Spring Fire Department Standard Operating Guideline (PDF)

Spring Fire Department / Harris County ESD No. 7 Standard Operating Guideline SFD.008 Revision No. 02 Issue Date 15 Jan. 2024 Effective Date 15 Jan. 2024...

Spring Fire Department / Harris County ESD No. 7 Standard Operating Guideline SFD.008 Revision No. 02 Issue Date 15 Jan. 2024 Effective Date 15 Jan. 2024 Approved by: MISSION Review Date 1 Jan. 2025 CRITICAL Reviewed by Operations Scott C. Seifert Accountability Accountability 1. Executive Summary a. Accountability is essential for keeping track of personnel at an incident. b. Accountability should be established on any incident where personnel are placed into a hazard area or hazardous environment. c. Spring Fire Department uses a passport system for accountability. d. Every member on the fireground shares in the responsibility of firefighter safety and personnel accountability. e. Accountability systems monitor the status of all emergency personnel, including Spring Fire Department members and other assisting agencies. f. Hazard Zone Accountability has three levels: Task, Tactical, and Strategic i. Task is the responsibility of company officers. ii. Tactical is the responsibility of division supervisors. iii. Strategic is the responsibility of the incident commander. g. A key element of the accountability system is crew integrity. It is the responsibility of all personnel to ensure that crew continuity is maintained. h. Spring Fire Department utilizes Personnel Accountability Reports (PARs) within specific guidelines. SFD.008 Uncontrolled if printed Page 1 of 10  Spring Fire Department / Harris County ESD No. 7 Standard Operating Guideline SFD.008 Revision No. 02 Issue Date 15 Jan. 2024 Effective Date 15 Jan. 2024 Approved by: MISSION Review Date 1 Jan. 2025 CRITICAL Reviewed by Operations Scott C. Seifert Accountability 2. Purpose a. The purpose of this guideline is to increase firefighter safety by establishing accountability systems for keeping track of all personnel operating at the scene of an emergency Incident. b. The accountability systems should meet the provisions of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1561, Standard on Emergency Services Incident Management System and Command Safety, and ensure compliance with regulations of the Texas Commission on Fire Protection (37 Tex. Admin. Code § 435.13). 3. Policy Statement a. All Spring Fire Department personnel are responsible for knowing and complying with this guideline. 4. Scope a. This guideline applies to all department personnel. The Incident Commander (IC), on all incidents where personnel are placed into a hazard area, hazardous atmosphere or an IDLH atmosphere, should establish accountability. 5. Definitions a. See Glossary. 6. Procedures and Responsibilities a. Passport System i. The passport system consists of an apparatus card and name tags. 1. Nametag - This is a ¾” x 2” plastic tag with Velcro on the back side. The nametag is color coded according to rank. All personnel who respond to emergency incidents will be issued nametags. Nametags should contain the name of the individual and rank. SFD.008 Uncontrolled if printed Page 2 of 10  Spring Fire Department / Harris County ESD No. 7 Standard Operating Guideline SFD.008 Revision No. 02 Issue Date 15 Jan. 2024 Effective Date 15 Jan. 2024 Approved by: MISSION Review Date 1 Jan. 2025 CRITICAL Reviewed by Operations Scott C. Seifert Accountability 2. Apparatus Card - This is a 2” x 3” plastic card with Velcro on front and rear. Each apparatus is issued a card. The apparatus card holds nametags of personnel assigned to that apparatus and is to be used for accountability. All apparatus cards should be delivered to the accountability location, or Division Supervisor, or Support Officer once assigned to the incident scene. It is the officer’s responsibility to ensure the Apparatus card is delivered to the accountability location, or Division Supervisor. This responsibility may be delegated to the Apparatus Operator. 3. Passports are apparatus cards, with the nametags of the members assigned to the crew. Passports should reflect only those crew members who are about to enter the Hot Zone. When entering the Hot Zone with a partial crew, such as when an apparatus operator remains at the engine to operate the pump, the Company Officer should remove the nametag of those members not entering the Hot Zone. ii. Each time personnel report for duty, nametags should be placed on the apparatus card to which they are assigned. They should store two nametags on the Velcro under the brim of their helmet. It is the responsibility of the individual to maintain an adequate number of nametags, to utilize them in the appropriate areas. All personnel should keep track of their nametags and add or remove them as they begin their shift or end their shift. b. Fireground Accountability: