Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the primary purpose of fire alarm and communications systems in the Lobby Sector?
What is the primary purpose of fire alarm and communications systems in the Lobby Sector?
Why is the use of Fire Phone Systems recommended?
Why is the use of Fire Phone Systems recommended?
How will Command maintain accountability of personnel throughout the operation?
How will Command maintain accountability of personnel throughout the operation?
What signals the immediate evacuation of the building and collapse zone?
What signals the immediate evacuation of the building and collapse zone?
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What is the purpose of the 'par' count provided by personnel to their apparatus officer or leader?
What is the purpose of the 'par' count provided by personnel to their apparatus officer or leader?
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What is the role of the appointed officer in maintaining accountability?
What is the role of the appointed officer in maintaining accountability?
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What is the primary concern of the first arriving unit at a high-rise fire situation?
What is the primary concern of the first arriving unit at a high-rise fire situation?
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What should be established early in a high-rise fire situation?
What should be established early in a high-rise fire situation?
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What is the primary purpose of assigning a company to check the floor above the fire floor?
What is the primary purpose of assigning a company to check the floor above the fire floor?
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Why is it important to pump all standpipe inlets?
Why is it important to pump all standpipe inlets?
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What is the primary responsibility of the officer/team leader leading the attack?
What is the primary responsibility of the officer/team leader leading the attack?
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What should be considered when sizing up the fire floor and the floor above?
What should be considered when sizing up the fire floor and the floor above?
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Why should the Attack Sector stop 2 floors below the fire floor when using an elevator?
Why should the Attack Sector stop 2 floors below the fire floor when using an elevator?
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What is the primary purpose of establishing a Lobby Sector?
What is the primary purpose of establishing a Lobby Sector?
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What should be included in the Attack Sector's equipment?
What should be included in the Attack Sector's equipment?
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Why is it important to establish accountability early?
Why is it important to establish accountability early?
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What is the primary concern for command during a fire in a high-rise structure?
What is the primary concern for command during a fire in a high-rise structure?
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What is the main reason why high-rise fires are more complicated than low-rise fires?
What is the main reason why high-rise fires are more complicated than low-rise fires?
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What is the definition of a high-rise building according to NFPA?
What is the definition of a high-rise building according to NFPA?
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What is the primary responsibility of St.Johns County Fire Rescue during a fire emergency?
What is the primary responsibility of St.Johns County Fire Rescue during a fire emergency?
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What should command consider upon arrival at a high-rise fire scene?
What should command consider upon arrival at a high-rise fire scene?
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What is the purpose of the strategic plan during a high-rise fire?
What is the purpose of the strategic plan during a high-rise fire?
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What is the primary concern for firefighters during a high-rise fire?
What is the primary concern for firefighters during a high-rise fire?
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What is the role of command in a high-rise fire?
What is the role of command in a high-rise fire?
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When occupants need to be evacuated in a high-rise fire situation, how many floors below the fire floor should they be moved to?
When occupants need to be evacuated in a high-rise fire situation, how many floors below the fire floor should they be moved to?
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What equipment is considered essential to take to the Resource Area?
What equipment is considered essential to take to the Resource Area?
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What is the purpose of the Rehabilitation Sector?
What is the purpose of the Rehabilitation Sector?
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Who is responsible for elevator and stairway access in the Lobby Sector?
Who is responsible for elevator and stairway access in the Lobby Sector?
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What is the purpose of the Stairwell Sector?
What is the purpose of the Stairwell Sector?
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Why is it important to keep at least one stairwell clear in a high-rise fire situation?
Why is it important to keep at least one stairwell clear in a high-rise fire situation?
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What is the purpose of the Ventilation Sector?
What is the purpose of the Ventilation Sector?
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Who should be located as soon as possible in a high-rise fire situation?
Who should be located as soon as possible in a high-rise fire situation?
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What is the purpose of appointing an Evacuation Officer/Sector?
What is the purpose of appointing an Evacuation Officer/Sector?
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Why should the air handling system be shut down in a high-rise fire situation?
Why should the air handling system be shut down in a high-rise fire situation?
