Clearwater Fire & Rescue High-Rise Operations PDF

CLEARWATER FIRE AND RESCUE DEPARTMENT STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE S.O.P. 615 SUBJECT: High-Rise Operations PAGE 1 OF 8 CATEGORY:...

CLEARWATER FIRE AND RESCUE DEPARTMENT STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE S.O.P. 615 SUBJECT: High-Rise Operations PAGE 1 OF 8 CATEGORY: SUBCATEGORY: Operations Suppression & EMS APPROVED BY: EFFECTIVE DATE: 11/19/04 REVISION DATE: 05/11/22 REVIEWED DATE: SIGNATURE ON FILE, APPROVED TO FORM THIS DATE BY SCOTT EHLERS, FIRE CHIEF, FIRE & RESCUE DEPARTMENT FORMS REQUIRED: NOTE: Current forms are located on the Department’s SharePoint. PURPOSE: To provide procedures that will coordinate strategic and tactical firefighting operations that deal with the complexities of high-rise emergencies. 615.1 Strategic Plan A. Life safety is the primary concern. B. Clearwater Fire & Rescue Department personnel must rely upon accurate evaluation of fire and smoke conditions throughout the structure and quickly assess the need for evacuation. C. Any relocation of occupants must be coordinated with the fire control effort. D. The most effective tactical approach in the majority of high-rise fires is confining the fire. This is done by an aggressive fire attack. E. Due to the need for an unusually high commitment of resources, the process of control and accountability of each unit is paramount. An exceptionally high level of discipline will be required of officers and personnel during high-rise operations. Failure to follow any portion of the operational plan can lead to a break-down of the entire operation, which could result in injuries to civilians and firefighters. 615.2 Immediate Priorities A. A 2nd alarm will be sounded upon confirmation of a working fire or visible smoke permeating the outer skin of the building. B. Resource allocation and management by Incident Commander. C. Identify the fire floor, identify fire location, confine the fire, and identify attack stairwell. D. Provide a fire attack with adequate water supply. E. Provide search and rescue operations for persons in immediate danger. F. Maintain accountability utilizing division and groups within the ICS, as necessary. G. Evaluate: Fire floor conditions Fire extension Ventilation needs SUBJECT: High-Rise Operations EFFECTIVE DATE: 11/19/04 S.O.P. 615 REVISION DATE: 05/11/22 CATEGORY: Operations SUBCATEGORY: Suppression & EMS PAGE 2 of 8 615.3 Initial High-Rise Response Four (4) engine companies Two (2) truck companies Two (2) rescues One (1) squad Two (2) Command Officer One (1) Fire Medic Lieutenant (LR45) One (1) CL 320 615.4 Extra Alarm Resources for High-Rise Responses Three (3) engine companies Two (2) truck companies One (1) rescue One (1) squad One (1) Command Officer 615.5 Unit Assignments A. First (1st) Engine: 1. Positions vehicle away from building to ensure effective position for truck companies. 2. Provides complete On-Scene Report as outlined in CFR S.O.P. 625. 3. Entire crew including the driver will take appropriate equipment into building. An exception to taking the driver will be if the fire is in a location that the use of a pre- connected line is used instead of the standpipe system. a. High-rise/standpipe pack, all three packs for a total of 200’ of high-rise hose. (see SOP 616 High-Rise Standpipe Packs and High-Rise Standpipe Bags) b. High-rise/standpipe bag c. Appropriate hand tools 4. Announces initial accountability location, this should be at the first arriving engine until the arrival of a command vehicle. 5. Checks and marks annunciator panel for fire location. Silence the alarm as directed by the incident commander. 6. Secures available keys. (NOTE: only take keys needed, leave extra in box or lobby) 7. Selects and verbalizes appropriate method of ascent. SUBJECT: High-Rise Operations EFFECTIVE DATE: 11/19/04 S.O.P. 615 REVISION DATE: 05/11/22 CATEGORY: Operations SUBCATEGORY: Suppression & EMS PAGE 3 of 8 8. Elevator will NOT be used for fires on or below the sixth (6th) floor. (see 615.7 Elevator Guidelines) 9. Locate fire, announce fire location, attempt to confine fire and coordinates deployment of hose line with initial search and rescue operations. 10. D/O will assume control of standpipe connection; ensuring proper fire flow is maintained. (see 615.9 Water Supply Guidelines) Connect attack line to floor below; ensure in-line gauge is properly connected. B. First (1st) Truck: 1. Positions aerial apparatus based upon assessment of fire location and the need for secondary means of egress. 2. When aerial operations are unnecessary, entire crew proceeds to fire floor for purposes of truck company operations. (search & rescue, forcible entry, locate fire) 3. Brings appropriate tools. (see SOP 612 Truck Company Operations) 4. Leaves any unneeded equipment at Staging Area two (2) floors below the fire floor. 5. Leaves accountability tags at announced accountability location or command post. 6. Designate area of refuge on fire floor. C. First (1st) Rescue: 1. Positions vehicle away from building to ensure effective position for truck companies. 2. Report to 1st Engine OIC for assignment and equipment responsibilities. (Forcible entry tools unless otherwise directed by Engine OIC. 3. If 1st Rescue arrives before 1st Engine, they shall wait to meet with Engine officer before proceeding to upper floors. If 1st Rescue arrives after 1st Engine, they shall report to 1st Engine officer’s location in the structure. They must make contact with 1st Engine officer before performing any duties. 