GOG 10-6 Highrise Operations PDF

General Operational Guidelines Subject: Highrise Operations Effective Date: 6/1/2016 GOG: 10-6 Applies to: All KCFD Personnel Supersedes: Previous GOG 10-6 Page 1 of 11...

General Operational Guidelines Subject: Highrise Operations Effective Date: 6/1/2016 GOG: 10-6 Applies to: All KCFD Personnel Supersedes: Previous GOG 10-6 Page 1 of 11 dated 4/1/06 Responsible Committee: Operations Next Review Date: 6/1/2018 PURPOSE The purpose of this GOG is to provide operational guidance concerning high rise fire incidents. The KCFD Incident Management System (GOG 10-1) shall be utilized at every incident, and the Incident Commander (IC) shall make assignments based upon the specific circumstances and the priorities of the incident. The tactical assignments outlined in this GOG will be the responsibility of all chief and company officers. The KCFD High rise Fire Incident Guideline Manual should be referenced for further detail regarding high rise incidents. SCOPE Applies to all personnel of the Kansas City, Missouri Fire Department. GUIDELINES All uniformed personnel will receive a copy of this GOG. All Chief Officers and Company Officers will receive a copy of the KCFD High Rise Fire Incidents Guideline Manual. Additionally, all Emergency Operations Bureau personnel will attend training regarding tactical assignments, standardized equipment, and high rise firefighting considerations. A. OPERATIONAL STRATEGIES The overall strategies that tactics should support include: A. Life Safety – Reducing the possibility of deaths and injuries. B. Incident Stabilization – Attempt to contain fire to a segment of the fire floor or the fire floor. C. Property Conservation – Attempt to lessen overall economic loss. B. HIGHRISE RESPONSE When the Communications Center receives a report indicating one of the following in an identified high rise building, a structure greater than (7) stories or any other structure tagged as a high rise in the CAD system, a “Highrise/Commercial building response” will be dispatched. 1. Observation of smoke or decreased visibility 2. Observation of fire A “Highrise/Commercial building response” will consist of the following units or the equivalent resources: 4 Pumpers 4 Trucks General Operational Guidelines Subject: Highrise Operations Effective Date: 6/1/2016 GOG: 10-6 Applies to: All KCFD Personnel Supersedes: Previous GOG 10-6 Page 2 of 11 dated 4/1/06 Responsible Committee: Operations Next Review Date: 6/1/2018 2 Rescues 3 Battalion Chiefs 1 Deputy Chief High Rise 102 C 120 2 Medic units The first arriving Pumper Captain or Battalion Chief will establish and function as stationary command. Once the incident commander has determined that a “working fire” is in progress, a Command Staff Recall shall be requested. The Command Van will not be sent until the IC requests it. A Communications Officer shall also be requested to staff the Command Van when the Command Van is ordered by IC. C. TACTICAL ASSIGNMENTS The Kansas City Fire Department has established guidelines for tactical assignments concerning highrise fires. The following sets forth those assignments. In order to remain flexible, based upon incident specific factors, the IC, utilizing the Incident Management System, may alter those assignments in order to achieve the best possible outcome. The following tactical assignments are set forth as an example of initial priorities early in a highrise incident. The assignments shown below provide a framework for training and for consideration by the Incident Commander. Establish Command Establish a Fire Attack Group ( Establish Operations 2nd in BC ) Supply water to the fire department connection Establish Lobby Control Establish an Evacuation Group Establish a RIT Establish a Search Group Establish an EMS Group ( C 120 and 2 medic units) While the following assignments are set forth and are flexible, the company officer must report their actions over the radio to the IC or supervisor. BC or First Arriving Pumper: Have first 2 pumpers, first truck, and first rescue come into the scene……….. all other companies stage. Have truck companies bring their gas powered fans to the lobby. Interview witnesses, building occupants, maintenance, and management to determine fire floor(s). DSO: Get keys from Knox Box then pass out keys to Fire Attack Group, check fire alarm panel to determine fire floor(s), or carry out assignment of BC. In the event that Knox Box keys are obtained by another Company Officer they should inform IC of this and keep the keys in the lobby. General Operational Guidelines Subject: Highrise Operations Effective Date: 6/1/2016 GOG: 10-6 Applies to: All KCFD Personnel Supersedes: Previous GOG 10-6 Page 3 of 11 dated 4/1/06 Responsible Committee: Operations Next Review Date: 6/1/2018 Fire Attack Group: Pumper companies should locate stairwell doors and if locked and unable to access keys, have the truck force them. Pumper companies should check fire panel if DSO is busy and whether PRV’s are present in the stairwells. If using elevators, only ascend with fireman’s service activated. Have Truck Company’s recall and search elevators. Note: Automatic alarms in multi-story buildings should be handled the same way as a High Rise response. The pumper should wait for the truck and investigate together. Only use an elevator if the hoist way shaft is clear, and you are able to ascend with fireman’s service to two floors below fire floor. 