Firefighter Accountability and Command Procedures

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Questions and Answers

What should never be done with the device in a suspected bomb situation?

Report the device to authorities

Evacuate the area

Touch, move, or disturb the device (correct)

Set up a hazard zone perimeter

What is the minimum distance to establish a hazard zone perimeter in a bomb situation?

200’

300’ (correct)

150’

400’

What activity is prescribed after assessing a dumpster fire situation?

Ignore the situation if it seems small

Only report the fire to nearby residents

Begin immediate extinguishment without evaluation

Establish command and allocate resources (correct)

At what parts per million (PPM) does an occupant need to leave immediately after detecting hazardous gases?

35 PPM Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a condition for using elevators in fire emergencies?

Fire is on the 5th floor or below Signup and view all the answers

What should be done with fuel spills less than 25 gallons that do not enter a waterway?

Use absorbent to soak up the fluid Signup and view all the answers

In the event of a fuel spill over 25 gallons, what is the immediate action required?

Call Ohio EPA and local emergency management Signup and view all the answers

What should always be used while monitoring air quality in a hazardous situation?

Wearable gas detectors Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the actions that should be taken first in an emergency situation?

Determine resources needed Signup and view all the answers

When is evacuation considered the best protective action?

If long-term vapor presence is detected Signup and view all the answers

What is one method for mitigating a radiological incident?

Diking Signup and view all the answers

Which organization should be contacted first during a radiological incident?

Hospital incident liaison Signup and view all the answers

In what situation is it justified to shelter in place?

For a short duration vapor cloud Signup and view all the answers

What should the maximum dose for entry team members in a hot zone be?

5000 mrem Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the eight responsibilities of the Incident Commander (IC) at a high-rise fire?

Establish goals and objectives Signup and view all the answers

What device is used to identify hot spots in a radiological incident?

Ludlum model 3 survey meter Signup and view all the answers

Which group is primarily focused on the fire attack during a high-rise incident?

Fire attack group Signup and view all the answers

What action should be taken if a weapon is found at the scene of an emergency?

Notify an officer to assess the situation Signup and view all the answers

What communication method is prioritized first within a high-rise building during a fire incident?

Radios using TAC channels Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a group that the Incident Commander should consider establishing at a high-rise incident?

Fleet support group Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the three objectives of the fire attack group at a high-rise fire?

Rescue occupants near the seat of fire Signup and view all the answers

Which tool is part of the ladder company’s essential equipment for a high-rise operation?

Hydraulic tools Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of the nozzle man on the hose line crew?

Operate the hose line for water delivery Signup and view all the answers

How long is the high rise pack hose used by engine companies?

150 feet Signup and view all the answers

What type of accountability does the driver assume in a Level 1 account situation?

They assume accountability responsibilities. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the small status board in the lobby for a fire response?

To indicate the accountability of companies. Signup and view all the answers

What must each company do in a Level 2 accountability situation?

Leave a passport in the vehicle and one on the status board. Signup and view all the answers

During a high-rise response, where are passports located for Level 3 accountability?

Lobby control and forward account. Signup and view all the answers

When should a Personnel Accountability Report (PAR) be initiated?

Whenever there's a report of a missing or trapped firefighter. Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary task for the second engine in a high-rise response?

To bring their small status board to the forward account near the standpipe. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a reason to initiate a PAR?

A report of situation contained. Signup and view all the answers

In a multiple company response, who is responsible for accountability?

The Division/Group Supervisor. Signup and view all the answers

What should be done if a weapon needs to be moved?

Mark the weapon's location before moving it Signup and view all the answers

Who has operational control during a wide area emergency?

The Mayor if they elect to assume the role Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary mission of CPD during a disaster?

Establish and maintain emergency response routes Signup and view all the answers

Which incident requires the response team to include two engineers in the structure collapse operation?

Structural collapse incidents Signup and view all the answers

What role does CFD take in man-made disasters involving chemical threats?

They take operational control Signup and view all the answers

How long may cold water drowning be viable for rescue?

60 minutes Signup and view all the answers

In extrication incidents, which type of personnel is required besides one engineer and one EMS officer?

Two rescue personnel Signup and view all the answers

Who is responsible for controlling the scene if an explosive device is found?

CFD Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Accountability

PAT tags identify firefighters, Lieutenants, Captains, Chief Firefighters, and Safety Officers
Accountability is taken by the first arriving company on each side of the incident
If the company is not an engine company, the first arriving engine company assumes responsibility
Only one accountability location is permitted for each point of entry

Accountability Levels

Level 1: Single company response, the driver assumes accountability
Level 2: Multiple company response, each company leaves one passport in the vehicle and one passport on the status board of the designated accountability location
Level 3: High-rise response, companies report with both a small status board and two passports. Two accountability locations are established: lobby control and forward account

High-Rise Command Functions

Exterior command is preferable
The Incident Commander is responsible for developing the Incident Action Plan (IAP), determining overall strategy, establishing goals and objectives, providing status reports, requesting resources, demobilizing, overall safety, and PARs
Organizational groups are established for fire attack, lobby control, systems, USE, RIT, resource, medical, ventilation, utilities/salvage, stairwell support, rehabilitation, and divisions
Communications are prioritized as follows: radios, direct communication, building hand held phones, and other means

