Chicago Fire Department SOP PDF

CHICAGO FIRE DEPARTMENT - STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE S.O.P. Number: 101.00 Effective Date: November 1, 2013 Section: 100 Subject: Structured Risk Management Assessment I. OBJECTIVE: T...

CHICAGO FIRE DEPARTMENT - STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE S.O.P. Number: 101.00 Effective Date: November 1, 2013 Section: 100 Subject: Structured Risk Management Assessment I. OBJECTIVE: This Standard Operating Procedure: A. Creates a Chicago Fire Department (CFD) Structured Risk Management Assessment to be utilized by all members operating on the scenes of an emergency incident; and B. Outlines the procedures to be utilized by all members in conducting a Structured Risk Management Assessment. II. DEFINITIONS: A. Risk Management: Any activity that involves the evaluation of risks and the implementation of actions intended to mitigate those risks and avoid harmful consequences. When applied to the workplace, including the fire department workplace, risk management aims to either make tasks safer for the workers or keep the workers as safe as possible from job-related hazards. B. Situational Awareness: The level of understanding and attentiveness that members have regarding the reality of an emergency incident. When situational awareness is elevated, surprises rarely happen on the fireground; but whenever firefighters are injured or killed, situational awareness is usually minimal or even absent. Put another way, situational awareness is the relationship between what members perceive is happening and what is really happening. C. Structured Risk Management Assessment: Is a structured analysis of risks and hazards that are present on the scene of an emergency incident. This thorough, systematic analysis serves to increase situational awareness of the emergency incident scene in order to enhance individual and overall safety for members and civilians at the incident. SOP 101.00 Original Page 1 of 7 III. COMMUNICATIONS PLAN AND RADIO PROCEDURES: There are no special Communications Plans or Radio Procedures for a Structured Risk Management Assessment. IV. DISPATCH: There are no special Dispatch procedures for a Structured Risk Management Assessment. V. SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS: A. Operating at emergency incidents is an inherently dangerous activity. CFD members have voluntarily chosen a career which may present numerous risks that other professions do not possess. Fire Department personnel take these risks when there is a high probability of rescuing or aiding a viable victim. However, these inherent risks do not allow members to operate with a cavalier attitude or to disregard the basic principles of safety. Picking the right SOP is one of the first steps. Trying to fit an SOP that is the not designed for the event is a sure way of getting hurt". B. Each emergency incident is dynamic and requires continual re-evaluation of the incident as it progresses. 1. Members operating on the scene of an incident must have 360-degree situational awareness and assessment of the scene. The assessment process begins prior to dispatch and continues throughout the incident until all members have safely returned to the firehouse. 2. While members may not always have the ability to observe the entire incident scene (for example, a company operating inside a structure cannot see conditions on the roof, and vice versa), members must report the conditions they discover, and listen for conditions in other areas as communicated by other members. VI. PROCEDURES: A. A Structured Risk Management Assessment includes the following steps: 1. Identifying Risk Exposure: Members must analyze the incident to determine the risk which is present. Risk may be present in one or more of the following categories: a. Operational Risk: Risk to members responding to, operating at, and returning from emergency incidents. Examples include trip and fall hazards; overhead hazards; risks possessed by working near roadways; and the risk of thermal injuries or smoke inhalation from operating at fires. SOP 101.00 Original Page 2 of 7  b. Organizational Risk: Risk to the fire department as an organization. Areas of organizational risk exposure include failure to properly train and failure to adequately equip. Organizational risk also includes an understanding that emergency operations will become ineffective if a member becomes trapped or injured during the course of the incident. c. Community Risk: Risk to the community as a whole. Fire departments and other emergency management agencies exist primarily to address and manage community risk. In some instances, emergency operations add to community risk. Examples include roadway obstructions from emergency vehicles, or unsafe structures following operations. 2. Evaluating Risk Potential: Members must determine whether the risk is truly a threat to individuals on the scene of an emergency incident. 3. Ranking and Prioritizing Risks: Members must address risks in an appropriate order. On a task and/or tactical level, this usually involves addressing the most severe risks in a member’s or company’s immediate area of operation. On a strategic level, this involves allocating resources to different areas, sectors, and functions based on the risks faced at a specific incident. 4. Determining and Implementing Actions: Members must determine the proper corrective actions to avoid, reduce, or eliminate the risk. These actions should be performed with a goal to increase the safety of the operation. Choosing the right Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for an incident is of primary importance. Following an SOP that is inappropriate for an incident increases the risk of Department members becoming injured. The “action” may include not taking a specific action, e.g. not entering a structure that is fully involved in fire. 5. Evaluating and Revising Actions: After an action has been taken, all members must re-identify risk exposure, and then proceed through steps of the process again. The re-evaluation process by all members must continue throughout the duration of the emergency incident. B. CFD members shall not take unnecessary risks to mitigate the emergency incident. This process is based upon a risk vs. reward concept. While not possible or practical to follow in every instance, there is an eleven-step process outlining the optimal way, from a risk management perspective, to address an emergency incident: 1. Members must size up their own tactical areas of operation. Firefighters, Paramedics and Company Officers are in the best location to evaluate specific risks in their specific area of the incident and should communicate any areas of concern. Company Officers in particular must avoid “tunnel vision” on the task at hand, and take a few seconds to size up the total situation. SOP 101.00 Original Page 3 of 7  2. Members must evaluate the potential for victim survival. Consider the specific conditions of the fire or other emergency incident and if the victims are viable and could survive the incident. 3. Members must not risk their lives for what is already lost. If conditions indicate that potential victims could not survive, the action plan should be modified to protect firefighters and paramedics (For Example: Switching to defensive operations on a fireground). 4. Members may extend limited risk to protect savable property. No building is ever worth losing a firefighter, but if a building can be saved, firefighters may take limited risks. Firefighting operations may proceed with adequate resources, and members must continually assess fire conditions, structural integrity, and other areas of risk. 5. Members should extend vigilant and measured risk to protect savable lives. Firefighters should initiate search and rescue in a calculated, controlled, and safe manner (For example, RIT in position, charged hose line(s) in position, etc.). As always, members must continually assess fire and emergency incident conditions. If conditions deteriorate and become unsafe, crews must be rapidly withdrawn. 6. Members must enter together, stay together, and exit together. Staying together as a team throughout an operation reduces risk, as members maintain an awareness of safety for both themselves and their partners on all types of emergency incidents. 7. Members must remain continuously aware of their air supply, situation, location, traffic and fire conditions. “Lack of Situational Awareness” is the most frequently cited cause of near-miss events on emergency incidents. Members must pay attention to these critical factors that influence their task-specific risk. 8. Members must constantly monitor tactical communications for critical radio reports. In addition to situational awareness of their specific areas, members must enhance their awareness of the rest of the emergency incident by listening to all radio transmissions. 