1. First Arriving Companies-Fire Attack Group (1st Truck and 1st & 2nd Pumpers) One of the Company Officers in the Fire Attack Group will assume the role of Fire Attack Group Supervisor and announce to the IC. The Fire Attack group supervisor will be responsible for all communications with IC or Operations including: The reporting of the fire investigation findings to the Incident Commander or appropriate supervisor in the IMS structure, including the extent and nature of fire, exact location and/or floor of the fire, heat or smoke encountered by the Fire Attack Group, as well as the extent of evacuation. At this early stage of the incident, normally, this would be reported to the IC, but to emphasize the communication model, communications should be directed to your immediate supervisor in the command structure. The first arriving Pumper Captain will provide a detailed size-up including building information to the Communications Center, as per departmental policy (Incident Management System GOG 10-1) and establish command. This initial communication shall include the following: 1) The company’s arrival on the scene, the address, or buildings common name. 2) Approximate number of stories in the structure and the type of occupancy (commercial or residential. 3) Whether fire and/or smoke are showing. 4) Establish command. 5) The first arriving Pumper Captain will remain in the lobby of the structure and begin gathering building information. 6) The first arriving Pumper Captain will remain in the lobby until a transfer of command can take place with the first arriving Battalion Chief The Truck Company Officer will ensure completion of the following tasks; 1) Determine whether stairwell doors are locked and if so obtain any keys that can be used to access the doors. If no keys are available, then companies should force doors as needed. 2) Determine and confirm the location of the fire/communication command panel. Control the use of the panel and determine, to the best of his/her knowledge, the location of the fire floor. 3) That all Fire Attack Group personnel are equipped with SCBA and all PPE. General Operational Guidelines Subject: Highrise Operations Effective Date: 6/1/2016 GOG: 10-6 Applies to: All KCFD Personnel Supersedes: Previous GOG 10-6 Page 4 of 11 dated 4/1/06 Responsible Committee: Operations Next Review Date: 6/1/2018 4) That the truck personnel are also equipped with the extra air bottles and appropriate equipment including, sledge hammers, rabbit tool, halligan bar, flathead axe, search rope, thermal imaging camera and any other essential forcible entry tools. 5) The recalling of elevators and the deploying of one truck firefighter to operate the elevator. This individual will remain with the elevator for the duration of the incident. If there is a need to operate other elevators this will be assigned by the IC or Lobby. 6) Determine which stairwell is to be used as the fire attack stairwell. The Fire Attack Group will inform the IC which stairwell they recommend for the fire attack stairwell. 7) The Truck Company assigned to the Fire Attack Group shall start a primary search of the fire compartment and work with the Pumper Companies of the Fire Attack Group. The remainder of the fire floor may be searched by companies in the Search Group. The second Pumper Company Officer, as part of the Fire Attack Group will ensure completion of the following tasks; 1) That both pumper company personnel are equipped with SCBA and all PPE. 2) That the Fire Attack Group is equipped with the appropriate fittings, handles, keys for standpipe operation, and a minimum of 200 ft. of 2 ½ inch hose, other wise known as the high rise pack. 3) That the appropriate standpipe is located in the fire attack stairwell. 4) That the attack stairwell has been cleared of occupants for a minimum of five (5) floors above the fire floor. A. Staffing Deployment (Assignment Specific) When considering the task of developing and deploying the Fire Attack Group, the officers of the first arriving companies should always remember that the Fire Attack Group must consist of (2) Pumpers and (1) Truck. 1) First Arriving Pumper Officer will establish and function as command and remain in the lobby. 2) First Arriving Truck Officer is the leader of the Fire Attack Group. 3) Second Pumper Officer will lead reconnaissance of floor layout one (1) floor below the fire floor. Locate standpipes and prepare attack line. 4) First Arriving Pumper FAO will connect to the proper exterior Siamese standpipe connection. 