i. Every member on the fireground shares in the responsibility of firefighter safety and personnel accountability. ii. A personnel accountability system should be established and implemented using thorough training procedures. This system should constantly monitor the status of all emergency personnel, both SFD and assisting agencies, during emergency incidents from their arrival until their official release from the incident. iii. The Accountability System should be initiated: 1. at all incidents involving hazardous areas 2. multiple company responses SFD.008 Uncontrolled if printed Page 3 of 10  Spring Fire Department / Harris County ESD No. 7 Standard Operating Guideline SFD.008 Revision No. 02 Issue Date 15 Jan. 2024 Effective Date 15 Jan. 2024 Approved by: MISSION Review Date 1 Jan. 2025 CRITICAL Reviewed by Operations Scott C. Seifert Accountability 3. as directed by the incident commander iv. The use of the accountability system does not relieve supervisory personnel from the responsibility of maintaining an awareness of the location and function of all members under their direct supervision. v. A personnel accountability system should be used primarily to track personnel, not resources. However, on small incidents one individual may be responsible for tracking both personnel and resources. vi. Each level of the incident organization has its own responsibility to the accountability system. No organizational level can handle the accountability responsibility for another level. vii. All members of the organization are responsible for participating in the accountability system. viii. Companies working on the task level have the greatest stake in the accountability system because they operate inside the Hazard Zone. ix. No Hazard Zone accountability system can outperform unsafe behaviors happening at the task level. The Company Officer is responsible for supervising the task level activities. x. The Hazard Zone Task Level Responsibilities for the Company Officer include: 1. Following departmental guidelines. 2. Receiving an assignment to enter the Hazard Zone. No Freelancing 3. Utilizing the passport accountability system. 4. Maintaining crew integrity through voice, vision, & touch. 5. Remaining attached to a hose line inside the Hot Zone. 6. Maintaining an adequate air supply to safely exit the IDLH. 7. Suggested maximum entry depth of 175’ to 200’. xi. The Hazard Zone Tactical Level of the incident organization is managed by a Division Supervisor. A Division Supervisor should be assigned when two (2) or more units are working in one geographical area and should be in place before the third (3rd) company SFD.008 Uncontrolled if printed Page 4 of 10  Spring Fire Department / Harris County ESD No. 7 Standard Operating Guideline SFD.008 Revision No. 02 Issue Date 15 Jan. 2024 Effective Date 15 Jan. 2024 Approved by: MISSION Review Date 1 Jan. 2025 CRITICAL Reviewed by Operations Scott C. Seifert Accountability is assigned. The Division Supervisor is responsible for achieving the tactical objectives while being responsible for safety responsibilities in the division. xii. Hazard Zone Tactical Level Responsibilities for the Division Supervisor include: 1. Making sure the division plan aligns with the IC’s strategic plan. 2. Managing the risk management within the division. 3. Achieving the tactical priorities within the division. 4. Operating in the correct strategy for the conditions. 5. Implementing and managing the Division IAP. 6. Coordinating with other Division Supervisors. xiii. Safety Responsibilities at the Tactical Level include: 1. Managing the passport accountability system. 2. Managing the work-rest cycles and the air management of assigned companies. 3. Having enough On-Deck companies to support the division. 4. Handling recycling in the division and rehab assignments. xiv. Tactical level accountability is enhanced when the Division Supervisor is paired with a Support Officer. The Support Officer can manage the safety responsibilities allowing the Division Supervisors to focus on achieving the tactical objectives. If a support officer is not assigned, the Division Supervisor is responsible for the safety responsibilities. xv. The Hazard Zone Strategic Level is managed by the Incident Commander. This is accomplished through a strong command and control presence, and deploying resources with specific task, locations, and objectives, while maintaining an acute understanding of the position and function of all members assigned to the Hazard Zone. xvi. Hazard Zone Strategic Level Responsibilities for the Incident Commander include: 1. Overall safety and hazard zone manager. 2. Actions based on departmental guidelines and the IMS. 3. Managing the functions of command. 4. Continually evaluating the incident’s critical fireground factors. 5. Conducting a risk management analysis throughout the event. 