9. All members are required to report unsafe practices or conditions. If a member reports safety concerns, Company Officers and supervisors should stop for a moment to discuss the concern, assess the situation, and then decide the correct action and safe response. This process shall not in any way condone insubordination, but does allow for any member to raise a “red flag” without penalty. SOP 101.00 Original Page 4 of 7  10. Members are required to abandon their positions and retreat before deteriorating conditions can harm them. Firefighters and paramedics are always at the point of greatest risk on the scene of an emergency incident, and do not need approval from a supervisor to abandon a high-risk operation that becomes unsafe and life-threatening. Firefighters and paramedics who abandon their positions, however, must notify their supervisors and/or the Incident Commander as soon as possible after abandoning their position. 11. Members should declare a Mayday as soon as they think they are in danger. Firefighters have a very narrow window for survivability when they find themselves in trouble. Any delay shortens that window. Members must not hesitate, and must declare a Mayday as soon as necessary to activate RIT resources and enhance their chances of survival. C. A Structured Risk Management Assessment at the tactical or task level shall be a thorough, but rapid assessment, conducted by all members operating on the scene of every emergency incident. For example, members approaching a fire structure should look above them for falling debris, below them for trip hazards, and in front of them for fire conditions and any viable victims. D. A Structured Risk Management Assessment for the entire operation may be more methodical on a Command Staff level in order to integrate all facets of the emergency incident to develop an overarching tactical plan to safely, efficiently, and effectively mitigate an emergency incident. E. Members operating on an emergency incident must be aware of their own personal knowledge, level of training, and physical abilities and include these factors into their Structured Risk Management Assessments. SOP 101.00 Original Page 5 of 7  Figure 1-Structured Risk Management Assessment Identifying/ Evaluating Risk Reassessing Potential Risk Exposure Evaluating and Ranking and Revising Prioritizing Actions Risks Determining and Implementing Actions VII. SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS: A. The dynamics of an emergency situation can change rapidly. Members shall conduct Structured Risk Management Assessments continuously throughout the emergency incident. B. Any significant risks or hazards which are discovered by a member MUST be communicated to the Incident Commander and/or Company Officer immediately. SOP 101.00 Original Page 6 of 7 VIII. RESPONSIBILITIES: A. Chief Officers and Company Officers shall be responsible for ensuring compliance with the provisions of this SOP. B. Chief Officers and Company Officers shall conduct Company School to ensure that all members are aware of the provisions of this SOP. C. It is the responsibility of all members to have a thorough knowledge of this SOP. BY ORDER OF: José A. Santiago Fire Commissioner TO BE READ AT FOUR (4) ROLL CALLS AND POSTED. Distribution: A, F SOP 101.00 Original Page 7 of 7  CHICAGO FIRE DEPARTMENT - STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE S.O.P. Number: 102.00 Effective Date: January 1, 2014 Section: 100 Subject: Mayday Procedures at Working Fires and Fire Training Exercises I. OBJECTIVE: This Standard Operating Procedure: A. Creates a Chicago Fire Department (CFD) procedure for incidents that involve Mayday situations at Working Fires and Fire Training Exercises; and B. Outlines the duties and responsibilities of members operating at incidents that involve a Mayday at Working Fires and Fire Training Exercises. II. DEFINITIONS: Mayday: A declaration made when members at an emergency incident or training exercise find themselves, or other CFD members, in an extremely dangerous situation, in the hazardous area. Including, but not limited to: A. Injured and in need of immediate assistance; B. Lost; C. Trapped; D. Out of air; E. Any circumstance where a member needs to be removed from a hazardous area. III. COMMUNICATIONS PLAN AND RADIO PROCEDURES: A. The following radio channels shall be utilized, as indicated in the table below, during a Mayday incident at Working Fires and Fire Training Exercises. Company Officers shall ensure that all members under their command are on the appropriate tactical channel. B. Until the arrival of the Command Van, Engineers shall monitor the tactical channel as well as the appropriate Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC) dispatch channel. SOP 102.00 Original page 1 of 6 CFD Radio Assignments Channel Name Zone Channel Operational Use Office of Emergency MAIN FD/EMS 1 Communications with OEMC. Management and Communications (OEMC) Office of Emergency ENGLEWOOD FD/EMS 2 Communications with OEMC. Management and Communications (OEMC) Alternate Fireground ADMINISTRATIVE FD/EMS 3 Alternate Fireground tactical channel used during a MAYDAY incident or as indicated by the Incident Commander. Fireground FIREGROUND FD/EMS 4 Fireground tactical channel during normal operations; RIT channel used by RIT, and companies with lost/trapped/missing/distressed/ members, during a MAYDAY incident. Fire Command FIRE COMMAND FD/EMS 5 Channel used by the Incident Commander to communicate with Chief Officers and/or Sector Chiefs at extra-alarm fires or other large-scale incidents. EMS Command EMS COMMAND FD/EMS 6 EMS tactical channel that may be used as indicated by the EMS Command Chief and/or the Incident Commander. EMS Operations EMS OPERATIONS FD/EMS 7 EMS tactical channel that may be used as indicated by the EMS Command Chief and/or the Incident Commander. Alternate Fireground OPS channels FD/EMS 8 Alternate Fireground tactical channels (8, 9 and 10) 9 that may be used as indicated by the 10 Incident Commander (fires in close proximity, high-rise search and rescue, staging, etc.). SOP 102.00 Original page 2 of 6 IV. DISPATCH: A. When a member declares a Mayday, the Incident Commander (IC) shall request a Fire Mayday Response through the OEMC. B. Upon receiving a Mayday request from the Incident Commander, the OEMC shall dispatch a Fire Mayday Response consisting of: 1. One (1) additional Rapid Intervention Team (RIT) 2. One (1) Special Operations Battalion Chief 3. One (1) Safety Chief 4. One (1) additional Squad Company, or two (2) Squad Companies if a Squad was not initially dispatched to the original incident 5. Collapse Response consisting of Collapse Rescue Truck 5-2-1 and Lumber Truck 5- 2-2. If the Incident Commander deems the Collapse Response unnecessary for a specific Mayday incident (for example: Water Rescue Incident, Hazardous Materials Incident, etc.), the Incident Commander may cancel the Collapse Response and return these companies. 6. One (1) Air Mask Truck 7. One (1) Light Wagon 8. An EMS Plan 1, if the original incident did not already include an EMS Response Plan. Any escalation to an EMS Plan 2 or EMS Plan 3 shall be at the discretion of the Incident Commander. 9. Any additional resources as deemed necessary by the Incident Commander. C. Upon receiving a Fire Mayday Response request, the OEMC shall also escalate a Still Alarm or Still and Box Alarm to the next level of alarm. Any escalation of alarm above a 2-11 Alarm shall be at the discretion of the Incident Commander. V. SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS: A. All members shall be proficient with the use of portable radios and understand their capabilities and limitations. B. All members shall properly wear the appropriate complement of PPE for their assigned task (SCBA straps buckled, hood in position, etc.). Company Officers and Chief Officers shall ensure compliance with this. SOP 102.00 Original page 3 of 6  C. All members shall conduct a structured Risk Management Assessment of all incidents. Any significant risks shall be communicated to the Incident Commander, who can make an informed decision. D. All members shall exercise radio discipline at all times, especially during a Mayday incident. VI. PROCEDURES: Members shall observe the following procedures when a Mayday is declared at a Working Fire or Fire Training Exercise: A. To clear all radio traffic on the tactical channel and to make all members aware of the Mayday situation, the member requesting the Mayday shall repeat the word MAYDAY three (3) times and, if possible, wait for acknowledgement before transmitting the remaining information. B. As soon as a Mayday is declared, all other radio traffic shall cease until all Mayday information is transmitted. (Exception: When the member who declares a Mayday waits for acknowledgement, only the Incident Commander or designee may acknowledge the Mayday.) C. The member who declared the Mayday shall provide as much information as possible. 1. “L.I.P.” is a useful acronym for ensuring that all pertinent information is transmitted: a. Location – Probable or last known location of the firefighter(s). b. Identification – Firefighter(s) name, rank, and company. c. Problem – The reason for the Mayday. 