5) Second arriving Pumper FAO will establish a dedicated water supply and sit on a hydrant feeding the first in Pumper. 6) Truck firefighter one will control the elevators throughout the incident. 7) The remaining firefighters will serve as part of the Fire Attack Group under the direction of the Fire Attack Group Leader. 8) The Truck Captain will determine if aerials will be utilized before determining whether the FAO(s) stay with apparatus or join the company on the interior. Considerations should include: fixed non-opening windows, height of the fire floor and set back from street. General Operational Guidelines Subject: Highrise Operations Effective Date: 6/1/2016 GOG: 10-6 Applies to: All KCFD Personnel Supersedes: Previous GOG 10-6 Page 5 of 11 dated 4/1/06 Responsible Committee: Operations Next Review Date: 6/1/2018 9) All arriving Truck Captains will insure all gas fans will be brought to the lobby. B. Considerations of the Fire Attack Group 1) No single company will go above the main floor lobby or grade entrance to make the initial investigation 2) If the building is equipped with a fire service elevator, one (1) member must remain with the elevator at all times to serve as operator. The elevator will be used to transport personnel to (2) floors below the fire floor, and return to the lobby immediately: 3) At no time will fire personnel utilize the elevator, unless it is equipped with fire service mode. 4) If the elevators in the building are not equipped with emergency elevator recall, all elevators must be taken off the automatic control and switched to manual control. 5) All personnel entering an elevator car will be equipped with SCBA and all PPE. 6) No more than six (6) members plus their equipment on each elevator unless a freight elevator is being utilized. 7) All personnel shall exit the elevator two (2) floors below the fire floor which will be utilized as Operations. 8) The operator of every elevator car must have some type of forcible entry tool, SCBA, portable radio and one (1) extra air bottle. 9) All companies will come in with a full complement of tools and equipment. 10) If the reported fire is on the fifth floor or lower, the Fire Attack Group will still recall the elevators, but will utilize the stairwells to access the fire floor. 2. First Arriving Battalion Chief 1) The first arriving Battalion Chief will assume Command and then establish the command post (CP) in an appropriate location as logistics dictate, and will remain at the (CP) for the duration of the incident. If practical, the Incident Commander will ensure the completion of the following tasks; Review a copy of the building pre-fire plan, floor plan, if available, and confer with all responsible parties. Designate and or re-designate all assignments as necessary. Locate and supervise the operation of the fire communications/command panel. Confirm fire floor location. Determine if building management has made any announcements over the fire/communications command panel. Repeat and modify announcement as required. Determine if any evacuation is in progress and the extent and location of the evacuation relative to floor(s) and stairwell(s). General Operational Guidelines Subject: Highrise Operations Effective Date: 6/1/2016 GOG: 10-6 Applies to: All KCFD Personnel Supersedes: Previous GOG 10-6 Page 6 of 11 dated 4/1/06 Responsible Committee: Operations Next Review Date: 6/1/2018 Establish communication with all tactical assignments. Confirm fire attack stairwell and evacuation stairwell and announce. Give progress report, to include location and extent of fire, and status of occupant evacuation. Confirm or designate a staging area a minimum of one (1) block from the incident and select a location for High rise 102 that is close as possible to the lobby for equipment deployment. Remain Incident Commander for the duration of the incident unless relieved by a higher ranking Chief Officer. The remaining companies dispatched on the “Highrise Response” will arrive on the scene and remain in Level 1 Staging until the Incident Commander verbally assigns them to a task. The tactical assignments described below are recommended during an actual fire in a highrise. It is understood that the Incident Commander may determine that these fireground tasks may need to be altered depending on the incident. 