1040.09.00 - Engine Company Operations.pdf

Bonita Springs Fire Control and Rescue District Standard Operating Guidelines 1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1. Subject: # 1040.09.00 Engine Company Operations Adopted: Effective Date: November 2019 Last Revised Date: November 2023 Revision Number: 4 Due for Revision Date: November 2026 Table of Content...

Bonita Springs Fire Control and Rescue District Standard Operating Guidelines 1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1. Subject: # 1040.09.00 Engine Company Operations Adopted: Effective Date: November 2019 Last Revised Date: November 2023 Revision Number: 4 Due for Revision Date: November 2026 Table of Contents 1040.09.01 Glossary 1040.09.02 Purpose 1040.09.03 Scope 1040.09.04 Overview 1040.09.05 Assignment of Personnel at a Fire Emergency 1040.09.06 Engine Company Functions 1040.08.07 Safety Considerations C:\powerdms\convert\Temp\226b6e0e-4d98-4992-bdcc-2458f7e76021.doc Page 1 of 7 1040.09.01 AC BC CO DC DO FAP FDC IAP IC IMS IRIC OIC OPS PIO RIT SOG Glossary Assistant Chief Battalion Chief Company Officer Deputy Chief Driver Operator Fire Alarm Panel Fire Department Connection Incident Action Plan Incident Commander Incident Management System Initial Rapid Intervention Crew Officer in Charge Operations Public Information Officer Rapid Intervention Team Standard Operating Guideline 1040.09.02 Purpose The purpose of this guideline when combined with the officer’s training and experience is to provide a framework for safe, efficient, and effective engine company emergency scene operations. Guidelines should not be used as a substitute for good judgment by the company officer. It should be understood that even though engine and truck company functions differ, crews must remain versatile and be ready and willing to overlap functions. 1040.09.03 Scope This SOG applies to all BSFC&RD personnel who may be assigned to an engine company at an emergency scene or during training. 1040.09.04 Overview The main objective of engine company operations is to supply water and extinguish fires. The three main tactical priorities at any fire are life safety, extinguishment and property conservation. In addition, engine companies need to be ready to respond to a variety of other emergencies including, MVA’s, medical emergencies, technical rescues and hazmat incidents. All engine companies will be expected to fill the role of RIT when called upon by SOG and/or the IC. 1040.09.05 Assignment of Personnel at a Fire Emergency Engine companies will operate with either 3 or 4 fire fighters assigned depending on staffing levels for the day. Work assignments will dictate the general actions of the fire fighters, keeping in mind that each situation will have unique aspects that can change the tactics and individual actions. The company officer will be responsible for making sure C:\powerdms\convert\Temp\226b6e0e-4d98-4992-bdcc-2458f7e76021.doc Page 2 of 7 that the tasks of the engine company progress in a way consistent with the over all tactics of the situation and the strategy required by the IC. A. The firefighter riding in the back position will be responsible for the following: 1. Deploy and operate pre-connected hand lines as directed by the CO. 2. Conduct a Primary or Secondary Search of the Structure if directed by the OIC. 3. Carry and operate the high rise/condo pack hose line on the high-rise incidents. 4. Carry and operate extinguishers as directed by the CO. 5. Perform hydraulic ventilation as necessary. 6. Other fire ground functions as directed by the CO. 7. Forcible entry for the purpose of fire attack a) Carry the irons on all structure fire and alarm activation calls b) Carry and operate the bolt cutters or hydra-ram as necessary (gates, fences, overhead doors, etc…..) B. The DO could help interior attack crew with hose line advancement/operation as necessary and any other fire ground functions as directed by the CO. If the DO is considered in the IDLH they should donn their PPE. C. The CO will carry the TIC on all structure fire or alarm calls. In the absence of a firefighter, the CO will carry the irons and provide forcible entry for the engine company crew. D. Additional equipment that can be carried by the engine company crew may consist of full PPE including SCBA (properly worn), portable radios on the proper TAC channel, hooks, TICs and flashlights. Key point: Notify the Ops Chief or IC upon completion of any task or change in conditions. 1040.09.06 Engine Company Functions The engine company will perform but are not limited to the following functions: A. Size-up B. Apparatus positioning C. Water supply D. Accountability E. Initial lines, back-up lines or Master streams F. Primary and Secondary Search G. Ventilation (When called for by OIC) H. Check for fire extension I. Overhaul and Property conservation J. RIT K. EMS L. MVAs and extrication M. Rehab N. Decon O. Other assigned functions C:\powerdms\convert\Temp\226b6e0e-4d98-4992-bdcc-2458f7e76021.doc Page 3 of 7 Size Up A. While en-route and upon arrival, the CO will size up the incident. Size up and information gathering can be done by the entire crew but it is the CO’s role (along with the IC) to put this information into operational tactics and strategies. The first in engine should keep the following in mind as they respond and arrive on scene. 1. Dispatch information 2. Weather considerations 3. Personal observations 4. Pre-plans 5. Water supply considerations 6. Building construction 7. Utilities 8. Need for more resources 9. Fire and smoke conditions 10. Mode, investigative, offensive, or defensive 11. Assignment, fire attack, search, water supply, or (I)RIT 12. Hazards 13. 2 in 2 out rule (OSHA and NFPA 1500) Apparatus Positioning A. It is unrealistic to expect that every situation will allow for uniformed apparatus positioning. It is imperative that the CO and DO analyze each situation and make adjustments with incident objectives, tactics and safety in mind. 1. First due engine should attempt to see 3 sides of the building if at all practical by stopping just passed the fire building. 