FOC 4 Strategy & IAP Final PDF

4.0 – COMMAND FUNCTION #4 – STRATEGY & INCIDENT ACTION PLANNING Major Goal: To use a systematic method to make basic strategy decisions and to develop and initiate an incident action plan. The strategy is the overall operational approach to the incident and determines where personnel will be operati...

4.0 – COMMAND FUNCTION #4 – STRATEGY & INCIDENT ACTION PLANNING Major Goal: To use a systematic method to make basic strategy decisions and to develop and initiate an incident action plan. The strategy is the overall operational approach to the incident and determines where personnel will be operating in relation to the hazard zone: Offensive = inside, Defensive = outside. The Incident Action Plan describes the tactical details and work plan that address and solve the incident problem. The strategy decision also becomes the basis for the incident action plan. The basic order of development is: Strategy first - IAP second. The IAP must reflect the operational strategy…not the other way around. To quickly determine the most effective, correct action, the IC must “cut through” a lot of confusion along with evaluating all of the incident hazards. What we do at the very beginning of the event generally sets the stage for what happens throughout the incident. Command Function 4 describes how the IC develops and uses the incident strategy and incident action plan (IAP) to take the correct actions that matches and takes control of the incident conditions—all within the overall incident strategy. While life safety will always be a major consideration, we must identify and align all 8 critical factor categories when determining the strategy & IAP. The strategy describes where the task level will physically operate: • • Offensive – Interior operations conducted around fire control in support of life safety & property conservation. Defensive – Exterior operations conducted around cutoff points/boundaries, fire knockdown/control & exposure protection. The primary goal of strategic management is to keep firefighters out of offensive positions in defensive conditions. 4.1 – MATCHING STANDARD CONDITIONS TO STANDARD ACTIONS FOR A STANDARD OUTCOME This is the core of the command system and is the launching pad for all operations. Standard conditions are identified as the incident’s current critical factors. Safe and effective incident operations begin with a size-up of the critical factors: 1    Identify the incident’s critical factors before taking any action. Our initial and ongoing size-up of the incident’s critical factors must produce the information that becomes the basis for the current incident strategy and incident action plan (IAP). Current, accurate and relevant information provides the informational foundation for effective initial and ongoing action. 4.2 – STRATEGIC DECISION-MAKING MODEL The strategic decision-making model gives the entire organization an evaluation/action system that takes the mystery out of initial emergency operations. This model brings the decision-making process into a standard sequence. The IC must:        Evaluate the critical factors Apply risk management plan Select the correct strategy Develop an incident action plan Tactical priorities / SOP’s Translate the plan into tasks Assign companies (by giving orders) to go to work on ans complete those assigned tasks The entire system is based on critical factor size-up and strategic decision-making. Standard Outcome: Evaluate the critical factors, assign tactical action that addresses the critical factors and the completion of the tactical priorities & be able to execute that action. If the situational evaluation is correct, the standard action should produce a standard outcome. If it does not, a review/revision of the plan is warranted. 2 4.3 – USE OF CRITICAL FACTORS TO DEVELOP THE INCIDENT STRATEGY & THE IAP Safe and effective incident operations begin with a size-up of the critical factors. We must use a standard evaluation approach and incident-management system to develop and conduct our operations around the incident’s critical factors. The IC must become skillful in understanding how these factors can identify specific tactical needs. Once those needs are identified the IC can include them in their plan and assign units to address them. An effective and complete IAP will address all of the tactical priorities: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Firefighter safety Life Safety Incident Stabilization Property Conservation Customer Stabilization Critical factor management is detailed in Command Function 3 –Situation Evaluation. 4.4 – RISK MANAGEMENT PLAN (RMP) Fireground operations will fall in one of two strategies, Offensive or Defensive. These two strategies are based on a standard risk management plan (RMP) that is to be employed on ALL IDLH hazard zones. We use the critical factors to define both the risk(s) and what there is to save. The following RMP will always be used when a hazard zone exists: We will risk our lives a lot, in a highly calculated and controlled manner, to protect a savable human life.  A known-viable-rescue, the combination of protective gear, IMS, the ability to protect ourselves (water) & the ability to quickly operate and exit. We will risk our lives a little, in a highly calculated and controlled manner, to protect savable property.  Offensive fire conditions, the combination of protective gear, IMS, with the ability to quickly control the hazard. We will NOT risk our lives at all, to protect lives or properties that are already lost.  