3. Operations 1) The Operations Chief will report to the command post and confer with the Incident Commander and gather all vital information before establishing Operations two (2) floors below the fire floor and ensure the completion of the following tasks; Establish Operations normally two (2) floors below the fire floor. Contact the Fire Attack Group (preferably face to face) and obtain a status report that includes but is not limited to verification of fire floor, identification of stairwells used for fire attack and for evacuation, summary of actions taken, progress made, and problems that require attention. Provide a detailed progress report to the IC on the status of any evacuation. Notify the IC if it is necessary to attack the fire from a second front. Coordinate the relief of personnel on the Fire Attack Group. Assess the need for a support and rehab area. Coordinate search and rescue Informs IC when ventilation is safe to conduct. Ventilation should be performed by Truck companies on the Fire Attack Group and the Rapid Ascent Team in concert. Initiate salvage operations. General Operational Guidelines Subject: Highrise Operations Effective Date: 6/1/2016 GOG: 10-6 Applies to: All KCFD Personnel Supersedes: Previous GOG 10-6 Page 7 of 11 dated 4/1/06 Responsible Committee: Operations Next Review Date: 6/1/2018 4. Search Group 1) Upon assignment, report directly to the IC at the (CP), with the appropriate tools and equipment. Upon confirmation of a fire, the tasks, unless otherwise directed, will be as follows. The Search Group Officer and will be assigned to Operations. Coordinate primary search of the floors above the fire floor. Provide salvage covers for diking elevator hoist way doors to prevent the loss of those elevators. Initiate forcible entry where necessary. Initiate ventilation upon direction of the IC or Operations. 5. Rapid Intervention (RIT) (Reports to Operations) 1) Upon assignment report to the IC and standby. Upon confirmation of a fire, the task of RIT will be assigned to Operations. Unless otherwise directed, will be as follows: Report directly to the IC at the (CP) with appropriate tools and equipment. In addition, be prepared to perform the duties of the Rapid Intervention Group (RIT) two floors below the fire. Examine floor directly below fire floor to determine layout of fire floor. 6. Evacuation Group (RAT1) 1) Upon assignment, report to the IC and standby. Upon confirmation of a fire, the tasks will be as follows: Report directly to the IC at the (CP) with appropriate tools and equipment. In addition, be prepared to perform the duties of the Evacuation Group in the fire attack stairwell. This includes, but is not limited to: Ascend via the appropriate elevator only to the level of two (2) floors below the fire floor, unless upper floors are serviced by a separate bank of elevators. Initiate a top-down stairwell search of the fire attack stairwell. If additional resources are required to complete this task, notify Operations immediately. Escort building occupants out of the fire attack stairwell and relocate them to a safe location (e.g., evacuation stairwell or another safe location). If occupants are encountered in the fire Attack stairwell above the fire floor, advise the Fire Attack Group to withhold the attack until all occupants have been safely removed. Initiate forcible entry and ventilation; and Prepare to perform duties at the direction of the Incident Commander, which may include stairwell ventilation via the bulkhead/hatch or roof door, depending on fire and/or smoke conditions. 7. Evacuation Group (RAT2) 1) Upon assignment, report to the Incident Commander, and standby. Upon confirmation of a fire, the tasks will be as follows: General Operational Guidelines Subject: Highrise Operations Effective Date: 6/1/2016 GOG: 10-6 Applies to: All KCFD Personnel Supersedes: Previous GOG 10-6 Page 8 of 11 dated 4/1/06 Responsible Committee: Operations Next Review Date: 6/1/2018 Report directly to the Incident Commander at the (CP) with the appropriate tools and equipment. In addition, be prepared to perform the duties of the Evacuation Group in the evacuation stairwell. This includes, but is not limited to: Ascend via the appropriate elevator only to the level of two (2) floors below the fire floor, unless upper floors are serviced by a separate bank of elevators. Initiate a top-down stairwell search of the evacuation stairwell. If additional resources are required to complete this task, notify the Incident Commander, immediately; and Check the conditions in the evacuation stairwell, and remove building occupants to a safe area, if required. The stairwell door to the fire floor should not be opened into the evacuation stairwell. The only exception is when it necessitates a civilian and/or firefighter rescue. The Incident Commander will be notified if this procedure becomes necessary and will notify the search and rescue units of this action. Initiate forcible entry and ventilation; and Prepare to perform duties at the direction of the Incident Commander, which may include conducting a primary search of the floor above the fire floor, initiate stairwell ventilation via the bulkhead/hatch, depending on fire and/or smoke conditions. 