Spring Fire Department Operating at Structure Fire Incidents PDF

Spring Fire Department / Harris County ESD No. 7 Standard Operating Guideline SFD.015 Revision No. 01 Issue Date 1 Jan. 2024 Effective Date 1 Jan. 2024...

Spring Fire Department / Harris County ESD No. 7 Standard Operating Guideline SFD.015 Revision No. 01 Issue Date 1 Jan. 2024 Effective Date 1 Jan. 2024 Approved by: MISSION Review Date 1 Jan. 2025 CRITICAL Reviewed by Operations Scott C. Seifert Operating at Structure Fire Incidents Operating at Structure Fire Incidents 1. Executive Summary a. Tactical Priorities are Life Safety, Incident Stabilization, and Property Conservation b. The first arriving officer's duties include apparatus placement, identifying water supply, evaluating fire, and completing an initial radio report. c. The first arriving suppression apparatus should generally deploy appropriate hoselines. The first arriving aerial should be positioned to best advantage and prepare for truck company operations. d. The first arriving chief officer should contact command if already established, consider transfer if appropriate, complete 360 assessment, and establish accountability. e. Transfer of command should follow the specified format to ensure all information is relayed. f. Additional engines and aerials should level one stage. g. The first on deck company should assume RIT responsibilities until a RIT is established. h. Additional chief officers should request a specific role from the IC based on needs. i. Specialty apparatus such as rescues, tankers, and boosters should level one stage. PIO units should report to the command post for assignment. j. Tactical considerations include rescue, transitional attack, extinguishing the fire, ventilation, exposure protection, strategic shift, utility control, property conservation, overhaul, and customer support. SFD.015 Uncontrolled if printed Page 1 of 14  Spring Fire Department / Harris County ESD No. 7 Standard Operating Guideline SFD.015 Revision No. 01 Issue Date 1 Jan. 2024 Effective Date 1 Jan. 2024 Approved by: MISSION Review Date 1 Jan. 2025 CRITICAL Reviewed by Operations Scott C. Seifert Operating at Structure Fire Incidents 2. Purpose a. The purpose of this guideline is to provide guidance regarding knowledge, skills, abilities, and equipment when operating at structure fire incidents. 3. Policy Statement a. All Spring Fire Department personnel are responsible for knowing and complying with this procedure. Deviations from this guideline may be made when the IC determines a different course of action is needed to mitigate the incident. 4. Scope a. This guideline applies to all department personnel. This guideline addresses fire incidents involving structures that are less than four stories or less than 75 feet in height. For structures which have four or more stories above grade or exceed 75 feet please refer to SFD.052 (Fires in High Rise Buildings). 5. Definitions a. See Glossary. 6. Procedures and Responsibilities a. Tactical Priorities: i. Life safety (Firefighter & Civilian) ii. Incident stabilization iii. Property conservation b. Enroute considerations: i. Structure location ii. Access Routes and the best direction to approach iii. Primary and secondary water supply locations SFD.015 Uncontrolled if printed Page 2 of 14  Spring Fire Department / Harris County ESD No. 7 Standard Operating Guideline SFD.015 Revision No. 01 Issue Date 1 Jan. 2024 Effective Date 1 Jan. 2024 Approved by: MISSION Review Date 1 Jan. 2025 CRITICAL Reviewed by Operations Scott C. Seifert Operating at Structure Fire Incidents iv. Apparatus placement. v. Building construction and occupancy. vi. Time of day and weather conditions. vii. Resources responding & needed. viii. Additional information provided by dispatch. ix. Access the pre-plan to identify pertinent information and hazards. c. Arrival considerations: i. The first arriving officer or qualified personnel must establish the IC position and is responsible for: 1. Selecting the best tactical position for apparatus placement, 2. Identifying an uninterrupted water supply and/or establishing the water supply if needed, 3. Evaluating the fire conditions, 4. Providing the Initial Radio Report to all responding units. ii. First Arriving Apparatus: 1. Initial Radio Report (size up): a. Evaluate fire conditions and provide initial radio report: i. Building description (size, height, occupancy type) 1. Size - Small, Medium, Large, or Mega, 2. Height – Number of stories 3. Occupancy type – Residential, Apartment Complex, Commercial, Strip Mall, Tilt Wall, Warehouse, etc. ii. Visible conditions (nothing showing, light smoke, working fire, defensive fire). iii. Initial incident action plan (IAP) (task, location, and objective(s)). iv. Declaration of strategy (Investigative Mode, Offensive Mode, Defensive Mode). v. Assume and name incident command (IC). b. The announcement of the Initial Radio Report automatically establishes that all additional responding units should Level 1 Stage, except for the first arriving Engine, Ladder, and Chief Officer. c. The IRR should be given utilizing the apparatus mobile Radio. SFD.015 Uncontrolled if printed Page 3 of 14  Spring Fire Department / Harris County ESD No. 7 Standard Operating Guideline SFD.015 Revision No. 01 Issue Date 1 Jan. 2024 Effective Date 1 Jan. 2024 Approved by: MISSION Review Date 1 Jan. 2025 CRITICAL Reviewed by Operations Scott C. Seifert Operating at Structure Fire Incidents 2. Conduct a 360° assessment of the building. If not possible, delegate an individual or other resources to view parts of the structure not seen. A 360° assessment is essential, and should include the following: a. Identify known rescue or potential known rescue problems. b. Identify flow path locations or potential flow path locations. If one is visible, consider closing doors and windows to limit air flow. c. Locate the fire and its extent. Consider using a thermal imaging camera for assistance in locating the fire. d. Determine building size, age, and construction type. On large open-span construction, the IC should consider truss construction, and take that into consideration when determining the mode of operation. e. Assess structural stability. f. Identify any other additional hazards (exposures, powerlines, etc.). g. Consider securing utilities during the 360° assessment. 3. 360° follow-up radio report: a. Results of 360° assessment. Include any pertinent information concerning hazards, obstacles, location, and extent of the fire. b. Reaffirm the Risk vs Benefit Analysis after conducting a 360° Size-up. c. Any changes to IAP. d. First arriving apparatus geographical location (Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, Delta). 4. If the first arriving apparatus is an engine company, they should position the apparatus with consideration in leaving room for an aerial device in front of the structure, i.e. pull past the structure or stop short. 5. Deploy appropriate attack line(s) of sufficient size to control the fire. 6. Ensure an uninterrupted water supply is established. If in an area without hydrants, consider apparatus placement for the arriving tanker apparatus. 7. If the first arriving apparatus is a non-suppression unit, they are still responsible for completing: a. Size up, including initial radio report. b. 360° assessment. SFD.015 Uncontrolled if printed Page 4 of 14  Spring Fire Department / Harris County ESD No. 7 Standard Operating Guideline SFD.015 Revision No. 01 Issue Date 1 Jan. 2024 Effective Date 1 Jan. 2024 Approved by: MISSION Review Date 1 Jan. 2025 CRITICAL Reviewed by Operations Scott C. Seifert Operating at Structure Fire Incidents c. 360° follow-up report. d. Apparatus placement instructions. 8. First Arriving Aerial Apparatus: a. Position apparatus in the most advantageous location for aerial operations, (scrub area, multiple sides of building access, aerial operations, aerial rescue, etc.). b. Prepare to perform truck company operations: i. Search and rescue ii. Ventilation iii. Forcible entry iv. Laddering the structure for ingress and egress v. Salvage vi. Overhaul vii. Elevated streams viii. Lighting ix. Utility control x. Prepare apparatus for aerial operations (engage aerial master PTO, outriggers deployed, etc.). 