Bernalillo County Fire & Rescue Standard Operating Guidelines PDF

***Robert Rose, Deputy Chief Operations Greg Perez, Fire Chief*** Purpose: To quickly determine the most effective, correct action, command must "cut through" a lot of confusion along with evaluating all of the incident hazards. What we do at the very beginning of the event generally sets the stag...

***Robert Rose, Deputy Chief Operations Greg Perez, Fire Chief*** Purpose: To quickly determine the most effective, correct action, command must "cut through" a lot of confusion along with evaluating all of the incident hazards. What we do at the very beginning of the event generally sets the stage for what happens throughout the incident. Scope: Command Function 4 describes how command develops and uses the incident strategy and incident action plan (IAP) to take the correct actions that matches and takes control of the incident conditions---all within the overall incident strategy. Definitions: **RMP-** Risk Management Plan **IAP-** Incident Action Plan **IRR-** Initial Radio Report **ETN-** Elapsed Time Notification **CAN-** Conditions Action's Needs General Guidelines: **Risk Management Plan (RMP)** Fire ground operations will fall in one of two strategies, Offensive or Defensive. These two strategies are based on a standard Risk Management Plan that is to be employed on ALL IDLH hazard zones. Incidents are assumed to be an IDLH hazard zone until proven otherwise. **The following Risk Management Plan (RMP) will be used at all times whenever a hazard zone exists:** - We will risk our lives a lot, to save savable lives - We will risk our lives a little, to save savable property - We will NOT risk our lives, at all, for lives or property that are already lost The above three levels of risk can only be assumed in a highly calculated and controlled manner. Highly calculated and controlled refers to effective application of department SOG's, training, and the safety systems (PPE, radios, apparatus, supervision/organization, water, etc.) that must be used/followed at all times, in order to take any level of risk. We must always begin our operational response with the assumption that we can make a difference for our customers by conducting standard incident operations. Our risk-management approach is based on us always conducting operations within standard operational and safety SOG's. Rescue operations in the hot zone are the only place where, based on the possibility of saving a life, the RMP allows workers to take a significantly higher level of risk. High risk rescue operations are based on a deliberate situation evaluation, a conscious decision by command, and the continual application of the safety SOG's. The offensive/defensive strategy should again be re-evaluated after primary "all clear" has been achieved. **Determine the overall incident Strategy** A hazard zone consists of the overall zones identified which determine the level of risk to civilians and emergency workers in relationship to the incident\'s problems. The hazard zone is divided up 3 separate, distinct areas: 1. Hot zone - An IDLH environment due to heat, lack of oxygen, and/or the presence of the products of combustion. Workers inside of the hot zone must be in the proper PPE for the hazards identified 2. Warm zone - A defined area just outside of the hot zone that has the potential to become IDLH contaminated with the incident's products. Workers inside of the warm zone must also be in the proper PPE for the hazards identified (same as hot zone workers) 3. Cold zone - A safe area outside of the warm zone that has little or no chance of becoming IDLH contaminated with the incident's hazards. Workers in the cold zone require no PPE. The cold zone typically contains the strategically positioned command post, staging, rehab, logistical support, etc. Overall operational strategy is divided into only two categories: Offensive or Defensive. - Offensive operations are conducted inside the hot zone to control the incident's problems - Defensive operations are conducted outside of the hot zone - in safe locations - to control the incident's problems An Incident Commander properly managing the incident's strategy has the **\#1 -- GREATEST** overall impact on responder safety. The two separate strategies create an *understandable* plan that describes in simple terms how close the emergency responders will get to the incident's hazards. Command should remember: - The overall strategic decision is based on the critical factors weighed against the RMP. - Command must avoid taking unnecessary risks to save property when our members are the only life safety threat in the hazard zone. - Do NOT combine Offensive & Defensive operations in the same fire area. **Declare the incident's Strategy as part of the Initial Radio Report (IRR)** Declaring the incident strategy up front, as part of the initial radio report will: - Announce to everybody the overall incident strategy. - Eliminates any question on where we will be operating on the incident scene (inside or outside the hazard zone). **Use the Incident Organization & Communications to Implement the Strategy/IAP** **The Incident Commander uses the radio to manage incident operations. This starts with the initial radio report where the initial strategy is declared. After subsequent arriving units level 1 stage, command orders them into action with an assignment that includes a specific task, location and objective(s). The status of the critical factors in each companies' locations serves as the foundation for the C.A.N. reports companies provide to command. These actions connect everyone together on the incident site and help command manage the proper strategy based on the current conditions.