2. Example 1 (member waits for acknowledgement of the initial Mayday): Officer: “MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY.” IC: “This is Battalion 26. Who has a MAYDAY?” Officer: “This is Truck 99, we are in the third floor kitchen in Sector 1(Side A) and found Firefighter Williams from Truck 98. He fell and is unconscious.” SOP 102.00 Original page 4 of 6  3. Example 2 (member does not wait for acknowledgement of the initial Mayday): Firefighter: “MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY. This is Firefighter Smith from Truck 99, I am in (Side C) in the basement, I fell through the floor and I am injured.” IC: “This is Battalion 26. Message received, Firefighter Smith. We are deploying the RIT to you.” D. After a Mayday is declared, the Incident Commander shall order all normal fireground radio traffic to switch to the alternate tactical channel. Only the following shall remain on the original tactical channel, which shall become the RIT channel: 1. The member who declared the Mayday. 2. The company of the member who declared the Mayday. 3. The company with the lost, trapped, missing, or distressed member(s), if different from the company who declared the Mayday (see Example 1 from above). 4. The RIT. VII. SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS: A. When a Mayday is declared at a Working Fire or Fire Training Exercise, companies not involved in the Mayday shall continue with their assigned tasks unless otherwise ordered. A Mayday does not automatically require an Emergency Evacuation. B. All members shall remain constantly aware of their location, in case they should need to call for assistance. C. The Incident Commander must be prepared to assign an additional company to the RIT in order to provide protection or help mitigate the rescue (for example: an Engine Company to provide a charged hose line or an additional Truck/Squad to assist with searches, movement of debris or removal of the downed member.). D. The Command Van operating on scene shall monitor all tactical channels in use at an incident (for example: FIREGROUND, FIRE COMMAND, EMS OPS, or any other tactical channel) to remain alert for possible Maydays. SOP 102.00 Original page 5 of 6 VIII. RESPONSIBILITIES: A. Chief Officers and Company Officers shall be responsible for ensuring compliance with the provisions of this SOP. B. Chief Officers and Company Officers shall conduct Company School to ensure that all members are aware of the provisions of this SOP. C. It is the responsibility of all members to have a thorough knowledge of this SOP. BY ORDER OF: José A. Santiago Fire Commissioner TO BE READ AT FOUR (4) ROLL CALLS AND POSTED. Distribution: A, F SOP 102.00 Original page 6 of 6  CHICAGO FIRE DEPARTMENT - STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE S.O.P. Number: 103.00 Effective Date: January 1, 2014 Section: 100 Subject: Emergency Alert Procedures I. OBJECTIVE: This Standard Operating Procedure: A. Creates a Chicago Fire Department (CFD) procedure for incidents that involve an Emergency Alert; and B. Outlines the duties and responsibilities of members operating at incidents that involve an Emergency Alert. II. DEFINITIONS: Emergency Alert: An announcement, initiated by any member operating at an emergency incident, that an emergency is imminent or has already occurred. These emergencies include, but are not limited to: A. Structural integrity issues (for example: weakened back porches, holes formed in floors, weakened chimneys, etc.). B. Notable hazards (for example: heavy loads on a roof, downed power lines, incomplete construction, etc.). C. Loss of water. D. Impending change in weather/wind conditions that may affect aerial operations. E. Discovery of a hazardous material (toxic chemicals, radioactive substances, etc.). F. Any change in the incident or area that may place members in significant danger (for example: flashover, structural collapse, etc.). SOP 103.00 Original Page 1 of 5 III. COMMUNICATIONS PLAN AND RADIO PROCEDURES: A. The following radio channels shall be utilized, as indicated in the table below, for an Emergency Alert at an incident. Company Officers shall ensure that all members under their command are on the appropriate tactical channel. B. Until the arrival of the Command Van, Engineers shall monitor the tactical channel as well as the appropriate Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC) dispatch channel. CFD Radio Assignments Channel Name Zone Channel Operational Use Office of Emergency MAIN FD/EMS 1 Communications with OEMC. Management and Communications (OEMC) Office of Emergency ENGLEWOOD FD/EMS 2 Communications with OEMC. Management and Communications (OEMC) Alternate Fireground ADMINISTRATIVE FD/EMS 3 Alternate Fireground tactical channel used during a MAYDAY incident or as indicated by the Incident Commander. Fireground FIREGROUND FD/EMS 4 Fireground tactical channel during normal operations; RIT channel used by RIT, and companies with lost/trapped/missing/distressed/ members, during a MAYDAY incident. Fire Command FIRE COMMAND FD/EMS 5 Channel used by the Incident Commander to communicate with Chief Officers and/or Sector Chiefs at extra-alarm fires or other large-scale incidents. EMS Command EMS COMMAND FD/EMS 6 EMS tactical channel that may be used as indicated by the EMS Command Chief and/or the Incident Commander. EMS Operations EMS OPERATIONS FD/EMS 7 EMS tactical channel that may be used as indicated by the EMS Command Chief and/or the Incident Commander. Alternate Fireground OPS channels FD/EMS 8 Alternate Fireground tactical channels (8, 9 and 10) 9 that may be used as indicated by the 10 Incident Commander (fires in close proximity, high-rise search and rescue, staging, etc.). SOP 103.00 Original Page 2 of 5 IV. DISPATCH: An Emergency Alert, by itself, does not include any specific dispatch upgrades. V. SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS: A. All members shall be proficient with the use of portable radios and understand their capabilities and limitations. B. All members shall properly wear the appropriate complement of PPE for their assigned task (SCBA straps buckled, hood in position, etc.). Company Officers and Chief Officers shall ensure compliance with this. C. All members shall conduct a structured Risk Management Assessment of all incidents. Any significant risks shall be communicated to the Incident Commander, who can make an informed decision. VI. PROCEDURES: Members shall observe the following procedures when announcing an Emergency Alert. A. To clear all radio traffic on the tactical channel, and to alert all members that an emergency message is about to be sent, the member announcing the emergency shall repeat the word EMERGENCY three (3) times and, if possible, wait for acknowledgement before transmitting the remaining information. B. As soon as an Emergency Alert is announced, all other radio traffic shall cease until all Emergency Alert information is transmitted. (Exception: When the member who announces an Emergency Alert waits for acknowledgement, only the Incident Commander or designee may acknowledge the Emergency Alert.) C. The member who announced the Emergency Alert shall transmit a brief radio message to all members on the scene, including the nature, location, and type of emergency. If the Emergency Alert is declared by a member other than the Incident Commander, the Incident Commander shall acknowledge the message and repeat the Emergency Alert information. 1. Example 1 (member waits for acknowledgement of the initial Emergency Alert): Officer: “EMERGENCY, EMERGENCY, EMERGENCY.” IC: “This is Battalion 26, go ahead with your Emergency Alert.” SOP 103.00 Original Page 3 of 5  Officer: “Engine 130 to all members, the rear porches at 4812 W. Jackson are unstable and not safe to use.” IC: “Engine 130, your message received. Battalion 26 to all members operating on the scene of the Still & Box at 4812 W. Jackson, the rear porches are unstable and not safe to use.” 2. Example 2 (member does not wait for acknowledgement of the initial Emergency Alert): Firefighter: “EMERGENCY, EMERGENCY, EMERGENCY. Engine 130 Hydrant to all members, we have a frozen hydrant at 26th and Western.” IC: “Engine 130 Hydrant, your message received. Battalion 26 to all members at the Still Alarm on 26th Street, there is a frozen hydrant at 26th and Western.” 3. Example 3 (Incident Commander initiates the Emergency Alert): IC: “EMERGENCY, EMERGENCY, EMERGENCY. Battalion 28 to all members at the scene of the fire on Aberdeen. The interior basement stairs are severely compromised. Only use the exterior walk out stairs to make entry.” D. If an Emergency Alert needs to be transmitted over multiple tactical channels (FIREGROUND, COMMAND, OPS 10, etc.), The Incident Commander shall ensure the Command Van on scene transmits the appropriate message, for example: Command Van: “EMERGENCY, EMERGENCY, EMERGENCY. 