4. Leaves accountability tags at announced accountability location or command post. D. First (1st) Squad: 1. Proceeds to the floor below the fire and establishes the Rapid Intervention Team. 2. Brings appropriate Rapid Intervention Team tools. (see SOP 609 Rapid Intervention Teams) 3. Leaves accountability tags at announced accountability location or command post. SUBJECT: High-Rise Operations EFFECTIVE DATE: 11/19/04 S.O.P. 615 REVISION DATE: 05/11/22 CATEGORY: Operations SUBCATEGORY: Suppression & EMS PAGE 4 of 8 E. Second (2nd) Engine: 1. Driver/Operator establishes water supply and supplies Fire Department Connection (FDC) (See Section 615.9 Water Supply Guidelines). 2. Driver/Operator remains at pump panel. 3. Balance of crew proceeds to fire floor and assists 1st engine with hose line deployment. a. High-rise/standpipe pack (If the 2nd Engine is a crew of three, they may opt to carry only 150’ of 2” hose. If crew of four, then they shall bring all 200’ of 2” hose. This option is ONLY for the 2nd Engine.) b. High-rise/standpipe bag c. Appropriate hand tools 4. Leaves accountability tags at announced accountability location or command post. 5. Set up Decon facilities. F. Second (2nd) Rescue: 1. Assigned to supplement 1st Squad as RIT. (See Section 615.5 D 1st Squad) 2. Takes medical equipment to RIT staging area, floor below the fire. 3. Leaves accountability tags at announced accountability location or command post. G. Third (3rd) Engine: 1. Crew is to bring the following equipment: a. High-rise/Standpipe pack, all three packs for a total of 200’ of high-rise hose. (see SOP 616 High-Rise Standpipe Packs and High-Rise Standpipe Bags ) b. High-rise/standpipe bag c. Forcible Entry tools 2. Leaves accountability tags at announced accountability location or command post. 3. Proceeds to lobby area to establish Lobby Control. (see 615.8 Lobby Control Functions) 4. D/O assist 2nd D/O with establishing water supply. H. Second (2nd) Truck: 1. Assigned with 4th Engine to floor above the fire. Responsible for search, rescue and checking for extension and report of conditions of floor above; depending on conditions, roof ventilation. 2. When aerial operations are unnecessary, entire crew proceeds to floor above the fire for purposes of truck company operations.(search and rescue, forcible entry, locate fire) 3. Brings appropriate tools. (see SOP 612 Truck Company Operations) 4. Leaves accountability tags at announced accountability location or command post. 5. Leaves any unneeded equipment at staging area two (2) floors below the fire. SUBJECT: High-Rise Operations EFFECTIVE DATE: 11/19/04 S.O.P. 615 REVISION DATE: 05/11/22 CATEGORY: Operations SUBCATEGORY: Suppression & EMS PAGE 5 of 8 I. Fourth (4th) Engine 1. Assigned with 2nd Truck to floor above the fire. 2. May be required to deploy back-up line on fire floor at the discretion of incident commander. 3. Leaves accountability tags at announced accountability location or command post. 4. Crew is to bring the following equipment: a. High-rise/standpipe pack, all three packs for a total of 200’ of high-rise hose. (see SOP 616 High-Rise Standpipe Packs and High-Rise Standpipe Bags ) b. High-rise/standpipe bag c. Forcible Entry tools J. First (1st) Command Officer: 1. Establishes Command and Accountability at an announced advantageous location. 2. Requests appropriate number of additional resources for incident. 3. Assembles the Incident Command Team. 4. Maintains span of control. 5. Maintains location of units operating within the structure. 6. Maintains control of accountability passports. 7. Evaluates safety of overall operations until a Safety Officer is assigned. 8. Utilizes/coordinates multiple radio channels. (Monitor talk-around channel) K. Second (2nd) Command Officer: 1. Upon arrival, conducts a 360-degree size up (when possible) and reports face-to-face with Incident Commander. Should be used to fill out the Incident Command Team positions or can be assigned a forward position if all positions are filled. Full PPE is required if assigned a forward position. 2. If assigned a forward position, such as the Fire Floor Division Supervisor, you shall provide the following to the Incident Command Team: Provides update of situation status to Command. Coordinates rescue/fire attack efforts utilizing face-to-face communications as much as possible. Evaluates safety of interior operations until a Safety Officer is assigned. Requests additional resources through Command. Shall utilize a command board or other adjunct device to track companies assigned to them. SUBJECT: High-Rise Operations EFFECTIVE DATE: 11/19/04 S.O.P. 615 REVISION DATE: 05/11/22 CATEGORY: Operations SUBCATEGORY: Suppression & EMS PAGE 6 of 8 L. CL 320: 1. Communicate with incident commander 2. Assume Safety Officer role if not already assigned 3. Perform 360 recon of structure 4. Notify I.C. of recommendations. 5. Prepare to exercise authority/take action at all times. M. Fire Medic Lieutenant ( LR45): 1. Establishes a Medical Group. 2. Maintains accountability of all evacuated occupants, requests additional units as required. 