601-Engine Company Operations.pdf

ROMEOVILLE FIRE DEPARTMENT MANUAL 601 CATEGORY 600: GENERAL OPERATIONS POLICY NUMBER TITLE ENGINE COMPANY OPERATIONS EFFECTIVE 01/01/2013 AUTHORIZED Kent Adams, Fire Chief REVISED 10/23/2019 PURPOSE It shall be the policy of the Romeoville Fire Department to define the roles and responsibilities of...

ROMEOVILLE FIRE DEPARTMENT MANUAL 601 CATEGORY 600: GENERAL OPERATIONS POLICY NUMBER TITLE ENGINE COMPANY OPERATIONS EFFECTIVE 01/01/2013 AUTHORIZED Kent Adams, Fire Chief REVISED 10/23/2019 PURPOSE It shall be the policy of the Romeoville Fire Department to define the roles and responsibilities of Engine Companies STAFFING STATEMENT Due to continual manpower constraints, Truck companies will be staffed with a minimum of two personnel, one of which being a company officer or acting company officer. 1. ENGINE COMPANY EMERGENCY OPERATIONS Arrival / Size-Up Respond to assigned incident in a safe and expeditious manner. Provide appropriate information to other units. Mitigate situations that do not require the use of additional resources. Transmit a brief initial report on the main frequency when arriving on scene indicating the following: o Size o Height o Occupancy o Problem o Strategy  Investigating (nothing showing)  Offensive i.e. “We are going to be in the offensive strategy leading out a pre-connect  through the alpha side" Defensive i.e. “We are going to be in the defensive strategy and dropping a 21/2" on the alpha side” or "We are going to blitz it with the tank on the alpha side" o Announce direction of travel o Identify & Name Command o Switch to a tactical channel (i.e. Red fireground) Page 1 of 7 ROMEOVILLE FIRE DEPARTMENT MANUAL Fire Suppression (First Due Engine) Vehicle Placement Pull past the fire building (i.e. for residential 1 or 1 ½ houses past) View 3 sides of the building if possible Pull the Engine to the curb side closest to the fire building Leave room for 1st due truck Primary Objectives Locate/confine/extinguish Lead Out Appropriate Line(s). This is the officer's choice and should be dependent on the conditions and building presented. Typically for a first arriving engine company the basic choices are: o Pre-connected cross-lay o Skid load ("off the back") o 2 1/2-inch line ("off the back") o Drop two lines simultaneously ("off the back") - if manpower warrants o Deck gun with tank water o Initiate defensive operations Obtain a Hydrant. Once positive water is obtained, the engineer should announce on the fire ground channel to all that they have positive water (i.e. "Engine 21 has positive water"). If the company chooses to obtain a hydrant that is behind the apparatus, care should be taken to ensure the supply line is out of the way (along the curb) so as not to hinder the first arriving truck company. Conduct Forcible Entry (as needed). Typically, this is the front door, however, the lead out should enter the building from the side that will, protect victims and firefighters, while accomplishing the goal of rapid extinguishment. Sometimes this is a side door, or a rear door should the conditions warrant. Make Entry with a Charged Line. Make way to the seat of the fire. It is important here that the company not "overcommit" if inadequate manpower is not on the scene initially and/or a positive source of water is not yet obtained. Page 2 of 7 ROMEOVILLE FIRE DEPARTMENT MANUAL Secondary Objectives Conduct a Limited Primary Search. The engine company can conduct a primary search while making way to the seat of the fire. This should not detract in any way upon the primary objective of putting water on the fire. The first engine company should not veer off to conduct a primary search in areas that are not immediately proximal to the pathway of the seat of the fire. Protect exposure(s) Coordination with Truck or Squad Coordination of Ventilation and Search Special Considerations Although the primary objective of the first arriving engine company is to put water on the fire and obtain a water supply, some basic tools are required, none of which should detract the company from its primary function. These tools include: forcible entry tools (i.e. bar and sledge / irons), a thermal imaging camera, a pike pole to initially open ceilings and walls to get water on the fire. Members should not hesitate to leave tools that are not needed off to the side upon making entry (i.e. drop the sledge at the front door once entry is made). Fire Suppression (Second due Engine) Arrival / Size-Up Report arrival on scene on the main radio frequency. The report on the fireground channel should contain basic info on the direction they will be facing and where they are setting up. (i.e. "Engine 23 is on Red, and we are staged (Level 1) facing North bound on 53 and Murphy) Vehicle Placement Second due engine should stage one hydrant back or 300 feet from the attack hydrant and prepare to back down to the first due Engine or Truck (i.e. Level 1 staging) Utilize nearby cross street if able If committing to the scene place the apparatus facing in a direction opposite of the first engine closest to the curb side of the fire building, and at the same time not impeding the first truck (or second truck on a corner / large building). Consider that at certain times, the second engine may have to wait at a corner to let the first truck "in." In any event, the second engine should be facing in the opposite direction of the first engine and have its tailboard toward the fire building. Page 3 of 7 ROMEOVILLE FIRE DEPARTMENT MANUAL Primary Objectives Ensure the Primary Objectives of the First Engine are met. Fill in gaps in the primary objectives of the first arriving engine as appropriate. See first arriving engine company objectives. Assist first engine with obtaining a hydrant. This can be accomplished by the second engine engineer. Assist first engine with the primary attack line if needed. Lead Out a Second Line. The second engine should always default to leading out a second line. This line can come from the first engine, or their own engine, if a second water supply is available and the option is acceptable / easier. The second line should be focused on one of 3 things: 1.) Going to wherever the first line is NOT going (i.e. floor above / below) or 2.) Going to the seat of the fire to supply additional GPM. Option two must be communicated appropriately to the first engine to limit the possibility of opposing streams, or misuse of the second line which could put the first engine company in