2-7-7 to all members at the 2-11 on Milwaukee Avenue, the marquee in Sector 1 (Side A) is unstable. Stay clear of the collapse area in Sector 1.” VII. SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS: A. All members operating at any type of incident are responsible for safety – not only for themselves, but for other members. If a member becomes aware of a significant hazard, he or she shall transmit an Emergency Alert. B. All members shall remain constantly aware of their location, in case they should need to call for assistance. C. When an Emergency Alert is declared, companies shall continue with their assigned tasks, while avoiding any hazards identified in the Alert. An Emergency Alert does not automatically require an Emergency Evacuation. SOP 103.00 Original Page 4 of 5  D. If it is necessary to repeat the Emergency Alert to notify EMS members working at the incident, the Incident Command shall instruct the EMS Command Chief or EMS Communications Chief to repeat the Emergency Alert on the appropriate EMS Tactical Channel(s). IX. RESPONSIBILITIES: A. Chief Officers and Company Officers shall be responsible for ensuring compliance with the provisions of this SOP. B. Chief Officers and Company Officers shall conduct Company School to ensure that all members are aware of the provisions of this SOP. C. It is the responsibility of all members to have a thorough knowledge of this SOP. BY ORDER OF: José A. Santiago Fire Commissioner TO BE READ AT FOUR (4) ROLL CALLS AND POSTED. Distribution: A, F SOP 103.00 Original Page 5 of 5  CHICAGO FIRE DEPARTMENT - STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE S.O.P. Number: 104.00 Effective Date: January 1, 2014 Section: 100 Subject: Emergency Evacuation I. OBJECTIVE: This Standard Operating Procedure: A. Creates a Chicago Fire Department (CFD) procedure for incidents that involve an Emergency Evacuation; and B. Outlines the duties and responsibilities of members operating at incidents that involve an Emergency Evacuation. II. DEFINITIONS: A. Emergency Evacuation: An announcement, initiated by the Incident Commander, that all members shall IMMEDIATELY evacuate a building or hazardous area. Situations that may require an Emergency Evacuation include, but are not limited to: 1. Structural collapse or threat of structural collapse; 2. Roof collapse; 3. Rapidly changing fire conditions; 4. Any other situation where the Incident Commander feels an Emergency Evacuation is necessary. B. Systematic Withdrawal: The process of CFD Companies methodically exiting a structure or hazardous area. During a Systematic Withdrawal, the most remote members and/or the members most in danger leave the structure first, ensuring that members’ means of egress is protected as they exit. A Systematic Withdrawal shall be ordered and directed by the Incident Commander. III. COMMUNICATIONS PLAN AND RADIO PROCEDURES: A. The following radio channels shall be utilized, as indicated in the table below, for an Emergency Evacuation at an incident. Company Officers shall ensure that all members under their command are on the appropriate tactical channel. SOP 104.00 Original Page 1 of 5  B. Until the arrival of the Command Van, Engineers shall monitor the tactical channel as well as the appropriate Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC) dispatch channel. CFD Radio Assignments Channel Name Zone Channel Operational Use Office of Emergency MAIN FD/EMS 1 Communications with OEMC. Management and Communications (OEMC) Office of Emergency ENGLEWOOD FD/EMS 2 Communications with OEMC. Management and Communications (OEMC) Alternate Fireground ADMINISTRATIVE FD/EMS 3 Alternate Fireground tactical channel used during a MAYDAY incident or as indicated by the Incident Commander. Fireground FIREGROUND FD/EMS 4 Fireground tactical channel during normal operations; RIT channel used by RIT, and companies with lost/trapped/missing/distressed/ members, during a MAYDAY incident. Fire Command FIRE COMMAND FD/EMS 5 Channel used by the Incident Commander to communicate with Chief Officers and/or Sector Chiefs at extra-alarm fires or other large-scale incidents. EMS Command EMS COMMAND FD/EMS 6 EMS tactical channel that may be used as indicated by the EMS Command Chief and/or the Incident Commander. EMS Operations EMS OPERATIONS FD/EMS 7 EMS tactical channel that may be used as indicated by the EMS Command Chief and/or the Incident Commander. Alternate Fireground OPS channels FD/EMS 8 Alternate Fireground tactical channels (8, 9 and 10) 9 that may be used as indicated by the 10 Incident Commander (fires in close proximity, high-rise search and rescue, staging, etc.). IV. DISPATCH: A. An Emergency Evacuation, by itself, does not include any specific dispatch upgrades. B. During an Emergency Evacuation, the Incident Commander shall consider escalating the alarm, depending on the reason for the Emergency Evacuation. SOP 104.00 Original Page 2 of 5 V. SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS: A. All members shall be proficient with the use of portable radios and shall understand their capabilities and limitations. B. All members shall properly wear the appropriate complement of PPE for their assigned task (SCBA straps buckled, hood in position, etc.). Company Officers and Chief Officers shall ensure compliance with this. C. All members shall conduct a structured Risk Management Assessment of all incidents. Any significant risks shall be communicated to the Incident Commander, who can make an informed decision. D. All members shall exercise radio discipline at all times. VI. PROCEDURES: The following procedure will be used to alert members at an emergency incident of an Emergency Evacuation: A. To clear all radio traffic on the tactical channel and to make all members aware of the Emergency Evacuation situation, the Incident Commander ordering the Emergency Evacuation shall repeat the word EVACUATE three (3) times. The Incident Commander will then order all apparatus drivers to activate their air horns with a series of short blasts for 30 seconds to alert members who may not have heard the radio message. Example: “EVACUATE, EVACUATE, EVACUATE. 2-2-9 to all members at 1411 W. Madison, evacuate the building IMMEDIATELY. All apparatus drivers, short blasts on your air horns for 30 seconds.” B. When an Emergency Evacuation has been ordered, ALL members will IMMEDIATELY exit the building or hazardous area. All equipment will be abandoned except for the minimum equipment necessary to complete the evacuation (ladders, ropes, lights, forcible entry tools, etc.). C. Hoselines shall not be removed until a PAR is completed, except those that are needed by interior crews to protect the members during an Emergency Evacuation. Deployed hoselines shall be left in place to guide members out of the building/hazardous area, or used to assist the RIT in locating missing members. D. After an Emergency Evacuation, Company Officers shall account for their members by conducting a Personnel Accountability Report (PAR), and shall be prepared to relay the results of the PAR upon request. Company Officers shall keep all their members together, when possible, until the required PAR is completed. SOP 104.00 Original Page 3 of 5  E. After an Emergency Evacuation, members in the Command Van and/or the Deputy District Chief’s Aide shall constantly monitor all channels and be ready to document the results of the PAR. F. If a “NO PAR” has been declared and/or any members have NOT been accounted for, the Incident Commander shall request a Mayday response through the OEMC and deploy the Rapid Intervention Team (RIT) per current department policies and procedures. VII. SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS: A. When a Mayday is declared, all companies not involved in the Mayday shall continue with their assigned tasks unless otherwise ordered. A Mayday does not automatically require an Emergency Evacuation. B. Incident Commanders shall only order an Emergency Evacuation when an IMMEDIATE evacuation is required for the safety of members operating at the scene. C. When an Emergency Evacuation is not required (for example: when changing to defensive operations, exterior fire attack, etc.), the Incident Commander shall order members to exit using a Systematic Withdrawal. During a Systematic Withdrawal, apparatus drivers shall NOT activate their air horns. D. All members shall remain constantly aware of their location, in case they should need to call for assistance. E. If it is necessary to repeat the Emergency Evacuation to notify EMS members working at the incident, the Incident Command shall instruct the EMS Command Chief or EMS Communications Chief to repeat the Emergency Evacuation on the appropriate EMS tactical channel(s). VIII. RESPONSIBILITIES: A. Chief Officers and Company Officers shall be responsible for ensuring compliance with the provisions of this SOP. B. Chief Officers and Company Officers shall conduct Company School to ensure that all members are aware of the provisions of this SOP. C. It is the responsibility of all members to have a thorough knowledge of this SOP. SOP 104.00 Original Page 4 of 5 BY ORDER OF: José A. Santiago Fire Commissioner TO BE READ AT FOUR (4) ROLL CALLS AND POSTED. Distribution: A, F SOP 104.00 Original Page 5 of 5  CHICAGO FIRE DEPARTMENT - STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE S.O.P. Number: 105.00 Effective Date: January 1, 2014 Section: 100 Subject: Personnel Accountability Report (PAR) Procedures I. OBJECTIVE: This Standard Operating Procedure: A. Creates a Chicago Fire Department (CFD) procedure for incidents that involve a Personnel Accountability Report (PAR); and B. Outlines the duties and responsibilities of members operating at incidents that involve a PAR. II. DEFINITIONS: A. Hazardous Area: The immediate area around an emergency incident which has the potential for serious injury or death. Examples