Structure Fires: Standard Operating Guidelines 406

• Standard Operating Guidelines (SOG) 406 applies to structure fires.
• SOG 406 was created in April 1986, and revised in January 2023.

Purpose

• To standardize operations at structure fires.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

• All personnel entering the hot zone must wear full PPE at all times.
• Pump or aerial operators working outside the involved structure within the hot zone may optionally wear:
  • Gloves
  • SCBA (Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus)
  • Face-piece

Command

• Command must be established by the first-arriving apparatus.
• The initial report with the following information must be transmitted per SOG 403 (Incident Command):
  • Unit identification on-scene
  • Building description (occupancy, size, construction)
  • Obvious conditions and initial tactics
  • Fire Classification (W1, W3, etc.)
  • Radio designation – “Command"
  • Hydrant Location
• It must be determined if the intensity or size of the fire requires a defensive attack (initially or permanently) and this information must be transmitted over the radio.
• All apparatus arriving at a structure fire in a complex (apartment, business) must announce “on scene in the complex” for the benefit of other responding units.
• The Incident Commander (IC) can contact FRCC (Fire Rescue Communications Center) by radio and instruct them to contact JEA (Jacksonville Electric Authority) to increase water pressure to the area if needed.

Engine Company Assignments

• First-Arriving Engine:
  • Must proceed to the dispatched location to assess the extent of involvement.
  • Must identify hydrant location or the need for a tanker shuttle and transmit this information over the radio.
  • Should secure a water supply if conditions warrant (lay out, provide direction for a tanker shuttle, etc.).
  • Should position the engine with hose deployment, fire intensity, overhead wires, location of fire, and ladder company access in mind.
• Second-Arriving Engine:
  • Should approach the scene only as far as the closest hydrant and confirm that the hydrant is operational and the flow is sufficient, then immediately report this to Command.
  • In areas without hydrants, must identify a static water source and prepare for a drafting operation with the TurboDraft eductor or by normal drafting methods.
• Third-Arriving Engine:
  • Should approach the scene only as far as the next closest hydrant and confirm that the hydrant is operational and the flow is sufficient, then immediately report this to Command.
  • In areas without hydrants, must identify a static water source and prepare for a drafting operation with the TurboDraft eductor or by normal drafting methods.
• For structure fires within complexes that utilize private hydrants, the third arriving engine stages at a municipal hydrant outside the complex.

Hydrant Connection Options

• Single 5” hose is used when an engine/squad is instructed to "lay out” from a hydrant.

Options to increase water supply from the hydrant to attack engine

• 6” Soft Hose hook-up is preferred when maximum volume is needed but hard suction hose is impractical; a 6" soft-sleeve hose connected to a Ball Intake Valve (BIV) will permit water flow in excess of 2000 GPM if the water main is sufficient.
• Full hydrant connection uses 2 sections of 5” hose (or one 6" and one 5”); the first hose is connected to the steamer and the second hose is connected to the 2 ½” discharge using a Storz to 2 ½" adapter.
• 6” Hard suction hook-up will provide the most volume from a hydrant, however, the engine must be within 10’ of the hydrant and a minimum of two personnel (three preferred) must be available.
• The IC has to be clear about which connection is needed and which hydrant connection is being requested over the radio.
• When standing-by at hydrants, companies must ensure an adequate water supply by removing the steamer cap (or 2½” if there is no steamer) and opening the hydrant prior to attaching a supply hose; If the hydrant is operational and the flow is sufficient, this should be immediately reported to Command.

Ladder Company Assignments

• First-Arriving Ladder:
  • Must proceed to an advantageous location near the affected area of the involved address.
  • Must position the ladder with aerial placement, intended use, expected progression of the fire, width needed for jack deployment, and overhead wires in mind.
• Second-Arriving Ladder:
  • Should stage uncommitted and await instructions from Command. Anticipate and prepare to be assigned RIT (Rapid Intervention Team) duties.

Squad Company Assignments

• Squads are defined as an engine in their 1st, 2nd, and 3rd due territories and should perform the engine assignments.
• On all other assignments, their main duty is to establish a Rapid Intervention Team (RIT) per SOG 408.
• All structure fires require at least one Squad assigned as RIT.

Rescue Company Assignments

• First-arriving rescue:
  • Will place their apparatus in a location that will provide unobstructed egress for patient transport without impeding placement or operations of suppression companies.
  • Prepare to assist with fire suppression tasks.
  • The OIC (Officer in Charge) must notify command immediately if rescue becomes blocked by supply hose, apparatus, or any other reason for not being able to quickly egress the scene.
  • Will identify a rehab area and transmit that location to Command.
• Second-arriving rescue:
  • Will stage in an advantageous location and await instructions from Command.

