Bridgeport Fire Department SOP 525 Structure Fire Command Procedure PDF

Bridgeport Fire Department SOP 525 Effective Date : 12/01/2017 Last Revision: 11/06/2019 Fire Chief Signature Structure Fire Command Procedure 1. 2. Purpose 1.1. To establish procedures and assign responsibilities in the event of a structure fire in all buildings, other than high-rise and stan...

Bridgeport Fire Department SOP 525 Effective Date : 12/01/2017 Last Revision: 11/06/2019 Fire Chief Signature Structure Fire Command Procedure 1. 2. Purpose 1.1. To establish procedures and assign responsibilities in the event of a structure fire in all buildings, other than high-rise and standpipe equipped buildings. This Standard Operating Procedure explains the roles and responsibilities of Fire Department personnel and ECC as they relate to command and control of structure fires. 1.2. Provide for the safety of personnel operating at emergency incidents through improved Command and Control. 1.3. The incident scene is often dynamic and intense, as the incident grows into and past first alarm requirements the Incident Commander may become overwhelmed with information management. This procedure provides the framework for the expansion of the Incident Management System to appropriately handle a fire in a structure. Applicability 2.1. 3. All Bridgeport Fire Department Members Definitions 3.1. 3.2. 3.3. 3.4. 3.5. 3.6. IC - Incident Commander Operations Chief - Implemented at large and complex incidents primarily responsible for directing tactical activities PIO - Public Information Officer ECC - Emergency Communication Center (AKA Bridgeport) Working Fire - Members in full PPE with SCBA in place, and lines stretched for the purpose of fire control and extinguishment. All Hands - All On-Scene Resources are assigned a task and working for an extended period of time. This can also be for Hazmat, Technical Rescue or any other non-fire related incident. Bridgeport Fire Department SOP 525 Effective Date : 12/01/2017 Last Revision: 11/06/2019 Fire Chief Signature Structure Fire Command Procedure 3.7. 3.8. 3.9. 4. Recall – On scene units have stabilized the incident and units are not operating in an IDLH atmospheres. Upon the transmission of “Recall” ECC may discontinue monitoring the Fireground Channel. Progress Report – Is the radio update to ECC on the progress of the incident. The update shall include location and extent of the fire, number of handlines stretched and in operation, status of searches and any additional challenges or pertinent information. TCO – Telecommunicator Operator Responsibility 4.1. Company Officer 4.1.1. Upon the arrival of the first fire company, the Officer shall give a first report sizing up the emergency scene. The size-up shall include the address, type of structure, number of stories, location/extent of the fire and any other important information (i.e. exposure issues, report of victims trapped, etc.) 4.1.2. When it is determined that there is a fire in the structure, the Company Officer shall transmit the “Working Fire”. 4.1.3. If a Company Officer determines that the incident will need all responding assets to bring the emergency under control, the Company Officer shall transmit the “All Hands”. 4.1.4. On the rare occasion the Company Officer can transmit a 2nd Alarm upon arrival if the following criteria are met: ➢ Multiple buildings on fire upon arrival ➢ There is a significant life hazard that is identified ➢ The fire is in a large-scale complex and the need for additional personnel is being anticipated (i.e. high-rise, industrial complex) Bridgeport Fire Department SOP 525 Effective Date : 12/01/2017 Last Revision: 11/06/2019 Fire Chief Signature Structure Fire Command Procedure 4.2. 1st Arriving Assistant Chief 4.2.1. Shall assume Formal Command and establish the location of the Incident Command Post (ICP). The location should be in proximity to the front of the fire building. The first to arrive Assistant Chief shall be the IC until the arrival of the On-Call Deputy Chief. Note: At large, complex or rapidly escalating incidents, if the first to arrive Assistant Chief is an Acting Assistant Chief, the second to arrive Assistant Chief shall exchange information and assume the position of the Incident Commander. The Acting Assistant Chief shall be assigned as the Interior Division. 4.2.2. Shall assume Formal Command and locate the Incident Command Post (ICP) in proximity to the front of the fire building and use their unit designation on the fireground channel. EX: “Engine 1, Battalion 1 Command calling. Progress report on fire attack.” 4.2.3. Once formal command is established, the Incident Commander shall evaluate the scene and assets committed to the operation. If all companies are working and/or expected to work the IC shall communicate to ECC the “ALL HANDS” 4.2.4. The Incident Commander shall continue to evaluate the effectiveness of the staff working on scene. If additional resources are needed, the IC shall request an additional alarm or special call specific assets. 