The incident conditions are lethal to us and/or nothing to save in the fire area 3 The above three levels of risk can only be assumed in a calculated and controlled manner. “Calculated and controlled” refers to:      Incident Command established Accountability established Proper PPE Safety procedures in place Continuous risk assessment by all members The command system is in place to assign and support fire companies, in hazard-zone operating positions that physically solve the incident problem. We have a single IC performing the 8 FOC, giving specific assignments to crews, and maintaining operational control. The IC maintains awareness of the position and function of all incident resources using the TWS/TC. The IC starts the accountability process by first recording and then tracking the assignment status and location of resources. Companies or D/G Supervisors maintain accountability (entry control) of all assigned crews. Crew’s go in together, stay together, and exit together with a PAR. We provide continuous training and instruction on the use and limitations of our PPE and equipment. We maintain an awareness of our surroundings (heat, smoke, fire, structural stability and interior layout). Safety compliance occurs because of good SOPs, training, understanding, system agreement and personal cooperation. The RMP is applied to all emergency incidents and is continually re-assessed throughout the incident operation. Each person must practice as a Safe Person as well as minimize risk to others and quickly report safety conditions and changes up/down/across the incident organization A “risk a lot” situation is comprised of our entry into a well-evaluated hazard zone, where a conscious decision has been made that there is a known-viable-victim and that we have the resources to reach and rescue them. The decision to make a rescue is based on the incident commander (IC) #1 conducting a fast, lucid size-up; assigning companies to conduct a primary search; supported by an attack line; and closely commanding the situation until a “primary all clear” is given. After the life hazard has been addressed the IC must re-evaluate the risk level and transition from “risk a lot” to risk a little”, because now we are only protecting property. 4 4.4.1 - Managing Risk Management A major challenge is to develop the ability to evaluate the risks present and then conduct tactical operations that either offensively control and eliminate those risks or, defensively keep our crews separated from those risks while we protect exposures. In order to accomplish this goal, we must adopt a simple conceptual risk management system. The model shows the two groups of basic opposing elements involved in managing tactical risks on the fireground. On one side are the basic risks that cause firefighter injury/death. On the other side are the parts of the standard, integrated safety system we use to protect our firefighters. The IC’s responsibility is to establish and manage the overall offensive/defensive strategy based on which of the opposing sides (incident risks/safety system) is “superior.” If the hazards exceed the capability of the safety system, the operational strategy must be defensive. If the IC decides the safety system will adequately protect the firefighters from the hazards, the firefighters can operate in an offensive interior strategy. Our safety system components:    Adequately trained firefighters – An adequate number of trained firefighters who understand and willingly working within the command, operational, and safety system. PPE – Simply how we dress for the trip into the hazard zone. The IC makes the go/no go decision based on knowledge of PPE ability. Hardware – Basic apparatus, hose, tools, equipment, and water. 5   Standard Operating Procedures – SOPs have safety components. How we respond, what we do upon arrival, how we enter the work cycle, how we communicate, how we manage air, establish RIT, how D/G Supervisors operate, how we rehab, etc. Incident Management System – IC performing the 8 FOC serves as the foundation of how we manage both the life and property of our customer, and the safety and survival of our crews. 4.5 – DETERMINE THE OVERALL INCIDENT STRATEGY: OFFENSIVE VS. DEFENSIVE An IC properly managing the incident’s strategy has the #1 – GREATEST overall impact on responder safety. Overall operational strategy is divided into two categories: Offensive or Defensive.   Offensive operations are conducted inside the hot zone Defensive operations are conducted outside of the hot zone - in safe locations to control the incidents problems The two separate strategies create a simple, understandable plan that describes in primitive terms how close the emergency responders will get to the incident’s hazards. The incident’s overall strategic decision is based on the incident’s critical factors weighed against the RMP. IC’s must avoid taking unnecessary risks to save property when our members are the only life safety threat in the hazard zone. We never combine offensive and defensive operations in the same fire area (compartment). Occasionally we will be operating simultaneously in both positions because of the design of some buildings (i.e. exterior on main fire while operating in interior positions in the exposures). These operations involve separate compartments/occupancies. Commercial strip malls and multi-unit residential apartment buildings are two examples. Note: A “Transitional Attack” is attacking an offensive fire with exterior water application prior to making entry. A transitional attack is recommended on any visible fire or rapidly flowing smoke. In general, use a straight stream directed into the vent opening (window/door) for about 30 seconds. Direct the stream into the top half of the opening aimed towards the ceiling and hold it steady. 6 This transitional attack improves conditions for occupants still inside, reduces the thermal threat to the building, and reduces the thermal and toxic threat to firefighters as they advance into the structure to complete offensive fire control and primary search for victims. 