Structure Fire Incident Response

Introduction

• This instruction outlines policy and procedures for personnel responding to and operating at working structure fire incidents.
• This instruction applies to all personnel who perform tasks in the operational area of a structure fire.
• The Chief Deputy of Emergency Operations, via the deputy fire chiefs of Emergency Operations, is responsible for the content, revision, and review.
• See Appendix I for Definitions.
• See Appendix II for Underwriters Lab (UL) studies.
• See Appendix III for Operational Modes of Attack.

Responsibility of First Arriving Company Officer

• Performing an initial size-up
• Sending the size-up radio report to the Los Angeles Communications Center (LACC).
• Creating an incident action plan (IAP) to determine the initial operational mode.
• Determining operational mode for initial actions
• Initiate actions consistent with operational mode, incident priorities, and tactical operations.
• Establish appropriate water supply for initial actions.
• Establish the Incident Command System (ICS).

Responsibility of the Incident Commander (IC)

• Responsible for incident management
• Determining and/or confirming the operational mode and communicating it over the incident command and tactical channels
• Setting incident objectives
• Communicating the current operational mode and providing status reports to LACC via the Administrative Channel
• Establishing an incident command post (ICP) with ICP support if required
• Ensuring a standby crew/rapid intervention crew (RIC) is in place for interior fire attack operations.

Responsibility of the Incident Safety Officer

• Identifying and evaluating hazards, based on the current operational mode, and advising the IC on personnel safety.
• Alternating, suspending, or terminating any unsafe activity based on the current operational mode.
• Investigating accidents and near misses involving Department personnel

Responsibility of the Company Officers

• Reporting automatic holding position on appropriate command channel
• Fulfilling the appropriate ICS role, such as IC, operations section chief, division/group supervisor, staging manager, etc.
• Make sure all assigned resources are using proper communications
• Being aware of operational mode at all times and completing tasks consistent with the incident objectives
• Ensuring that a thermal imaging camera or equivalent equipment, is used to search for victims and identify temperature differences
• Providing adequate water to support incident needs.
• Maintaining company unity
• Delivering safety briefings
• Giving status reports to division/group supervisor, operations section chief, or the IC
• Releasing the assigned communications plan when not needed.

Responsibility of the Chief Officers

• Operating as IC, operations section chief, branch director, division/group supervisor, incident safety officer, or agency representative.
• Ensuring the communications plan is appropriate for the incident
• Monitoring radio traffic and providing direction via radio while en-route, as needed.

Responsibility of the LACC

• Maintain radio communications with the IC and ensure all requests for resources and information are addressed.
• Assigning extra radio channels as directed by the IC or Department policy.
• Starting an incident timer upon the arrival of the first resource at structure fires.
• Announcements are made every ten minutes about time elapsed until personnel are no longer in environments immediately dangerous to life or health (IDLH).

Policy Regarding Structure Fires

• The incident priorities:
  • Protection of life
  • Incident stabilization through fire control
  • Property/environment protection and conservation
• Operational modes: The IC identifies and communicates the proper operational mode through the analysis of information from the size-up and 360 building assessment processes.
• The operational modes include,
  • Investigation mode
  • Offensive Mode
  • Transitional fire attack
  • Interior fire attack
  • Defensive mode
• Command should adhere to the National Interagency Management System – ICS Operational System Description Policy (Volume 10, Chapter 1, Subject 2) and the FIRESCOPE California Field Operations Guide Policy (Volume 10, Chapter 1, Subject 3).

General Emergency Procedures

• Incident Command Instructions - Volume 10, Chapter 1, Subject 1
• Emergency Incident Policies - Volume 10, Chapter 2, Subject 1
• Response to Alarms - Volume 10, Chapter 2, Subject 2
• Code “N” - Volume 10, Chapter 2, Subject 3
• Fire Investigation Request - Volume 10, Chapter 2, Subject 4
• Mobile Air and Light Unit Placement - Volume 10, Chapter 2, Subject 7
• Helicopter Drops on Structure Fires - Volume 10, Chapter 2, Subject 13
• Rehabilitation/Medical Treatment Procedures - Volume 10, Chapter 2, Subject 16
• Emergency "Class A” Foam Resupply, Storage and Use - Volume 10, Chapter 2, Subject 22
• Facade Buildings - Volume 10, Chapter 2, Subject 23
• Structural Fire Watch - Volume 10, Chapter 2, Subject 24
• Occupant Support - Volume 10, Chapter 2, Subject 27