9. First Arriving Chief Officer: a. Contact IC if command is already established and consider command transfer. b. Conduct a size-up of the incident and 360° assessment. c. Establish accountability. iii. Transfer of Command: 1. When the situation warrants a higher-ranking officer to assume command of an incident or a transfer of command is needed, the preferred method is a “face-to- face” conversation between the person being relieved and the person now assuming IC. Radio transfer is acceptable, but both parties should ensure all information is transferred and received. This is required to ensure all pertinent details regarding the incident are communicated. Once this communication is completed, the person assuming IC should notify the dispatcher of the change in IC. The following steps should be accomplished: SFD.015 Uncontrolled if printed Page 5 of 14  Spring Fire Department / Harris County ESD No. 7 Standard Operating Guideline SFD.015 Revision No. 01 Issue Date 1 Jan. 2024 Effective Date 1 Jan. 2024 Approved by: MISSION Review Date 1 Jan. 2025 CRITICAL Reviewed by Operations Scott C. Seifert Operating at Structure Fire Incidents a. Verify operating crew’s positions match current conditions. b. Announce you are on scene. c. Contact IC. d. Verify the position of all units operating in the hazard zone. e. Confirm the transfer of command, strategy, and resources. f. Obtain a condition, actions, and needs (CAN) report from the current IC. g. Reassign previous IC to the most appropriate task (return to crew or division officer, etc.). iv. Assignments: 1. Assign crews according to the needs of the IAP and the next tactical objective. 2. Do not assign tasks to crews that are not on location unless the task is to alter their direction of approach. 3. Assignments should be given utilizing task, location, and objective. 4. Request additional resources if there are not enough resources to maintain a 3- deep deployment model. 5. Divisions / Groups: a. When two or more companies are assigned to the same geographical area, a Division Supervisor should be established. b. All communications from that area should be from the Division Supervisor to the Incident Commander. c. Division Supervisors should communicate with their assigned companies. v. Additional Engine Companies: 1. Level one stage and prepare to establish a water supply directly into the first-in apparatus. 2. If a water supply is already established, locate a secondary water supply. 3. Assist first in engine company apparatus operator with establishing uninterrupted water supply. 4. Additional apparatus operators, if not committed to pump operations, should report to the command post to assist IC. 5. Any other assignment given by the IC. SFD.015 Uncontrolled if printed Page 6 of 14  Spring Fire Department / Harris County ESD No. 7 Standard Operating Guideline SFD.015 Revision No. 01 Issue Date 1 Jan. 2024 Effective Date 1 Jan. 2024 Approved by: MISSION Review Date 1 Jan. 2025 CRITICAL Reviewed by Operations Scott C. Seifert Operating at Structure Fire Incidents vi. Additional Aerial Apparatus: 1. Level one stage until instructions are given. 2. When given an assignment, position the apparatus in the most advantageous location for aerial operations. (Scrub area, multiple sides of building access, aerial operations, aerial rescue, etc.). If not instructed where to position, consider a location opposite from the already operating aerial apparatus. Having aerial apparatus positioned in multiple divisions will allow the IC to accomplish critical objectives simultaneously, as well as give the IC an option for a division officer if not already assigned. 3. Prepare to perform truck company operations that the first arriving aerial has not accomplished yet: a. Search and rescue b. Ventilation c. Forcible entry d. Laddering the structure for ingress and egress e. Salvage f. Overhaul g. Elevated streams h. Lighting i. Utility control 4. Prepare apparatus for aerial operations (engage aerial master PTO, outriggers deployed, etc.). vii. Rapid Intervention Team: 1. The First On-deck company assigned by command should assume the duties and responsibilities of the rapid intervention team. 2. Rapid Intervention Teams (RIT) should be assigned by IC as soon as feasible following the entry of personnel into the designated hot zone. RITs should be comprised of at least three firefighters and should immediately establish an area to accumulate all necessary equipment including a RIT bag, exit locator light, and other items deemed necessary. 