High-Rise Fire Emergency Response

• This plan adapts normal Standard Operating Guidelines (SOGs) to high-rise operations.
• Details address complex issues of mitigating incidents in high-rise structures.
• Key issues involve access, egress, construction challenges, and occupant numbers.

Introduction

• The Utah Fire & Rescue Academy (UFRA) provides fire safety training.
• Training includes safe emergency mitigation in high-rise, mid-rise, and low-rise structures.
• UFRA's High-Rise Training Group developed SOGs.
• Guidelines come from the National Incident Management System (NIMS)
• Guidelines come from the Incident Command System (ICS)
• Guidelines come from the Utah State Fire Chiefs Association
• Guidelines come from IFSTA's "Structural Fire Fighting: High-Rise Fire Fighting" (2nd ed.)
• Guidelines come from Fire Protection Publications' "Model Procedures Guide for High-Rise Firefighting" (2nd ed.).
• UFRA's programs support curriculum development, lesson plans, training, and updates.
• It is recommended all departments follow the guidelines.
• Departments should develop regional response plans to improve response capabilities.

Purpose and Objectives

• High-rise fires have unique firefighting problems in access, resources, construction, and occupancy.
• High-rise incidents are challenging and high-risk.
• Some local structures do not meet high-rise height restrictions but pose similar challenges.
• A high-rise building has a height of 75 feet (23 meters) or higher.
• The document implements guidelines for high-rise, mid-rise, and low-rise fire incidents.

Incident Priorities

• Incident priorities should be clear to all personnel, especially Command, in high-rise, mid-rise, or low-rise structures.
• Personnel follow incident priorities regardless of alarm type:
• Safety of firefighters and rapid intervention.
• Rescue: Protect life using fire fighting and occupant evacuation, occupant evacuation only, or sheltering occupants in place.
• Control the incident with aggressive attack.
• Conserve property through salvage.
• Prioritize aerial apparatus for victim locations in high-rise residential or commercial buildings.
• Coordinate stairway use or shelter-in-place for areas beyond aerial reach.
• Stairways with roof hatches or scuttles are for smoke removal using positive pressure at the base.
• Stairways without roof openings are generally for rescue and evacuation.
• Stairways with roof access may be used for evacuation if most occupants are above the fire floor
• Stairways can be used down to the lobby if most occupants are below the fire floor.
• Evacuation stairways must be pressurized with multiple fans at the base.
• Rescue efforts follow a specific order:
• Most severely threatened victims by known location or obvious rescue.
• Victims close to the fire.
• Victims above the fire floor.
• Next, the largest number (groups) are prioritized.
• Then, the remainder of the incident area is next.
• The exposed area is last.