4.5.1 - Declare the incident’s strategy as part of the Brief Initial Report (BIR) Declaring the incident strategy up front, as part of the Brief Initial Report will:    Announce to everybody the overall incident strategy. Get everyone on the same page Eliminate any question on where we will be operating on the incident scene (inside or outside the hot zone). Note: Follow-up report should include the strategy declaration (if not in BIR) 4.6 – DEVELOP AN IAP BASED ON THE STRATEGY The incident management system depends on the IC to utilize the situation evaluation (critical factors + risk management) as a decision-making platform to produce the overall strategy. The strategy decision becomes the basis for the IAP. The IC utilizes the same information obtained in the situation evaluation to form the IAP. The evaluation of critical factors will identify tactical needs that will need to be addressed to accomplish the strategy. The IC must identify the major tactical needs that must be completed. These needs become the basis for assigning specific tasks to companies. Examples:  Offensive – Interior handline attack, ventilation, check attic, control fire, secure utilities, overhaul, and initiate required salvage.  Defensive – master stream attack, protect exposures, knock down main body of fire, handlines inside bravo & delta exposures, and collapse zone control. An incident action plan should be developed whenever command is established and it should be evaluated, reviewed and refined throughout the incident. In simple straightforward cases, a single IAP may be all that is needed. In other incidents based on the nature, length and complexity, a series of connected/progressive IAPs may be needed. The plan should be reviewed and updated after each tactical benchmark has been completed based on the standard risk management plan. 7 4.7 – MANAGE AND CONTROL OPERATIONS WITHIN THE BASIC STRATEGY The strategy defines the positions the crews will be operating from – offensive are conducted inside the hot zone; defensive is conducted outside of the hot zone. This is one of the key ways the IC manages safety on the strategic level and completes the tactical priorities. The IC uses the strategy to get everyone moving in the right direction working together to solve the incident problem. Deciding on and then managing the strategy has more opportunity for determining operational success, or failure, than does any other function. Once an initial offensive or defensive strategy decision is made, all subsequent decisions and evaluations should align with the current strategy. For example; if an offensive strategy is chosen, the IC’s decision making, and evaluation is organized by the offensive IAP. They must make assignments that support the offensive attack and continuously evaluate if the hazard zone workers are safe and can maintain their interior positions. The basic strategy definition (offensive/defensive) serves the purpose of providing a simple and straightforward framework for everyone on the operational and command team to develop a common understanding. “Offensive” means a quick vigorous interior attack. “Defensive” means to get in between what is burning and what is not, to keep it that way. Managing within the basic strategy provides for operational control. Operational Control = knowing the position and function of all on-scene personnel. The essence of fireground control by the IC simply involves the ongoing ability to direct where the hazard zone workers are located and what they are doing (position/function). In a very practical sense, if the IC can initially place crews, then move them, and change what they are doing, based on changing incident conditions, the IC has captured and maintained operational control. 4.7.1 - Confirm ongoing strategy as part of the elapsed-time notifications (ETN) Beginning when the first unit arrives on scene, the dispatch center will announce an elapsed time notification every ten (10) minutes until the incident is placed under control, or until command requests to discontinue or restructure the ETN’s. The IC must verbally acknowledge each 10-minute notification by re-announcing the incident’s strategy over the assigned tactical channel until the incident is placed under control, or until command requests to discontinue or restructure the notifications. The IC also uses ETN’s to maintain a general awareness of how long interior crews have been working; to insure adequate resources are on-scene to maintain a tactical reserve (layered resources); and to request CAAN reports (including AIR level) to manage the standard company work cycle (working, on-deck, recycle→ rehab). 8 4.8 – USE THE INCIDENT ORGANIZATION & COMMUNICATIONS TO IMPLEMENT THE STRATEGY/IAP Incident operations begin under control and stay under control when everyone operates within the incident management system and the overall strategy. The IC uses the radio to manage incident operations. This starts with the BIR where the strategy is declared. As later companies arrive to the scene, they announce their Level 1 staging position (in relationship to the incident scene). This standard entry gate allows the IC to pause and assign units according to the IAP. The IC assigns units with a task, location and objective / TLO (or tactical standard assignment). Because the entire response is monitoring the tactical radio channel, everyone knows the plan. This includes the position and function of all units assigned to the incident. These units will report back to command the conditions in their assigned area. These actions connect everyone together on the incident site and help the IC manage the proper strategy based on