Tanker Assignments

• First-Arriving Tanker:
  • Will stage uncommitted and prepare to deploy the basin for a tanker shuttle while awaiting instructions from Command.
• Second-Arriving Tanker:
  • Will stage uncommitted and await instructions from Command.
• Third-Arriving Tanker:
  • Will stage uncommitted and await instructions from Command.

Returning Tankers to Service

• Tankers can be returned to service prior to arrival if:
  • There is a confirmed, working fire hydrant within 1000 feet of the involved structure.
  • The fire is extinguished prior to the arrival of tankers.
  • There is no fire present.
• When a tanker shuttle is implemented, the tankers can return to service when the shuttle is complete, and the fire is extinguished.

Chief Assignments

• First-Arriving Suppression Chief:
  • Will assume Command.
  • Will be guided by the Command Responsibilities outlined in SOG 403 (Incident Command) as the IC (Incident Commander).
  • Will establish RIT (Rapid Intervention Team) per SOG 408.
• Second-Arriving Suppression Chief:
  • Will counsel with the IC.
  • Will assume the position of Incident Safety Officer per SOG 442 unless directed otherwise by Command (Incident Safety Officer).
• Additional Suppression Chief:
  • Will counsel with the IC.
  • May be assigned control of a geographic or task oriented sector by the IC and will assist the IC with any necessary incident control activities.
• Other Arriving Chiefs and Special Personnel will report directly to the IC.

Control of the Incident

• The Company Officer of the first-arriving unit must decide on the appropriate commitment for their company:
  • Nothing showing.
  • Fast attack.
  • Command.

Nothing showing

• This typically requires investigation by the first-arriving unit.
• The Company Officer can check the situation while utilizing a portable radio to continue Command and will direct incoming units to staging.

Fast Attack

• These situations require immediate action to stabilize the situation.
• When Fast Attack is required, the Company Officer will use a portable radio to allow involvement without neglecting Command responsibilities and will provide any necessary direction to incoming companies before committing.
• This mode must be brief, lasting only a few minutes.
• The Company Officer of that (next arriving) unit will immediately assume Command from the first-arriving unit if the first-arriving unit is still in Fast Attack mode upon the arrival of the next unit.

Command

• These situations require a strong, direct overall Command from the outset due to their size or complexity.
• The Company Officer will initially establish a Command position and maintain that position until relieved by a higher-ranking officer, and will then commit their company and other arriving units to gain the greatest tactical advantage.

Benchmarks

• Command must be kept informed as the incident is stabilized and the following must be completed and reported via radio:
  • Primary Search Complete: Completion of the Primary Search, announced by the radio call “All Clear on Primary Search”.
  • Situation Under Control: When crews have brought the incident under control, (i.e., forward progression of a fire is stopped), announced by the radio call “Situation Under Control” or “Signal 77”.
  • Secondary Search Complete: Completion of the Secondary Search, announced by the radio call “All Clear on Secondary Search”.
  • W4: When crews have brought the incident under control, (i.e., forward progression of a fire is stopped), and before overhaul begins, this to be announced by the radio call “W4” (if fresh crews are needed) or “W4 for units on scene" (if fresh crews are available on scene).

Search and Rescue

• Primary Search:
  • Must be conducted in all involved and exposed occupancies that can be entered.
  • Companies assigned to the primary search should quickly search all affected areas and verify the removal of, or safety of all occupants.
  • Fireground operations must be structured around the completion of the primary search.
  • The incident is considered to be in a rescue mode unitl an "All Clear" is Given.
  • Completion of the Primary Search will be relayed via radio to IC (Incident Commander).
• Secondary Search:
  • Is done following initial fire control operations, to absolutely confirm the presence or absence of victims.
  • Is done by companies that were not involved in the Primary Search.
  • Completion of the Secondary Search will be relayed via radio to the IC.

Fire Control

• A critical Command decision (both initial and ongoing) relates to the offensive/defensive strategies of the situation.

Offensive Strategy (Interior Attack)

• An aggressive, properly performed interior fire attack increases the chances of saving lives and property; this attack is directed at quickly bringing the fire under control.
• Personnel operating in hazardous areas have to operate in teams of two or more AND must be in communication by any means.
• If a JFRD (Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department) engine or ladder responds to a structure fire with less than three firefighters on board, the Company Officer must notify FRCC (Fire Rescue Communications Center): FRCC will dispatch an extra apparatus in addition to the regular response.
• Personnel must consider carefully the risks involved in taking actions in imminent, life-threatening situations that could prevent serious injury or loss of life when having to consider entering a structure without four firefighters on-scene. Incoming companies must be notified so that immediate back up will be provided upon their arrival.
• Offensive Strategy should be abandoned when:
  • The extent of the fire prohibits effective suppression.
  • The structure becomes unsafe.

