Toronto Fire Services Training Note 104.1.1 (PDF) February 2022

Fire Services Training & Technical Operations Training Note FROM: Fire Chief EFFECTIVE DATE: February 17, 2022 GROUP: 100 Firefighting, Knowledge and Skills SECTION: 104 Incident Management System SUBSECTION: 104.1 Using the Incident Management System UNIT: Introduction, Definitions And Abbreviation...

Fire Services Training & Technical Operations Training Note FROM: Fire Chief EFFECTIVE DATE: February 17, 2022 GROUP: 100 Firefighting, Knowledge and Skills SECTION: 104 Incident Management System SUBSECTION: 104.1 Using the Incident Management System UNIT: Introduction, Definitions And Abbreviations 104.1.1 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. INTRODUCTION.................................................................................................. 2 PURPOSE............................................................................................................ 2 POLICY................................................................................................................. 2 APPLICATION...................................................................................................... 2 DEFINITIONS....................................................................................................... 5 ABBREVIATIONS................................................................................................. 6 Toronto Fire Services Training & Technical Operations Training Note: 104.1.1 Date Prepared: February 2022 Page 1 of 6 1. INTRODUCTION The Training Notes comprising Section 104 are intended to describe the theory, components and operation of the Incident Management System (IMS). 2. PURPOSE To provide an Incident Management System that will apply fundamental management principles to all emergency situations. 3. POLICY The Incident Management System is to be utilized at all responses, using the appropriate components as necessary, relative to the size and complexity of the Incident. 4. APPLICATION The Incident Management System is a logical method of:  Identifying the Incident commander by fixing the responsibility for command upon a specific individual through a standardized system, based on the arrival sequence of companies and Chief Officers  Ensuring that a strong, direct and visible command will be established from the onset of the incident  Providing a system to process information to support the Incident Commander’s Incident Action Plan  Developing, coordinating, implementing and maintaining a strategic plan, by defining activities and responsibilities assigned to the Incident Commander and to all other personnel operating within the Incident Management System (IMS)  Managing resources and personnel at the emergency scene  Providing a system for the orderly transfer of command Responsibility of Personnel All personnel will:  Know and apply the Incident Management System operational guidelines as set down in the Training Notes – Section 104  Confine their duties at an incident to those assigned through Command (NO FREELANCING)  Report to the Entry Control person, Sector Officer or Command upon entering any area identified within the Incident Management System (PIT IN, PIT OUT) Toronto Fire Services Training & Technical Operations Training Note: 104.1.1 Date Prepared: February 2022 Page 2 of 6 5. DEFINITIONS Definitions of words and phrases that are not included in this list shall have the meanings that are commonly assigned to them in the context in which they are normally used. Definitions for some terms may also be found in the Standard Operating Guidelines and Policies. The definitions listed below apply to all documents that relate to TN sections 104 Incident Management System: Accountability: The Fire Fighter Accountability System is an effective and functional system that provides a means of accounting for the location and task assignment of personnel throughout an emergency incident. Administration Officer: Officer assigned by the Incident Commander to manage all administrative and financial aspects of the incident. Base: The primary point outside of the incident perimeter (usually not less than two blocks away/large parking area) to which responding apparatus report on a stand-by basis and from which personnel and apparatus are deployed to the incident. Branch: A functional division of the command structure operating at the tactical level. Branches are created at large scale operations to maintain span of control when there are more sectors than the Incident Commander can control or when specialized expertise is required. Branch Officer: An Officer who is assigned the duties of supervising and managing a number of sectors, reporting directly to Command. Chief Officer: District Chief rank and higher. Command: Radio designation for the Officer in Charge at the emergency, refers to the person, functions and the location of Command. Command Post: The static position where Command is located. The Command Post is usually indicated by a flashing or revolving green light. Command Post Officer (CPO): The function of the Command Post Officer is to oversee the Command Post(s) is set up properly and adequately staffed to properly function. The Command Post Officer is an Administrative Assistant to the Incident Commander (IC). The Command Post Officer shall be in Command temporarily if the IC leaves the Command Post. Command Vehicle: A Chief Officer’s vehicle or other designated Command vehicle. Company Officer: An Officer in charge of a fire suppression crew and fire apparatus Controlled Area: An area where functioning Self Contained Breathing Apparatus is required or the Incident Commander determines that being able to track fire fighting personnel provides a greater margin of safety. Elapsed Time Notification: A radio notification made by TFS Communications to the Incident Commander at 10 minute intervals from the report of a working fire. Toronto Fire Services Training & Technical Operations Training Note: 104.1.1 Date Prepared: February 2022 Page 3 of 6 Emergency Evacuation Signal: Three separate and distinct blasts of the air horn followed by a five second pause. This will be repeated two more times in succession for a total of three. This series of air horn alerts represents an Evacuate the Structure order by the Incident Commander. Emergency Incident: Any situation to which the fire service responds to deliver emergency services, including rescue, fire suppression, emergency medical care, special operations, and other forms of hazard control and mitigation. Emergency Scene: The area designated for emergency workers to work without interference. Entry Control Point: the last safe area where firefighters entering or exiting a controlled area must PIT in and PIT out. Evacuate the Structure: An emergency retreat where all hose lines and equipment will be left in place. All firefighters must exit the structure as quickly and safely as possible. This occurs when an emergency EVACUATE transmission is made. Incident Commander (IC): The on scene Officer in overall command