Palm Beach County Fire Rescue Commercial Structure Fires PDF

Palm Beach County Fire Rescue Standard Operating Guideline SOG 400-02 Commercial Structure Fires Issue Date: 05/21/...

Palm Beach County Fire Rescue Standard Operating Guideline SOG 400-02 Commercial Structure Fires Issue Date: 05/21/2018 Effective Date: 02/22/2022 PURPOSE: The purpose of this directive is to establish a standard course of action for activities that should be performed at commercial structure fires. AUTHORITY:  Fire Rescue Administrator SCOPE: This standard operating guideline shall apply to all Emergency Operations personnel. PROCEDURE: These guidelines provide a basic framework for most incidents. For commercial structure fires, the following general guidelines apply: 1. General a. Refer to the 100 series SOGs for all Pre-Incident Planning, Response and Communication Center guidelines. b. Refer to the 200 series SOGs for all Incident Management System, Communication and Accountability guidelines. c. Refer to the 300 series SOGs for all General Operations guidelines. d. Refer to the 400 series SOGs, paying particular attention the 420 series for tactical guidelines. 2. Response a. While responding, the Communication Center may be able to provide additional information, such as hydrant availability and location. b. If available, the Quick Access Survey should be reviewed. c. The first arriving unit may request additional units based on: i. Visible or reported conditions ii. Knowledge of the structure iii. Water supply in the area iv. Other unusual circumstances d. When units are arriving on scene ensure to provide room for the Aerial if there is a potential for Aerial operations. SOG 400-02 Commercial Structure Fires Page 1 of 4  3. Responsibilities a. First Arriving Unit Responsibilities i. The first arriving unit shall establish Incident Command and manage incident until Incident Command is transferred or terminated (refer to SOG 200-02 Incident Command Sequence). ii. The first arriving unit shall give an Arrival Report (refer to SOG 420-01 Fire Attack Operations). iii. When the Aerial is the first arriving apparatus to a fire, it shall be the responsibility of that Company Officer to ensure the Aerial is utilized in the most efficient manner (Engine or Aerial capacity). iv. Due to the large square footage of most commercial buildings the first arriving unit may need to drive around the structure(s) for 360-degree size up. b. Incident Command Responsibilities i. The Incident Commander shall: 1. Manage the incident (refer to SOG 200-02 Incident Command Sequence). 2. Ensure Benchmarks are performed and communicated (refer to SOG 210-01 Communications). 3. Assign an Incident Safety Officer 4. Ensure all personnel on scene are wearing appropriate personal protective equipment. 5. Ensure personnel accountability is in place and being followed (refer to SOG 220-01 Personnel Accountability). 6. Ensure the two-in/two-out rule is being followed (refer to SOG 220-02 Two in/Two out). 7. Consider multiple TAC channels for a large or complex commercial structure. 8. Consider assigning an Assistant Safety Officer(s). 9. Consider establishing Divisions or Groups (to maintain span of control). c. Company Responsibilities i. Each Company Officer is responsible for communicating benchmarks and progress reports (refer to SOG 210-01 Communications). d. Firefighter Responsibilities i. It is the responsibility of each firefighter to perform in a safe manner and following all applicable SOG’s. ii. It is particularly important to maintain situational awareness and air management when operating in large or complex commercial structures (refer to SOG 220-03 Situational Awareness). 4. Unit Assignments a. The below assignments are the default assignments for commercial structure fires. Fire Rescue recognizes that every emergency incident is different and assignments will be determined by those differences. SOG 400-02 Commercial Structure Fires Page 2 of 4  b. First Arriving Engine i. Typically, Confinement and Ventilation is the best strategy to achieve a tenable atmosphere for evacuation. ii. Due to the large square footage of most commercial occupancies, a Thermal Imaging Camera shall be used to direct Fire Attack and Primary Search. iii. If building construction allows, it may be appropriate to shelter in place. However, evacuation should not be eliminated as a consideration. iv. The first arriving Engine assignment should be: 1. Evacuation; or 2. Primary Search (when Rescue is the tactical priority); or 3. Fire Attack (refer to SOG 420-01 Fire Attack Operations). c. First Arriving Rescue i. The first arriving Rescue assignment should be additional support functions such as: 1. Assist with Fire Attack 2. Primary Search 3. Forcible Entry 4. Back-up line 5. Laddering or softening the structure 6. ventilation ii. Due to the large square footage of commercial structures, access and egress doors should be quickly identified and forced open to allow for egress of firefighters operating in the interior. All openings should be controlled to limit ventilation flow paths. iii. Consideration should be given to assigning the first arriving Rescue to give patient care for any identified critical patient. d. Second Arriving Engine i. Refer to SOG 200-02 Incident Command Sequence for transferring Incident Command (3.b.vi): 1. “If Incident Command has been established and the Incident Commander is inside an IDLH, the second arriving Company Officer shall communicate with the Incident Commander to confirm assignment or transfer of Incident Command.” ii. The second arriving Engine assignment should be assigned: 1. Water Supply to Fixed Fire Protection system; and/or 2. Water Supply to attack Engine. e. Third Arriving Engine i. The third arriving Engine assignment should be additional support functions, such as: 1. Back-up line 2. Water supply 3. RIC 4. Ventilation 5. Laddering of softening the structure f. Second Arriving Rescue i. The second arriving Rescue unit assignment should be additional support finctions, such as: SOG 400-02 Commercial Structure Fires Page 3 of 4  1. Assist with Fire Attack 2. Medical 3. Primary or secondary search 4. Back-up line 5. Ventilation 6. Laddering of softening the structure ii. When the Incident Commander elects to utilize thesecond arriving Rescue unit for other duties they shall request another Rescue unit from the Communication Center. iii. Medical should report to the Incident Command Post with their stretcher and medical gear. iv. As the incident progresses and if Medical is not treating emergency patients, then it should set-up and run Rehabilitation for firefighters (refer to SOG 420- 08 Rehabilitation). v. Medical and Rehab should be parked in a location and direction that facilitates departure for hospital transports. g. First Arriving Aerial i. The first arriving Aerial assignment should be: 1. Aerial Operations; or 2. Truck company functions, such as: a. Softening the structure b. Ventilation c. Determining roof stability ii. Ventilation must be coordinated with Fire Attack operations. h. First Arriving Chief Officer i. The first arriving Chief Officer is expected to assume Incident Command if the incident is escalating or unstable. ii. If the incident is NOT escalating or unstable the first arriving Chief Officer may work in an advisory capacity with the Incident Commander. i. First Arriving EMS Captain i. The first arriving EMS Captain assignment should be Incident Safety Officer. ii. If assigned to Incident Safety Officer the first arriving EMS Captain shall complete a 360 degree size up of the structure and follow SOG 200-03 Safety Officer. j. Second Arriving Chief Officer i. The second arriving Chief Officer may be assigned as: 1. Command Staff 2. General Staff 3. Command Aide 4. Group 5. Division Supersession History 1. SOG #2110, issued 01/01/2006 2. SOG #2110, issued 10/01/2012 3. SOG 400-02, clerical 05/01/2018 4. SOG 400-02, issued 05/21/2018 5. SOG 400-02, revised 02/18/2022 SOG 400-02 Commercial Structure Fires Page 4 of 4