3. All RIT operations should be in accordance with SFD.030 (Rapid Intervention Teams) which covers this topic in its entirety. SFD.015 Uncontrolled if printed Page 7 of 14  Spring Fire Department / Harris County ESD No. 7 Standard Operating Guideline SFD.015 Revision No. 01 Issue Date 1 Jan. 2024 Effective Date 1 Jan. 2024 Approved by: MISSION Review Date 1 Jan. 2025 CRITICAL Reviewed by Operations Scott C. Seifert Operating at Structure Fire Incidents viii. Additional Chief Officers: 1. Support the Incident Commander in roles that are deemed necessary. a. Division supervisor. b. Group supervisor. c. Accountability officer. d. Resource officer. e. Staging officer. f. Support Officer (Command aide). g. Any other tasks assigned by IC. d. Review and Evaluate: i. At working structure fires, an incident timer will be utilized. ii. Upon the arrival of the first unit to a structure fire, dispatch will start a ten (10) minute timer. iii. At the ten (10) minute mark, the dispatcher will notify command that they have reached the “ten-minute mark”. iv. Once acknowledged by command, the 10 (ten) minute timer will restart, and command will be notified again at the twenty (20) minute mark. v. The ten (10) minute timer is to continue until discontinued by command or the incident is tapped out. vi. The timer will allow for crews and the Incident Commander to evaluate the effectiveness of their attack as well as the fire’s progression. vii. Change the operational strategy or tactics as needed. e. Tactical Withdrawal and Emergency Evacuation: i. Tactical Withdrawal 1. Announced through priority traffic. 2. Utilized when tactical changes are needed. 3. No imminent threat to life. 4. The withdrawal is an orderly removal of firefighters and equipment. ii. Emergency Evacuation 1. Announced through Emergency traffic. 2. The crews exit immediately. SFD.015 Uncontrolled if printed Page 8 of 14  Spring Fire Department / Harris County ESD No. 7 Standard Operating Guideline SFD.015 Revision No. 01 Issue Date 1 Jan. 2024 Effective Date 1 Jan. 2024 Approved by: MISSION Review Date 1 Jan. 2025 CRITICAL Reviewed by Operations Scott C. Seifert Operating at Structure Fire Incidents f. Specialty Apparatus: i. Rescue: 1. Level one stage until instructions are given. 2. Park apparatus in a position that will not block access to the incident location but can make access to the incident location if needed. 3. Personnel including the apparatus operator should prepare to be assigned on the fireground. ii. Tanker: 1. Level one stage until instructions are given. 2. Locate fill site for water supply (hydrant, drafting, etc.) 3. Set up dump tank(s) and dump water, then go to the closest water supply to fill and return if instructed. 4. Assist first in engine company apparatus operator with establishing uninterrupted water supply if one is available. 5. Park apparatus in a position that will not block access to the incident location. 6. Personnel should prepare to team up with any working company assigned on the fireground. iii. Booster / Other department units: 1. Level one stage until instructions are given. 2. Park apparatus in a position that will not block access to the incident location. 3. Personnel should prepare to team up with any working company assigned on the fireground. iv. Safety Officer/Additional personnel 1. Park in a position that will not block access to the incident. 2. If arriving first on location, conduct a size up of the incident and 360° assessment and assume command of the incident. 3. If command is established, level one stage until instructions are given. v. Public Information Officer 1. Park in a position that will not block access to the incident. SFD.015 Uncontrolled if printed Page 9 of 14  Spring Fire Department / Harris County ESD No. 7 Standard Operating Guideline SFD.015 Revision No. 01 Issue Date 1 Jan. 2024 Effective Date 1 Jan. 2024 Approved by: MISSION Review Date 1 Jan. 2025 CRITICAL Reviewed by Operations Scott C. Seifert Operating at Structure Fire Incidents 2. Report to the command post. 3. Remain in cold zone. 4. Establish a media holding area as directed by IC. g. Tactical Considerations: i. Rescue: 1. The potential to affect a rescue can happen at any time during the incident. Firefighters should be prepared to search for, rescue, and provide care for occupants at any time. A realistic victim survivability profile should be made prior to initiating search and rescue operations. 