Grapevine Structural Firefighting Protocol (GSFP)

• The Grapevine Structural Firefighting Protocol (GSFP) is a plan that identifies what to do during the initial phases of a structure fire.
• The Incident Commander (IC) can modify tasks at any time.
• Every member of the Grapevine Fire Department is responsible for knowing and following the GSFP during a structure fire.
• Officers must ensure all members under their command understand and can perform assigned tasks.

Procedure Tasks

• The GSFP identifies tasks that must be performed on all structure fires.
• Tasks are related to establishing command, rescue, fire control, ventilation, water supply, support, and other tasks for a safe fire attack.
• Initial tasks are assigned to units responding to the structure based on company type and first-arriving company size-up.
• Each task includes what to do, who does it, and how it is to be performed in a coordinated manner.
• The order of incident tactical priorities:
  • Rescue/life safety.
  • Exposure protection.
  • Confinement.
  • Extinguishment.
  • Overhaul.
• Initial tasks (in no specific order):
  • Size up.
  • Establish command.
  • Exposure protection.
  • Forcible entry.
  • Primary search.
  • 2 in-2 out.
  • Locate fire and extension.
  • First attack line to seat of fire.
  • Water supply.
  • Second attack/back-up line deployed (as needed).
  • Ventilation.
  • Control of utilities.
  • Safety.

Deployment Plan

• The deployment plan sets a department-wide standard for structure fires by directing what to do as a minimum.
• The plan aims to reduce confusion, speed up initial deployment, and improve communication, coordination, and accountability.
• Command must immediately assess their resources to ensure all tasks are being performed.
• If tasks are not covered, Command should request additional units.

Tactical Decision-Making Process

• The officer in command can adapt the strategy to fit the situation.
• Critical communications to responding/arriving companies ensures they know the strategy.
• A "Working Fire" indicates that a structure fire will require all responding companies to engage in suppression and/or support functions.
• The IC or first arriving unit should declare the incident a "Working Fire."
• Declaring a "Working Fire" will be communicated to Grapevine Alarm, resulting in dispatch of an additional engine, truck, MICU, and Battalion Chief.
• If more units are needed, they should be requested quickly, considering the response time of mutual aid companies.
• Additional units go to a Level 2 Staging area, which is a centralized area outside the operating area for apparatus and crew assembly.
• Level 2 staging will be at a location identified by the IC.

Offensive Structure Fire

• An offensive attack assumes sufficient resources and minimal external exposure threats
• Usually interior, becomes mandatory if human life is at risk.
• First arriving fire department member, regardless of rank, can request resources or address any tactical need.
• Nothing Showing, Investigating Passing Command: First Engine, Truck and Battalion Chief respond.
• All companies reduce to Code 1 after the first company reports out (unless otherwise indicated).
• All other companies adhere to Level 1 staging guidelines
• Light Smoke Showing, Investigating Passing Command: First Engine, Truck, MICU and Battalion Chief respond.
• All other companies adhere to Level 1 staging guidelines.
• A lot of Smoke/Fire Showing, Passing Command:
  • First Engine or Quint:
    • Officer should consider a 360 walk around.
    • Advance attack line, conduct primary search, or implement exposure protection.
    • Tool cache placement for later arriving companies, including PPV fan, ladders, forcible entry tools, pike poles, etc.
    • Consider laying water supply based on conditions.
  • Second Engine or Quint:
    • Establish a water supply if not already established.
    • Advance a line behind the attack line to protect and protect egress (back-up).
    • If the back-up line becomes the attack line, notify Command.
    • Dual pump with the first Engine or Quint.
    • Assist with the primary search if necessary.
  • First Truck:
    • Officer should consider a second walk around (360).
    • The truck may divide into inside/outside teams.
    • Inside team is normally responsible for forcible entry, search and fire extension (pulling ceilings).
    • Outside team may be responsible for ventilation and utilities. Building openings create new air flow paths.
    • If the Outside Team accesses the roof, a roof report should include:
      • What product is coming from the hole.
      • Is there fire in the attic.
      • What is the roof load and roof type.
      • The roof integrity.
      • Any firewalls or hazards.
      • Announcement of retreating from the roof and a PAR once on the ground.
    • Support operations such as lights, salvage, etc.
  • First MICU: Assigned by Command or first officer on scene (normally to first engine/quint).