4.2.5. Upon arrival of the Deputy Chief, the first to arrive Assistant Chief shall be designated the Operations Chief (OC). The transfer of command shall include a face-to-face exchange of the following information: ➢ ➢ ➢ Location and extent of the fire Water supply problems Persons reported trapped Bridgeport Fire Department SOP 525 Effective Date : 12/01/2017 Last Revision: 11/06/2019 Fire Chief Signature Structure Fire Command Procedure ➢ ➢ ➢ ➢ ➢ Exposure problems Identity and location of Engine Companies operating hose lines Identity and location of Ladder Companies Identity and location of the Rescue Company Identity and location of additional Chief Officers on scene 4.2.6. The transfer of command shall be announced on both Channel 1 and the assigned Fireground channel. 4.2.7. The 1st to arrive Assistant Chief shall continue to manage the tactical operations of the incident under the supervision of the IC (Deputy Chief). Both Officers shall work together for the duration of the incident from the ICP ensuring effective command and control. 4.2.8. The IC Aide shall communicate a Progress Report at the 10-minute mark of the incident and every 20-minutes thereafter. After 1-hour, progress reports will be communicated every 30-minutes until Recall of the incident has been transmitted. Additional transmissions shall be at the discretion of the IC Aide to update ECC on progress. The Progress Report shall include the radio update to ECC on the progress of the incident. The update shall include location and extent of the fire, number of handlines stretched and in operation, status of searches and any additional challenges or pertinent information. 4.3. 2nd Arriving Assistant Chief 4.3.1. Upon the arrival of the 2nd in Assistant Chief, they shall report to the ICP and confer with the IC. Upon the transmission of the “All Hands”, the 2nd to arrive AC shall report to the ICP in full PPE including SCBA prepared to take charge of a Division or Group. ➢ Until the arrival of the Deputy Chief, the 2nd to arrive Assistant Chief shall operate at the ICP in the request/management of additional fire assets and other outside agencies that are necessary to mitigate the Bridgeport Fire Department SOP 525 Effective Date : 12/01/2017 Last Revision: 11/06/2019 Fire Chief Signature Structure Fire Command Procedure incident. They shall also coordinate with ECC on Citywide coverage, relocations, and requests for mutual aid. ➢ On incidents that involve multiple floors, a large geographical area, or other complex challenges, the 2nd Assistant Chief shall be assigned as a Division or Group Supervisor. This shall allow for the incident to be divided into manageable pieces thus increasing accountability. 4.3.2 2nd Assistant Chief Operational Assignment – Interior Division ➢ During a structure fire the two most common assignments shall be the Interior Division or an Exposure Division. ➢ On incidents that involve multiple floors, a large geographical area, or other complex challenges, the 2nd Assistant Chief shall be assigned as a Division or Group Supervisor. This shall allow for the incident to be divided into manageable pieces thus increasing accountability. ➢ The assignment of Interior Division shall manage the companies operating on the fire floor and floor above. ➢ Upon the establishment of the Interior Division a radio transmission will be made communicating that this position has been established notifying companies operating on the fire floor and floor above that all communications shall go through the Interior Division. ➢ The Interior Division shall use their unit designation along with the Interior when making radio transmissions. Ex. “Battalion 1 Interior to Engine company 10” ➢ The Interior Supervisor may make brief sorties into the IDLH to obtain better situational awareness. Once this size-up is complete, he/she shall return to a location outside the IDLH: Bridgeport Fire Department SOP 525 Effective Date : 12/01/2017 Last Revision: 11/06/2019 Fire Chief Signature Structure Fire Command Procedure ❖ Floor below the fire ❖ Stairwell below the fire floor ❖ Public hallway on the fire floor Note: The location of the Interior Supervisor shall be dictated by his/her ability to maintain overall command and control over the entire assigned area. ➢ The 2nd Battalion Aide shall assist at the ICP with accountability, communication with ECC via cell phone and act as the Level 1 Staging Manager. ➢ The Interior Division (2nd Assistant Chief) shall consider the following: ❖ ❖ ❖ ❖ ❖ ❖ ❖ ❖ ❖ ❖ If necessary, remind units that fireground transmissions shall be directed through the Interior Supervisor. Monitor the progress of operating hose lines. Assess the need for additional hose lines. Monitor the progress of primary and secondary searches. Evaluate fire and smoke conditions in the Interior Division. Coordinate change in strategy and/or tactics with clear and concise communications. Assess the need for additional units and request additional resources from Command/Operations as needed. Monitor conditions