officers are responsible for using the 5-gas monitor to determine if atmospheric monitoring readings are at safe levels before allowing personnel to remove SCBA during overhaul.
• Gas detectors used to obtain atmospheric readings in areas near fires (wildland, structure, etc) include 4 or 5 gas units.

CO Levels in the Blood

• EtCO2 monitors are utilized to evaluate the CO levels in blood

Natural Gas

• Methane is also known as natural gas.
• Natural gas is lighter than air and will rise.
• Natural gas piping over 9" does not have mercaptan added.

Natural Gas Piping Sizes

• Common natural gas piping size ranges from 1" to 4" in non-residential roadways.
• The residential sidewalk and residential home natural gas piping sizes are between 1” to 2”.

LPG Properties and Monitoring

• LPG is heavier than air.
• When using a 4-gas monitor to detect LPG, the monitor should be held low to the ground.

LPG/NG Leaks

• For confirmed LPG/NG leaks, on-scene units should request BC and EMS captain.

Water Rescue Operations

• "Rescue mode" during water rescues is a window of less than 15 mins from submersion.

Operational Modes

• The recovery mode is turned over to law enforcement when there's no chance to save a life.

Swimmer Deployment

• With immediate action required to prevent loss of life, a swimmer can deploy when at least 4 fire rescue personnel are on-scene.

High-Rise Building Safe Refuges

• Identifying a safe refuge area in high-rise buildings should be at least 2 floors below the fire.

High victim probability zones

• Elevator lobbies are known to contain high numbers of victims.

High-Rise Fire Procedure

• Two stairwell search groups (SSG) are assigned on first alarm high-rise fires.
• During search and rescue, an “X” on a door in a high-rise structure fire indicates the room has been searched.

Fire Suppression Techniques

• A confined room or apartment fire can be extinguished by a 30-degree fog pattern directed at the ceiling to create steam.

Vertical Air Currents in Stairwells

• Exterior stairwells can create natural vertical air currents which can reach speeds of 2-4 mph upwards.
• False: stairwells should not be used for both ventilation and evacuation during extreme situations, and may never be used for ventilation.
• Windows on the leeward side should be utilized for horizontal ventilation if possible.

High-Rise Incident Staging Areas

• A high-rise incident staging area is generally located one floor below the emergency as long as it is tenable.
• In a high-rise incident, the base should be located away from the incident building for safety of personnel and equipment.
• High-rise fires demand sufficient staffing, requiring joint units. additional companies are required for each additional hose line placed into operation.

Elevators

• Only consider elevators when ascending above the 5th floor.

Vehicle Fires

• Approach vehicle fires at a 45 degree angle from the side.
• A 1 ¾ hose line should flow at a minimum of 95 gpm on a vehicle fire.

Wildland Firefighting Tactics

• The safest tactic for fighting a wildland fire is considered to be indirect attack.
• Defensive attack is one of the three types of attacks for fighting a wildland fire, which include flanking and indirect attacks.
• Apparatus and personnel should operate within the unburned portion of the area whenever possible.
• Wildland fires, vehicle fires, residential fires and high-rise fires should always have an identified escape route.
• Natural barriers such as canals, roads, and clearings can be utilized for fire breaks when dealing with wildland fires.
• Suppression of wildfires can be enhanced with Class A foam.
• Personnel should mop up the incident by wetting down all fuels within 100 feet.

LCES Wildland Firefighting

• LCES stands for:
  • Lookout
  • Communication
  • Escape route
  • Safety zone

Fire Attack Definitions

• Fast attack means a fire requires all first alarm units.

Fire Streams

• Deck guns should not flow for more than 10-20 seconds without an established water source.
• The Driver Operator (DO) should advise the IC and interior crews when the tank level is at 75% and to evacuate the structure at 25%.

Hose Line Operations

• A source engine should supply the attack engine if the Large Diameter Hose (LDH) lay is greater than 300 feet.

RECEO Acronym

• R.E.C.E. stands for Rescue, Exposure, Cooling, Extinguish, and Overhaul.

Water Application Timing

• Applying water from exterior into a fire compartment should take no longer than 25 seconds prior to entry.

Back Up Hose Line

• A backup hose line is to protect the interior crew from a fire

Exclusion Zone Protocols

• Only personnel in full PPE and SCBA may enter the exclusion zone, true.

Area Search Personnel

• the minimum number of personnel required when performing a primary on larger area search is 4 personnel

RIC/RIG Staffing

• A Rapid Intervention Group (RIG) shall consist of a minimum of 4.
• For small structures (<3000 sq ft), the recommended number of personnel for RIC/RIG is 6.
• The recommended staffing levels for RIC/FIG for a 3000-6000 sqf (medium structure) is a minimum of 8 personnel.
• Large structures (6000-15000 sqft) require minimum staffing levels of 10 personnel for RIC/RIG operation.
• The recommended size of the RIC/RIG Team for very large structures (> 15,000 sq ft.) is a minimum of 10 personnel.
• Second alarm engine units shall be responsible for RIC/RIG on a commercial or high-rise structure fire and second alarms or greater.
• At a minimum, the RIC unit leader shall perform a 360 size up of the building.