3. During incidents involving multi-casualty transports, a separate tactical channel will be devoted to the Medical Group to coordinate treatment and transport without impacting fire operation's communications. 4. Requests additional resources. N. Administrative Staff: 1. Will respond to the scene upon notification of a working incident. 2. Assumes Incident Management System roles as assigned by Command. O. Additional Alarm Units: 1. Report to base or staging as directed by the incident commander. 615.6 Benchmarks Upon Arrival of Multi-Alarm Companies A. Maintain sufficient resources at Staging Area two (2) floors below the fire floor under direction of Division Leader or Command. B. Establish a Rehab Group on the Staging floor two (2) floors below the fire floor. C. All Multi-alarm companies, when reporting to staging area two (2) floors below the fire, should carry as much equipment as they possibly can, including spare air bottles. D. Any breakage of glass to the exterior by fire personnel will be a closely orchestrated event by the unit(s), division supervisors, and command. SUBJECT: High-Rise Operations EFFECTIVE DATE: 11/19/04 S.O.P. 615 REVISION DATE: 05/11/22 CATEGORY: Operations SUBCATEGORY: Suppression & EMS PAGE 7 of 8 615.7 Elevator Guidelines A. Only elevators equipped with “fire service controls” will be used for FD operations during fire situations. B. All elevators will be recalled and placed under fire service control. C. Elevators will NOT be used for fires on or below the sixth (6th) floor. D. All personnel deploying in elevators shall wear full protective equipment, bring forcible entry tools, portable radio(s), and a portable extinguisher. E. Face pieces will be placed in a position for quick donning. F. All personnel will familiarize themselves with the stairwell location prior to elevator use. G. Initial ascents should attempt to stop the car every five floors to confirm that the FD override is functioning and to evaluate smoke conditions in the shaft. H. Use of elevators is not permitted if there is any indication of smoke in the shaft. I. In the event that elevator operations become erratic, or smoke conditions occur, activate the emergency stop. J. Should this fail, personnel should don their face pieces, get low in the car, and prepare to exit to the nearest stairwell under the limited protection of the portable extinguisher. K. If this fails, pry open the car door to trip the interlock. L. Elevator crews will maintain the following equipment in the car at all times: 1. Full protective clothing 2. Portable radio 3. Forcible entry tools 4. Portable extinguisher 5. Spare air bottle M. Only appropriate numbers of firefighting personnel along with the elevator operator will operate the car at a time to avoid overload and to allow for emergency maneuvers if necessary. N. In buildings where a working fire has been declared, elevators will only be used with officer discretion. O. Crews will exit the elevator at least two (2) floors below the reported fire floor. They shall return the elevator car to the lobby unmanned. P. Elevators will not be used for occupant evacuation until the fire situation has been declared under control. Q. Further elevator information can be found in Training Bulletin 2006-008. SUBJECT: High-Rise Operations EFFECTIVE DATE: 11/19/04 S.O.P. 615 REVISION DATE: 05/11/22 CATEGORY: Operations SUBCATEGORY: Suppression & EMS PAGE 8 of 8 615.8 Lobby Control Functions A. Control of personnel and civilians entering and exiting the building. B. Differentiate and maintain separate fire attack and evacuation stairwells. C. Maintain an accurate accountability of all FD personnel entering and exiting the building. D. Recalls all elevators and places them under FD control. Designates an FD elevator operator when operation of such is required and considered safe. E. When possible, makes contact with Building Engineer/Technician to assist with control of building systems. F. Locates fire control rooms, public address systems, internal communication systems, and fire alarm panels where available, silence alarm if not already done so. If approved by Incident Commander. G. Access and ensures operation of fire pump. H. Confirms building height identified by elevator floor indicators. I. Directs evacuated occupants to a controlled area at least 200 feet away from structure. 1. Medical group will account for occupants at this location. J. Further information on lobby control functions can be found in Training Bulletin 2009-011. 615.9 Water Supply Guidelines A. Proper fire flow is the result of coordination between the second engine Driver/Operator and the control person on the attack line. B. The D/O of the second-arriving engine company hooks to the building standpipe system and uses the following starting pressures for a 200’ 2” hand line with 1 1/8”tip: 1. Floors 1 to 10 are pumped at 150psi 2. Floors 11 to 20 are pumped at 200psi 3. Floors 21 to 30 are pumped at 225psi C. The D/O of the first arriving engine company assumes control of the attack line at the standpipe valve and ensures proper flow is maintained as well as the attack line remains free of kinks. 1. Ensure that the in-line gauge is connected to the standpipe. 2. Figure proper friction loss and nozzle pressure for the length of attack line. 3. 200’ of 2” hose @ 265GPM @90 psi. D. Indicate operating pressure on wall near connection to ensure proper flow is maintained at all times.