2. Protection of life is the highest tactical priority. The IC should take into consideration that fire suppression might be the best course of action to improve the survivability of victims and firefighters. By reducing the thermal threat, and limiting the growth of the fire, the IC can give extended time to affect a rescue. ii. Transitional Attack (resetting the fire): 1. This attack method has been proven as a method to rapidly reduce the thermal threat in the interior of the structure and cool the environment for occupants and firefighters. Even though this method is not required on every structure fire, it should be taken into consideration prior to entry. This can be done prior to initiating interior operations, helping to reduce, and in some cases, eliminate, the incidence of rollover and flashover. If a transitional attack is chosen by the IC, the IC should determine if a knock down from a hand line is sufficient or if a master stream is needed. 2. If the use of a handline is sufficient, a solid stream from a smooth bore nozzle or a straight stream from a fog nozzle should be flowed into the upper portion of the room through the opening from which the fire is issuing. You should have the stream at a steep angle pointed towards the ceiling and below the neutral plane. A slow horizontal back-and-forth action is acceptable, however a whipping action or a fog stream should not be used. The firefighter should ensure that the water stream does not interfere with the exhaust portion of the opening, which is found above the neutral plane. The firefighters will still need to move into the interior to complete the extinguishment process. SFD.015 Uncontrolled if printed Page 10 of 14  Spring Fire Department / Harris County ESD No. 7 Standard Operating Guideline SFD.015 Revision No. 01 Issue Date 1 Jan. 2024 Effective Date 1 Jan. 2024 Approved by: MISSION Review Date 1 Jan. 2025 CRITICAL Reviewed by Operations Scott C. Seifert Operating at Structure Fire Incidents 3. If a master stream is to be used, the IC should ensure the bulk of the fire is knocked down before firefighters move into the structure to complete the extinguishment process. iii. Extinguishing the Fire: 1. Once determined that the thermal threat has been reduced inside the structure, the fire should be extinguished in the most direct manner possible. The IC should consider the use of multiple attack lines when dealing with large single-story structures. If operating at a multiple-story structure, multiple attack lines should be deployed to ensure that the thermal threat doesn’t return. 2. Back up lines may be assigned to protect the attack crew’s means of egress due to conditions, search, and rescue etc. 3. The IC should ensure that any ventilation efforts are coordinated with the crews that are moving to an interior position for final extinguishment. iv. Ventilation: 1. When deciding to ventilate a structure, the IC should complete a ventilation profile of the building to ensure they recognize ventilation points showing the flow paths of heat and smoke as well as air movement into the structure. The IC should ensure that management and control of all openings is occurring to limit the fire’s access to oxygen. Ventilation should be coordinated with suppression activities. 2. The IC should be looking for the following when performing a ventilation profile: a. Building construction, integrity, size, and occupancy type. b. Location of smoke or fire venting from the structure. c. Smoke’s volume, velocity, density, and color venting from the structure. d. Direction and speed of the wind and its potential influence. 3. The IC should ensure that ventilation is being coordinated with suppression activities to improve the interior conditions for interior firefighters and any potential victims. v. Exposure Protection: SFD.015 Uncontrolled if printed Page 11 of 14  Spring Fire Department / Harris County ESD No. 7 Standard Operating Guideline SFD.015 Revision No. 01 Issue Date 1 Jan. 2024 Effective Date 1 Jan. 2024 Approved by: MISSION Review Date 1 Jan. 2025 CRITICAL Reviewed by Operations Scott C. Seifert Operating at Structure Fire Incidents 1. When given the assignment of exposure protection, the company officer should ensure they prevent the fire from extending to neighboring structures, or other spaces within the fire building. 