Toronto Fire Services Training Note PDF 2019

Fire Services Training Division Training Note FROM: Fire Chief EFFECTIVE DATE: December 02, 2019 GROUP: 100 Firefighting Knowledge and Skills SECTION: 104...

Fire Services Training Division Training Note FROM: Fire Chief EFFECTIVE DATE: December 02, 2019 GROUP: 100 Firefighting Knowledge and Skills SECTION: 104 Incident Management System SUB-SECTION: 104.4 Using the Accountability System UNIT: 104.4.3 Team Operations In A Controlled Area TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION....................................................................................................... 2 2. WHEN TO OPERATE IN TEAMS............................................................................ 2 3. WHO CAN FORM A TEAM..................................................................................... 2 4. OUTSIDE AGENCIES WORKING AT AN EMERGENCY INCIDENT......................... 3 Toronto Fire Services Training Note: 104.4.3 Training Division Date Prepared: December 2019 Page 1 of 3  1. INTRODUCTION Teams of two Firefighters or more enhance safety any time personnel operate within a controlled area. Working in teams facilitates Accountability and aids in Firefighter safety. 2. WHEN TO OPERATE IN TEAMS Any time personnel operate within a controlled area at an emergency incident they shall operate in teams. Team: Two or more individuals who have been assigned a common task and are in communication with each other. Controlled Area: An area where Self Contained Breathing Apparatus is required or the Incident Commander determines that operating in teams of two or more will provide fire fighting personnel a greater margin of safety. Any Sector Officer required to work within a controlled area must be teamed with a firefighter. 3. WHO CAN FORM A TEAM The following guidelines should be followed when the Incident Commander determines teams of two or more Firefighters will be assigned. Photo Identification Tags (PITs) Any Officer responsible for assigning task level activities at an incident will consider the expertise and experience of individual personnel when assigning teams of two or more. Teams of two or more are to be assigned on the basis of the colour coding of their Photo Identification Tag. The colour coding indicates the following: Red: Probationary Firefighter or Spare PIT Yellow: 2nd class Firefighter or 3rd Class Firefighter White: First Class Firefighter and above Orange: Accredited media personnel Toronto Fire Services Training Note: 104.4.3 Training Division Date Prepared: December 2019 Page 2 of 3  Team Guidelines in a controlled area The teaming of two or more Firefighters operating in a controlled area at an emergency incident will be based on the following:  White Tags may be teamed together or with any other colour.  A Yellow and a Red Tag or two Yellow Tags can be teamed at the discretion of an Officer who is personally familiar with the specific experience and capabilities of the individuals being assigned to complete a particular task.  Two Red Tags (Probationary Firefighters) are only to be teamed when under the direct supervision of a Captain or Acting Captain.  A Red Tag may be teamed with an Acting Captain or Captain. When a Red Tag has been given temporarily to a Firefighter as a spare, they will be assigned as though they have a white tag. A team shall remain together at all times while entering, working inside and exiting a controlled area. All team members must be in contact with one another either by voice or touch. Outside of a controlled area firefighters may be teamed, assigned tasks and supervised as deemed appropriate by the IC. 4. OUTSIDE AGENCIES WORKING AT AN EMERGENCY INCIDENT Personnel from outside agencies shall be required to report to the Command Post if they are called to an emergency incident. Personnel from outside agencies not working in a controlled area shall work either with another person from their agency or with a Firefighter. Personnel from outside agencies who are required to work in a controlled area must be accompanied by a minimum of two Firefighters. Accredited members of the media that have been issued an Orange PIT must be accompanied by a Firefighter or TFS Information Officer at all times. Toronto Fire Services Training Note: 104.4.3 Training Division Date Prepared: December 2019 Page 3 of 3