8. Lobby Control Branch & Group 1) Upon assignment, report directly to the Incident Commander at the (CP). Bring the appropriate tools and equipment. Each member must bring one extra air bottle. Upon confirmation of a fire, the task of this unit will be the following: To establish and maintain Lobby Control. Meet and confer with IC. Assume Lobby Control functions and place all tools in a convenient location. Track all resources and personnel with accountability system. Ensure someone is staffing the fire/communication command panel. Obtain from the IC a set of standard messages that may be used during announcement over the buildings communication system. Ensure that the building Engineer or responsible party is located in order to control the HVAC, and verify the operation of the fire pumps. Secure a list of persons who are self-identified as requiring special assistance, including their ordinary location in the building and their identified points of refuge. Secure additional floor plans. Place all elevators in fire service mode to prevent building occupants from being drawn to the fire-floor, and ensure all elevator cars are accounted for and searched. Direct a member to operate second elevator car. That member must be equipped with a portable radio, SCBA, forcible entry tool and one (1) extra air bottle. General Operational Guidelines Subject: Highrise Operations Effective Date: 6/1/2016 GOG: 10-6 Applies to: All KCFD Personnel Supersedes: Previous GOG 10-6 Page 9 of 11 dated 4/1/06 Responsible Committee: Operations Next Review Date: 6/1/2018 Control the gathering/flow of civilian traffic in the main floor lobby. Be cognizant that fire companies may utilize stairwell fire telephones as an alternate means of communication. 9. EMS Group (C120 and 2 Medic units) 1) Upon assignment, the assigned company will report to Lobby Control Group Officer and begin the formation of the EMS group. ▪ Be prepared to be assigned EMS group The initial EMS group will be established in a location determined by the Lobby Control Group Officer; various factors may determine the location of this group. Gather medical supplies from on scene apparatus Determine the need for additional EMS resources Be prepared to begin the initial phases of triage General Operational Guidelines Subject: Highrise Operations Effective Date: 6/1/2016 GOG: 10-6 Applies to: All KCFD Personnel Supersedes: Previous GOG 10-6 Page 10 of 11 dated 4/1/06 Responsible Committee: Operations Next Review Date: 6/1/2018 COMMUNICATIONS The communications during high rise incidents can tax the department’s normal means of radio transmissions. It is imperative that non-critical information be transmitted in a face-to-face manner if at all possible. Some high rise buildings, due to their construction features, may present problems to the 800 MHz radio system. Below is an example of an Incident Management flow chart and Communications Model. This example should be considered the foundation of an Incident Management structure; well involved high rise incidents will require a much more complex structure. Communication Model (The tac channels provided are for example, the Dispatch Center will assign what channels are to be used) IC 1st BC Fire Ground TAC 3 Operations Branch Lobby Control Branch Fire Attack Group Lobby Control Group 1st Truck & 1st & 2nd Pumper EMS Group Search Group Rapid Intervention Group Evacuation Group RAT #1 RAT #2 General Operational Guidelines Subject: Highrise Operations Effective Date: 6/1/2016 GOG: 10-6 Applies to: All KCFD Personnel Supersedes: Previous GOG 10-6 Page 11 of 11 dated 4/1/06 Responsible Committee: Operations Next Review Date: 6/1/2018 EQUIPMENT The following is a list of equipment that will be issued to each Pumper Company. This equipment will be referred to as the “High Rise Pack”. Removing items from the High Rise Pack to be utilized for other purposes will not be permitted. Normal seat-belt style straps will be utilized to secure the 2 ½ light-weight hose together. One masonry style tool bag will be issued to carry the remaining equipment. 1. 4 sections of 50 ft. 2 ½ inch hose. Colored orange for easy identification as High Rise hose. 2. 2 double male connections 2 ½ inch 3. 2 double female connections 2 ½ inch 4. 2 light-weight 2 ½ inch caps 5. One 2 ½ inch pistol-grip straight stream nozzle 6. One 2 ½ inch in-line pressure gauge 7. 1 aluminum 18 inch pipe wrench 8. 2 spanner wrenches 9. 3 door wedges 10. 1 water pump pliers 11. One multi-tip screwdriver 12. 4 sections of 12 ft. webbing 13. 1 wire brush 14. 1 ball peen hammer TRAINING It will be the responsibility of all field Battalion Chiefs and all Company Officers to incorporate regular training on both the High Rise Manual and the High Rise Pack. This training should be included in both daily company drills and also each battalion’s monthly drill. It is imperative that each company familiarize themselves with the high rise building within their district. Fire companies should utilize as many means as possible to familiarize themselves with the high rise buildings within their district, such as walk-thru, pre-planning, ems calls, automatic alarms, and fire drills.