6. Develop and manage the correct strategy. 7. Provide Division Supervisors with an IAP when assigned. SFD.008 Uncontrolled if printed Page 5 of 10  Spring Fire Department / Harris County ESD No. 7 Standard Operating Guideline SFD.008 Revision No. 02 Issue Date 15 Jan. 2024 Effective Date 15 Jan. 2024 Approved by: MISSION Review Date 1 Jan. 2025 CRITICAL Reviewed by Operations Scott C. Seifert Accountability 8. Manage the completion of the tactical priorities. 9. Deliver resources based on the needs of the incident or Division Supervisors. xvii. A key element of the accountability system is crew integrity. It is the responsibility of all personnel to ensure that crew continuity is maintained. 1. Crews enter together, stay together, and come out together when operating at an incident scene. xviii. It is the responsibility of the company officer, Incident Commander, Division Supervisor, or Support Officer to ensure: 1. A minimum of two personnel are assigned to each company, team, or task. 2. The time “in” and time “out” should be tracked by the Division Supervisors or Support Officer for tracking air management on the accountability board. xix. A company assigned to a location with a Division Supervisor in place should report directly to the Division Supervisors for face-to-face communication and to receive initial orders for the task, location, and objectives. xx. An absent or unaccounted for firefighter of any company, or team, should automatically be assumed lost or trapped in the hazard area and is a MAYDAY situation until otherwise determined safe. c. Operating at an Incident Scene i. All companies entering a Hazard Zone or structure should exit at the same point where entry was made. The company officer should report to the Division Supervisor or Support Officer at the original entry point to confirm accountability of the company exiting the structure. ii. When multiple points of entry are utilized at a hazardous area or structure, and two or more companies are assigned to a geographic area, a Division Supervisor should be assigned to manage the division. iii. Companies exiting the Hazard Zone should perform a PAR face-to-face with their Division Supervisors. One item to cover during the face-to-face communication is the SFD.008 Uncontrolled if printed Page 6 of 10  Spring Fire Department / Harris County ESD No. 7 Standard Operating Guideline SFD.008 Revision No. 02 Issue Date 15 Jan. 2024 Effective Date 15 Jan. 2024 Approved by: MISSION Review Date 1 Jan. 2025 CRITICAL Reviewed by Operations Scott C. Seifert Accountability physical condition of the crew exiting the Hazard Zone. This is to determine if recycling or formal rehab is necessary, all personnel are responsible to monitor each other’s wellbeing. iv. Recycling takes place within the geographic area, or the division, to which the company is assigned. The Division Supervisor, or Support Officer, should coordinate the recycling of crews within the division and should move the passports from the Hot Zone (red side of accountability board) to the Warm Zone (yellow side of the accountability board). v. The company’s status should be noted as recycling. vi. Rehabilitation is an assignment. Once the decision has been made that a company requires rehabilitation, the Division Supervisors should provide the passport to the company and communicate the status change of the company with Incident Command. vii. If any mutual aid department is on scene utilizing another accountability system, the incident commander should remain responsible for and oversee personnel operations. Should personnel from a mutual aid department work in a team with our personnel, their name tags should be added to the appropriate Passport they are working with. d. Reporting: i. When an apparatus responds to an incident, the company officer should ensure the passport is ready for delivery to the accountability location, Division Supervisors, or Support Officer. 1. Exceptions a. The passport should remain on the apparatus whenever they are the only company, or unit, on location. b. The passport should remain with the Apparatus Operator when the apparatus is the first on scene, or the first to a division, and becomes the accountability location. ii. All subsequent arriving companies or units should deliver their passport to the designated accountability location’s first-in apparatus operator, Division Supervisor, or Support Officer to maintain accountability when assigned to the hazard zone. SFD.008 Uncontrolled if printed Page 7 of 10  Spring Fire Department / Harris County ESD No. 7 Standard Operating Guideline SFD.008 Revision No. 02 Issue Date 15 Jan. 2024 Effective Date 15 Jan. 2024 Approved by: MISSION Review Date 1 Jan. 2025 CRITICAL Reviewed by Operations Scott C. Seifert Accountability iii. If a company is the first company assigned to another geographical side