GT FIRE CHIEFSGT FIRE CHIEFSJOINT OPERATING GUIDELINE 1.1JOINT OPERATING GUIDELINE 1.1

STRUCTURE FIRESSTRUCTURE FIRES

To ensure a standardized response to To ensure a standardized response to structure fires in Gloucester Townshipstructure fires in Gloucester Township

PURPOSE

BENEFITSBENEFITS

• Increased fireground safety and efficiencyIncreased fireground safety and efficiency• Less radio trafficLess radio traffic• Companies know their roles prior to arrivalCompanies know their roles prior to arrival• Essential tasks covered on EVERY fireEssential tasks covered on EVERY fire• Allows IC to focus on strategic issuesAllows IC to focus on strategic issues• Provides a training blueprint for companies Provides a training blueprint for companies

to followto follow

IMPLEMENTATION PLANIMPLEMENTATION PLAN

1.1. Approval by Company Chiefs – DoneApproval by Company Chiefs – Done2.2. Approval by BOFC’s – DoneApproval by BOFC’s – Done3.3. Training of Officers – Sept/Oct 2011Training of Officers – Sept/Oct 20114.4. Training of Members – Nov/Dec 2011Training of Members – Nov/Dec 2011

-- Volunteer and career staffVolunteer and career staff5.5. Projected Effective Date – January 1, Projected Effective Date – January 1,

20122012

POLICYPOLICY

• To be followed by all companies responding To be followed by all companies responding to structure fires in Gloucester Townshipto structure fires in Gloucester Township

• Assignments are flexible and may be Assignments are flexible and may be changed to address specific strategic and changed to address specific strategic and tactical needs, as well as staffing tactical needs, as well as staffing requirements requirements

• Encourages the assignment of crews as Encourages the assignment of crews as companies to preserve crew integrity and companies to preserve crew integrity and accountabilityaccountability

POLICYPOLICY• Company assignments will be based on Company assignments will be based on

resource type and order of arrivalresource type and order of arrival• Quints will act as EITHER a Truck Company Quints will act as EITHER a Truck Company

or an Engine Companyor an Engine Company– Should be identified by host company’s box Should be identified by host company’s box

assignmentassignment– If not, needs to be designated by IC OR If not, needs to be designated by IC OR

announced by quint on arrival (i.e. “Quint 85 is announced by quint on arrival (i.e. “Quint 85 is on location, performing first due engine duties).on location, performing first due engine duties).

– Important to announce on radio to avoid Important to announce on radio to avoid confusion for other arriving companiesconfusion for other arriving companies

• Policy will avoid need for companies to ask Policy will avoid need for companies to ask for orders via radio.for orders via radio.

POLICYPOLICY

• Identifies water supply as critical to Identifies water supply as critical to firefighter safety for interior operationsfirefighter safety for interior operations

• Places primary responsibility on first due Places primary responsibility on first due engine to lay a supply line for confirmed engine to lay a supply line for confirmed working fires, absent extenuating working fires, absent extenuating circumstancescircumstances– Trapped occupant in need of immediate rescueTrapped occupant in need of immediate rescue– Apparatus access concernsApparatus access concerns

• Identifies following requirements for interior Identifies following requirements for interior ops without an established supply lineops without an established supply line– Booster tank level must be constantly monitoredBooster tank level must be constantly monitored– No more than one 1 ¾” handline placed in No more than one 1 ¾” handline placed in

service service

POLICYPOLICY

• Identifies first arriving unit as IC, responsible Identifies first arriving unit as IC, responsible for initial size-up and an accurate radio report:for initial size-up and an accurate radio report:

• Type of buildingType of building• Number of floorsNumber of floors• Conditions Conditions evidentevident• Staging / Water Staging / Water Supply Supply InstructionsInstructions• Announce Announce FirefightingFirefighting Mode (Offensive,Mode (Offensive, Defensive, Defensive, Transitional)Transitional)

POLICYPOLICY

• IC Responsibilities (cont’d):IC Responsibilities (cont’d):

• Establish command, assign divisions and Establish command, assign divisions and groups as neededgroups as needed

• Conduct fireground operations with Conduct fireground operations with following priorities (in order):following priorities (in order):– Life Hazard (FF and civilian)Life Hazard (FF and civilian)– Incident Stabilization (fire control)Incident Stabilization (fire control)– Property ConservationProperty Conservation

POLICYPOLICY

• MANDATES IC and all arriving companies to MANDATES IC and all arriving companies to engage in continuous risk analysis and report engage in continuous risk analysis and report critical safety observations to command.critical safety observations to command.

• Requires IC to include his/her risk analysis Requires IC to include his/her risk analysis and feedback into an Incident Action Plan and feedback into an Incident Action Plan (IAP).(IAP).