Basic Principles Of Ventilation

• 3 basic principles of ventilation exist
  • Vent for life
  • Vent for fire containment
  • Vent for property conservation
• Releasing a contaminated atmosphere to the exterior by means of ventilation, this action ensures to prevent it from spreading throughout the structure.

Ventilation Procedures

• Positive pressure ventilation is considered the safer and faster ventilation method.
• Fire rescue uses a PPV fan for positive pressure ventilation.
• The super vac P164, used by fire rescue: assists with Positive Pressure Ventilation
• A RamFan is capable of providing 10,000 CFM of air volume.
• PPV fan should be placed 4-10 feet outside of the ventilation opening to completely cover it with a the cone of air.
• For positive pressure ventilation, the exhaust opening should be 2-3 times larger compared to the ventilation opening.

Monitoring Roof Operations

• The company officer is responsible for observing roof operations from a safe distance.

Roof Hazards and Ventilation Cuts

• Shingle roofs may pose a slip hazard when using a roof ladder for roof operations.
• The 798 cut is made on a Flat roof type for vertical ventilation.
• Pitched roofs should be ventilated using the 798 cut

Kerf Cuts

• A kerf (plunge) cut is utilized to ascertain the presence of fire on a roof.

Gross Decontamination

• On a fire scene, gross decontamination is located just before exiting in the hot zone
• The third due engine is generally tasked with setting up gross decon.
• The IC is responsible to establish and oversee the gross decon process.
• Municipal water, well water, and irrigation water are appropriate water sources for gross decon.
• Garden style nozzles are provided in gross decon kits.
• These are preferred because they provide:
  • high flow
  • low pressure.

Post-Fire Procedures

• Hood exchanges after a fire scene shall take place on discretion of the IC and ISO.
• The BC approves OOS time to ensure proper and full decontamination from a fire scene.

PBCFR Equipment

• PBCFR rescue trucks weigh > 50,000 lbs.

Rural Firefighting

• A 1 1/4 acre lot in rural areas is approximately 200 feet wide.
• A typical single-family home requires 250-500 gpm for a a room and content fire.
• 3,000 to 12,000 gallons of water is required to put out a room and content fire in a single family home. Continuous Water Supply
• Using a folding/dump tank is the preferred method of a continuous water supply when a water source is not readily available.
• Each folding/dump tank holds 3000-3500 gallons.

Fire Watch Protocols

• The Incident Commander and Fire Investigator (IC/ Fire Investigator) will inform the property owner or representative of the need for an immediate fire watch.

Levels of MCI (Mass Casualty Incident)

• The classifications are:
  • Level 1 : 5-10 Patients Involved
  • Level 2 : 11-20 Patients Involved
  • Level 3: 21-100 Patients Involved
  • Level 4: 101-1000 Patients Involved
  • Level 5 >1000 Patients Involved
• A level 5 MCI is greater than 1000 patients.
• A scene with 8 patients is a level 1 MCI.
• An MVC with 13 patients is considered a level 2 MCI. A terrorist attack is a level 4 MCI.

MCI Management and Equipment

• For MCIs, the Incident Commander contacts the state warning point for resources outside of Palm Beach County, depending on MCI’s cause.
• Support 81 contains resources for approximately 100 patients.
• In the event of an MCI that needs decontamination, response from a disaster response unit (DRU) should be considered.

After Action Reports

• A formal After Action Report (AAR) is required for a Lvl 3 MCI or higher.

Hazardous Materials Training (HazMat)

• Fire rescue personnel shall be trained to at least first responder awareness level of HazMat training.

Levels of HazMat Control

• Operations level of HAZMAT takes defensive control measures.
• Specialist level of HAZMAT takes offensive control measures.

R.I.P. NOT Mnemonic

• The mnemonic R.I.P. NOT stands for
  • Recognize/Identification,
  • Isolate,
  • Protect,
  • Notify.
• False, R.I.P. NOT is not a step-by-step guide.

CBRNE Incidents

• The best way to handle a CBRNE incident is in a planned and deliberate pace.
• The scene determines the pace of incidents involving CBRNE.
• During a CBRNE incident the priority for the first arriving unit is to establish exclusion zones.
• The appropriate level of PPE that a FRO shall respond with is Full bunker gear w/SCBA during hazmat incidents.

HazMat Incident Command

• Command establishes a safe refuge area for victims needing decon.
• Only line of sight rescue attempts may be made by First Responders Operations in HAZMAT incidents

Hazmat Rescue and Identification

• If fluoride is present or suspected, crews may not attempt line of sight rescue.
• Responders at the scene of a terror attack should recognize and be mindful of primary devices.
• Responders at the scene of a terror attack should be alert for actions against civilians.
• Responders at the scene of a terror attack should implement PPE measures, excluding SCBA use.
• Responders at the scene of a terror attack should preserve evidence.