include, but are not limited to, the following: 1. A building which is on fire 2. An area where a technical rescue operation is occurring 3. The water or shoreline during water rescue operations 4. The Hot or Warm Zone of a hazardous materials incident 5. The Hot or Warm Zone surrounding a potential explosive device 6. The Collapse Zone at a fire, structural collapse, or potential structural collapse 7. On scene of a High Risk Warrant response B. Personnel Accountability Report (PAR): A roll call procedure initiated by the Incident Commander to confirm that all members who were operating in a hazardous area are located and physically accounted for. SOP 105.00 Original page 1 of 9  C. Personnel Accountability Report (PAR) Form: A preprinted form used by the Incident Commander or designee to track companies and members as each company replies to a PAR request. Extra PAR Forms shall be maintained by Districts, Field Divisions, Battalions, Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Districts, and Command Vans. D. “PAR,” “NO PAR,” and “PAR in Progress”: Brief verbal responses to a PAR request indicating the accountability status of a company. “PAR” indicates that all company members are accounted for. “No PAR” indicates that a company member(s) is unaccounted for. “PAR in progress” indicates that a company needs additional time to account for all its members. E. Personnel Accountability System (PAS) Tags: Engraved plastic tags with a snap hook connector that can be attached to an apparatus collector ring. The tags contain a member’s last name and file number. The apparatus collector ring with PAS Tags attached identifies which members are in service on the apparatus. F. EMS Command Chief: The highest-ranking EMS Chief Officer assigned to an incident. The EMS Command Chief shall exert command and control over all EMS activities. G. EMS Communications Chief: The Paramedic Field Chief responsible for coordinating all EMS communications from an incident. Also known as the “Communications Officer,” in other CFD Documents. III. COMMUNICATIONS PLAN AND RADIO PROCEDURES: A. The following radio channels shall be utilized, as indicated in the table below, during an incident that involves a PAR. Company Officers shall ensure that all members under their command are on the appropriate tactical channel. B. Until the arrival of the Command Van, Engineers shall monitor the designated tactical channel as well as the appropriate Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC) dispatch channel. SOP 105.00 Original page 2 of 9 CFD Radio Assignments Channel Name Zone Channel Operational Use Office of Emergency MAIN FD/EMS 1 Communications with OEMC. Management and Communications (OEMC) Office of Emergency ENGLEWOOD FD/EMS 2 Communications with OEMC. Management and Communications (OEMC) Alternate Fireground ADMINISTRATIVE FD/EMS 3 Alternate Fireground tactical channel used during a MAYDAY incident or as indicated by the Incident Commander. Fireground FIREGROUND FD/EMS 4 Fireground tactical channel during normal operations; RIT channel used by RIT, and companies with lost/trapped/missing/distressed/ members, during a MAYDAY incident. Fire Command FIRE COMMAND FD/EMS 5 Channel used by the Incident Commander to communicate with Chief Officers and/or Sector Chiefs at extra-alarm fires or other large-scale incidents. EMS Command EMS COMMAND FD/EMS 6 EMS tactical channel that may be used as indicated by the EMS Command Chief and/or the Incident Commander. EMS Operations EMS OPERATIONS FD/EMS 7 EMS tactical channel that may be used as indicated by the EMS Command Chief and/or the Incident Commander. Alternate Fireground OPS channels FD/EMS 8 Alternate Fireground tactical channels (8, 9 and 10) 9 that may be used as indicated by the 10 Incident Commander (fires in close proximity, high-rise search and rescue, staging, etc.). SOP 105.00 Original page 3 of 9 IV. DISPATCH: A PAR request, by itself, does not include any specific dispatch upgrades. V. SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS: A. All members shall be proficient with the use of portable radios and understand their capabilities and limitations. B. All members shall properly wear the appropriate complement of PPE for their assigned task (SCBA straps buckled, hood in position, etc.). Company Officers and Chief Officers shall ensure compliance with this. C. All members shall conduct a structured Risk Management Assessment of all incidents. Any significant risks shall be communicated to the Incident Commander, who can make an informed decision. D. All members shall exercise radio discipline at all times. VI. PROCEDURES: A. The Incident Commander or designee shall conduct a PAR in any of the following situations: 1. After a Mayday is declared (in these instances, companies not involved in RIT operations shall respond to the PAR on the designated Alternate Fireground tactical channel). 2. Following an Emergency Evacuation. 3. Following a Systematic Withdrawal. 4. After any sudden hazardous event at an emergency incident (for example: flashover, backdraft, structural collapse, etc.). 5. When deemed necessary by the Incident Commander. B. If conducting a PAR at the scene of a Still Alarm, the Incident Commander or designee shall complete the following: 1. List all companies that are or were operating in the hazardous area on the PAR Form. SOP 105.00 Original page 4 of 9  2. Announce on Fireground or the designated Ops channel that all Company Officers shall be prepared to provide a PAR when requested. At no time shall the Incident Commander interrupt any emergency transmissions (such as a Mayday) to convey this message. For example: “Battalion 27 to all units operating at the fire at 1411 W. Madison, stand by for a PAR.” 3. Call each Fire Suppression & Rescue (FS&R) company that is or was operating in the hazardous area individually to request a PAR. The Incident Commander shall call companies that are or were operating in the area of greatest risk first. 4. Instruct the EMS Command Chief to conduct a PAR on the designated EMS tactical channel, if any EMS companies are or were operating in the hazardous area. 5. Await the response of each FS&R company: a. A company whose members are all accounted for will respond with the term “PAR” and the company’s location (for example: “Engine 3, PAR in Sector 1” [Side A]). b. A company that needs additional time to account for members will respond with “PAR in progress” to indicate that additional time is needed. c. A company whose members are not all accounted for will respond with the term “NO PAR.” The company will report which member is unaccounted for. 6. If a company does not respond when called, request whether any other Company Officer has a visual of the Company Officer of the unaccounted-for company. 7. If a company does not respond when called, and no other company or Company Officer can account for that company, request an Engineer on the scene to bring the PAS Tags from the apparatus of the unaccounted-for company to the Command Post. 8. Document the results of the PAR on the PAR Form, and continue to the next FS&R company, even if members are unaccounted for. Continue the PAR to ensure that additional members are not missing or injured. 9. If necessary, return at a later time to any companies who report a “PAR in progress.” 10. Obtain and document the results of the EMS PAR from the EMS Command Chief. 11. When the PAR is complete, announce on FIREGROUND or the designated Ops channel and to the OEMC that the PAR is complete, along with the results of the PAR. SOP 105.00 Original page 5 of 9 C. If a “NO PAR” has been declared, the Incident Commander shall: 1. After completing the PAR for the entire scene, request the missing member to report immediately on FIREGROUND or the designated Ops channel. 2. Await the missing member’s response. If the member does not respond, obtain the name of the unaccounted-for member, along with the member’s assigned task at the incident and/or last known location, from the member’s Company Officer or another company member. 3. If necessary, request a Mayday response for the missing member(s) and follow the department’s current Mayday policies and procedures. If multiple members are unaccounted for, request additional RITs as needed as well as additional EMS support. 4. Assign the RIT to the last known location of the unaccounted-for member(s). D. When a PAR is conducted at an emergency scene, Company Officers shall: 1. Cease all radio communications except for emergency traffic (Maydays, Emergency Alerts, and PAR responses). 2. Personally verify the presence of their assigned members by conducting a face-to- face roll call, when possible, and be prepared to relay this information to the appropriate Chief Officer (Incident Commander, EMS Command Chief) or designee when requested. 3. Keep all company members together, if possible, until the PAR is completed. 