Safety

• Personnel operating at structure fires must follow Department policies and procedures.
• Emergency Incident Safety Instructions - Volume 10, Chapter 3, Subject 1
• Operational Retreat - Volume 10, Chapter 3, Subject 2
• Personnel Accountability - Volume 10, Chapter 3, Subject 3
• Two-in, Two-out, Rapid Intervention Crews - Volume 10, Chapter 3, Subject 4
• Firefighter Emergency - Volume 10, Chapter 3, Subject 5
• Electrical Incident Operations - Volume 10, Chapter 3, Subject 6
• SCBA Air Management - Volume 10, Chapter 3, Subject 7
• Elevator Use:
• Elevators should not be utilized for initial investigation and/or fire attack.
• Elevators should not be used for logistics transport until deemed safe by the IC.
• The IC is responsible for the use of elevators.

Resource Use

• Standard response complies with Response to Alarms and Emergency Incident Policies.
  • Response to Alarms - Volume 10, Chapter 2, Subject 2
  • Emergency Incident Policies - Volume 10, Chapter 2, Subject 1
• Request for additional alarms includes staging/base location(s), the staging manager, and route of travel.

Procedure of Assessing Fire Growth

• Upon arrival, the first officer/IC evaluates conditions and gives the initial radio size-up report to LACC.
• When evaluating fire location and extent within the building, locate from the exterior before entering.

Components of Structure Fire Size-Up Report

• Location of fire by address.
• Products of combustion (e.g., fire, light/heavy smoke, nothing showing, etc.).
• Numerical floor height and type of occupancy (e.g., one-story, single family dwelling).
• Special instructions (e.g., exposures, location of fire within stated structure).

360 Building Assessment Guidelines

• Responsible by the first arriving officer/IC
• Identify known or potential rescue problems
• Identify active and potential flow path of fire and fire gasses
• Identify the location and extent of fire
• Determine the size, age, and construction type of the building
• Assess structural stability
• Identify other hazards (i.e., electrical, exposures, and access)

Follow-Up Report Requirement

• Based on the size-up and 360 assessment, the officer assuming command will provide a follow-up report to LACC.
• This is done with Incident Command Instructions (Volume 10, Chapter 1, Subject 1) and this policy.
• Identify the incident with a one or two syllable geographic name
• Identify the ICP location
• Provide other pertinent information, such as the general situation and additional resources
• Announce operational mode
• Provide check-in locations and travel routes
• If needed, confirm the communication plan.
• Transmit incident name and operational mode, including special hazard instructions, on command and tactical channels.
• Control ventilation and flow paths to protect occupants and limit growth. Consider closing doors/windows.

Water Supply

• Ensure appropriate water supply for fire flow, the first arriving engine/quint shall establish a secure water source.
• Locate fire and flow path to determine high heat conditions for effective space cooling, applying water to superheated space. Exterior hose stream is best.
• The IC must continually assess fire, changing operational mode as needed, and announcing changes over command/tactical channels.

Tactical Action Considerations

• Once thermal threats are controlled, the fire should be extinguished employing multiple lines for larger or multi-story structures. The IC ensures the RIC is in place for interior fire attack.
• Always consider the potential for rescue.
• Ensure victim survivability is assessed before initiating search and rescue.
• Prioritize fire suppression to improve survivability.
• Maximize rescue time by preventing fire growth.
• Use the thermal imager during primary search and rescue.
• When assigned exposures, develop a protection plan,
• Assess all sides of the structure.
• Assess structural integrity for hand lines and master stream operations.
• Assess threats to surrounding structures.
• Coordinate operations with fire attack and ventilation.
• Request resources and secure water.