** **If an incident is escalating the span of control greater than what command can effectively manage, command may decentralize the hazard-zone by assigning division responsibility to later arriving officers. Division officers operating in forward positions give command the following strategic advantages:** - **They control access into and out of the hazard zone based on the current strategy.** - **They have a better view of conditions in their division.** - **They are in a much better position to directly manage the tactics, safety, and accountability of assigned personnel in their division.** - **Division officers are in the strongest position to manage and supervise expanding incident operations.** ** ** **Command provides division officers with the overall strategy and objectives for their area. This becomes the starting point for conducting operations within that division. As progress is made, objectives are met or conditions change (good or bad), the division officer reports this information to command along with any resource needs in the form of a C.A.N.** **Command must process C.A.N. reports from all the operating divisions to continually manage both the overall incident strategy and the corresponding IAP.** **Managing Tactical Priorities** Once the overall incident strategy has been determined, command must manage the completion of the tactical priorities for the chosen strategy. Both strategies have a different set of tactical priorities to complete. Tactical priorities provide command with a simple, short list of major categories that act as a practical approach during the difficult initial stages of fire ground planning. The IAP must be short and simple; complicated IAP's tend to break down during this critical time. With this standard approach, command can manage the basic work sequence at every incident, in the same manner. This creates consistency the troops can understand and dependability that continually creates standard actions to the incident current conditions. Specific procedures: **Standard Company Functions** Standard company operations assign basic fire ground functions and activities to companies based upon the capability and characteristics of each type of unit. Additionally, Standard company operations: - Assign fire ground functions to the particular company who can best accomplish the task/operation. - Integrate the efforts of engine and ladder/truck companies to effectively complete the chosen strategy's tactical priorities. - Should reduce the amount of detail in the orders from command that is required to get companies into action on the fire ground. This greatly reduces radio traffic. The following items represent the standard task/skill sets performed by Engine, Quint, and Rescue companies. These basic functions will provide the framework for field assignments for these companies. **Standard Engine/Quint Company Functions:** - Size up the incident - Establish command - Fire control - Establish water supply - Stretch hoselines - Operate nozzles - Search, rescue, and treatment - Deploy ground ladders - Pump supply lines - Supply master streams - Loss control activities - Search and rescue - Ventilation - Forcible entry - Utility control - Provide lighting - Deploy aerial devises (Quint) - Operate aerial master streams (Quint) - Provide roof reports (Quint) **Standard Rescue Company Functions:** - Spot out of the way in a position to exit the scene with a victim/patient - Rescue/EMS/Triage - Utility control - Primary Search and Fire control - Initial RIT - Loss control activities - Forcible entry - Ventilation - Phase 1 Rehab/Phase 2 Rehab - Tender Operations - Brush Operations - Air Truck Operations - Transport **Standard Deputy Fire Marshall (DFM) Functions:** - Spot out of the way and announce Level 1 - Wait for command to make assignment - Interview homeowner/witnesses - Operate in cold zone taking pictures and utilizing drone footage from PIO - Perform/complete cause and origin investigation once incident is stabilized -- as assigned by command - Evidence collection and processing - Pass on any pertinent information to command - Maintain scene custody/security - Property release back to property owner when appropriate - Coordinate/Assist with other investigating agencies **Standard Public Information Officer (PIO) Functions:** - Spot out of the way and announce arrival - Coordinate with command - Operate in cold zone - Obtain photos of incident via camera or aerial drone footage - Coordinate with responding media organizations Each company is expected to perform all basic functions safely within the limits of their capability. It is the on-going responsibility of Command to integrate company tasks and objectives as required with the capability of on-scene units. **Offensive Tactical Priorities** Standard offensive strategy tactical priorities and their corresponding completion benchmarks: - Fire Control -- **"Fire Control"** (F/C) - Life Safety -- Primary and Secondary **"All Clear(s)"** (A/C) - Loss Control/Property Conservation -- **"Loss Stopped"** (L/S) - Post