Battalion Chief Responsibilities

• Serves as the Incident Commander.
• Responsible for coordinating all fireground activities and managing resources.
• All additional companies will Level 1 stage and be assigned by the Incident Commander as the situation dictates.
• Functions to be addressed on the fireground:
  • Rapid Intervention Team (RIT):
    • Establish equipment near the incident for quick deployment.
    • Walk around.
    • "Soften" the building.
    • Set ladders to upper floors (if applicable).
    • Report size-up findings to Command.
    • Staging position near enough to Command for face-to-face.
    • Confirm utilities are addressed.
  • Incident Safety Officer (ISO):
    • All working fires.
    • Any incident with abnormal safety risks or concerns.
    • Any incident at which the IC cannot fulfill the role themselves while serving as Command.
    • IC is considered to be the ISO unless another is assigned the role.
    • ISO not utilized as division commander, must be mobile.
    • In health or safety issues, ISO may give advice, recommendation or direction.
    • All directions received from the ISO will have the authority of coming from the IC.
    • The ISO has the authority to stop or alter any fireground operation without conferring with the IC.
    • IC must be notified immediately and consulted at the first possible opportunity. Confirmation of this notification.
  • Field Management Officer (FMO):
    • Responsible for reporting to the IC and assuming the role as direct assistant and support to the IC.
    • Monitor all fireground radio traffic.
    • Maintain an accurate accounting of incident management structure, company assignments, deployments, resource availability, resource needs and incident benchmarks.
    • Handle all radio communications that must occur on radio channels other than the active fireground channel.
    • Keep the IC apprised of all aspects and make recommendations.
    • Any order given by the FMO will be considered as having come directly from the IC.
    • Normally will be the second MICU.

Staging

• Level 1 staging is the placement of apparatus.
• Engines will stage at hydrant.
• Trucks and Medics will stage for access to uncovered areas.

Defensive Structure Fire

• A defensive operation is dictated by fire beyond unit control, or hazards with unreasonable risk (unstable structure, hazardous materials, etc.)
• If control or extinguishing fire is impossible, prevent its spread.
• Defensive operations are typically exterior, protecting exposures.
  • First Engine or Quint:
    • Officer will perform a 360 walk around.
    • Immediate exposure protection or attack on the fire building.
    • Consider laying their water supply.
  • Second and Third Arriving Engines/Quints:
    • Implement the next most urgent exposure protection/fire attack.
    • Pay early attention to all sides.
    • Each company ensures adequate water supply and the first arriving engine/quint is adequately supplied.
    • One assists water supply for Truck Company aerial operations.
  • First Truck:
    • Positioned to address aerial exposure or attack operations.
    • Officer should consider a walk-around of the building (360).
  • First Medic: Assigned by Command/first officer on scene.
  • Battalion Chief: Same as "Offensive Structure Fire."
  • All additional companies will Level 1 stage and be assigned.
• Implementation of the Safety Officer, the Rapid Intervention Team and the Field Management Officer must be given the same priorities as any other incident.
• All aerial devices should be positioned for potential use of elevated streams.

Blue Card Definitions

• Fire Departments that are Blue Card certified utilized terms that are different from plain text.
• The the Grapevine Fire Department uses plain text and will refrain from using these terms.
• The terms listed below are for familiarization in case you respond to a city that utilizes Blue Card.
  • On Deck: a fire company that is standing by at a forward staging location just outside the immediate hazard zone fully bunked out with tools and ready to be deployed to a Division/Group. The On-deck company also fills the RIT responsibilities but you will have to clarify if this company will fill the role of the RIT crew.
  • Recycle: a timely means of air replacement and rehydration of companies while maintaining their Division/Group assignment.