the current conditions. The IC controls evolving operations by decentralizing the hazard-zone when assigning D/G responsibilities. Division and Group Supervisors (D/G Supervisors) operating in forward positions give the IC the following strategic advantages:    They control access into and out of the hazard zone based on the current strategy. They usually have a better view of conditions in their D/G than the IC. They are in a much better position to directly manage safety in their D/G. The IC provides the D/G Supervisors with the overall strategy and objectives for their area. This becomes the starting point for conducting operations within that D/G. As progress is made, objectives are met or conditions change (good or bad), the D/G Supervisors reports this information to the IC. The IC must process reports from all the operating D/G’s to continually manage both the overall incident strategy and the corresponding IAP. 4.9 – TACTICAL PRIORITIES Our “All-Hazard” incident priorities are firefighter safety, life safety, incident stabilization, property conservation, and customer stabilization. Our incident priorities become our “tactical” priorities on the emergency scene (What we show up to do). A safe and effective IAP will address all the incident priorities. 9 For structural firefighting, these priorities translate into fire control, rescue, loss control, and customer stabilization, while maintaining firefighter safety. Incident priorities become our tactical priorities:  Firefighter Safety throughout – Our basic “Safety System” components protect our crews.  Fire Control – “Extend a well-placed and adequate fire attack”   Rescue – “Locate, protect, and remove fire victims” Loss Control – “Keep property loss to a minimum”  Customer Stabilization – “Connect customer to short-term recovery resources & services” Once the overall incident strategy has been determined, the IC must manage the completion of the tactical priorities for the chosen strategy. Each strategy has a different set of tactical priorities to complete. Tactical priorities provide the IC with a simple, short list of major categories that act as a practical 1-2-3 guide during the difficult initial stages of incident action planning. Generally, the IC tries to achieve the same basic objectives from one incident to the next. With this standard approach, the IC can manage the basic work sequence at every incident, in the same manner. This creates consistency the response team can understand and dependability that continually creates standard actions to the current conditions. 4.10 - OFFENSIVE INCIDENT ACTION PLANNING When an incident’s critical factors and the risk-management plan indicate the offensive strategy, firefighting forces will enter the structure (hot zone) to attempt to control the incident hazards. An offensive IAP is based on the standard offensive tactical priorities. Offensive strategy tactical priorities and their corresponding completion benchmarks:       Fire Control (Fire knockdown and all 7 sides verified for any fire extension) = “Under Control” Primary Searches = Primary “All Clear(s)” Ventilation = “Ventilation in place” Secondary Searches = Secondary “All Clears” Loss Control = “Loss Stopped” Firefighter Decon 10 The offensive tactical priorities are the major operational activities required for a complete, integrated effort. They identify the three major functions we must complete to accomplish the overall incident response. We list them in their order of importance (hence priorities). Aligning our tactics with quantitative fire research establishes fire control (removing/controlling the fire) as the starting point in protecting both life and property. The core of the action plan for initial operations is identifying the most critical attack position(s). Rescue is an action of opportunity. When there is a known-viable-rescue, Life always trumps fire control and loss control. It is very important that we do not forget the reason we were called–––because the fire destroys life and property. 4.10.1 - Offensive fire control operations The IC manages this tactical priority by getting companies around all 7 sides of the fire and overwhelming it with water. The 7 sides of the fire are:     The interior/inside The top (includes ceilings, joist spaces, attics, and floors above) The bottom (includes the floor below, crawl spaces, joist spaces and basements) All four sides (includes adjacent rooms, occupancies, or other buildings) and the concealed spaces of all those sides (includes walls, joists, attics, utility chases, void spaces, build-over’s, etc.). When the forward progress of the fire is stopped (knockdown on 7 seven sides) and no other resource is required for fire control, the IC will transmit an “Under Control” radio report. This tactical benchmark signifies that fire control has been obtained and no further resource will be required to mitigate the problem. Fire control rules of thumb:  360 to determine: immediate rescue, fire location, flow path and wind direction  Establish attack position(s) prior to making entry. Includes: water supply, area of intent with side of entry, tasks and objectives. Initiate the attack with exterior water application whenever possible (transitional attack)    Develop/plan ventilation profile. Do not ventilate until an attack team is in place and ready to advance. Initial entry to include an attack line 11  Consider mobility vs. gpm when selecting the proper sized hose line  Direct all initial action toward extinguishing the fire, while searching the most endangered areas (those closest to the fire).   Coordinate ventilation with fire attack No random “softening”—it creates flow paths. All openings/entry into structure must be coordinated thru the IC.  