Fire Control Firefighter Decontamination (Decon) - Customer Stabilization -- Short term The offensive tactical priorities establish the major operational activities, in the order they should be addressed, when selecting the offensive strategy. **Offensive Attack Positioning and Performing 360's** When arriving to the scene, the initial size-up is usually performed and then transmitted via the IRR, preferably from inside the cab of the apparatus. The initial size-up and strategic decision made on the IRR is NOT an affidavit of the overall incident conditions. Whenever possible, prior to making entry into a structure fire, mobile command shall perform a 360-degree assessment of the fire building/area to further determine: 1. The fire's size, location, and extent 2. Verify basement type (if present) and the stories from the Charlie side 3. The ventilation profile of the structure (the identification of flow paths -- or potential flow paths) 4. Identify the safest, most appropriate attack position 5. Life safety profile of the incident 6. Confirmation of the initial Strategy and IAP A thermal imaging camera (TIC) is an essential tool for sizing up a structures fire conditions. A TIC should be used during the entire 360-degree assessment. TIC readings of the interior of the fire compartment should also be obtained prior to committing crews to entry. Some fire area arrangements prohibit initial command from performing a full 360-degree assessment of the structure (larger buildings, long apartment/row house/town house complexes, large strip malls, etc.). Command must announce on the Follow-Up Report when a 360-degree assessment of the structure cannot be performed on the initial size-up (i.e.; "360 not performed due to the buildings size/arrangement"). Incidents where a 360-degree assessment cannot be performed by initial command, the Battalion Commander must insure that a unit be assigned to assess any unviewed sides of the structure as soon as possible into the incident (usually the "Charlie" side). This is especially critical for structures that have any type of basements or sloping grade elevations in their overall arrangement. **Confirming Basements** The initial IC **MUST confirm** the presence of and conditions in the basement prior to making entry into the structure whenever possible. If the 360 size-up identifies/confirms basement involvement, the IAP must be re-adjusted to make the attack directly on the basement fire. **Firefighters shall NOT make entry on a floor above a working basement fire. Always fight a basement fire on the same level of where the basement is located. This most often requires exterior water application through one of the basements horizontal openings.** **Assess the ventilation profile** An assessment of the outside openings and determining the overall ventilation profile of the structure shall be made prior to any offensive entry whenever possible. The ventilation profile will change throughout the incident based on; changes to wind direction and speed, changes in fire conditions, water application, as well any "tactical" ventilation performed by operating units Puffing/alternating exhaust/inlet vent -- usually caused when the pressure of the fire gasses cannot escape the opening/compartment because high pressure is impacting the opening (possibly caused by high winds or PPV on the opening) is a critical factor to evaluate. **Identifying the safest, most appropriate attack position** A major element of command's IAP is determining the safest location(s) for making an offensive attack (the physical location where firefighters will initiate flowing water onto the fire). Whenever possible, attack offensive fires in the following manner: - Perform quick hits (exterior water application) to improve interior conditions if appropriate prior to making entry into the fire area/structure. - Avoid entering into an exhaust (high pressure) vent or flow path - Attempt to make an offensive entry from an inlet (low pressure) vent of the structure (or a neutral opening) - Attempt to operate from the upwind side of the structure (critical with wind speeds over 6-8 mph) - Operate on the same level or below the fire whenever possible - Avoid working above a working fire **Assessing the life safety profile of the incident** Immediate life safety issues are one of the primary reasons 360-degree assessments are performed. If there are any rescue issues during the 360-degree assessment, command will need to announce the situation during the follow-up repot and re-adjustment the IAP as necessary to address the life safety issue(s) present. **Confirmation of the initial Strategy** Performing a 360-degree assessment provides initial command a view of all sides of the structure prior to transmitting the Follow-Up report and making entry into the structure. Most of the time, the initial strategy reported on the IRR won't change. But there are some incidents where the 360-degree assessment will require a change to the incident's overall strategy or an adjustment to the IAP. Regardless, if your IAP changes the overall incident strategy must be re-confirmed as part of the Follow-Up report. Situations that may/will require changing the original strategy and/or IAP may include: - Immediate life safety issues(s) not seen from the initial command position - Basement fires where the initial attack efforts must be re-directed to