Ventilation Coordination

• Personnel are to control and manage structure openings to limit oxygen, while removing smoke, heat, and steam.
• Coordination is critical with suppression and search/rescue for fire control, extinguishment, and to optimize the space for victims. Uncontrolled ventilation can rapidly increase the fire.
• Determine type of ventilation for strategic objectives.
• Address fire attack needs using face-to-face or radio communication.
• Units assigned to fire attack must coordinate all ventilation operations.
  • Do not do ventilation if interior suppression crews, the supervisor, or the IC cannnot communicate!
• Select and implement coordinated techniques improving conditions to limit fire growth, and communicate with interior units.
• Continually assess ventilation through observation and information from division/group supervisors.
• Roof operations may be discontinued if:
  • Fire is extending through the roof and vertical ventilation is compromised.
  • The IC or company officer determines risk outweighs the benefit.
  • The IC determines that the incident is in a defensive mode.
• Provide status reports to the IC.
• Utilities such as electrical, gas, and water impede suppression/rescue. Shut them off and request utility representatives.

Salvage Operations

• Salvage includes building/content protection from unnecessary damage from water, smoke, heat, and other elements.
• Salvage is a concern during all phases of the incident as well as controlling fire spread/smoke. Overhaul involves searching for any fire remnants.
• Overhaul involves verifying the structure is safe
• It includes investigation determining cause and evidence of arson.
• The IC is responsible for occupant support functions and resources following the Occupant Support Policy (Volume 10, Chapter 2, Subject 27).

Resource Allocation

• Effective use is required to address priorities by the IC allocating resources for:
  • Investigating potential risks on the fire ground.
  • Establishing the ICS.
  • Rescue/fire attack/property conservation.
  • Establishing standby crew/RIC.
  • Ensuring appropriate water supply to support fire flow.
  • Coordinated ventilation.
  • Securing utilities.
  • Supporting fixed fire protection systems.
  • Salvage operations.
  • ICP support.

Guidelines for Resources During Deployment

• Resources responding to a structure fire shall observe guidelines for fire assessment/growth limitations. Resources following the first alarm also has responsibilities:
  • Company (engine, quint, or light force) must: position vehicle to leave room for first quint/truck, transmit a size-up radio report, and, if needed, pass command to an officer.
  • For search and rescue, the company officer uses a thermal imager or equipment while completing steps.
• Quints arriving at structure fires use apparatus water/pumping to charge hoselines for limiting growth until relieved and ensure water supply.
• Secure a primary water source, and consider a second supply line with a commercial structure, large fire, or exposure problems.
  • Second-arriving companies announce holding.
• Assuming command communicates assignments to a supervisor and requests resources, if needed.
• The company must ensure the water supply has been established as well as actions of assessing fire growth.
• Additional companies perform automatic holding, announcing water supply.
• First-arriving squad performs automatic holding, assessing growth, and finding a spot for rehab.

Chief Officer Responisbilities

• Arriving chief officers ensure tasks for assessing fire/limiting growth are performed, tactics of opporutnity are executed, thermal equipment is used, water supply is secured, and develops the IAP.
• Assignment positions are based on the size/need of fire.
• Available positions:
  • Operations section chief
  • Division/group supervisor
  • Incident safety officer
• Initial IC/battalion chief becomes deputy IC and command is transferred to next chief.
• The IC role can be passed off based on complexity of the incident.

Appendix I: Definitions

• 360 Building Assessment: Identifying potential/known rescue problems, flow paths, extent of fire, size/age/construction of the building, structural stability, and other possible hazards.
• Coordinated Attack: Effective communication between officers on the fire ground in the operational mode.
• Defensive Mode: Fire conditions prevent interior attack, and attack lines operate outside the collapse zone.
• Door Control: Controlling/closing doors providing access to the fire area as much as possible after the team enters. Door control limits flow paths/fire development.
• Fire Confinement: Actions holding fire to given area, preventing fire spread.
• Fire Extinguishment: Extinguishing fire following confinement by eliminating fire triangle elements.
• Fire Flow: Rate of water flow to control a fire.
• Flashover: Near-simultaneous ignition of combustible material due to thermal radiation.

