Fireground Command Strategies

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary responsibility of a company officer who assumes command?

To ensure the safety of firefighters

To be fully responsible for command functions (correct)

To investigate the incident alone

To participate in tactical activities

In the Investigative Mode, what should other companies do?

Stand by and prepare to carry out assignments (correct)

Go with the company officer to investigate

Provide immediate action without command

Take over command from the company officer

When should a company officer use a portable radio?

Only during the Fast Attack Mode

Never during tactical activities

Only during the Investigative Mode

During both Investigative and Fast Attack Modes (correct)

What is a critical life safety situation that requires the company officer's direct involvement?

A rescue operation Signup and view all the answers

What is the typical duration of the Fast Attack Mode?

A few minutes Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of the modes of operation identified?

To provide guidelines for the officer's judgment and initiative Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of an obvious working incident that requires further action by the company officer?

A fire incident that requires immediate action Signup and view all the answers

What is the ultimate goal of the Fast Attack Mode?

To stabilize the situation Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the EMS apparatus in a structure fire incident?

To provide medical care and assist with Rehab Signup and view all the answers

Where is the preferred position for the Incident Commander's vehicle?

Side Alpha Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary responsibility of the Incident Commander?

To establish divisions and groups to manage the incident Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the Accountability Officer?

To reference the Accountability Guideline section Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary responsibility of the Safety Officer?

To report the status of conditions, hazards, and risk to the IC Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the illuminated green light on the Incident Command post?

To make the incident command post readily identifiable Signup and view all the answers

Who is responsible for ensuring that all personnel are accounted for?

The Accountability Officer Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the aid station established by the EMS apparatus?

To provide medical care and assist with Rehab Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of an Accountability Card/Tag?

To account for on-scene personnel at emergency incidents Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'Base' refer to in an emergency incident?

The location where primary logistics functions are coordinated and administered Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of a Backup Line?

To provide protection for the initial attack team Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary responsibility of the ISO during an incident response?

To perform a complete 360 of the structure and report hazards Signup and view all the answers

What does 'AHJ' stand for?

Authority Having Jurisdiction Signup and view all the answers

What is the minimum flow capacity required for handlines at a commercial structure fire?

250 GPM Signup and view all the answers

What determines the decision to initiate offensive operations?

Risk factors Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the ISO suggesting safety zones and collapse zones?

To identify areas of high risk to personnel Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for fire and rescue service vehicles?

Apparatus Signup and view all the answers

What happens when the risk factor increases?

Continue to monitor risk factors Signup and view all the answers

What is the standard dispatch for a commercial structure fire?

Five engines, two aerials, one rescue, three chief level officers, two EMS transport units and law enforcement Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of employing all available risk control options?

To pursue risk control options Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary responsibility of company officers during commercial structure firefighting operations?

To maintain crew integrity and ensure personnel take their assigned positions Signup and view all the answers

Why is fire ground discipline critical during incident responses?

To prevent accidents and ensure personnel safety Signup and view all the answers

What is the exception to the minimum flow capacity requirement for handlines at a commercial structure fire?

Residential occupancies above commercial structures Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the ISO monitoring radio transmissions?

To ensure proper and effective communication Signup and view all the answers

What equipment should the First Arriving Rescue Crew enter the building with?

Full PPE, Thermal Imager, Search Rope, Portable Radios, Hand Lights, Water Can, and Forcible Entry Tools Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary responsibility of the Ventilation Group?

To positively pressurize the stairwells Signup and view all the answers

What should be the First Arriving Rescue Crew's first priority when pressurizing the stairwells?

Pressurize the stairwell that provides access to the roof top Signup and view all the answers

What should the EMS do when they arrive on the scene?

Establish an aid station and assist with Rehab Signup and view all the answers

Where should the First Arriving Chief Officer's vehicle be positioned?

On side Alpha Signup and view all the answers

What should the First Arriving Chief Officer establish?

A stationary incident command post Signup and view all the answers

What should be considered when deploying the crew to the staging floor?

The feasibility of the deployment Signup and view all the answers

What should all personnel wear when deployed to the building's interior?

Full PPE and carry hand lights Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Risk Assessment and Operations

Monitor risk factors and employ all available risk control options to reduce risk
Initiate offensive operations with confirmation of realistic potential to save endangered lives
Do not initiate operations that will put firefighters at risk of injury or fatality

Definitions

Accountability Card/Tag: used for accountability of on-scene personnel at emergency incidents
AHJ: Authority Having Jurisdiction
Apparatus: fire and rescue service vehicles, including engines, aerials, rescue squads, and special service vehicles
Base: location where primary logistics functions are coordinated and administered, with only one base per incident
Backup Line: attack hose line of equal or larger size to the initial attack line, providing protection for the initial attack team and additional fire attack capability

Modes of Command

Investigative Mode: initial arriving company investigates, with other companies standing by and preparing to carry out assignments
Fast Attack Mode: situations requiring immediate action, with company officer's direct involvement, including offensive fire attacks, critical life safety situations, and obvious working incidents

Incident Safety Officer (ISO)

Perform a complete 360 of the structure, remaining mobile while monitoring the incident scene
Report the status of conditions, hazards, and risk to the IC
Ensure all personnel are accounted for per Accountability
Suggest safety zones, collapse zones, and other designated hazard areas
Evaluate motor vehicle traffic hazards and monitor radio transmissions

Commercial Structure Fire Assignments

Standard dispatch: five engines, two aerials, one rescue, three chief level officers, two EMS transport units, and law enforcement
All units and personnel not assigned to a specific task will stage their apparatus appropriately and report to the IC
Company officers must maintain crew integrity, ensure personnel and apparatus take their assigned positions, and follow guidelines
Handlines used at a commercial structure fire will have a minimum flow capacity of 250 GPM, with the nozzle set no lower than 250 GPM

Incident Commander (IC)

Establish a stationary incident command post and assume command of the incident
Position vehicle on side Alpha, allowing space for engines or aerials to implement tactical operations
Ensure a safety hose line is always available and staffed at all working structure fires
Wear appropriate identifier vest and have immediate access to full PPE and SCBA

Accountability Officer

Position vehicle to allow access of responding engines, aerials, and other support equipment
Reference the Accountability Guideline section

Safety Officer (ISO)

Report to the IC to assume the role of Incident Safety Officer
Perform duties as outlined in the ISO section

First Arriving Rescue

Crew shall enter the building with full PPE, thermal imager, search rope, portable radios, hand lights, water can, forcible entry tools, and spare SCBA cylinders
Form the Ventilation Group, with primary responsibility to positive pressurize the stairwells
Report conditions to Command

EMS

Respond to all confirmed structure fires
Apparatus: position in cold zone and report to the IC
Crew: establish an aid station and assist with Rehab, considering deployment to the staging floor
Equipment: wear full PPE and carry hand lights if deployed to the building's interior

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Description

This quiz assesses knowledge of fireground command strategies, including risk monitoring and operational decisions. It covers the actions to take in different risk scenarios.