a different area/location on the fire ground - Fires located in a different area or part of the structure not seen from the initial command position where entry or initial water application will be made from a different location as stated in the IRR - Conditions after a 360-degree assessment indicate the fire's size, location, or extent requires changing from the offensive to a defensive strategy **Strategic level attack line placement considerations** When operating in the offensive strategy, attack hose lines of adequate volume should be used to put water on the fire, to control access through doors, halls, stairways, or other vertical and horizontal channels/shafts through which people and fire may travel. General attack line placement guidelines include: - Attempt to establish an early, uninterrupted water supply for all fire-suppression activities - Consider mobility vs. GPM when selecting the properly sized hose line - All initial efforts must be directed towards controlling the fire - Controlling the fire supports rescue efforts and hose lines must be placed in a manner to control interior access, confine/control the fire, and protect avenues of escape - Avoid applying a fog pattern into an outside opening - Be prepared to back up in place hose lines if requested - Always try to operate from one (1) attack position whenever possible. Operating from multiple attack positions on offensive fires can increase risks to firefighters - No uncharged hoselines past the entry point of the structure - Apartment packs deployed into multi-story buildings is an example of an exception - All hoselines entering the hazard zone must have adequate GPM (150+ GPM) to protect entry crews - All members working in the hazard zone must be operating under the protection of a charged hoseline in their immediate geographic/work area - No Gated-Y's past the entry point of the structure - Maximum distance inside a structure is 175 feet - Interior work times must be tied to SCBA air supplies, and the decision to exit the structure (hot zone) must be based on exiting with an air reserve (33%) Once initiated (flowing 150+ GPM) an offensive attack should quickly have a positive effect on the fire. Consequently, backup plans should be developed quickly. If you apply water to an offensive attack position and the fire does not go out -- react quickly. Back it up or re-deploy to a more effective position. Predict where the fire is going to go and put crews in tactical positions to control the fire. This is especially true when fighting fires in compartmentalized structures such as strip malls, apartments or any compartmentalized structure with common attic/void spaces. Beware of hose lines that have been operated in the same place for long periods. Fire conditions should quickly change after applying water to the seat of the fire (for the better). Command must continually evaluate the effect of hose line operations, if ineffective, redeploy. Officers must assume responsibility for the effectiveness of their fire streams. Officers must maintain an awareness of where fire streams are going and the overall effect they are having on controlling/eliminating the fire. Command should avoid backing up handlines that are already in place when operating crews don't request back-up when providing C.A.N. reports. That is why a C.A.N. report includes "needs". **Offensive Fire Control Strategic Considerations** **Command manages the Fire Control tactical priority by getting companies around all 7 sides of the fire and overwhelming it with water.** The 7 sides of the fire are: - The interior - The top (includes ceilings, joist spaces, attics, and floors above) - The bottom (includes the floor below, crawl spaces, joist spaces and basements) - All four sides (includes adjacent rooms, occupancies, or other buildings) and the concealed spaces of all those sides (includes walls, joists, attics, utility chases, void spaces, build-over's, etc.). **The term "Working Fire" indicates a situation that will at least require the commitment of all initially responding companies. This report advises dispatch that the companies will be engaged in tactical activities and will be held at the scene for an extended time period.** **The term "Fire Under Control" will be transmitted when the main body of fire has been extinguished and all 7 sides of the fire have been confirmed as having no fire extension (or when extension has been controlled) in an assigned unit's geographic/operational area.** **Offensive Ventilation Operations** Until the fire control benchmark has been achieved and transmitted, the incident objective is NOT to supply the fire with any additional air (oxygen) while Command's primary objective is to coordinate proper water application required to control the fire and cool the fire compartment. - Any flow paths (or potential flow paths) identified in the 360-degree assessment should be closed prior to entry whenever possible (or not disturbed if an existing barrier is in place) - Door control should be provided for entry crews whenever possible - Tactical ventilation shall be performed in a highly calculated and coordinated effort with attack teams - Once fire control has been achieved, Command must shift the incident's IAP to a high priority of ventilating the fire compartment/structure. Once fire control has been achieved, the best forms of post-fire control tactical