Toronto Fire Services Training Note (PDF) - Incident Commanders Rules of Engagement, 2018

Fire Services Professional Development and Training Training Note FROM: Fire Chief EFFECTIVE DATE: November 20, 2018 GROUP: 100 Firefighting Knowledge and Skills SECTION:...

Fire Services Professional Development and Training Training Note FROM: Fire Chief EFFECTIVE DATE: November 20, 2018 GROUP: 100 Firefighting Knowledge and Skills SECTION: 104 Incident Management System SUB-SECTION: 104.1 Using the Incident Management System UNIT: 104.1.11 Incident Commanders Rules of Engagement TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION......................................................................................................... 2 2. OBJECTIVES.............................................................................................................. 2 3. THE CHECKLIST........................................................................................................ 4 Toronto Fire Services Training Note: 104.1.11 Professional Development and Training Date Prepared: November 2018 Page 1 of 4 1. INTRODUCTION The “Rules of Engagement” have been developed by the International Association of Fire Chiefs to assist the Incident Commander (as well as command team officers) in risk assessment and “Go” – “No‐Go” decisions. Applying these rules will make the fireground safer for all, reducing injuries and fatalities. Toronto Fire Services has adopted this as the decision tree to determine whether a fire is fought offensively or defensively. The Incident Commanders Rules of Engagement for Firefighter Safety requires that the Incident Management System be implemented. 2. OBJECTIVES Rapidly conduct or obtain a 360 degree size‐up of the incident Obtaining an early 360 degree survey and risk assessment allows the Incident Commander to determine the safest approach for tactical operations. NO GO - If an assigned objective cannot be achieved due to conditions, evaluate the situation and revise the Incident Action Plan. If a 360 cannot be completed the Incident Commander MUST assign a fire officer to conduct a 360 degree size up. Special consideration shall be given to abandoned or dilapidated buildings Determine the Occupant Survival Profile Consider fire conditions in relation to possible occupant survival before committing firefighters to search and rescue operations. NO GO - If the occupants cannot survive do not commit to a rescue. Obtain fire control before searching. No action plan can be accurately developed until we first determine if the victim can survive the fire conditions before rescuers can remove them. Conduct an Initial Risk Assessment and Implement a Safe Action Plan Develop a safe action plan by completing a thorough risk assessment before firefighters are placed at risk. Ongoing progress reports will provide information critical to the action plan and aid in decision making and revisions to the action plan. Toronto Fire Services Training Note: 104.1.11 Professional Development and Training Date Prepared: November 2018 Page 2 of 4 If there is not enough resources to safely support and protect Firefighters seriously consider a Defensive Strategy Prevent the commitment of firefighters to high risk tactical objectives that cannot be accomplished safely. Do not risk Firefighter lives for property that cannot be saved Prevent the commitment of firefighters when there is significant or total destruction of the building NO GO - If the fire has, or will destroy the structure, adjust the action plan. Extend LIMITED risk to protect SAVABLE property Extend measured risk to protect and rescue SAVABLE lives. Where the survival profile indicates lives may be saved, risk should be applied in a calculated manner. Act upon reported unsafe practices and conditions that can harm firefighters. Stop, evaluate and decide. Prevent firefighters and supervisors from engaging in unsafe practices or exposure to unsafe conditions that can harm them. Allow any member to raise an alert about a safety concern without penalty and mandate the Incident Commander to promptly address the question to ensure safe operations. Maintain frequent two‐way communications and keep interior crews informed of changing conditions Obtain frequent progress reports from officers and keep all interior crews informed of changing fire conditions observed from the exterior. Obtain frequent progress reports and revise the action plan Frequent progress reports allow the incident commander to maintain a high level of situational awareness. Ensure accurate accountability of all Firefighter location and status Maintain a constant and accurate accountability of the location and status of all firefighters. Toronto Fire Services Training Note: 104.1.11 Professional Development and Training Date Prepared: November 2018 Page 3 of 4 If, after completion of the primary search, little or no progress towards fire control has been achieved ‐ seriously consider a Defensive Strategy Determine if it’s safe to continue offensive interior operations if there has been no progress in controlling the fire and if there are no lives to be saved following the completion of the primary search. Always have a Rapid Intervention Team in place at all working fires Always have Firefighter rehab services in place at all working fires Ensure that firefighters are properly re‐hydrated with fluids before returning to the next cycle of firefighting or released from the scene. 3. THE CHECKLIST Rapidly Conduct, or Obtain, a 360 Degree Size‐Up of the Incident. Determine the Occupant Survival Profile. Conduct an Initial Risk Assessment and Implement a SAFE ACTION PLAN. If You Do Not Have The Resources to Safely Support and Protect Firefighters - Seriously Consider a Defensive Strategy. DO NOT Risk Firefighter Lives for Lives or Property That Can Not Be Saved - Seriously Consider a Defensive Strategy. Extend LIMITED Risk to Protect SAVABLE Property. Extend Measured Risk to Protect and Rescue SAVABLE Lives. Act Upon Reported Unsafe Practices and Conditions That Can Harm Firefighters. Stop, Evaluate and Decide Maintain Frequent Two‐Way Communications and Keep Interior Crews Informed of Changing Conditions. Obtain Frequent Progress Reports and Revise the Action Plan. Ensure Accurate Accountability of All Firefighter Location and Status. If, After Completing the Primary Search, Little or No Progress Towards Fire Control Has Been Achieved ‐ Seriously Consider a Defensive Strategy. Always Have a Rapid Intervention Team in Place at All Working Fires Always Have Firefighter Rehab Services in Place at All Working Fires. Toronto Fire Services Training Note: 104.1.11 Professional Development and Training Date Prepared: November 2018 Page 4 of 4