of an emergency incident and responsible for managing the emergency incident. Incident Command Technician (ICT): An ICT is a Fireground Incident Technician (FIT) who has specific knowledge, and received additional training regarding the duties and proper operation of a dedicated Command Vehicle Incident Action Plan (IAP): A systematically structured approach to an incident that encompasses both the strategic and tactical objectives as established by the Incident Commander. Incident Management Team (IMT): An Incident Management Team is a group of two or three Command Officers depending on the alarm level, an Incident Commander, a Support Officer and possibly a Senior Advisor. The team will be located in a strategic position, usually a Command Vehicle, working towards a common goal. Each Command Officer has roles described below. These three positions are filled by Command Officers on scene. An Incident Management Team is not incident management by committee; each of the three team members has specific roles to fill in the team process. Incident Management System (IMS): An organized system of roles, responsibilities and operational guidelines, used to manage emergency operations. Incident Safety Officer (ISO): A person who has been trained to recognize emergency scene hazards and whose function at an emergency scene is to advise the Incident Commander on safety issues. Initial Rapid Intervention Team (IRIT): A minimum of two firefighters assigned by the Incident Commander at an emergency incident, whose responsibility is the rescue/recovery of a firefighter(s) who is trapped, missing or has sustained a lifethreatening injury. Logistics Officer: Officer assigned by the Incident Commander to provide a supply of personnel, equipment and other resources for operating sectors. Toronto Fire Services Training & Technical Operations Training Note: 104.1.1 Date Prepared: February 2022 Page 4 of 6 Mayday: Any communication pertaining to a firefighter who is trapped, missing or has sustained a life-threatening injury. The term Mayday is stated three times followed by Location, Identity of Firefighter(s) and Problem (LIP). Mobile Command: stationary. Command structure where the Incident Commander is not Officer of Note: Officer assigned by the Incident Commander (IC) to collect and ensure the accuracy and completion of all documentation and reports. The first in Captain is the Officer of Note for standard incidents unless otherwise designated by the IC. As well the first in District Chief (DC) may be the Officer of Note for Second Alarms, fatalities or unusual incidents unless otherwise designated by the IC. Operations Section Chief: Officer assigned to the Incident Commander responsible for providing overall supervision and leadership to the Operations Section including the implementation of the Incident Action Plan, as well as the organization and assignment of all operations resources. Would be used where the Provincial Incident Management System is implemented because of joint command with outside agencies. This Officer needs to be a Platoon Chief or higher in rank. Operating in Teams: Two or more individuals who have been assigned a common task and are in communication with each other. The team coordinates their activities as a work group and supports the safety of one another. Radio Alias: A name assigned by a Sector Officer, Branch Officer or the Incident Commander for a radio identifier. An alias simplifies identification for ease of communication. Generally the functional assignment of the team is the basis for the alias. A communications identifier should utilize the task assignment of the designated personnel or the tactical responsibility of a Sector Officer. Usually assigned to personnel that are not operating in a controlled area. (e.g. Safety Officer, Base Sector, Roof 1, Aerial 2, etc.) Radio Identifier: Each portable radio is assigned an identifying call sign (e.g. Pump 312 Captain, Pump 312 Crew, Pump 312 Crew 2, Pump 312 Crew 3). The portable radio identifier should be utilized by all personnel operating within a controlled area. The portable radio identifier of any personnel entering a controlled area shall be recorded by the Entry Control person. RIT Team (RIT): A team of four specially trained firefighters whose responsibility is the rescue/recovery of a firefighter(s) who is trapped, missing or has sustained a lifethreatening injury. RIT Sector Officer (RITSO): Officer assigned by the IC to oversee the deployment and operation of the RIT team(s). Section: A functional division of the command structure operating at the strategic level, reporting to the Incident Commander. Sections are established as a span of control measure at very large or complex incidents. Sector: A functional or geographical unit of a manageable size within an Incident Management System. Toronto Fire Services Training & Technical Operations Training Note: 104.1.1 Date Prepared: February 2022 Page 5 of 6 Senior Chief Officer: Fire Chief, Deputy Fire Chief, Division Commander or Platoon Chief. Support Officer (SO): The Support Officer position of the Incident Management Team is usually the second Senior Chief Officer at an incident. Senior Advisor (SA): The Senior Advisor position of the Incident Management Team is usually filled by a Senior Chief Officer. Span of Control: The number of subordinates or functions one supervisor can effectively handle, usually five at an emergency incident. Staging: The location where incident personnel and equipment are assigned on an immediately available status. Support Staff: Toronto Fire Services personnel assigned to the Prevention/Training/Communications/Mechanical Divisions or Staff Services. Fire Toronto Fire: The radio designation for addressing the Emergency Communications Centre shall be known as “Toronto Fire”. Urgent: Any communication pertaining to firefighters when there is the potential for a life threatening situation to occur. The term Urgent is stated three times followed by an explanation of the situation. 6. ABBREVIATIONS Abbreviations that are not included in this list shall have the meanings that are commonly assigned to them in the context in which they are normally used. Definitions for some abbreviations may also be found in the Standard Operating Guidelines and Policies. The abbreviations listed below apply to all documents that relate to Section 104 Incident Management System: FFAS: Firefighter Accountability System RIT: Rapid Intervention Team FIT: Fireground Incident Technician SO: Support Officer CPO: Command Post Officer SA: Senior Advisor IC: Incident Commander MAGTAG: Magnetic Accountability Tag ISO: Incident Safety Officer PAR: Personnel Accountability Report ICT: Incident Command Technician PIT: Photo Identification Tag IAP: Incident Action Plan SCBA: Self Apparatus IMT: Incident Management Team RITSO: RIT Sector Officer Contained Breathing IMS: Incident Management System IRIT: Initial Rapid Intervention Team Toronto Fire Services Training & Technical Operations Training Note: 104.1.1 Date Prepared: February 2022 Page 6 of 6