ventilation are: - Natural ventilation- with wind speeds of over 6-8 MPH. Wind speeds of over 6-8 MPH will overpower most hydraulic and mechanical ventilation. When high winds are present, upwind horizontal openings should be utilized as your high-pressure inlet points, while consciously controlling the appropriate low-pressure outlet(s) - Hydraulic ventilation- During the fire control process, fog and smooth bore nozzles can be manipulated to produce water streams that create 10,000 to 18,000 CFM when flowing through a horizontal opening (depending on nozzle selection) - Mechanical ventilation (PPV) - has been documented to create wind speeds of up to 6-8 MPH flowing through an exhaust opening. PPV should be used (in conjunction with hydraulic ventilation) when wind speeds are below 6-8 MPH, while consciously controlling the appropriate low-pressure outlet(s) - Vertical ventilation- The practice of placing personnel on the roof for the purpose of and cutting a hole in the structure for gasses to escape is discouraged in BCFD. This procedure can essentially create an uncontrollable flow path. **Offensive Search and Rescue Operations** One of the major tactical priorities to accomplish (especially in a residential setting) is the protection of any life exposed to the incident hazards. The **NUMBER ONE (\#1)** method to be used in completing the Life Safety tactical priority in working fire situations is to control the fire as quickly and as safely as possible. The fire research shows that there is a zero chance of occupant survivability if occupants are directly located in a compartment that has flashed over and has become ventilation controlled (high temps, lack of oxygen, toxic atmosphere). Command will use the following methods to address the Life Safety tactical priority on offensive structure fires. 1. 2. 3. **Rescue Order** Command uses the standard rescue order to prioritize and manage searches. The rescue order is the standard order that we use to search a hazard zone: 1. The most endangered 2. The largest group 3. The remainder of the fire area/structure 4. The exposures Command initiates the completion of the offensive tactical priorities by ordering companies to advance attack lines to the interior of burning structures. This supports the Rescue Order by: - Placing initial lines directly to the most hazardous area of the building---the burning or burnt part (if a quick hit was used) -- places crews in the same area as the most endangered group. - Initial interior crews will be searching and protecting the same corridors that the occupants in the building would use to evacuate. - The hand line protects FF's, it controls the problem, and it gives the operation an "anchor point" to control the fire - All other tactical priorities should be addressed AFTER fire control has been achieved and ventilation has taken place - All initial attack efforts should be directed towards fire control and verifying the 7 sides of the fire prior to opening any barriers protecting any survival compartments. Command is responsible for assigning all incident resources in order to achieve quick and effective primary searches of the areas directly exposed to the fire. Command must assign companies to search specific geographical areas of structure. This eliminates searching the same area multiple times, while other critical areas remain unsearched. The most urgent reason for calling additional alarms is for the purpose of covering life safety. When encountering larger, high density, compartmentalized, multi-unit/room residential structures, it is more effective to implement a "protect in place" life safety operation as opposed to removing multiple people from a structure who are not directly exposed to the incident hazards. These actions should: - Contain, control and eliminate the incident problem - Secure and protect normal means of egress - Remove the products of combustion - Search and clear the immediate areas of involvement - Systematically clear the remainder of the fire area/exposures **Offensive Loss Control Operations** All loss control operations start with putting the fire out. All three organizational levels must constantly remain aware that all of our actions are designed to protect savable property and control loss (from response to leaving the scene).  After achieving "fire under control", we must direct all efforts on the incident scene toward controlling and preventing any unnecessary property damage. These efforts fall into 2 categories: - Salvage - Overhaul Once fire control and primary and secondary all-clears have been achieved, a loss-control plan should be developed. Command will transmit a report of **"loss stopped"** once all of the affected areas have been properly overhauled, salvaged, ventilated and the incident conditions have ceased causing damage to the structure and its contents. **Offensive Structural Firefighting Decontamination (Decon)** Decon happens after somebody or something (PPE, equipment, etc.) has had an exposure to something that is toxic. The goal of decon is to avoid or to reduce all exposures before they happen. This starts with an overall mind-set of: - Avoid letting toxins get on you in the first place - When toxins are present, reducing your exposure to the toxins by wearing the proper PPE - Limit your exposure to toxins to the shortest duration as possible - Decon as soon as possible after being exposed to toxins - Preventing cross-contamination of toxins into the cold zone, into the fire trucks and into the fire houses For specific guidelines and procedures on structural firefighting decon, refer to policy. **Defensive Incident Action Planning** A defensive situation is where the incident problem has evolved to the point that lives and property are no longer savable, and offensive tactics are no longer effective or safe. The entire defensive strategy is based on protecting both exposures and firefighters. **Firefighter safety is the No. 1 defensive priority. No firefighter should be injured on a defensive fire.