Bonita Springs Fire Operations Guidelines PDF

Bonita Springs Fire Control and Rescue District Standard Operating Guidelines 1. Subject: Structure Fire Operations Adopted: March 02, 2009 Effective Date: December 04, 2009 Last Revised Date: November 2023 Revision Number: 5 Due for Revision Date: November 2026 # 1046.09.00 Table of Co...

Bonita Springs Fire Control and Rescue District Standard Operating Guidelines 1. Subject: Structure Fire Operations Adopted: March 02, 2009 Effective Date: December 04, 2009 Last Revised Date: November 2023 Revision Number: 5 Due for Revision Date: November 2026 # 1046.09.00 Table of Contents 1046.09.01 Glossary 1046.09.02 Purpose 1046.09.03 Scope 1046.09.04 Overview 1046.09.05 Fire Alarm Activations 1046.09.06 Response and Initial Considerations for Residential and Commercial Occupancies 1046.09.07 High Rise Structures – First Alarm 1046.09.08 All Subsequent Alarms 1046.09.09 Safety Considerations Page 1 of 8 1046.09.01 AC BC BSFC&RD CAN Report CO DC DO FAP FDC FE FF IAP IC IMS IRIT OIC OPS OV PIO RIT SO SOG 1046.09.02 Glossary Assistant Chief Battalion Chief Bonita Springs Fire Control and Rescue District Conditions Actions Needs Report Company Officer Deputy Chief Driver Operator Fire Alarm Panel Fire Department Connection Forcible Entry Firefighter Incident Action Plan Incident Commander Incident Management System Initial Rapid Intervention Team Officer in Charge Operations Outside Vent Public Information Officer Rapid Intervention Team Safety Officer Standard Operating Guideline Purpose The purpose of this SOG is to give a basic outline of how the BSFC&RD will respond to fire alarm activations and operate at structure fires. It is important to understand that fire alarm activations are to be treated as structure fires until a thorough investigation has concluded that the situation is a false alarm. This guideline provides a systematic method for common emergency operations. 1046.09.03 Scope This SOG will cover structural firefighting operations including residential, commercial and high-rise incidents. SOGs should not be used as a substitute for the good judgment of company officers. These assignments can be changed by the IC based on the conditions on scene. 1046.09.04 Overview This SOG is intended to be used as a common starting point for fire alarm activations and reports of structure fires. It is not intended to cover all aspects of a rapidly changing situation. That is where training, experience, and discipline of all responders will be utilized. Page 2 of 8 Considerations  No other action on the fire ground saves more lives and property than the proper sized attack line placed in the right place at the right time.  An appropriate GPM must be chosen for the size of the fire that presents.  We must strive to complete a primary search in the first 10 minutes on scene.  A building is not clear until we say it’s clear.  Search can be assigned without knowing if the entire building can be searched. We rely on our crews to recognize “red-lights and no-go’s” while they are searching or performing assigned tasks.  If there are critical fire ground tasks that need to be completed, it is acceptable to assign those tasks to RIT and backfill RIT with additional units.  When in a large structure (commercial or otherwise) it is most advantageous to begin fire attack from the closest entry point to the fire rather than the front door.  More resources are always better than not enough. 1046.09.05 Fire Alarm Activations A. Single fire alarm activation will consist of dispatching a single unit response. The single unit will respond in emergency mode. Responses can be stepped up dependent on changing conditions. B. Water flow or multiple alarm activations shall consist of a (1) Battalion Chief, (2) Engine Companies and (1) Ladder/Truck Company. Only the first arriving engine should respond in the emergency mode, responses can be stepped up dependent on changing conditions. 1046.09.06 Response Guidelines for Residential and Commercial Occupancies. First Alarm Response to a confirmed structure fire shall consist of (2) Battalion Chiefs, (4) Engine Companies, (1) Ladder/Truck Company, and Squad 21. A. 1st Due (Attack) 1. 