danger 3.) Protect exposures if warranted. Spot a Second Independent Hydrant. Regardless of what the initial actions of the second arriving engine are, once the first engine has a positive water supply, the second engine engineer should spot a second hydrant in the opposite direction of the first engine and make preparation in the event it is needed. This provides redundancy for the entire operation. Care should be taken so as to not impede other companies in obtaining a hydrant. Once identified and assessed, the second engine engineer should announce on the radio that they have a good hydrant (i.e. "Engine 23 has a good hydrant to the north") Secondary Objectives Conduct a Limited Primary Search. The second engine company can conduct a primary search while making way to the seat of the fire or other location. This should not detract in any way upon the primary objective of putting water on the fire or putting the line in place. The second engine company should not veer off to conduct a primary search in areas that are not immediately proximal to the pathway of the seat of the fire or final destination. Be Prepared to Conduct Limited Forcible Entry. The second engine must consider the possibility that they may need to conduct forcible entry to accomplish their objectives. Members should be prepared to do so. Set up for Defensive Operations. Should the decision be made to go defensive, the second engine should obtain a second hydrant in a direction opposite of the first engine and be prepared to utilize big lines or feed master streams in coordination with the first engine. Truck companies will assist in this process. Page 4 of 7 ROMEOVILLE FIRE DEPARTMENT MANUAL Special Considerations Although the primary objective of the second arriving engine company is supplement the first engine to put water on the fire and obtain a water supply, some basic tools are required, none of which should detract the company from its primary function. These tools include: forcible entry tools (i.e. bar and sledge / irons), a thermal imaging camera, a pike pole to initially open ceilings and walls to get water on the fire. Members should not hesitate to leave tools that are not needed off to the side upon making entry (i.e. drop the sledge at the front door once entry is made). Supply sprinkler or standpipe system if applicable Coordination with Truck or Squad Coordination of Ventilation and Search Supply water to an aerial device Fire Suppression (Third due Engine) Arrival / Size-Up Report arrival on scene on the main radio frequency. The report on the fireground channel should contain basic info on the direction they will be facing and where they are setting up. (i.e. "Engine 23 is on Red, and we are staged (Level 1) facing North bound on 53 and Murphy) Vehicle Placement Place the apparatus out of the way of all operating apparatus. Remain flexible to move the apparatus to supplement the operation if needed. Primary Objectives To go on deck in Alpha division as R.I.T. with all appropriate tools and equipment. Could be assigned to any other task as deemed necessary by the Incident Commander. Secondary Objectives Consider operations such as relay pumping to one of the first two engines Also, the third engine officer should consider the possibility that he/she will assume staging if needed. Page 5 of 7 ROMEOVILLE FIRE DEPARTMENT MANUAL Progress Reports to Command Officers shall use the CAN acronym for providing progress reports Conditions – what is happening Actions – what you are doing about it Needs – what do you need for resources Activated Fire Alarms Determine the location of the activation by use of annunciator or fire alarm control panel or other reliable means Proceed to indicated area with equipment necessary to begin initial operations Identify problem and take action as dictated by the nature of the incident Hazardous Materials Incidents Obtain as much information as possible Upon arrival, verify information from a safe distance Establish safety zones and position equipment accordingly Summon assistance from appropriate support units if needed Begin operations in defensive or offensive manner Mitigate situation if possible Provide support to the Hazardous Materials Response Team in whatever way is necessary (decon, hose lines, sectors, etc.) Emergency Medical Incidents Respond as primary care unit, additional manpower, or medical engine as requested Secure the scene for operating units. Identify the patient’s problem Begin appropriate ALS or BLS care, as dictated by patient condition and established Emergency Medical Standard Operating Procedures Assist ambulance in whatever way is necessary for safe and proper care of patient As soon as the incident is stabilized, the engine company shall be placed inservice on the scene Page 6 of 7 ROMEOVILLE FIRE DEPARTMENT MANUAL Rescue Calls and Special Operations Gather as much information about the scene (i.e.: number of patients and the entrapment) as possible. If the engine company has sufficient equipment and manpower to safely perform the rescue, do so without delay. If beyond the capability of the engine company, appropriate additional resources shall be mobilized immediately. While awaiting additional resources, stabilize patient and scene if possible. Assist in above and below grade rescue, trench, confined space, ice and water rescue, elevator and machinery entrapment, vehicle extrication and construction accidents in whatever way necessary to ensure the safe, appropriate and expeditious rescue of the trapped person(s). 2. ENGINE COMPANY NON-EMERGENCY OPERATIONS Engine Company non-emergency responsibilities include, but are not limited to: Public Education Conduct tours of facilities as assigned or if requested. Conduct annual school fire evacuation drills. Conduct public education classes as assigned. Participate in annual Fire Department Open House programs. Fire Prevention Inspections Conduct inspections and re-inspections of scheduled locations as assigned by the Fire Prevention Bureau Conduct special inspections as assigned (ROMEOFEST, Occupancy Counts at night) Preplan Creation and Updates Create Preplans of all businesses in our protection area Conduct updates to existing Preplans to insure relevancy Daily Assignments and Objectives Complete Daily Objectives as assigned Complete Special Assignments located on Department Calendar or as assigned All Other Duties as Assigned Duties not outlined in this policy but assigned by staff personnel shall be completed Page 7 of 7