** All defensive activities will occur outside of the hot zone (hazard zone). Defensive operations represent the standard organizational response to situations that cannot be controlled utilizing offensive tactics. When conditions go beyond the safety systems required for interior operations, command must conduct defensive operations from outside of the hazard area. Command must write off lost property and decide where the cut-off will take place (if there are exposures). If defensive operations are conducted from the onset of the incident, Command must notify fire control that there will not be a primary search completed for the involved structure(s). **Basic Defensive IAP** - Identify critical fireground factors - Quick determination on the need for additional resource - Evaluate fire spread/write-off lost property - Search exposures - Protect exposures - Prioritize fire streams - Provide well placed streams - Mind collapse zones One thing that greatly reduces firefighters' "creeping" toward the fire area is shutting down all small-diameter handlines (unless they are being used to directly protect exposures). This also diverts that water into master-stream devices that can apply large amounts of water directly on the fire and the exposures. **Transitioning from an Offensive strategy to a Defensive strategy** When the offensive strategy is declared, but does not solve the incident problem and conditions continue to deteriorate to the point where the critical factors indicate switching from an offensive to a defensive strategy, command must immediately recognize these types of situations. Command must change strategies before the fire causes the building to collapse. The announcement of a change to a defensive strategy will be made as follows: - **Clear Dispatch -- Ask for Emergency** **Tones/Traffic** - **Emergency Tones transmitted** - **Announce to all units:** - **"Command to all units on the fireground, we are Shifting to a defensive strategy"** - **All Unit's will either "Exit" or "Abandon" the structure based on order from command** - **Command will make that decision based on critical factors prompting this change** - **All interior Units report PAR's upon exit** - **Dispatch/Alarms repeats Emergency Traffic report - verbatim** "Exit the Structure" will be defined as: an orderly withdrawal where interior lines and equipment will be withdrawn and repositioned when changing to a defensive strategy. "Abandon the Structure" will be defined as: an emergency retreat where all hoselines and heavy equipment will be left in place and all members in the hazard zone will exit the structure as quickly and as safely as possible. Command's greatest priority once a strategic shift has been initiated is the safe exit of all units located in the hazard zone. Level 1 Staged units and other units working outside of the hazard zone shall maintain radio silence until all PAR's have been tallied on all interior units (unless they have priority traffic). Company officers will account for their crews and advise their Division Officer or Command on the status of their crew upon exiting. Division Officers will notify Command of the status of the individual crews assigned to them upon their exit. **Exposure Protection -- Strategic Separation** Arrangement becomes a major critical factor with defensive fires. The way the main fire compartment/area is arranged to its neighboring exposures will dictate our operating positions on a defensive emergency scene. All exposures, both immediate and anticipated, must be identified and protected. The first priority in defensive operations is personnel safety; the second is exposure protection. All direct exposures not in the defensive fire area must be searched and protected whenever possible. This exposure protection involves: - Advancing handlines into the exposure(s). - Clearing the exposure(s). - Opening up and verifying the concealed spaces directly exposed to the defensive fire conditions. - In some cases, direct exterior water application to stop the lateral spread of fire. - In some cases, once extension is verified, write off and move to the next exposure to get ahead of the fire. - In some cases, it will be necessary to write off the entire exposure(s) due to rapid fire extension through common concealed spaces. Command must be very specific on separating the 2 operating strategies (Defensive vs. Offensive). Command's radio traffic when operating in the overall defensive strategy, while being offensive in the exposures, should sound like this; "Command to all units; we will be operating in the defensive strategy on the main fire occupancy and we'll be offensive in the Bravo 1 and Delta 1 exposures". References: *Blue Card Command SOP's, October 2018 update, Blue Card Command™*