4. Report company identification and location and the status of the PAR, as appropriate: a. “PAR” if all members are accounted for. b. “PAR in progress” if additional time is needed. c. “NO PAR” if any members are unaccounted for, as well as the name and rank of any member who is unaccounted for. 5. Remain prepared to assist the Incident Commander in accounting for other companies. The Incident Commander may ask Company Officers if they can see other companies that have not responded to a PAR request. If a Company Officer has such a visual, he or she shall instruct the company that has not answered to respond to the PAR request. SOP 105.00 Original page 6 of 9  6. If another Company reports a “NO PAR,” follow the Department’s current Mayday policies and procedures: a. Only the following shall remain on the original tactical channel, which shall become the RIT channel: i. The member who declared the Mayday. ii. The company of the member who declared the Mayday. iii. The company with the lost, trapped, missing, or distressed member(s), if different from the company who declared the Mayday. iv. The RIT. b. Ensure that all company members, when ordered, switch their radios to the designated Alternate Fireground tactical channel for routine fireground messages. c. Ensure that all company members maintain their current positions and assignments on the fireground until the Mayday is secured or until otherwise directed by the Incident Commander. 7. If directly involved in the Mayday (companies declaring a Mayday, companies reporting a “NO PAR,” and RIT), remain on the RIT channel and follow the instructions of the Incident Commander and RIT Battalion Chief. 8. If a company member is assisting an Ambulance Company with patient care, report this in the company’s PAR. (Example: “Engine 3 to Battalion 27, PAR in Sector 1,” [Side A] except for Firefighter Jones who is assisting Ambulance 66.) The Ambulance Company Officer (or a member acting in that capacity) shall verify that member’s presence to the EMS Command Chief. E. The EMS Command Chief or designee shall: 1. Upon the Incident Commander’s request, conduct a PAR on the designated EMS tactical channel if EMS companies are or were operating in the hazardous area. 2. Call each EMS Company that is or was operating in the hazardous area individually to request a PAR. The EMS Command Chief shall call those companies that are or were operating in the area of greatest risk first. 3. Await the response of each EMS company: SOP 105.00 Original page 7 of 9  a. A company whose members are all accounted for will respond with the term “PAR,” followed by the company’s location (for example: “Ambulance 3, PAR in Sector 1” [Side A]). b. A company that needs additional time to account for members will respond with “PAR in progress” to indicate that additional time is needed. c. A company whose members are not all accounted for will respond with the term “NO PAR.” The company will report which member is unaccounted for. 4. Report the results of the EMS PAR to the Incident Commander face-to-face, or to the EMS Communications Chief on the EMS Command Channel, if at an extra- alarm event. VII. SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS: A. If a PAR is necessary at the Scene of a Still and Box or Extra Alarm, the Incident Commander shall designate the Plans Chief, if on scene, to conduct the PAR: 1. The Plans Chief shall announce on FIREGROUND or the designated tactical channel that a PAR shall be conducted. At no time shall the Plans Chief interrupt any emergency transmissions, such as a Mayday, to convey this message. 2. The Plans Chief shall list all companies that are or were operating in the hazardous area on the PAR Form. B. If an EMS PAR is necessary at the scene of an EMS Plan or other large-scale incident, the EMS Command Chief shall designate the EMS Communications Chief, if on scene, to conduct the EMS PAR. C. The Incident Commander shall consider the possibility that an unaccounted-for member is not, in fact, missing (For example: left the scene while assisting an Ambulance Company with patient care, did not remove a PAS Tag during shift change, was out shopping during the fire, etc.). In such cases, the Incident Commander shall designate a Chief Officer to investigate. D. In the event of a patient transport from an emergency scene, the transporting Ambulance’s Company Officer shall report if any FS&R members have accompanied the Company to the hospital, to the EMS Command Chief. E. In the event of a patient transport from an emergency scene, the EMS Command Chief shall verify whether FS&R members have accompanied the Ambulance Company to the hospital. SOP 105.00 Original page 8 of 9  F. All members, not just Company Officers, shall remain prepared to report a PAR. When reporting a PAR, members shall provide their: 1. Name and Rank 2. Company 3. Current Location 4. Status of the PAR G. All members shall remain constantly aware of their location, so they can report their position when prompted, and/or in case they need to call for assistance. VIII. RESPONSIBILITIES: A. Chief Officers and Company Officers shall be responsible for ensuring compliance with the provisions of this SOP. B. Chief Officers and Company Officers shall conduct Company School to ensure that all members are aware of the provisions of this SOP. C. It is the responsibility of all members to have a thorough knowledge of this SOP. BY ORDER OF: José A. Santiago Fire Commissioner TO BE READ AT FOUR (4) ROLL CALLS AND POSTED. Distribution: A, F SOP 105.00 Original page 9 of 9  PERSONNEL ACCOUNTABILITY REPORT (PAR) FORM Company PAR Members Unaccounted For Time of PAR Number CFD: Personnel Accountability Report (PAR) Form CFD Form: 200 (Rev 1: 2013)  CHICAGO FIRE DEPARTMENT - STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE S.O.P. Number: 106.00 Effective Date: September 20, 2014 Section: 100 Subject: Rapid Intervention Team (RIT) at Fires I. OBJECTIVE: This Standard Operating Procedure: A. Creates a Chicago Fire Department (CFD) procedure for the dispatch and possible deployment of a Rapid Intervention Team (RIT) at fire incidents; and B. Outlines the duties and responsibilities of the RIT when dispatched to fire incidents. II. DEFINITIONS: A. EMS RIT Chief: The Paramedic Field Chief who assumes control of the EMS components of the RIT. Depending on the type of incident as well as the number of EMS Chief Officers dispatched, the Paramedic Field Chief responsible for the duties of the EMS RIT Chief may be responsible for the duties of the EMS Command Chief, the EMS Communications Chief and the EMS Rehab Chief, as described in other Department Policies and Procedures. The EMS RIT Chief will be responsible for any tasks assigned to the “RIT Paramedic Field Chief” in any other Department Written Directives. B. Rapid Intervention Team (RIT): A Task Force of CFD members dedicated to the search, rescue, and medical treatment of Firefighters and/or Paramedics in distress. A RIT consists of: 1. One (1) Battalion Chief (RIT Chief) 2. One (1) Truck Company (RIT Company) 3. One (1) Paramedic Field Chief (EMS RIT Chief) 4. One (1) ALS Ambulance (RIT Ambulance) 5. One (1) ALS Engine Company (RIT Engine) – for high-rise fires only C. RIT Ambulance: An ALS Ambulance that provides RIT-related EMS care. D. RIT Channel: A dedicated radio channel used at an active MAYDAY by the lost, trapped, distressed, or missing member(s); the company with lost, trapped, distressed, or missing member(s); and the RIT. The RIT channel shall be the tactical channel used by the lost, trapped, distressed, or missing member(s) at the incident before the RIT was activated. SOP 106.00 Original Page 1 of 19  E. RIT Chief: The Battalion Chief in charge of RIT operations at an emergency incident. The RIT Chief’s responsibilities shall be separate from those of the Incident Commander. F. RIT Company: A Fire Suppression & Rescue (FS&R) Truck Company designated by the Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC) which may be called upon to quickly apply rescue techniques to lost, trapped, distressed, or missing member(s) operating at the scene of an emergency incident. G. RIT Company Officer: The FS&R Company Officer in charge of the RIT Company. H. RIT Engine: An ALS Engine Company designated by the OEMC at high-rise fire incidents for the exclusive purpose of performing immediate stabilization and medical treatment to rescued firefighter(s) prior to transfer to the RIT Ambulance. I. RIT Staging Area: The area to which the RIT reports upon arrival on scene and stages for possible deployment. Normally, the RIT Staging Area shall be established in Side A, near enough to the Incident Command Post so that the RIT Chief can verbally communicate with the Incident Commander, but far enough away so as to not interfere with ongoing fireground activities. The Incident Commander may designate an alternate RIT Staging Area as a situation dictates. For a high-rise fire, the RIT Staging Area for the RIT Company, the RIT Chief, the RIT Engine and the EMS RIT Chief shall be established one floor below the fire floor, unless otherwise directed by the Forward Fire Commander. J. Task Force: Any combination of resources assembled to support a specific mission or operational need. All resource elements within a Task Force must have common communications and a designated leader. III. COMMUNICATIONS PLAN AND RADIO PROCEDURES: A. The following radio channels shall be utilized, as indicated in the table below, for a fire incident to which a RIT is dispatched. Company Officers must ensure that all members