Once the required tasks/areas have been covered, assign later-arriving crews to on-deck positions (tactical reserve).  Assign a tactical-level supervisor to manage any attack position where two or three or more companies are assigned.  The IC has fire control when there is knockdown and the 7 sides of the fire are verified with no extension (interior/inside, top, bottom, A, B, C, D, & the concealed spaces). 4.10.2 - Offensive search & rescue operations For offensive structural fires, we achieve the search/rescue priority by performing primary and secondary searches in the fire occupancy and in any exposures threatened by the fire. Primary search is a quick search and clearing of all affected areas of the structure(s). Secondary search is a thorough search of the affected occupancy after conditions in the structure have been completely controlled. Search & Rescue rules of thumb:  Fire control—water should be applied to the fire ahead of (or in concurrence with) the search  Crews performing a victim rescue should utilize normal means of exit whenever possible. Rescue via ground ladder is an option of last resort.  Consideration should always be given to protect victims in place.  Fire attack must protect the standard exit paths of hallways, stairs, corridors and exit ways.  Viable victims may be present behind closed doors.  When you find one victim expect more. Call for resources accordingly.  A building that was formerly on fire is more survivable than one that is currently on fire. 12 The IC uses the rescue order to prioritize search/rescue operations: • • • • The most endangered Largest group Remainder of the fire structure Exposures The rescue order aligns with everything outlined above. Firefighters typically make entry as close as possible to the fire to engage it. This places them in the areas where you will find the most endangered victims—those closest to the fire. Quickly controlling the fire gives the IC the option to protect victims in place, which allows the initial responders to control the situation by eliminating the IDLH environment. The completion of primary and secondary searches of the entire structure shall be announced over the tactical channel to the dispatch center. IC’s should generally avoid giving piece meal primary all-clear reports over the tactical channel when multiple areas of a structure require a search. Under offensive fire conditions in “normally occupied structures,” a primary search is performed in an IDLH environment as part of the initial operation. Occupancy types that require a primary search are structures that can be occupied 24/7/365 in which people live and sleep. This includes houses, apartments, condos, hotels, townhouses, care facilities and hospitals. When considering the SURVIVAL profile of any victims, members must consider the conditions present in the area of fire involvement, and other conditions affecting survival. A fire in a rear bedroom of a house, with moderate smoke throughout the house may allow a survivable environment. We may extend risk, in a calculated manner, with these conditions. A working fire in a residence with dense, pressurized smoke throughout the building, would indicate a poor chance of survival. These conditions would warrant a very cautious fire control and rescue operation. Defensive (well-involved) fire conditions would likely represent a zero-survivability profile. Similar conditions in an abandoned building would indicate little survivability and little property to be saved. We should avoid an offensive firefight under these circumstances. Unless known victims are present, life safety is a lower priority for fires in commercial occupancies. It is impossible to complete a primary search of large areas with reduced visibility without crews running out of air. All initial actions should be directed towards putting water on the fire and ventilating the structure. 13 Search/rescue can become a common mistake when managing incidents where there is nothing left to save. The fire service has historically under estimated the lethality of structure fires. Not every structure will receive a primary search. Structure fires with defensive conditions, or very large interior areas full of smoke are two examples where the need for a primary search is not in line with our risk management plan. 4.10.3 - Offensive loss control operations All loss control operations start with putting the fire out. All three organizational levels must constantly remain aware that all of our actions are designed to protect savable property and control loss (from response to leaving the scene). After achieving fire control, we must direct all efforts on the incident scene toward controlling and preventing any unnecessary property damage. These efforts fall into two (2) categories:  Overhaul: to reduce the incidence of secondary fires, control loss, and stabilize the incident scene while providing for firefighter safety. Overhaul activities include thoroughly searching the fire scene to detect and extinguish any hidden fires or "hot spots".  Salvage: to stop direct and indirect fire damage and minimize the damaging effects of firefighting operations. This includes losses from water, smoke and firefighting efforts. Loss control rules of thumb:  Controlling the loss begins with controlling the fire. Next is controlling smoke, water and secondary damage (the damage we do).  Sometimes the best salvage work is to close the door and leave it closed.  If you don’t plan on dropping ceilings, opening walls or getting it wet there is little need to place it in a pile and cover it. If you plan on dropping ceilings, opening walls or getting it wet; move it. If you can’t move it, cover it.   