Defensive Strategy (Exterior Attack)

• Directed at protecting exposures, stopping the forward progress of the fire, and bringing the fire under control.

Radio Designation

• If the incident does not exceed more than one operational period (normally 12 hours), personnel referring to sectors in radio communications should use the Group Officers’ normal unit designations.
• For example, if Fire-7 is assigned as the Lobby Control Group Officer, they will still be referred to as Fire-7, not Lobby Control Group.

Evacuation

• The IC’s responsibility to provide for life safety and to continually determine if the involved building is tenable for interior operations.
• A structured method of evacuation must be utilized to protect personnel working on-scene and both of the following signals evacuation orders:
  • A order given over the radio (Evacuate!).
  • Repetitive blasts of the apparatus air horns.
• Company Officers must assemble their crews and promptly exit to a safe location upon hearing these signals and The Company Officer will account for all crew members and then be prepared for a Roll Call.
• The evacuation process is complete when all affected crews and crew members are accounted for.
• A more specific determination as to the reality and extent of the hazard can be made at this time and efforts initiated to re-deploy or redirect the attack forces.
• Evacuation involves a shift from an Offensive to a Defensive Strategy and it is extremely important that everyone get the word that a strategic shift has been made prior to the application of water by heavy appliances or aerial streams.

Subdividing Incidents

• Divisions may be established to oversee a geographic area of an incident and common geographic divisions are:
  • Direction or side of structure (see reference in Appendix A).
  • Area within or on structure (Roof Division, Interior Division, etc.).
  • Street (Main St. Division, Bay St. Division, etc.).
• Groups may be established to oversee specific tasks within the operation.
• Specific task-oriented groups are more likely to be established at large incidents:
  • Search and Rescue Group:
    • Determines areas to search.
    • Coordinates Primary and Secondary Searches.
    • Advises the IC of their ability to bring any victims out, or if additional personnel will be needed.
  • Attack Group:
    • Determines location and extent of fire and areas of extension.
    • Selects appropriate attack lines (1¾”, 2½”, etc.).
    • Deploys attack lines to necessary locations.
    • Calls for additional lines, if needed.
  • Water Supply Group:
    • Locates and evaluates water sources.
    • Ensures that pumpers are operating and being operated properly.
    • Organizes tanker shuttle evolutions.
  • Ventilation Group:
    • Locates and evaluates existing exterior openings (doors, windows, skylights, etc.) and determines the need to create new openings.
    • Determines the type of ventilation (vertical/horizontal, natural/mechanical, etc.).
  • Air Supply Group:
    • Ensures adequate air supply for working personnel.
    • Fills empty air bottles.
    • Distributes full bottles to necessary areas.
    • Requests additional air units and compressors if needed.

Post Fire Gross Decon

• Post-Fire Gross Decon is performed per SOG 450.
• The Rescue District/Battalion Chief on scene will ensure that Post-Fire Decon is performed prior to members reporting to rehab.

W4 Signal

• The W4 Signal is a policy created to both diminish exposure to carcinogens and products of combustion during overhaul operations, and to better facilitate on-scene health and safety:
  • Command will ensure that the W4 signal is transmitted.
  • Mandatory SCBA and PPE usage will be required for members participating in overhaul operations.
  • The minimum apparatus assigned to the W4 Signal will be one additional engine, ladder, rescue, Rehab 5 and Air 5.
  • The IC has the ability to amend the apparatus dispatched to the W4 Signal by notifying FRCC.
  • The Rescue District/Battalion Chief will manage incident rehab and ensure all required documentation is completed and delivered to HQ.
• The W4 Signal will be automatic in the following cases:
  • Primary units exceed one bottle of air prior to a Signal 77 being announced.
  • Primary units exceeding 40 minutes of strenuous activity prior to a Signal 77 being announced.
  • All 2nd alarms or greater.

Disposition Code Delta

• All units contaminated with products of combustion will immediately return to quarters to thoroughly decontaminate all crew members PPE (clean gear, wash mask, clean/refill SCBA, etc.) and shower when released by Command.
• Units who are returning to quarters to shower will use the disposition code “Delta” and will not check back "Available” on the radio to indicate to FRCC that you are available from the structure fire and out of service.
• This only applies to units assigned to structure fires and identified by Command as returning to quarters to shower, all other units will continue to check back using the appropriate disposition.
• Units who check back “Delta” will be automatically placed out of service for forty-five minutes, after which the unit will be automatically placed back into service by the CAD.
• This does not prevent the company officer from going back into service if the crew completes the decontamination shower before the forty-five minute period has expired.
• As always, the company officer has the flexibility to pick-up another call (i.e. cardiac red, extrication, structure fire, etc.) while checked out on the disposition code “Delta".