Tactical Assignments

• First-arriving companies must create a foundation for successful event mitigation by:
• Establishing command.
• Initial scene assessment (size-up).
• Information gathering.
• Assigning initial duties.
• The actions and information are passed to the first-arriving chief officer and Incident Commander (IC).
• First-arriving companies address seven tactical assignments in every situation.
• Command maintains strategic and tactical options and addresses the seven assignments.
• Command is always established, regardless of alarm type or information.
• Fire department members responding to high-rise incidents must follow NIMS Incident Command System guidelines.
• The first-arriving unit officer establishes command by:
• Designating the unit and command name.
• Brief radio report with a scene size-up includes the location of the alpha side.
• Making initial tactical assignments are consistent with this document.
• The command structure at a fire must be expanded early.
• Tactical assignment cards help the IC expand easily.
• General staff positions are implemented aggressively upon fire confirmation.
• Determine the fire floor or area:
• First-in crews note what can be seen.
• Talk to occupants to determine the fire floor.
• Locate the fire control room or panel or get information from the system control manager, security, or a responsible person.
• The crew member checks the fire panel, writes the reading with a grease pen or permanent marker, and announces the reading to Command, which serves as a change indicator.
• Newer panels can print an activity log to observe changes.
• Even with nothing showing, Command assumes concealed fire.
• Most high-rise construction effectively shields the interior.
• Verify fire location and extent by observing conditions, talking to evacuating occupants, and noting changes.
• If fire involvement is greater than 25% of a floor, IC and the Fire Floor Supervisor may consider direct attack abandonment and prepare for deluge attack one to two floors above.
• Historically, most building occupants self-evacuate.
• Occupants of high-rise structures that practice emergency operations plan have a greater chance for survival.
• The authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) should coordinate annual evacuation drills.
• Occupants begin evacuation once the fire protection system activates or a fire is reported; most systems notify occupants two floors above the fire floor.
• Fire personnel announce evacuation of the two floors above via speaker system.
• Occupants may need to be evacuated or otherwise directed
• Assigning a branch director may separate this responsibility under the Operations Section.
• It may be most efficient to reduce the control span and provide enough resources and systems for control of people.
• Evacuation routes in high-rise structures are normally limited to two stairways and they are also the prime access route.
• Occupants in the immediate fire area evacuate quickly to at least the third floor below the fire floor.
• Further evacuation depends on occupant risk since premature evacuation hinders fire control and adds confusion.
• The decision to evacuate should be made by personnel on floors.
• Subsequent evacuations should be managed to avoid interference.
• Efficient evacuation at a high-rise may require numerous personnel.
• Many occupants will self-evacuate at the notification.
• Most doors in high-rise stairways leading back to the office areas are secure, but standard entry may be needed.
• Do not rely on automated systems when the building is in alarm.
• Firefighters should assume the worst and not allow occupants to enter contaminated stairways.
• Firefighters should maintain a safe evacuation stairway by assigning personnel to keep the area clear and doors closed.
• Control building systems by summoning building engineer to Lobby Division or control room, regardless of the alarm.
• Three systems should be controlled:
• Fire suppression/pump system should be monitored.
• HVAC intensity of the fire and smoke travel by utilizing is limited when coordinating with the building engineer.
• If unavailable, leave the system operating or shut off, coordinating with Command.
• Elevators need to be activated into Phase 1, which returns them to the ground floor.
• Reflex times of 30 to 45 minutes can be expected, use may be found in the Glossary.
• First-in crews use 2½" lines for primary attack because of long reflex times and high fire load.
• An aggressive, coordinated attack is most effective.
• Assign a minimum of three crews (two engine companies and one truck company) to the fire floor.
• If the first-in crew confirms a working fire, Command must immediately double the assignment.
• Standpipe operations will be the first tactical option for fires from floor five and above.
• Standpipe valves need to be secured.
• Open standpipe valves will cause water damage and proper nozzle pressure loss.
• Firefighters advancing to the fire floor must check the valve(s).
• Once checked and closed mark it “OK” in a visible spot for others.
• Elevators can transfer personnel and equipment to any floor if they are safe for firefighters operating as part of the process of confining and extinguishing the fire.
• Personnel and equipment will be shuttled from the lobby to the Resource Staging Area (RSA) located two floors below the fire floor.
• Elevators can only be used by personnel that meet the building system representative or fire department member criteria.
• Following guidelines apply when operating in an elevator:
• Fire service override should be working.
• No visible smoke, fire, or water in the shaft.
• One set of keys in the elevator, and one set in the lobby.
• Test the elevator's operation at the next available floor.
• Crews in the elevator must have radios on.
• Crews in the elevator must have a portable extinguisher and irons.
• Take precautions regarding elevator loading and operation.
• There should be no more than two crews per car.
• If fire conditions are unconfirmed, crews in elevators should be dressed in full PPE and on air.
• Lobby members must have their portable radios on.
• Do not elevators to initially access fire on floor five or lower unless it is a hydraulic system and the elevator control room is on the ground floor or below.
• Elevators should not be closer than two floors below the fire floor.
• Making test stops 5 floors below can allow a pry tool to open doors, engaging the manual brakes if the elevator doesn't respond as intended.
• The use of the elevator to move equipment to the RSA can be considered once conditions are assessed.
• After the fire attack relief cycle of 3:1 has been established, a minimum of one crew is assigned to the floor above.
• The responsibility of this crew will be to report to Command regarding conditions above the fire floor, whether from smoke and heat levels, locations of stairways, or confirming occurred or is controlled through evacuation.
• A shelter-in-place strategy may be needed if evacuation stairways have been compromised.
• Notify as to what resources are needed.

