Toronto Fire Services Training Note PDF - Nov 20, 2018

Fire Services Professional Development and Training Training Note FROM: Fire Chief EFFECTIVE DATE: November 20, 2018 FILE IN TFS TRAINING MANUAL UNDER: GROUP: 100 Firefighting Knowledge and Skills SECTION: 104 Incident Management System SUB-SECTION: 104.1 Using the Incident Management System UNIT: 1...

Fire Services Professional Development and Training Training Note FROM: Fire Chief EFFECTIVE DATE: November 20, 2018 FILE IN TFS TRAINING MANUAL UNDER: GROUP: 100 Firefighting Knowledge and Skills SECTION: 104 Incident Management System SUB-SECTION: 104.1 Using the Incident Management System UNIT: 104.1.2 Strategy, Tactic and Tasks TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION..................................................................................................... 2 2. STRATEGY............................................................................................................. 2 3. RESPONSIBILITIES AT THE STRATEGIC LEVEL................................................ 3 4. TACTICS................................................................................................................. 3 5. TASKS.................................................................................................................... 4 Toronto Fire Services Professional Development and Training Training Note: 104.1.2 Date Prepared: November 2018 Page 1 of 4 1. INTRODUCTION The Incident Management System (IMS) clearly designates the responsibilities for various personnel while at an emergency incident. The IC is responsible for the overall strategy that is employed at an incident. Based on that strategy the IC will assign Officers tactical objectives to mitigate the emergency incident. These tactical objectives are achieved through the actions of those personnel assigned the task level activities. At an emergency incident, communication is a key component. Each team of firefighters, Sector/Branch or Section Officer (through the appropriate channels) must keep Command informed of their Conditions, Actions and Needs. 2. STRATEGY The strategic level involves the overall Command of the incident. The IC is responsible for developing an Incident Action Plan (IAP) that defines the objectives and determines how, where and when resources will be assigned. An Incident Action Plan is essential to match needs and resources at the appropriate time The ability of the IC to strategize is based on knowledge, training, experience and perhaps most importantly, information updates from the personnel at the incident. The IC must be able to direct, control and track the function and position of all the personnel and resources dedicated to that incident, if they are to effectively manage the incident. At the strategic level, the IC must take command and make decisions based, not only on current conditions, but also on forecasting what might happen next. The IC must be able to improvise or change strategy as the incident dictates, based on the incident information that they receive. Offensive Strategy The objectives of an offensive strategy are Rescue and Life Safety and Stabilization of the Incident Defensive Strategy The objectives of a defensive strategy are Life Safety, Exposure Protection and Conservation of the Environment and Property. A partial PAR shall be conducted after withdrawing from an offensive attack and prior to initiating a Defensive strategy. Conducting Offensive and Defensive strategies simultaneously should be avoided whenever possible because of the potential danger to firefighters. Some practical examples of this are: Opposing hose streams Starting water tower operations without IC’s knowledge or approval Breaking glass without requesting permission from Command Toronto Fire Services Professional Development and Training Training Note: 104.1.2 Date Prepared: November 2018 Page 2 of 4 3. RESPONSIBILITIES AT THE STRATEGIC LEVEL The IC has certain responsibilities at the strategic level that may include: Conduct a size-up of the incident Develop an Incident Action Plan (IAP) Determine the appropriate strategy – offensive/defensive Set priorities Predict outcomes and planning Provide updates to all utilizing the communication network Assign specific tasks to Sectors or teams Assign specific tactical objectives to Sectors or Branches Assign Sections, Branches, Sector Officers or personnel Obtain and allocate additional resources Evaluate strategy and modify as needed Safety of personnel and public Strategic Decision Flowchart Analysis: Situation Resources Prediction Strategy: Offensive Action: Evaluation: Deployment Outcomes Tactics vs. Tasks Predictions Defensive 4. TACTICS The tactical level involves the deployment of sufficient resources and personnel to meet the objectives identified in the IAP. Officers at the tactical level may include Sector Officers and Branch Officers. They are usually assigned responsibility for resources, functions or geographical areas and the personnel required to perform the tasks that will achieve those tactics. Sector and Branch Officers have the authority to make decisions and hand out task assignments within the boundaries of the specific tactical assignment that they have been given responsibility for. There are three main tactical objectives; they are in order of priority, rescue and life safety, stabilization of the emergency incident, conservation of the environment and property: Rescue and Life Safety is the first tactical objective; Rescue requires fast effective decision making from the IC, which includes recognizing the need for additional resources as well as strong aggressive actions from fire personnel. Toronto Fire Services Professional Development and Training Training Note: 104.1.2 Date Prepared: November 2018 Page 3 of 4 Stabilization of the Incident is the second tactical objective; Controlling/confining the fire. Hazmat; identifying, isolating, controlling and neutralizing foreign substances until cleanup crews arrive. Shoring or tunneling etc. during a structural collapse rescue First Aid, Defibrillation or oxygen therapy for patients until Toronto Paramedic Services assumes responsibility for the patient. Conservation of the Environment and Property is the third tactical objective; The IC has the responsibility to commit the necessary resources and personnel to keep environmental and property losses to a minimum. Effective environmental and property conservation activities require the same early and ongoing command functions and actions as Rescue and Life Safety and Stabilization of the Incident 5. TASKS The task level refers to activities normally accomplished by firefighting personnel and the resources they utilize to complete those tasks. The task level is where the physical work at an incident is usually done and may include: Search and rescue Fire attack Ventilation Setting up hose streams (fire attack and backup lines) Laddering – establish egress RIT Property Conservation Overhaul First Aid Personnel working at the task level should communicate with their supervisor (Captain/Sector Officer) face to face avoiding use of the radio whenever possible. Toronto Fire Services Professional Development and Training Training Note: 104.1.2 Date Prepared: November 2018 Page 4 of 4