of the incident (e.g., Charlie side of a large commercial structure), the apparatus should serve as the accountability location for this side of the incident. iv. All subsequent arriving companies to the division should deliver their passport to the designated accountability location’s apparatus operator, Division Supervisor, or Support Officer to maintain accountability when assigned to the division. v. Ongoing, routine strategic and tactical accountability at all emergency incidents, including wildland fires, should be accomplished through periodic reporting, visual observation, or PAR. vi. Communicating pertinent information can be accomplished through routine radio traffic. Members should also make the following reports: 1. CAN Report: Conditions, Actions, & Needs 2. Status Change: Company changing locations or leaving an area. 3. Priority Traffic: a. Emergent changes in the hazard zone. b. Unable to complete an assignment. c. Any action/activity that would change an IAP. 4. Strategic Shift: Change from an Offensive Strategy to a Defensive Strategy. e. Personnel Accountability Report: i. For structure fires, a PAR should be conducted every 15 minutes for members assigned to the incident scene for accountability purposes. ii. PARs should also be conducted after any change in conditions that may alter or affect firefighter safety and after ordering members to exit/abandon the structure as part of a strategic shift. iii. A PAR should be conducted continuously throughout incident operations for each company, division, or group working in a hazard zone. Company Officers maintain task level personnel accountability through voice, vision, and touch. Division Supervisors maintain tactical level personnel accountability through access control and the use of passports. The IC should maintain strategic level personnel accountability by knowing SFD.008 Uncontrolled if printed Page 8 of 10  Spring Fire Department / Harris County ESD No. 7 Standard Operating Guideline SFD.008 Revision No. 02 Issue Date 15 Jan. 2024 Effective Date 15 Jan. 2024 Approved by: MISSION Review Date 1 Jan. 2025 CRITICAL Reviewed by Operations Scott C. Seifert Accountability the position and function of all resources assigned to the scene. If there is a loss of personnel accountability, at any level of incident operations, there is a Mayday. iv. The IC may discontinue regular PARs when incident stabilization is achieved, and hazards are sufficiently reduced. v. The PAR results are reported to the Incident Commander or Division Supervisors when assigned. vi. NO PARS SHOULD BE COMPLETED DURING A MAYDAY. vii. A “NO-PAR” policy will be in effect once a mayday has been transmitted. This means that unless an operating unit DOES NOT have a PAR, PAR information is NOT to be transmitted over the radio. f. Termination i. Accountability remains in place throughout the incident and does not end until the last company leaves the scene. ii. As the incident deescalates, accountability will reverse course ultimately landing with the last remaining company on scene. iii. When a single company is left on scene, the company officer is responsible for all three operational levels of accountability: task, tactical, and strategic. iv. Upon returning to service, company officers should ensure that their apparatus passport is returned to the proper location. 7. References & Related Policies a. This section provides references to applicable laws, standards, or other related internal policies or guidelines. NFPA Applicable State or Federal Statutes OSHA Spring FD NFPA TCFP 37 Tex. Admin. Code § 1561 435.13 TCFP CPSE PI ISO TFCA SFD.008 Uncontrolled if printed Page 9 of 10  Spring Fire Department / Harris County ESD No. 7 Standard Operating Guideline SFD.008 Revision No. 02 Issue Date 15 Jan. 2024 Effective Date 15 Jan. 2024 Approved by: MISSION Review Date 1 Jan. 2025 CRITICAL Reviewed by Operations Scott C. Seifert Accountability 8. Contact Office a. The appropriate contact office for questions or comments on this SOG is: i. Company Officer 1. District Chief a. Deputy Chief of Operations i. Assistant Chief 1. Fire Chief 9. List of Changes Revision Approved Effective Description of Changes No. by Date 2 Complete rewrite for updated content. Davenport 1/1/2024 10. Errors See something wrong? Click here or use this QR code to submit an error or inconsistency. This policy is for internal use only and does not enlarge a member’s legal duty or civil liability in any way. This policy should not be construed as creating a duty to act or a higher duty of care, with respect to third-party civil claims against members or the department. A violation of this policy, if proven, can only form the basis of a complaint by this department for non-judicial administrative action in accordance with the laws governing member discipline. SFD.008 Uncontrolled if printed Page 10 of 10