Resource/Response Requirements

• Level I/High Rise Alarm Notifier Response: automatic alarm drop, notifier alarm w/o confirming calls; at least 1 engine company 1039.
• AHJ cancellation policy may apply.
• 1 BC or chief officer.
• 3 Engines.
• 1 Truck.
• Level II/1st Alarm High Rise Response covers: possible smoke, smell of smoke, no visible fire, no confirming calls, dispatch not receiving enough information upgrades assignment to Level III Response.
• Includes a red light and siren response.
• 1 BC.
• 2nd-due BC or chief officer notified.
• 4 Engines.
• 2 Trucks.
• 1 EMS ambulance.
• 1 Air supply/Utility unit.
• Level III/2nd Alarm High Rise Response covers: report of fire, visible smoke, confirming calls with or without automatic alarm drop.
• Includes a red light and siren response.
• This is a balance of all assigned units.
• 1 DC or AC of operations or designated chief officer by respective department.
• 4 BCs or other designated chief officers.
• 8 Engines.
• 4 Trucks.
• 2 Air supply/utility.
• 3 EMS ambulances.
• 2 Heavy rescues.
• Level IV/3rd Alarm High Rise Response covers: confirmed working fire by unit(s).
• In addition to Level III Response, includes a red light and siren response:.
• 1 Multi-agency Regional Task Force includes:
• 1 DC or AC (Total 2).
• 2 BCs or designated chief officers.
• 4 Engines.
• 2 Trucks.
• 1 Mobile Command Unit.
• 1 Communication Chief is notified by dispatch.
• 1 DPS helicopter support/aerial reconnaissance.
• A Level I or Level II Response will upgrade to a Level III Response if any criteria from the caller to dispatch dictates visible smoke or fire within the structure.
• This upgrade is automatic between the initial dispatch and companies going "on the air." If the first-due company or BC is “on the air," dispatch will relay additional information, and the decision to upgrade will be made by the first-due company or chief officer.

Working Incident/Addition of Air Operations

• If working fire is confirmed, dispatch makes announcements.
• The respective center will contact the Department of Public Safety helicopter.
• Mutual and automatic aid agreements (regional) should be current
• Helicopter crews should meet following criteria:
• Be familiar with AHJ's guidelines and "Quick Access Plans."
• Know radio channel for the jurisdiction.
• Understand the helicopter's function to report smoke and wind conditions at the roof level and make reports to Command.
• Understand the use of helicopters for rooftop rescues and deployment of fire crews to the roof.
• Command must implement an Air Operations Branch under the Operations Section.
• Prior to full implementation the helicopter will remain as the "single resource"
• Command should aggressively delegate communication due to intense safety requirements with using Air Support for a high-rise incident.
• Fire Protection Publications, Model Procedures for High-Rise Fire Fighting should also used to assist in preparation and addition of the Air Operations Branch in working high-rise incidents.
• Fire departments within the should AHJ complete regular training exercises with implementing an Air Operations Branch prior to using Air Support.

Upgrading Levels of Response

• A small confirmed working fire in a high rise will require at least 50 firefighters.
• Statistics show that 98% of fires in a building can be controlled with as few as 24 firefighters if a pre-plan has been developed and used in the response.
• A Level III response is designed to cover the minimum amount of firefighters.
• Command always requests a Level III High-Rise response for a "working fire." This assignment will report to Apparatus Base location.
• Personnel will assemble necessary equipment and supplies from Apparatus Base; also prepare to advance to the structure.
• The Apparatus Base is 200 feet from the incident, with the location announced over the air.
• Command maintains the option of resources requested by requesting more high-rise response levels.
• Decision to regulate incident response size is based on:
• Department capabilities;
• Fire load;
• Occupancy type, size and location of the fire;
• Resources needed at the fire floor;
• Ability to use elevators; and
• Experience (forecasting).

Level IV Notifications

• In addition to AHJ notifications for structure fires:
• The Emergency Communication Center will be activated and will consider establishing an Incident Management Team (IMT) according to individual AHJ policies.
• Dispatch will initiate off-duty member call-back procedures.
• An additional EMS field supervisor will be dispatched to the scene.
• Fuel tanker will be dispatched to apparatus base.
• The Red Cross will be notified to respond.
• City, county, state emergency manager will be notified.
• Structural engineers need to be contacted, if needed.
• The city, county manager, or mayor will be notified.