Fire Attack Group

The engine company officer serves as the fire attack supervisor
The fire attack group has three objectives: place an attack line in service, rescue occupants near the fire, and conduct reconnaissance of the fire area
Each engine company brings a high-rise pack (150’ 2.5” hose with 1 1/4 to 1 1/8 stacked) and a high-rise kit
Ladder companies bring forcible entry tools, 200’ rope, a water can, and a pike pole
The hose line crew consists of five firefighters: nozzle man, fire attack supervisor, backup, door, and control

Bomb Squad

Do not touch, move, or disturb suspected devices
Evacuate the area
Establish a 300’ perimeter
Provide information to the bomb squad: location of the suspected device, description of the device, site and floor layout, and locations of people who have not been evacuated
An engine company should be positioned to lay hose lines
Medical personnel are dedicated to EMS for the bomb squad

Dumpster Fires

Establish command
Size up the situation
Provide an initial radio report
Allocate resources
Position apparatus at least 50’ uphill and upwind from the fire with the pump panel facing away from the fire
Ventilate the area until carbon monoxide levels fall below 15 PPM
If carbon monoxide levels exceed 35 PPM, evacuate occupants and do not permit re-entry until levels fall below 35 PPM
Never indicate that a detector has malfunctioned
Never guarantee safety
Never use gas-powered fans to ventilate
Complete an FP-356 form (pink copy for occupants, white attached to white NFIRS, yellow attached to yellow NFIRS)

Elevator Use

Do not use elevators if: fire is on the fifth floor or below, not wearing full PPE including SCBA, not carrying forcible entry tools, elevator is not in fire service mode, smoke or water is visible in the shaftway, elevator operates erratically, or more than 6 members are present
Do not use elevators if another elevator bank terminates within five floors of the fire floor

Fuel Spills/Small Hazmat Spills

Confine fluids with a dam or dike
Soak up spills with absorbent materials, except in life-safety situations, do not flush with water
For trailing spills, use absorbent materials and let traffic disperse them
Vehicle accident spills are cleaned up by the wrecker driver
For spills over 25 gallons or spills entering waterways, call Ohio EPA, Mike Dalton, and Franklin County EMA

Hazmat Incidents

Determine the hazard
Determine resources needed
Separate decon’d rescuers and victims
Take protective action
Evacuation may be the best protective action
Consider sheltering in place if: short duration incident, short-term vapor cloud, greater hazard to attempt to move people, impractical to move people
Mitigation includes defensive actions (damming, diking, diverting, absorption, removing ignition sources)
For radiological incidents, contact: RING (Radiation Incident Notification Group), hospital incident liaison, Ohio Department of Health, Franklin County Emergency Management and Homeland Security, poison control, Ohio EPA, Columbus Public Health
Consider declaring a medical emergency if more than 5 victims are involved
Hot zone: 1000mR (1R)/hr
Warm zone: Decon corridor
Cold zone: Less than 10mR/hr — Command Post
Wear Level B or C suits while in the hot zone
Use dosimeters to monitor dose rate
Maximum dose is 5000mrem
Check dosimeters every 15 minutes
Document each entry team member’s received dose
Use a LUDLUM MODEL 3 SURVEY METER with MODEL 44-9 PANCAKE DETECTOR to identify hot spots

Police Fire Rank Comparisons

Police Sergeant: Lt Fire
Police Lt: Capt Fire
Police Commander: BC
Police Deputy Chief: Assistant Chief Fire

Police and Fire Joint Operations

Weapons: If a weapon is found, CPD will handle it unless CFD deems it poses a risk or interferes with a medical emergency.
Bomb Threats: Division of Fire personnel only respond if a device is found, is found in or reported to be in a motor vehicle, or if an explosive device is found or an explosion occurs.
Drowning Scenes: Rescues are managed by the Division of Fire; recoveries are managed by CPD.

Police and Fire Roles at a Disaster

Operational Control: Point event: small area natural disaster, command rests with the Division of Fire. Wide area emergency: The Mayor may assume the role of IC. If he declines, the role resumes with the Division of Fire.
CPD: Establish and maintain emergency response routes for emergency vehicles, evacuation, traffic control, and security for outer and inner affected areas.
CPD: Assume control of operations for man-made disasters arising from civil disobedience, civil disorder, and terrorist activity that does not involve chemicals, biological agents, or explosives.
CFD: Assume operational control of man-made disaster scenes involving train derailments, plane crashes, explosions, gas leaks, hazmat incidents, and terrorist activity involving chemicals, biological agents, or explosives.

Extrication and Technical Rescue

Extrication incidents: (vehicle, machinery) - 1 ENG, 1 EMSO, 1 MED, 1 RES, 1 BNC
Technical rescue incidents: (confined space, trench, rope) - 1 ENG, 1 EMSO, 1 MED, 2 RES, 1 BNC
Structural collapse: 2 ENG, 2 LAD, 2 EMSO, 2 MED, 2 RES, 2 BNC, 1 COLLAPSE TRAIL, 1 AIR SUPPLY

Rescue vs. Extrication

Rescue: Removal and treatment of victims from natural elements, elevation differences, or structural collapse.
Extrication: Removal and treatment of victims trapped by man-made machines or equipment.

Structural Collapse (Working Incident)

IC notifies FAO of a "working incident"
FAO notifies ES2
An additional ENG and LAD (1, 13, 15) are assigned.

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Description

This quiz covers the essential principles of accountability in firefighting scenarios, including the roles of various positions such as Lieutenants, Captains, and Incident Commanders. It discusses the different levels of accountability during emergencies, especially in high-rise situations. Test your knowledge of the protocols and practices that ensure safety and efficiency in fire operations.