Appendix I: Definitions Continued

• Flow Path: Movement of heat/fire gasses from higher pressure areas towards lower pressure areas such as doors/windows/roofs. This increased flow places people at greater risk.
• Flow Path Control: Controlling/closing ventilation points to limit oxygen, heat release, and smoke.
• Fuel Limited Fire: Fire that is limited by fuel because oxygen is adequate.
• Fully Developed Stage: A fire stage when heat release peaks, leading to floor-to-ceiling burning and untenable conditions.
• Growth Stage: A fire stage when heat transferred from fire and products of combustion leads to heating of adjacent fuel, spreading across the ceiling.
• Heat Release Rate: The energy generated by burning a fuel/oxygen mix.
• Horizontal Ventilation: Opening/removing windows/doors that create flow paths for fire.
• Incident Commander: Highest officer on scene is responsible for commanding control/incident.
• Ignition Stage: Fire limited to localized area of fuel.
• Interior Fire Attack: Deploying personnel + charged line from exterior to the area inside of involvement, to extinguish the fire.
• Investigation Mode: Assessment/investigation of problem/severity to decide operational mode.
• Legacy Fire: Fire consisting of contents like wood/wool/cotton, having a low heat release rate.
• Modern Content Fire: Fire involving synthetic based substances, having a high heat release rate and accelerating rapidly with ventilation.
• Offensive Mode: Action to mitigate, most often interior attack.
• Pyrolysis: Material transforms into basic compound when heated, releasing flammable gas.
• Rollover: Enough fuel/heat/oxygen exists for flames to spread in the hot gas layer.
• Smoke: Combination of airborne particles emitted during combustion. Contains poisonous gases.
• Tenability: Whether units can operate within fire, based on potential impact to civilians and firefighters.
• Transitional Fire Attack: Applying water from the exterior to lower temperature before starting an interior fire attack
• Ventilation: Coordinated removal of smoke/heat from a structure to replace escaping gasses for quicker extinguishment/ limited spread.

Appendix I: Ventilation Terminology

• Ventilation Induced Flashover: Flashover due to introduction of oxygen into rich oxygen deficient area.
• Ventilation Limited Fire: Fire regulated by available oxygen inside a space.
• Ventilation Profile: Appearance of building showing heat/smoke paths, as well as air movement.
• Ventilation Tactics: Coordinated opening of ventilation points in support of interior operations.
• Vertical Ventilation: Releasing smoke/heat/stream from a buring structure by opening bulkhead doors/roofs.
• Victim Survivability Assessment: Evaluation of building and fire conditions to determine survivability to ensure search/rescue.
• Water Supply: Proper hose selection for appropriate water to support demands of the fire incident.

Appendix II: UL Studies

• The UL studies can be found on the Training Service Section’s “Reference” Intranet page: http://fireiis/TrainingServices/Reference.asp
• Includes studies of fire service tactics, structural stability, fire behavior, fire safety, fire dynamics, home fire dynamics, vertical ventilation, and suppression tactics.

Appendix III: Operational Modes of Attack

• The Incident Commander (IC) identifies the proper mode through information gathered during the size-up and 360 building assessment processes to determine:
  • Location and extent of fire
  • Fire Effect - Structural Integrity
  • Occupant Survivability
  • Can property be saved?
  • Firefighter Access
  • Can ventilation can be performed and coordinated?
  • Are there sufficient resources for intitial attack?
• Operational modes of attack based on the fire:
  • Investigation
  • Offensive
    • Transitional Fire Attack
    • Interior Fire Attack
  • Defensive
• The first arriving officer must investigate the scene by performing a size-up. It allows the company member time to identify problems, weigh risks, think clearly, and develop a plan.
• Responding companies will hold one block out until given an assignment and locate available water supplies.
• During an offensive mode, conditions allow for transitional or interior attack.
  • Transitional Fire Attack: Hose stream is applied from the exterior to cool the interior environment
  • Interior Fire Attack- Personnel advance to the area of involvement to complete fire extinguishment.
• The Incident Commander (IC) ensures enough resources, coordination and communications.
• During a defensive mode, there is a danger of imminent collapse and/or lack of resources safely sustain fire attack. It is conducted from safe distances focusing on containment.