1st Due unit upon arrival will perform a scene size-up, transmit a report of conditions, and establish command. 2. Determine which mode of operation to initiate (Investigative, Offensive, or Defensive). 3. Deploy appropriately sized attack line of sufficient GPM flow and length to the fire area capable of confining, controlling, and /or extinguishing the fire. 4. The initial attack line should be placed between the fire and trapped victims. This line should also protect the interior stairs, if present. 5. Extinguish fire. 6. Conduct a primary search of the immediate fire area. 7. Check for extension. 8. Call for ventilation. 9. Give CAN Report Page 3 of 8 B. 2nd Due (Search) 1. Officer/FF-Forcible Entry 2. Officer/FF-Primary Search 3. Engineer set up for Booster Backup and then become OV (If already not assigned) 4. OV (Outside Vent) i. Locate Fire Room and prepare to open/take window if/when directed. ii. Setup PPV iii. Ladder 2nd floor (if 2 story) 5. If apparatus is staffed with 4, the Engineer may team up with another FF for “Outside Team” 6. 2nd Due may be an Engine Company performing Truck Company functions. 7. Attempt to leave room for ladder truck, if ladder truck is not 2nd Due. C. 3rd Due 1. Establish a continuous water supply if not complete. 2. If 3rd due is a ladder/truck and no other ladder/trucks are on scene, consider switching water supply with another engine so as to get the ladder in position on the alpha side. 3. Backup/Second Line from primary apparatus unless directed by Command. D. 4th Due 1. Ventilation if not completed. 2. Report to Command and fill any immediately needed roles. 3. Consider Secondary Search. th E. 5 Due 1. IRIT/RIT 2. Company Officer – Perform perimeter sweep and secure utilities. 3. Deploy ladders on multi-story units and secondary means of egress. 4. If 5th due needs to fill another role other than RIT, IC should request at least one additional Engine. F. Squad Responsibilities 1. Stage SQ21 in the cold zone, not blocking traffic or other units on scene. 2. Report to Command for assignment. 3. Assist with Rehab and equipment needs. G. Battalion Chief 1. Confirm all responding units are present on the assigned TAC Channel. 2. Assume Incident Command after arriving on scene and transfer of command has taken place. Establish command post. 3. Manage incident using Incident Command/Incident Management System. 4. Set strategies and tactics and develop IAP. 5. Consider additional units or alarms. 6. Constantly review strategies and alter tactics as needed. Page 4 of 8 H. Second Battalion Chief 1. Report to IC at Command Post with all PPE for possible deployment to Division/Group/Branch Supervisor. 2. Safety/Accountability Officer 3. Coordinate Decon and Rehab Operations. Considerations  Room should be left on the Alpha side of structure for ladder/truck placement.  Apparatus providing booster backup should consider pulling past the 1st Due apparatus to leave room for the ladder.  If water supply is within 100 ’of the 1st Due apparatus, it is expected that 1st Due apparatus will be able to secure its own water supply.  Squad can be married up with another apparatus or assigned another function at the discretion of Command.  Additional units should be requested when presented with an incident that is labor intensive. o Long distance for water supply. o Confirmed victim/victims. o Building hazards such as hurricane shutters or burglar bars. o Fires not able to be controlled with 1 hose line. 1046.09.07 Response and Initial Considerations for High Rise Structures First Alarm Response to a confirmed structure fire shall consist of (2) Battalion Chiefs, (4) Engine Companies, (1) Truck Company, and Squad 21. A. 1st and 2nd Due Priority of first 2 crews is to meet up and go up to fire floor to assess problem. This is accomplished with a minimum of (5) personnel. This crew will make up the attack team and search team (once line is in place). This can be first 2 apparatus or first apparatus and rescue. Depending on location and distance of 2nd due and/or changing conditions, 1st Due apparatus will not delay proceeding to the fire floor. If 1st Due proceeds to fire floor prior to 2nd Due arrival, CO will notify in coming units, over the radio, they are proceeding to the fire floor. Engine/Ladder and Rescue Engine/Ladder and Engine/Ladder Marry up and go to fire floor. Marry up and go to fire floor. 