Resource Responsibilities

• Engine companies rescue, provide firefighting water to standpipes, hand lines, and attack the fire.
• Engine companies will use pre-assembled High-Rise Standpipe and Nozzle Kits
• Fifty-foot bundles of 2½" hose will be used for the primary attack.
• Perform hose pre-formed into “horseshoe” loads.
• Fire attack in structures must be decisive and aggressive.
• Sustained attacks may last hours; generally, attack crews will be limited to 10 minutes operating time with backup teams ready for deployment.
• Engine crews have at least three members in the lead and two members to assist with line movement at the entrance of the floor.
• The first-in captain will assume the role of division supervisor until a chief officer arrives at the fire floor.
• Division supervisors ensure attack has help for the attack including back up.
• Division supervisors communicate all requests through Command or Operations Chief.
• Truck companies rescue, force entry, gain access, ventilate, support engine company operations, and operate as Initial Rapid Intervention Team (RIT).
• Truck company members carry equipment to support responsibilities.
• Companies should not waste energy carrying hose bundles or nozzle equipment due to special duties.
• Companies must prioritize duties to support organized rescue of the fire floor, forcing doors, opening the plenum space, & breaching for attack.
• Fourth due truck companies will work with Command to organize and implement ventilation strategies.
• The primary strategy is to pressurize the stairways.
• Ventilation control in a high-rise is difficult.
• Building systems normally add positive pressure.
• Augment positive pressure with blowers at the base of stairways to keep smoke out.
• Truck company members must control all stairway openings.
• The "Ventilation Group" should operate separately and be in constant communication with supervisors.
• Division and group supervisors must confirm objectives are synchronized and be in constant communication.
• If ladder rescue is possible, aerial rescue becomes a priority.
• Companies supporting the fire will shift responsibilities to trucks.
• Next arriving Trucks not dedicated to aerial rescue will fill the support functions for fire attack.
• The IC must call for additional Trucks if aerial operations are required.
• A resource staging area (RSA) has a purpose to create a cache of equipment, tools, hose, firefighting teams, medical support, and RITs.
• The RSA is located at least two floors below the confirmed fire floor.
• It can be one floor below with IC approval
• Supervised managers ensure the proper number of supplies and firefighters to support operations.

Communication Plan Notes

• High-rise incidents will be dispatched.
• Dispatch centers should have a dispatch centers assistance plan for IC, and provide an operations communication channel to the incident.
• Dispatch refers centers to pre-plans and high-rise response guides to assist in securing resources when a fire is confirmed.
• Dispatch recommends centers use ICS Form #205 "Incident Communications," in order to list support (logistics), operations, and emergency channels for the incident.
• Additionally, dispatch centers should use resource boards to identify the types, kind, and location of all local and regional resources with regularly-reviewed staffing and resource levels.
• Salt Lake City centers conduct dispatch on Channel 3, announcing companies respond on Channel 2.
• Incident centers Command utilize Tactical Channels will be utilized for Groups, Divisions, Branches, or Sections, while RIT Channel stays per SLCFD Policy.

High-Rise Response Tactical Assigments

• AHJs should develop mutual and automatic aid agreements to help mitigate fires in buildings.
• Tactical assignment cards should be used, specifying tasks to maximize resources.
• All companies carry assignment copies with equipment, as prompts for initial assignments.

Chief Officers

1st-Arriving Chief Officer: Command/Accountability

• Apparatus is placed 200' from structure; announces the location of Command Post and Apparatus Base.
• Follows ICS, accountability, and radio.
• Tools: Command Kit and accountability system.
• Goal: Establishes command, assigns tactical positions, builds and prepares to expand resources/accountability, considers an Incident center Management.

2nd-Arriving Chief Officer: Fire Floor Division Supervisor

• Apparatus places vehicle next to IC and ensures safety.
• Full PPE w/ SCBA, a radio, and a cell phone.
• Tools: Command Kit, accountability system.
• Goal: Checks in with Command, confirms crew assignments, advances to the fire floor, assumes supervision, provides a progress report, & checks the floor above, with assistance of 4th engine.

3rd-Arriving Chief Officer: Lobby Control/Accountibility

• Places vehicle in an Apparatus Base.
• Gathers radio, cell phone and full PPE.
• Tools: Command/Lobby Kit, accountability system, flashlight and building keys.
• Goal: Note, communicates conditions, secures the lobby and elevators, identifies stairwells, takes control of the Fire Command Center, assists in accountability, and deploys the lobby kit.

4th Arriving Chief Officer: Resource/Staging

• Locates vehicle in the Apparatus Base.
• Gathers radio, cell phone, and full PPE with SCBA.
• Tools: Resource tracking system and Command/Lobby kit.
• Goal: Becomes Resource Staging Area Manager, confirms equipment and resources in the Resource Staging Area. Oversees RIT, medical, and rotation.

5th-Arriving Chief Officer: Fire Command Center

• Places vehicle in the Apparatus Base.
• Provides full PPE, radio, and cell phone.
• Tools: Command/Lobby Kit.
• Goal: Reports to the Fire Command center, manages communications, monitors elevator panel and fire suppression systems, coordinates the HVAC, & alerts the IC of fire panel.

6th Arriving Chief Officer: Planning Officer

• Places vehicle in the Apparatus Base.
• Provides full PPE, radio, and cell phone.
• Tools: Command/Lobby Kit and ICS forms kit.
• Goal: Becomes the planning officer or EMS group supervisor to confirm IAP progress, and implements assignments. Assigns resource or EMS triage/transport.

7th Arriving Chief Officer

• Places vehicle in an Apparatus Base.
• Goal: Assumes role of the Apparatus Base staging manager, organizes apparatus, and communicates.