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Study Notes
High-Rise Fire SOG (Standard Operating Guidelines)
Pre-Incident Planning
- Obtain building information:
- Floor plans
- Occupancy types
- Hazardous materials
- Fire safety features (e.g. sprinklers, alarms)
- Identify potential risks and challenges
- Develop a pre-incident plan with strategies for different scenarios
Response and Deployment
- Initial response: 2-3 engine companies, 1-2 truck companies, 1 battalion chief
- Additional resources: HazMat team, rescue unit, medical unit
- Staging area: Designate a safe area for responding units to stage and deploy from
Elevator Use
- Use elevators for initial response only if:
- They are fire service elevators
- They have been inspected and cleared for use
- They are not affected by fire or smoke
- Otherwise, use stairs for response and evacuation
Communication
- Designate a communication leader to coordinate radio traffic
- Use a common communication channel for all units
- Establish a command post for incident command and coordination
Fire Attack and Suppression
- Use a coordinated attack strategy:
- Identify the fire location and extent
- Determine the best attack route
- Assign units to attack and support roles
- Consider using a "bucket brigade" for high-rise fires
- Use fire-resistant hoses and equipment
Search and Rescue
- Search and rescue operations:
- Start from the top floor and work down
- Use a systematic search pattern
- Use a rescue team to assist with evacuation
- Prioritize evacuation of occupants with disabilities
Ventilation and Access
- Ventilation strategies:
- Natural ventilation (e.g. opening windows)
- Mechanical ventilation (e.g. fans)
- Smoke removal techniques
- Access strategies:
- Use stairwells and corridors for access
- Consider using aerial devices or exterior stairs
Medical and Support Operations
- Medical operations:
- Provide medical support for occupants and responders
- Set up a medical staging area
- Support operations:
- Provide food, water, and rest for responders
- Set up a rehabilitation sector for responders
Pre-Incident Planning
- Obtain building information, including floor plans, occupancy types, hazardous materials, and fire safety features
- Identify potential risks and challenges in the building
- Develop a pre-incident plan with strategies for different scenarios
Response and Deployment
- Initial response includes 2-3 engine companies, 1-2 truck companies, and 1 battalion chief
- Additional resources may include HazMat team, rescue unit, and medical unit
- Designate a safe staging area for responding units to stage and deploy from
Elevator Use
- Use fire service elevators for initial response if they are inspected and cleared for use, and not affected by fire or smoke
- Otherwise, use stairs for response and evacuation
Communication
- Designate a communication leader to coordinate radio traffic
- Use a common communication channel for all units
- Establish a command post for incident command and coordination
Fire Attack and Suppression
- Use a coordinated attack strategy, identifying the fire location and extent, and determining the best attack route
- Assign units to attack and support roles
- Consider using a "bucket brigade" for high-rise fires
- Use fire-resistant hoses and equipment
Search and Rescue
- Start search and rescue operations from the top floor and work down
- Use a systematic search pattern
- Use a rescue team to assist with evacuation
- Prioritize evacuation of occupants with disabilities
Ventilation and Access
- Use natural ventilation strategies, such as opening windows
- Use mechanical ventilation, such as fans
- Use smoke removal techniques
- Use stairwells and corridors for access
- Consider using aerial devices or exterior stairs for access
Medical and Support Operations
- Provide medical support for occupants and responders
- Set up a medical staging area
- Provide food, water, and rest for responders
- Set up a rehabilitation sector for responders
High-Rise Firefighting Operations
- High-rise fires present unique challenges due to difficulties in access, complexities of construction, and the large number of occupants in these structures.
Definitions and Scope
- High-rise buildings are multi-story, fire-resistive construction buildings with internal fire protection systems (e.g., standpipes, fire pumps, sprinklers).
- St. Johns County Fire Rescue is responsible for responding to and extinguishing fire emergencies in high-rise structures within the county.
Strategic Planning
- Life safety aspects of a fire in a high-rise structure are the primary concern for command.
- Command must evaluate conditions in each area of the structure and determine the need for evacuation.
- Command must direct the decision to remove occupants, when necessary, and coordinate with the overall fire control strategy.
Establishment of Command
- The first arriving unit establishes command and directs incoming apparatus.
- Command assumes responsibility for the incident according to the Department's IMS policy.
Command Priorities
- Provide an early water supply for the attack by assigning pump operators and pumpers or additional engine companies to provide water to standpipes.
- Assign a company to check the floor above the fire floor to report on conditions above the fire.
- Establish a Lobby Sector to control the lobby area, elevators, alarm systems, and stairways.
Initial Attack
- Establish Ventilation Sector to provide positive pressure ventilation of the attack stairwell.
- The Attack Sector should take specific equipment with them two floors below the fire floor, including SCBA, irons, flashlights, portable radio, high-rise pack, and attic ladder.
Resource Sector
- Establish a Resource Sector two floors below the fire floor to supply personnel, equipment, and tools to the fire floor.
- The Resource Sector should have equipment such as 150' of 2.5" hose, smooth bore nozzle, 100' of 1.5" hose, fog nozzle, extra SCBA bottles, pike poles/plaster hooks, salvage covers, and flashlights.
Rehabilitation Sector
- Establish a Rehabilitation Sector one floor below the Resource Area to provide rehab for personnel.
- Personnel assigned to the Rehabilitation Sector should take appropriate rehab equipment with them.
Staging and Accountability
- All first due units answering the initial alarm should proceed to the building and be directed to appropriate positioning by the first arriving apparatus and/or responding Battalion Chief(s).
- Additional units dispatched should Level I stage unless otherwise directed by Command.
- Accountability will be maintained at all times, and personnel will not proceed to the various sectors without first supplying an accountability tag to the appointed officer.
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Description
This quiz covers the standard operating guidelines for high-rise fire response, including pre-incident planning, response and deployment strategies, and resource allocation. It's essential for firefighters and emergency responders to ensure effective response and safety.