2. The first due engine CO will assume command, assign engine positioning, and develop initial water supply tactics. a) Command should be transferred to a Chief Officer or next ranking Officer as soon as practical, see Incident Management Protocol. 3. Space on the A side of the building should be left open for the first arriving Truck Company. Water Supply A. If assigned to water supply the primary function of that engine company is to understand the need for a secure water supply and how to obtain it. The CO and DO should have a thorough understanding of : 1. Hydrant hook ups and hose lays 2. Relay pumping and supplying other apparatus 3. FDCs, standpipe and sprinkler connections 4. Drafting (static water supply and draft pipes) 5. Hydraulic calculations 6. The potential and maximum flows available 7. Trouble shooting and hazards associated with water under pressure C:\powerdms\convert\Temp\226b6e0e-4d98-4992-bdcc-2458f7e76021.doc Page 4 of 7 Accountability A. The first in engine will function as the initial accountability officer until this function can be passed to an accountability officer or staging officer, see Personnel Accountability System Protocol. Initial and back up lines A. It will be the function of the 3rd firefighter to deploy the initial attack or exposure line; he will be backed up by the 4th and/or the CO. B. Later arriving engine companies will deploy attack, exposure, or back up lines as directed by the IC/OPS. C. Engine companies will work in concert with truck companies during the overhaul phase of the fire. Truck company crews should check for fire extension while engine company crews operate hose lines. Primary and/or Secondary Search A. It should/could be the function of the initial interior crew to conduct a primary search if the second due apparatus is delayed. B. After the initial knock down of the fire is complete the interior crew could be asked to conduct a secondary search. Master Streams A. Master stream appliances are placed in service when the streams from hand lines will not be effective in fire control or in exposure protection or as back up lines. They are primarily used for defensive operations. B. The basic objective is maximum use of the available water supply. Fire extension A. It is the function of the truck company to open up walls, ceilings and concealed spaces in search of fire extension. The engine company should be standing by with a charged hose line to extinguish extending fire. B. The extinguishment of concealed fire extension should be a coordinated operation between truck and engine companies. Engine crews might have to do both opening concealed spaces and extinguishment depending on availability of crews. C. Checking for and extinguishing fire extension should be done during the initial fire fighting stage and should not be confused with overhaul. Property Conservation A. The main objective of property conservation is to minimize the effects of smoke and water damage. B. Property conservation (as a tactic) ranks behind life safety and extinguishment. C. Firefighters should never be put in grave danger in an attempt to save property. C:\powerdms\convert\Temp\226b6e0e-4d98-4992-bdcc-2458f7e76021.doc Page 5 of 7 (I)RIT A. Typically (I)RIT is assigned by the IC/OPS. See RIT Protocol B. All engine companies and truck company have the capability to function as RIT. C. Any crew assigned as (I)RIT will stage necessary equipment at a strategic location, closely monitor the working TAC channel, and be ready to deploy at a moments notice. Overhaul A. The main purpose of overhaul is to make certain that no trace of fire remains that might rekindle. B. Overhaul shall be completed in full PPE including SCBA until confirmed safe by atmospheric testing or by IC/OPS and or Safety Officer. C. Overhaul should be performed by rested crews after the fire is out. D. ICS, Accountability, and (I)RIT must remain in place during overhaul operations. EMS A. All engine companies have the ability to function as EMS units as ALS nontransport units. MVA’s A. All engine companies need to be ready to respond to MVAs. B. During entrapment situations, the 3rd firefighter will pull a jump line or extinguisher while the 4th firefighter and or DO or CO sets up and begins working with cribbing, hand tools, and hydraulic tools as required. As other units arrive on scene they will back up the tool man as directed by the IC. Other assigned functions A. Engine companies can be assigned many other functions that are not specifically mentioned in this SOG including but not limited to: 1. Technical Rescue Operations 2. Hazardous Materials incidents 3. Assist with USAR 4. Crowd Control 5. Traffic Control 6. Wild land fire fighting 7. Damage assessment after disasters 8. Animal Rescues 9. Public Relations Rehab function A. This function will be assigned to a Lee County EMS unit that is dispatched to the scene unless they are needed for victims of the scene, then the next closet EMS unit will assume this function. If a unit is not available then of one of our Units will assume the rehab function. C:\powerdms\convert\Temp\226b6e0e-4d98-4992-bdcc-2458f7e76021.doc Page 6 of 7 1040.09.07 Safety Considerations The safety of BSFC&RD personnel shall be the highest priority on any emergency response scene. All personnel will keep in mind the following risk/benefit model: WE WILL RISK A LOT TO SAVE A LOTWe will risk our lives in a calculated manner to save a life WE WILL RISK A LITTLE TO SAVE A LITTLEWe will cautiously risk our lives in a calculated manner to save valuable property WE WILL RISK NOTHING TO SAVE NOTHINGWe will never risk our lives to save that which is already lost C:\powerdms\convert\Temp\226b6e0e-4d98-4992-bdcc-2458f7e76021.doc Page 7 of 7