Engines

1st-Arriving Engine: Fire Attack

• Apparatus Placement: Near entrance, but not in front of entry doors.
• All members: Full PPE, radios, cell phone.
• Tools: Engine High-Rise Kit, building keys, dry chem. extinguisher, building phone from FCC
• Tactical Objective: Must enter Fire Command Center, mark the panel, return elevators, and find the stairways to note building systems. Report findings and your actions to incoming companies, and extent of conditions, with a report of Personal Accountibility Number/Team (PAR) is positions dictate.

2nd-Arriving Engine: Complete standpipe/backup

• Apparatus placement: Goes to standpipe connection, engineer reverse lays from the standpipe to a hydrant, and makes a hydrant hookup. Remainder reports to Fire Floor Division.
• Requires full PPE radios, cell phone, and keys.
• Tools for: Engine High-rise Kit, and extra Equipment dropped in RSA. Oversees water supply & becomes Water Manager, and other checks valves before backing up PAR.

3rd-Arriving Engine

• Apparatus placement: easily moves perimeter.
• Requires full PPE radios, cell phone Tools for: Engine High-rise Kit and extra Equipment dropped in RSA.
• Report to Replace fire attack team on fire floor and reports to fire floor with PAR.

4th-Arriving Engine

• Apparatus Placement: easily movable away from the perimeter.
• Requires: Safety full PPE, radios, and a cell phone
• Engine tools are located with high rise kits and dropped in RTA.
• Report to replace any team and relays information when setup in the stairwell and to the floor.

5th-Arriving Engine/Tower

• Places engine at apparatus base with high rise kit.
• Crew reports by Safety and prepares in resources and staging area.
• Requires:
• Full PPE
  • Radios
  • Cell phone
• Report Initial RSA manager and RSA preparation reports number.

6th-Arriving Engine: Located in Resource

• Locate at the Apparatus and drops off at RSA.
• By Safety and reports by radios and phones.
• Report to RTA and assist to relocate to assist teams from below.

7th Arriving Engine:2nd stair well attack

• places engine at apparatus base with high rise kit.
• Full PPE, radio and safety tools.
• Location attack is initial.

8th-Arriving Engine

• Supply the 2nd stand fire.
• Back up fire attack team.
• Drive to another location as another engine team is setup.

9th-Arriving Engine Safety tools

• Set up the the safety apparatus.
• Check location for high gear set up.
• Locate the back up attack team to second floor from the stairwell.

10th Arriving positioned in RTA

• Located in the same spot with fire.
• Locate full gear for radio and phones.
• The high rise kit for the set up crew location.

Trucks

First on Scene Task: First-Arriving Truck Support

• Locate apparatus the advantage with corners.
• Place aerials in rescue locations and be in reach with a high setup.
• Safety: PPE and radios.
• High Riser kit dropped and setup.
• Locate inside and create a plenum.
• Make entry from the stairwell.

2rd Truck Set up location in attack

• Apparatus placement: Easy set up from the high level.
• The safety is PPE equipment with phones setup.
• The fans and keys and set up is extra.
• The task and location is to create the backup crew and plenum as needed.

Third set for high-rise operation Safety:

• Locate RTA placement and PPE for a full setup location.
• Setup base crew with full knowledge of the area and access locations and stairs.

Fourth set for high-rise operation Safety:

• Set up fire protection area with the high locations and stairs.
• The communication is set with full PPE and safety radios.
• To support the high-rise crew operations fully.

5th On Fire Watch Team Safely check.

• PPE to clear the building high rise locations.
• The fans will be placed.
• Help team support the floor and set up plenum after the fire attack.

Sixth position Safety:

• Set the PPE and high rise kits. To give back and prepare for teams ready with attack and safety.

Heavy Rescue RIT set up.

HEAVY Resuce Two:

• 2and RIT safely
• With the tools on site.

High Rise Set list by RIT

High rise list for both

• Safety items and all.

High Rise Kit List:

• bags
• Notepads
• clipboards
• assorted markers
• The vest and inserts.
• box and markers
• Phone
• Ics
• All the items on the list.

Tools for Engines:

• all the safety items.

2nd team list is all the same as well:

• Spare SCBA (one per person)
• Door wedge/rubber strap assortment
• High-rise hose pack (one per FF)
• Lumber crayons, grease pens, or permanent markers
• Dog bone Knox cap remover.

Glosarry:

• all items listed and know.

This lesson covers multi-agency task force dispatch levels in high-rise incidents. It also covers responses related to public safety, ambulances and fire at high-rise buildings. It also covers the roles of different officers.