of operating units and provide for relief as necessary. Provide progress reports to Command at regular intervals. Include the identity of the specific location of units operating and the assigned tasks. Maintain control of the number of units operating in the Interior Division and ensure that adequate egress for operating members is maintained (e.g. stairwells, hallways) Bridgeport Fire Department SOP 525 Effective Date : 12/01/2017 Last Revision: 11/06/2019 Fire Chief Signature Structure Fire Command Procedure 4.3.3 2nd Assistant Chief Operational Assignment – Exposure Division ➢ ➢ ➢ When the 2nd Assistant Chief is assigned to the Exposure Division they shall run the operations for the assigned exposure with the companies assigned by the Operations Chief. Upon the establishment of an Exposure Division a radio transmission shall be made communicating that this position has been established notifying companies operating in the Exposure Building that all communications shall go through the Exposure Division. The Exposure Division shall use their unit designation along with the Exposure and the appropriate building side when making radio transmissions. Ex. “Battalion 1 Exposure Bravo to Engine Company 12” ➢ The Exposure Division shall take a position in front of assigned exposure and run operations from that position reporting benchmarks and needs to the Operations Chief. 4.4. Deputy Chief 4.4.1. The Deputy Chief shall use information obtained from the incident notes, ECC, the initial IC, and personal observation to size-up the incident. The Deputy Chief shall consider the following: ➢ ➢ ➢ ➢ ➢ ➢ Evaluate apparatus placement, street management, and water supply. Evaluate and monitor progress of units, duration of the incident, burn time, and structural stability. Evaluate the life hazard and the progress of searches. Evaluate exposure problems. Ensure civilian/member injuries are properly addressed. Assess current resources and ensure enough units are in reserve to handle contingencies. Bridgeport Fire Department SOP 525 Effective Date : 12/01/2017 Last Revision: 11/06/2019 Fire Chief Signature Structure Fire Command Procedure ➢ ➢ ➢ ➢ Assess any immediate needs of operating Units/Sectors/Groups. Contact the Medical Branch and ascertain if sufficient EMS resources are on the scene. Evaluate condition of members and the need for relief and rehabilitation. Address the concerns of other agencies 4.4.2. After evaluating the scene and receiving a face to face update from the initial IC the Deputy Chief shall take over Incident Command and shall support the Assistant Chief in managing tactical operations. The Deputy Chief and Assistant Chief shall remain at the ICP to ensure effective command and control. 4.4.3. The Deputy Chief should focus on the entire incident and its impact from a broader perspective. They shall coordinate with the 2nd Battalion Aide to ensure that ECC is supported and decisions on Citywide coverage are communicated. 4.5. Emergency Communication Center 4.5.1. When a “WORKING FIRE” or “ALL HANDS” incident has been identified by the Incident Commander the Channel 1 TCO shall notify the IC of the following time benchmarks with associated progress reports that are due. The time benchmarks shall begin at the time the first arriving unit gave a report and establishes Command. ➢ ➢ ➢ ➢ 10 mins into the incident – Notify IC and request a Progress Report 30 mins into the incident – Notify IC and request a Progress Report 50 mins into the incident – Notify IC and request a Progress Report After the first hour of operation ECC shall notify the IC in 30 min intervals and request a Progress Report, until recall is transmitted. 4.5.2. Upon the transmission of the Working Fire, ECC shall make the following notifications. Bridgeport Fire Department SOP 525 Effective Date : 12/01/2017 Last Revision: 11/06/2019 Fire Chief Signature Structure Fire Command Procedure ➢ Notification and/or Response to the Incident: ❖ Deputy On-Call – Notification ❖ Code 7 – Fire Inspector On-Call – Response to the scene 4.5.3. Upon receiving a “ALL HANDS” from the IC, ECC shall initiate the following notifications. ➢ Notification and/or Response to the Incident: ❖ Deputy On-Call - Response to the scene ❖ Chief Thode (203-257-5876) ❖ Director Appleby (203-257-5981) 4.5.4. Upon receiving a “WORKING FIRE” or higher designation shall automatically notify the Police for traffic and AMR for an immediate response to the scene. Both agencies shall be instructed to send a representative to the ICP. 4.5.5. ECC shall relocate the remaining Fire Department suppression assets in accordance with SOP 521 Appendix A and coordinate with the Deputy Chief to implement the adaptive response provision from SOP 101. 