The best approach to property conservation is to handle the customer’s property the way you expect the fire department to protect the possessions of your loved ones. The IC will transmit a report of “loss stopped” once all the affected areas have been properly overhauled, salvaged, ventilated and the incident conditions have ceased causing damage to the structure and its contents. 14 4.11 – DEFENSIVE INCIDENT ACTION PLANNING A defensive situation is where the incident problem has evolved to the point that lives and property are no longer savable, and offensive tactics are no longer effective or safe. The entire defensive strategy is based on protecting firefighters. Firefighter safety is the No. 1 defensive priority. No firefighter should be injured on a defensive fire. Defensive strategy tactical priorities and their corresponding completion benchmarks:     Define the Hazard Zone Establish Cut-offs/Boundaries = Knockdown and no extension on 7 sides Search exposures = Primary and Secondary “All Clear(s)” Protect exposures = “Under Control” – Loss Stopped Defensive operations represent a standard organizational response to situations that cannot be controlled with offensive tactics. When the hazard level of interior conditions exceeds the capability of the standard safety system to protect our workers the IC must conduct defensive operations from outside of the hazard area. The IC must write off lost property and decide where the cut-off/boundary will take place (if there are exposures). Defensive fires rules of thumb:          Identify incident critical factors Quick determination on additional resources Evaluate fire spread/write-off lost property Determine/establish defensive boundaries Search exposures Protect exposures Multiple water supplies (hydrants) Prioritize fire streams, provide big, well placed streams, pumped water Surround and drown 4.11.1 - Exposure protection – strategic separation Arrangement becomes a major critical factor with defensive fires. The position of the main fire compartment/area in relation to its neighboring exposures will dictate our operating positions on a defensive emergency scene. 15 All exposures, both immediate and anticipated, must be identified and protected. The priority in defensive operations is personnel safety; the second is exposure protection. Stand-alone buildings with no significant exposures must have the collapse zone identified and all operating units will remain behind those defined boundaries —this perimeter must not be crossed. One factor that greatly reduces firefighters’ “creeping” toward the fire area is shutting down small-diameter handlines (unless they are being used to directly protect exposures). This also provides additional water supply for master-stream devices that can apply large amounts of water directly on the fire and the exposures. It is common for defensive fires to threaten exposures. These exposures can be directly connected to the fire area (apartments & strip malls) or they can be located in very close proximity with little separation from the fire. All direct exposures (not in the defensive fire area) must be searched and protected whenever possible. This exposure protection involves:   Advancing handlines into the exposure(s). Evacuating any occupants  Opening and verifying the concealed spaces directly exposed to the defensive fire conditions (check for extension).  Communicate defensible boundary to command.  If appropriate, coordinate vertical ventilation to support defensive cut off/boundary.  In some cases, direct water application to stop the lateral spread of fire.  In some cases, once significant extension is verified, write off and move to the next exposure to get ahead of the fire. In some cases, it will be necessary to write off the entire exposure(s) due to rapid fire extension through common concealed spaces.  We never combine offensive and defensive operations in the same fire area (compartment). Occasionally, we will be operating simultaneously in both positions because of the design of some buildings (i.e. exterior on main fire while operating in interior positions in the exposures). These operations involve separate compartments/occupancies. Commercial strip malls and multi-unit residential apartment are two examples. 16 4.11.2 - Defensive water application Defensive water application rules of thumb:   Master streams are generally the most effective tactic to be employed in defensive operations. Command must consider the effectiveness of aerial water application vs. ground operated master stream devices.  A standard master stream flow of 750 GPM should be the guideline for all master stream flows. (Be aware of the effect the weight of water has on the structure)  Small diameter handlines not directly protecting exposures should be shut down.  When the exposures are severe and water is limited, the most effective tactic is to put water directly on the exposure.  Once exposure protection is established, attention may be directed to knocking down the main body of fire and thermal-column cooling.  In the defensive strategy, fire “under control” means the main body of fire is knocked down and transitioning to overhaul. There may still be spot fires in the rubble. 4.11.3 - Defensive loss control Personnel will remain outside of the collapse zone during operations on a defensive fire upon the IC’s request. No personnel will enter the collapse zone or structure that has experienced defensive fire conditions to perform overhaul or loss control of any kind until: 1. The fire is under control 2. A structural assessment has been completed 3. A mitigation plan has been developed and communicated. Some structures should not be entered for any reason because of structural compromise. Loss control activities in the adjacent exposures of a defensive fire will follow the same procedures as offensive loss control activities. 17