under their command are on the appropriate tactical channel. B. Until the arrival of the Command Van, Engineers shall monitor the designated tactical channel as well as the appropriate Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC) dispatch channel. C. When assigned as part of a RIT, the word “RIT” shall be added after the company signature (For example: “Battalion 25 RIT,” “Truck 109 RIT,” “Engine 146 RIT,” and “Ambulance 99 RIT”). Companies assigned to RIT duties shall keep the “RIT” signature for the duration of the incident. SOP 106.00 Original Page 2 of 19  CFD Radio Assignments Channel Name Zone Channel Operational Use Office of Emergency MAIN FD/EMS 1 Communications with OEMC. Management and Communications (OEMC) Office of Emergency ENGLEWOOD FD/EMS 2 Communications with OEMC. Management and Communications (OEMC) Alternate Fireground ADMINISTRATIVE FD/EMS 3 Alternate fireground tactical channel used during a MAYDAY incident or as indicated by the Incident Commander. Fireground FIREGROUND FD/EMS 4 Fireground tactical channel during normal operations; RIT channel, used by RIT and companies with lost/trapped/missing/distressed members, during a MAYDAY incident. Fire Command FIRE COMMAND FD/EMS 5 Channel used by the Incident Commander to communicate with other Chief Officers at extra-alarm fires or other large-scale incidents. Alternate Fireground OPS channels (8, 9 FD/EMS 8 Alternate fireground tactical channels and 10) 9 that may be used as indicated by the 10 Incident Commander (fires in close proximity, high-rise search and rescue, staging, etc.). IV. DISPATCH: A. The following units shall be dispatched as the RIT, in addition to the normal emergency response dispatch, to all fire incidents that require a RIT: 1. One (1) Battalion Chief 2. One (1) Truck Company 3. One (1) Paramedic Field Chief 4. One (1) ALS Ambulance 5. One (1) ALS Engine Company (RIT Engine) – to high-rise fires only SOP 106.00 Original Page 3 of 19  B. If the size or scope of the incident necessitates more than one (1) RIT for member safety, the Incident Commander shall immediately request an additional RIT through the OEMC. C. If the Incident Commander feels that a RIT is not necessary due to the size or scope of the incident (For example: cooking smoke, rubbish, etc.), the Incident Commander may terminate the RIT response. D. If the RIT is deployed at an incident for a MAYDAY, the Incident Commander shall notify the OEMC of the MAYDAY and request a MAYDAY response per current Department policy. V. SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS: A. Prepare for extreme weather conditions. B. All members shall properly wear the appropriate complement of PPE for their assigned task (SCBA straps buckled, hood in position, etc.). Company Officers and Chief Officers shall ensure compliance with this. C. All members shall conduct structured Risk Management Assessments of all incidents. Any significant risks shall be communicated to the Incident Commander, who can make an informed decision. D. Operations shall not be carried out hastily, but rather shall be accomplished in a series of methodical and calculated movements, allowing for the safest and most efficient operations possible. E. All members shall exercise radio discipline at all times. The use of radios to transmit superfluous information is prohibited. During an active emergency incident, members shall not utilize their radios to transmit non-essential information. F. All members assigned to the RIT shall constantly evaluate the progress of the incident and determine what actions need to be taken for RIT operations if a MAYDAY is declared. If a member assigned to the RIT discovers that exits are blocked, barriers to firefighters’ progress need to be removed, or ground ladders need to be raised for emergency egress, that member shall immediately notify the RIT Chief (or the Incident Commander if the RIT Chief is not yet on the scene) through the chain of command. The RIT Chief shall ensure that this information is conveyed to the Incident Commander for immediate action. G. If a member not assigned to RIT observes any specific hazards that might affect firefighter safety or potential RIT operations (For example: blocked exits), that member shall immediately notify the Incident Commander and all other members operating on the emergency scene through the CFD’s Emergency Alert procedures. SOP 106.00 Original Page 4 of 19  H. Members utilizing SCBAs shall monitor air consumption. I. Company Officers must also monitor the SCBA air consumption of members on their companies, ensuring that they do not run out of air while operating in the hazardous area. J. Chief Officers must monitor work times to ensure that companies have adequate rest and rehabilitation, per current Department policy. VI. PROCEDURES: A. The RIT Company Officer DISPATCHED to a fire incident shall: 1. Delegate the assignment of duties for the RIT Company (For example: Forcible entry tools, RIT pack, search rope bag, etc.), at or before Roll Call. 2. Ensure that the apparatus does not block the intersection or street, or otherwise impede the ingress/egress of additional companies. 3. Ensure that all RIT Company members are properly equipped with a full complement of properly worn PPE (SCBA straps buckled, hood in position, etc.), tools, and equipment. 4. Ensure that all members of the RIT Company have their portable radios “ON” and are monitoring the appropriate tactical channel(s). 5. Report to the incident with proper tools and equipment: a. At a non-high-rise incident, report to the RIT Staging Area, and report the RIT Company’s arrival at the RIT Staging Area to the RIT Chief, or to the Incident Commander if the RIT Chief is not yet on the scene. If the RIT Staging Area has not been established, report to Side A and await direction from the Incident Commander. b. At a high-rise incident, report to the RIT Chief in the Incident Command Post and, when instructed by the Incident Commander, proceed together to the Forward Fire Command Post. After conferring with the Forward Fire Commander, proceed together to the RIT Staging Area. The RIT Staging Area shall be one floor below the fire floor, unless otherwise directed by the Forward Fire Commander. 6. Conduct a RIT size-up by physically walking around and surveying the incident scene with the RIT Chief. Inform the RIT Company members of any findings from the RIT size-up, including the following: SOP 106.00 Original Page 5 of 19  a. Building construction type, occupancy, and condition. b. Roof construction and any involvement with fire. c. Any hazards that may impede firefighter evacuation, including locked gates, burglar bars, high-security doors/windows, etc. d. The position and progress of firefighters inside the structure or hazardous area. e. The location of pressurized smoke, heavy fire conditions, or any other potential threats to the safety of members on the interior. f. Any secondary means of egress (For example: alternate exterior doorways, windows that are at ground level or have been laddered, a second ladder to the roof, etc.). g. For a high-rise incident, the layout of the fire floor and the floor above the fire (obtained from a floor plan, if available), as well as any information on elevator, stairwell, and standpipe locations. h. When applicable, the location of auxiliary appliances (For example: sprinklers, standpipes, etc.) and their operational status. NOTE: During extended operations, the RIT size-up shall be repeated frequently as long as doing so does not diminish the response capability of the RIT Company. 7. Assess nearby apparatus for the availability of additional tools and equipment (ground ladders, hand lines, etc.). 8. Ensure that the RIT Company remains together as a team ready to deploy. 9. Determine which companies are operating in the hazardous area and where they are operating. If the alarm escalates, be aware of additional companies that may be reporting to and operating at the scene. 10. Monitor the proper tactical channel(s) while standing by in the RIT Staging Area. B. The RIT Company Officer DEPLOYED at a fire incident (MAYDAY) shall: 1. Ensure that all members of the RIT Company understand the situation, the plan of action to be taken, and their assignments before deployment. 2. Ensure that all members of the RIT Company remain on the RIT Channel for the duration of the MAYDAY. SOP 106.00 Original Page 6 of 19  3. Communicate with the RIT Chief, via radio, at least every five (5) minutes, exchanging information about interior and exterior fire and smoke conditions. 4. Notify the RIT Chief, via the RIT Channel, of the following: a. Conditions encountered inside the hazardous area (For example: smoke, heat, fire, structural instability, etc.). b. The need for any additional equipment or manpower (For example: additional Engine Company for suppression activities, additional Squad Company for extrication, etc.). c. Any additional information that could assist in the rescue of the lost/trapped/missing/distressed member(s). d. When and where the lost/trapped/missing/distressed member(s) has been located. e. When the lost/trapped/missing/distressed member(s) is being removed. f. Where the lost/trapped/missing/distressed member(s) is being removed to (Examples: Side C, second floor window of Side D, etc.). g. When the lost/trapped/missing/distressed member(s) has been removed from the hazardous area. 5. Once the RIT Company exits the hazardous area, immediately conduct a PAR and report the results of the PAR to the RIT Chief. 