4.5.6. When the available suppression assets drop below 4 Engines and 1 Ladder, ECC shall contact the ICP via cell phone or radio Channel 1 to inquire about Mutual Aid. Upon identifying the need ECC shall follow SOP 521 Appendix B. ➢ ➢ ➢ Battalion 1 cell (203) 395-8883 Battalion 2 cell (203) 395-9923 ECC Supervisor (Command Line) 4.5.7. When Mutual Aid is requested the ECC Supervisor shall contact the next available Fire Officer to ride with the Mutual Aid Companies from the Emergency Call Back list located in Firehouse Software. Bridgeport Fire Department SOP 525 Effective Date : 12/01/2017 Last Revision: 11/06/2019 Fire Chief Signature Structure Fire Command Procedure ➢ During regular working hours, an Officer from the Special Services Division shall be assigned as the ride along Officer. 4.5.8. Consult with On Call Deputy about calling back additional members to staff the Ready Reserve apparatus, open the EOC and call for provisions to assist occupants and emergency responders. ➢ ➢ 5.0. Buses for rehab, heating/cooling, Red Cross and/or any other needs. Assist with coordination of relief personnel if needed. Policy 5.1. The Bridgeport Fire Department shall implement the use of the Incident Command System upon the arrival at a structure fire. The intention of the procedure is to ensure the incident is divided into manageable pieces to increase efficient, effective, and accountable operations. 5.2. The procedure shall be used for all fires with in a structure other than Highrise/Standpipe equipped buildings. 6.0. Procedure 6.1. On Scene Operations 6.1.1. Upon the arrival at the report of a building fire with smoke or fire visible the 1st arriving Officer shall give an initial size-up, transmit the appropriate designation depending upon the extent of the fire and assume the role of Combat Command. 6.1.2. Chief Officers shall assume formal command upon their arrival at the scene and establish an ICP. 6.1.3. The initial IC shall assign suppression activities that are not defined in the Company initial operation procedures. Bridgeport Fire Department SOP 525 Effective Date : 12/01/2017 Last Revision: 11/06/2019 Fire Chief Signature Structure Fire Command Procedure 6.1.4. The 1st arriving Assistant Chief shall assume Formal Command and establish the location of the Incident Command Post (ICP). The location should be in proximity to the front of the fire building. The first to arrive Assistant Chief shall be the IC until the arrival of the On-Call Deputy Chief. ➢ ➢ The command board shall be used at the ICP to assist with accountability and the tracking of on scene assets. The 1st to arrive Battalion iPad should also be removed from the car and placed at the ICP. Note: At large, complex or rapidly escalating incidents, if the first to arrive Assistant Chief is an Acting Assistant Chief, the second to arrive Assistant Chief shall exchange information and assume the position of the Incident Commander. The Acting Assistant Chief shall be assigned as the Interior Division. 6.1.5. The Incident Commander shall be located at the Incident Command Post (ICP) and use their unit designation on the fireground channel. Ex. “Engine 1 from Battalion 1 Command. Progress report on fire attack.” 6.1.6. The Incident Commander shall continue to evaluate the effectiveness of the staff working on scene. If additional resources are needed, the IC shall request an additional alarm or special call specific assets. 6.1.7. Upon arrival of the Deputy Chief, the first to arrive Assistant Chief shall be designated the Operations Chief (OC). The transfer of command shall include a face-to-face exchange of the following information: 6.8.8. The 1st to arrive AC shall continue to manage the tactical operations of the incident under the supervision of the IC (Deputy Chief). Both Officers shall work together for the duration of the incident from the ICP ensuring effective command and control. Bridgeport Fire Department SOP 525 Effective Date : 12/01/2017 Last Revision: 11/06/2019 Fire Chief Signature Structure Fire Command Procedure 6.1.8. At large, complex or rapidly escalating incidents, the Incident Commander shall implement the use of Divisions and Groups to increase the level of accountability and bring the span of control into a manageable range. ➢ Under these circumstances the 2nd to arrive Assistant Chief shall be assigned to either the Interior Division or Exposure Division and be responsible for the coordination of companies operating in their assigned area. 6.1.9. Progress Report shall be made by a member assigned to the ICP at the 10minute mark of the incident and every 20 minutes thereafter. After 1 hour every 30-minutes until the incident is placed Under Control (Recall). Additional transmissions shall be at the discretion of the IC to update ECC on progress. 6.2. ECC Procedures 6.2.1 Upon the transmission of a Working Fire or higher from an on-scene Bridgeport Fire Department unit, ECC shall implement the responsibilities stated above. ➢ 5. In instances where clarification is needed ECC shall communicate with the ICP via Fire Channel 1 or cell phone. References/Forms 5.1. 5.2. 5.3. 5.4. SOP 521 Appendix A – Station Coverage Matrix SOP 521 Appendix B – Multiple Alarm Assignments/Station Coverage SOP 101 – Initial Dispatch Procedure SOP 513 – Incident Command Structure BY ORDER OF THE FIRE CHIEF