2. When performing a size-up of the exposure buildings or spaces, the officer should consider: a. Exposure structures on all sides of the involved structure. b. Evaluate the integrity of the main fire building to ensure operation of exposure suppression lines are in a safe location. c. Coordinate operations with all crews operating on the main fire building. d. Secure water supply for exposure suppression lines. e. Request additional companies if additional resources are needed. vi. Change in Strategy / Strategic Shift: 1. If the IC determines conditions have deteriorated to a point where a defensive mode is needed, the IC should request an evacuation of the structure and have the dispatcher alert all units of the strategy change via a radio alert tone. After all crewmembers have evacuated the structure, the IC should complete PAR. 2. When the IC determines it is safe to return to an offensive mode, they should contact the dispatcher and advise them of the strategy change. vii. Utility Control: 1. During all working structure fires, utilities should be shut off and the utility company should send a representative. Leaking natural or liquefied petroleum gas can hamper suppression activities and should be addressed as soon as feasible. All crews should ensure that if electrical wires become exposed, the IC is made aware so they can communicate with working crews, the location of the hazard. viii. Property Conservation: 1. When given the assignment of property conservation (salvage), crews should be prepared to protect buildings, and their contents from unnecessary damage from water, smoke, heat, or any other elements. Property conservation should always be a concern of working crews no matter what phase of the incident. Crews should come prepared to work with salvage covers and hand tools when assigned. SFD.015 Uncontrolled if printed Page 12 of 14  Spring Fire Department / Harris County ESD No. 7 Standard Operating Guideline SFD.015 Revision No. 01 Issue Date 1 Jan. 2024 Effective Date 1 Jan. 2024 Approved by: MISSION Review Date 1 Jan. 2025 CRITICAL Reviewed by Operations Scott C. Seifert Operating at Structure Fire Incidents ix. Overhaul: 1. Overhaul is the method of searching for and extinguishing any hidden or exposed fires, and to ensure the structure and its contents are in a safe condition. Crews with the assignment of overhaul should take into consideration the recognizing/preserving of evidence for fire investigators. 2. The IC should understand the risks that firefighters face during overhaul when it relates to exposures of carcinogens and other toxins. Operating in PPE is necessary to ensure exposure is limited. Refer to SFD.002 (Cancer Reduction Initiative), for the procedure(s) on how to protect firefighters during overhaul operations. x. Supporting the Occupant: 1. Supporting the occupant is the responsibility of the IC or a designee if assigned. The IC or designee should consider calling for a chaplain or the Red Cross early into the incident. Assisting the occupant with transitioning into another place to stay during the fire will pay dividends to the organization’s reputation. Often, this is forgotten about but can be one of the most important tasks to complete. 7. References & Related Policies a. This section provides references to applicable laws, standards, or other related internal policies or guidelines. NFPA Applicable State or Federal Statutes OSHA Spring FD SFD.030 TCFP CPSE PI ISO TFCA Other Blue Card Command SOPs SFD.015 Uncontrolled if printed Page 13 of 14  Spring Fire Department / Harris County ESD No. 7 Standard Operating Guideline SFD.015 Revision No. 01 Issue Date 1 Jan. 2024 Effective Date 1 Jan. 2024 Approved by: MISSION Review Date 1 Jan. 2025 CRITICAL Reviewed by Operations Scott C. Seifert Operating at Structure Fire Incidents 8. Contact Office a. The appropriate contact office for questions or comments on this SOG is: i. Company Officer 1. District Chief a. Deputy Chief of Operations i. Assistant Chief 1. Fire Chief 9. List of Changes Revision Approved Effective Description of Changes No. by Date 01 Thoroughly updated to reflect current practice. Davenport 1/1/2024 10. Errors See something wrong? Click here or use this QR code to submit an error or inconsistency. This policy is for internal use only and does not enlarge a member’s legal duty or civil liability in any way. This policy should not be construed as creating a duty to act or a higher duty of care, with respect to third-party civil claims against members or the department. A violation of this policy, if proven, can only form the basis of a complaint by this department for non-judicial administrative action in accordance with the laws governing member discipline. SFD.015 Uncontrolled if printed Page 14 of 14