6. Conduct an inventory of equipment and evaluate the condition of the members. Inform the RIT Chief whether the RIT Company can be deployed again or be used as a backup to another RIT Company. NOTE: The RIT Officer must provide strong and decisive leadership when dealing with a lost/trapped/missing/distressed member(s), and must provide for the safety of the RIT Company members at all times. C. The RIT Company Firefighters DISPATCHED to a fire incident shall: 1. Assemble proper tools and equipment for the incident on hand. The minimum tools and equipment required when assigned as a RIT Company are: a. Proper PPE (including SCBA, hood, hand light, webbing, etc.) b. Portable radios SOP 106.00 Original Page 7 of 19  c. Forcible entry and forcible exit tools (axe, bar, sledge, etc.) d. Thermal Imaging Camera (TIC) e. Search rope f. Rabbit tool g. RIT pack h. A ground ladder, acquired from a nearby truck company, capable of reaching the highest window of any non-high-rise structure i. Stokes basket j. Reciprocating “Sawz-all” hand-operated saw k. 10-foot collapsible ladder l. Metal-cutting saw m. Elevator keys for buildings with elevators n. Vent Saw o. Personal Floatation Devices (PFDs) for fire incidents on or near bodies of water 2. Ensure that portable radios are “ON,” and monitor all FS&R tactical channel(s) in use at the incident. 3. Under direction of the RIT Officer, report to the incident with proper tools and equipment: a. At a non-high-rise incident, report to the RIT Staging Area. If the RIT Staging Area has not been established, report to Side A and await direction from the Incident Commander. b. At a high-rise incident, report to the RIT Chief in the Incident Command post and, when instructed by the Incident Commander, proceed to the Forward Fire Command Post. After conferring with the Forward Fire Commander, proceed together to the RIT Staging Area. 4. Remain together as a team, constantly monitoring the proper tactical channel(s), while the RIT Officer and RIT Chief conduct a RIT size-up. SOP 106.00 Original Page 8 of 19  5. Obtain findings of the RIT size-up from the RIT Officer and RIT Chief, then remain together as a team in a state of readiness in the RIT Staging Area. D. The RIT Company Firefighters DEPLOYED at a fire incident (MAYDAY) shall: 1. Understand the situation, the plan of action to be taken, and their assignments before deployment. 2. Remain on the RIT Channel, and not in the “Scan” mode, for the duration of the MAYDAY. 3. Once deployed, stay together as a team, remaining in voice contact with the RIT Officer. 4. Move as quickly as possible to the last known location of the lost/trapped/missing/distressed member(s), and begin a search. 5. Constantly remain aware of the surroundings and the ongoing operations within the hazardous area. Request assistance if needed. 6. Upon locating the victim(s), notify the RIT Officer and begin preparing the victim(s) for removal. 7. After exiting the hazardous area, transfer the rescued member(s) to the RIT Ambulance (or RIT Engine at a high-rise fire). If the RIT Ambulance/RIT Engine is not yet on the scene, provide EMS care until care of the member(s) can be transferred. 8. After exiting the hazardous area and transferring the rescued member(s) to the RIT Ambulance, exchange air bottles and prepare to deploy again or to be used as a backup to another RIT Company. E. The RIT Engine DISPATCHED to a high-rise fire incident shall: 1. Assemble the proper EMS equipment for assuming duties of the RIT Engine. The minimum equipment required when assigned as the RIT Engine are: a. Proper PPE (including SCBA, hood, hand light, webbing, etc.) b. Portable radios c. Cardiac Monitor/Defibrillator d. Quick Response Bag (QRB) SOP 106.00 Original Page 9 of 19  e. Airway Bag, Oxygen (O2) Cylinder, and spare O2 Cylinders f. Stair chair g. Cervical collar 2. Report to the Incident Commander in the Incident Command Post and, when instructed, proceed to the Forward Fire Command Post. After conferring with the Forward Fire Commander, proceed to the RIT Staging Area, and report to the RIT Chief. The RIT Staging Area shall be one floor below the fire floor, unless otherwise directed by the Forward Fire Commander. 3. Ensure that portable radios are “ON,” and monitor all FS&R tactical channels in use at the incident. 4. Obtain findings of the RIT size-up from the RIT Officer and RIT Chief, and then remain together as a team in a state of readiness in the RIT Staging Area. F. The RIT Engine DEPLOYED at a high-rise fire incident (MAYDAY) shall: 1. Confer with the RIT Chief to meet the RIT Company at the location/stairwell from which the rescued member(s) has been removed. 2. Provide immediate stabilization and medical care to the rescued member(s). 3. Transport the rescued member(s) to the RIT Ambulance in the lobby, providing ongoing medical care en route. NOTE: RIT Engine members shall not enter the fire floor(s), nor engage in firefighting activities, unless explicitly ordered by the RIT Chief. The exclusive purpose of the RIT Engine is to provide immediate medical stabilization and treatment to rescued member(s) at high-rise fires prior to the transfer of care to the RIT Ambulance. G. The RIT Ambulance DISPATCHED to a fire incident shall: 1. Position the RIT Ambulance in close proximity to the incident, ensuring not to impede the ingress or egress of any other apparatus from the incident, while at the same time allowing for unimpeded egress for the immediate transport of an injured member. 2. Assemble EMS equipment as needed, including at minimum: a. Proper PPE per the Department policy and procedures b. Portable radios SOP 106.00 Original Page 10 of 19  c. Stretcher, blanket, and sheets d. Backboard and cervical collar e. Cardiac Monitor/Defibrillator f. Quick Response Bag (QRB) g. Airway Bag, Oxygen (O2) Cylinder, and spare O2 Cylinders h. PFDs for fire incidents on or near bodies of water 3. Monitor the proper EMS and FS&R tactical channel(s) for the duration of the incident. 4. Report to the incident with proper PPE and EMS equipment: a. At a non-high rise incident, proceed to the RIT Staging Area and report to the EMS RIT Chief. If the EMS RIT Chief is not yet on the scene, report to the Incident Commander. b. At a high-rise incident, report to the EMS RIT Chief or the EMS Command Chief, in the Incident Command Post. If the EMS RIT Chief or EMS Command Chief are not yet on scene, report to the Incident Commander. c. In cases of extreme weather conditions, with the permission of the RIT Chief and after reporting to the EMS RIT Chief, stage in the cab of an apparatus near the RIT Staging Area. 5. If a civilian(s) needs treatment prior to the arrival of the Standby Ambulance, or available EMS resources on the scene are overwhelmed, complete the following: a. Request any additional resources needed through the EMS RIT Chief or EMS Command Chief (or the Incident Commander if the EMS RIT Chief or EMS Command Chief are not yet on scene). b. Provide the appropriate level of care to the civilian patient(s). c. As soon as possible, transfer care of the civilian patient(s) to the Standby Ambulance or other available Ambulance, and return to the original RIT assignment SOP 106.00 Original Page 11 of 19  d. If immediate transport of a civilian patient is required and neither the Standby Ambulance nor any other Ambulance is available, immediately inform the EMS RIT Chief (or the Incident Commander, if the EMS RIT Chief is not yet on the scene) and proceed with the civilian transport. H. The RIT Ambulance DEPLOYED at a fire incident (MAYDAY) shall: 1. Provide medical care to injured members, after their removal from the hazardous area by the RIT Company and/or the RIT Engine. 2. Serve as the Triage Team for the incident if multiple CFD members are injured. 3. Transport injured member(s) to the appropriate receiving hospital. 4. Upon arrival at the receiving hospital, update the OEMC via telephone with member information, including the member’s condition. NOTE: RIT Ambulance members shall not enter any hazardous atmosphere. I. The EMS RIT Chief DISPATCHED to a fire incident shall: 1. Ensure not to impede the ingress or egress of any other apparatus to or from the incident. 2. Ensure that the RIT Ambulance has a means of ingress to and egress from the incident. 3. Report to the Incident Command Post with proper PPE and proceed as follows: a. At incidents that do not involve the dispatch of multiple EMS Chief Officers (non-high-rise fires, non-extra alarm fires, etc.): i. Report to the Incident Commander. ii. Confirm the location of RIT Staging Area and the Rehab Area (if established). b. At incidents that involve the dispatch of multiple EMS Chief Officers (high-rise fires, extra alarm fires, etc.): i. Report to the EMS Command Chief (if on scene), or the Incident Commander, in the Incident Command Post. EMS RIT Chiefs shall bring their full complement of turnout gear (including SCBA) to high-rise fires. ii. Confi