1st Due Considerations 1. Consult Pre-plans. 2. CO shall conduct size up and investigate. 3. Establish command. 4. Operational mode. 5. Activate repeater on mobile radio. 6. Obtain keys from Knox box. 7. Consult FAP or enunciator panel. Page 5 of 8 8. Investigate based on information gathered. 9. Establish Division based upon location (i.e. 11th floor = Division 11). 10. Control/ Recall elevators. 11. Assess stairways (evacuation or attack designation). 12. Connect to standpipe (if available) on fire floor or one floor below based upon conditions and layout of fire floor. 13. See chart below for 1st Due. nd 2 Due 1. Meet with 1st Due CO 2. Assist with hose placement and fire attack. 3. Search and rescue. 4. See chart below for 2nd Due. B. 3rd Due 1. Secure water source (DO should stay with the apparatus if connection is made to the FDC). 2. Check the fire pump to make sure it is operational. 3. Connect to FDC as needed. 4. If an Engine and Aerial are arriving relatively close to each other, position the Engine at FDC and Aerial at Front. 5. Officer and FF- Establish Lobby Control and gain control of elevators. 6. Assume accountability. 7. Consult FAP and commandeer high rise communications. 8. See chart below for 3rd Due. C. 4th Due 1. IRIT/RIT two floors below the fire. 2. 360 degree walk around. 3. Secure utilities. 4. See chart below for 4th Due D. Ladder/Truck Company 1. Preference is to have aerial placed at front of building for possible rescue. 2. DO will perform aerial operations if needed. 3. Assist with ventilation. a. Evaluate if buildings systems are keeping stairwells clear. b. Evaluate if window or sliding glass door removal is needed. 4. Officer and FF can be assigned as additional search team, RIT or assist with aerial operations. E. Squad Responsibilities 1. Stage SQ21 in the cold zone, not blocking traffic or other units on scene. 2. Report to Command for assignment. 3. Assist with Rehab and equipment needs. Additional resource options A. The IC shall have the option of requesting the following: 1. Additional alarms 2. An individual resources (Squad, Air Trucks, Tanker) 3. A Strike Team or Task Force 4. An IMT team Page 6 of 8 Assignment and Tool Chart 1st Due Tools Role Officer 1-Officers bag, TIC, Hook Check Fire Floor-Clean/Dirty, Check Floor Below-Estimate Stretch and Confirm Stairway, Backup Nozzleman (if 4th stay with Nozzleman) Engineer 1-50’Hose Bundle, SCBA bottles Flush and Pump Standpipe, Hump 1 section of hose on floor below fire. FF 1-100’ Hose Bundle, irons Drop hose floor below, hook up all hose, stretch lead length and extra coupling to fire floor. Nozzle FF (If 4th) 1-irons, misc. Backup Nozzleman Building Placement Front Front 2nd Due Officer Rope Bag, Irons FE Fire Floor, Clear Stairwell before attack begins, Positions landing above fire floor-Hump Hose, Begin Search-Oriented position Engineer (Irons) Landing Below-Hump Hose-Begin Search FF Water Can FE Fire Floor, Clear Stairwell, Floor below fire-Hump Hose, Begin Search FDC 3rd Due Officer TIC, Hook Lobby Command Engineer N/A Hook up to FDC and prepare to pump FF Irons Lobby Command-Elevator Recall Front 4th Due Officer Rope Bag, Irons Assist Aerial/Search/RIT Engineer N/A Aerial Ops FF Water Can Assist Aerial/Search/RIT Page 7 of 8 1046.09.08 All Subsequent Alarms Second Alarm (and all other alarms) A. Will mirror the First Alarm’s responding units. B. On a large commercial or high-rise confirmed structure fire a second and third alarm should be struck. 1046.09.09 Safety Considerations The safety of BSFC&RD personnel shall be the highest priority on any emergency 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. Page 8 of 8