• Identifies SOME situations which may pose a Identifies SOME situations which may pose a significant safety risk:significant safety risk:– Fire attacking structural componentsFire attacking structural components– Fire on multiple floorsFire on multiple floors– Obvious degradation of the structureObvious degradation of the structure– Imminent collapse hazardsImminent collapse hazards– Advanced basement firesAdvanced basement fires

POLICYPOLICY

• Safety Risks Safety Risks (cont’d):(cont’d):– Fire in void spaces Fire in void spaces

(ceilings, walls, attic, (ceilings, walls, attic, floors)floors)

– Rapid fire growthRapid fire growth– Building construction Building construction

features features • Lightweight wood or Lightweight wood or

steel trusssteel truss• Metal deck roofs Metal deck roofs

– Obviously Obviously abandoned or abandoned or derelict structuresderelict structures

POLICYPOLICY

• SCBA:SCBA:– Required for all members operating in an IDLHRequired for all members operating in an IDLH– Use may be discontinued only by IC and only Use may be discontinued only by IC and only

after:after:• Fire is controlledFire is controlled• Structure is ventilatedStructure is ventilated• Air quality is verifiedAir quality is verified

POLICYPOLICY

• Minimum Requirements for IDLH/Interior Minimum Requirements for IDLH/Interior Ops:Ops:– Crew size of at least 2 FFI / SCBA Qualified FirefightersCrew size of at least 2 FFI / SCBA Qualified Firefighters– Full firefighting PPE Full firefighting PPE – SCBA in use with operational PASS deviceSCBA in use with operational PASS device– Personal lightsPersonal lights– Minimum of 1 portable radio per crew.Minimum of 1 portable radio per crew.– Tools required for task assignment.Tools required for task assignment.– Assemble, or receive direction prior to entry with the Assemble, or receive direction prior to entry with the

IC, Operations or Division Officer to receive IC, Operations or Division Officer to receive assignment, coordinate interior efforts, and provide assignment, coordinate interior efforts, and provide accountability of members entering the structure.accountability of members entering the structure.

– Remain in visual or voice contact with crew members.Remain in visual or voice contact with crew members.

POLICYPOLICY

• Requires compliance with two in / two out by Requires compliance with two in / two out by requiring at least two firefighters to remain requiring at least two firefighters to remain outside during initial operations for outside during initial operations for firefighter rescue.firefighter rescue.

• Calls for a dedicated FAST on working fires.Calls for a dedicated FAST on working fires.

POLICYPOLICY

• For fires that will not be readily controlled, For fires that will not be readily controlled, the IC should designate the incident as an the IC should designate the incident as an “All Hands” fire. SOME examples would “All Hands” fire. SOME examples would be:be:– Multiple rooms involvedMultiple rooms involved– Numerous hand lines requiredNumerous hand lines required

POLICYPOLICYResource Single Family Dwelling Apartment Commercial Building

1st Engine Lay Supply LineAttack Line to Fire Division A

Lay Supply LineAttack Line to Fire Division A

Lay Supply LineAttack Line to Fire Division A

2nd Engine Hook up or Pump 1st Hydrant, Back up line from 1st Engine

Pump 1st Hydrant, Back Up line from 1st Engine

Pump 1st Hydrant, Back Up line from 1st Engine

3rd Engine 2nd Hydrant Standby Manpower Division A

Lay 2nd Supply LineAttack Line to 1st Exposure

Lay 2nd Supply LineAttack Line to 1st Exposure

4th Engine 2nd Hydrant, Stand Fast Pump 2nd Hydrant Attack Line to 2nd Exposure

Pump 2nd Hydrant Attack Line to 2nd Exposure

1st Truck Division A – FE, Search, Vent Fire Floor, Ladders

Division A – FE, Search fire apartment, vent fire apartment, ladders

Division A – FE, search, locates fire, check ceilings.

2nd Truck Division C – Roof Operations, Ladders

Division C – Roof Operations, Ladders

Division C – Roof Operations, Ladders, FE 2nd entry / egress

3rd Truck Stand Fast Floor Above Fire As Required

1st Rescue / Squad

As directed by the IC As directed by the IC As directed by the IC

1st Chief Division A Division A Division A

2nd Chief Division C Division C Division C

3rd Chief Command Post Command Post Command Post

END RESULTEND RESULT

IC needs only identify number of resources IC needs only identify number of resources placed in service. If 4 and 2 are used, placed in service. If 4 and 2 are used, automatically provides:automatically provides:

• Four attack linesFour attack lines

• Two supply linesTwo supply lines

• Truck functionsTruck functions– Forced entryForced entry– SearchSearch– VentilationVentilation– LaddersLadders

POLICYPOLICY

• Encourages company assignments based on Encourages company assignments based on resource type:resource type:– Engines for fire attackEngines for fire attack– Trucks / rescues for search, ventilation, interior Trucks / rescues for search, ventilation, interior

assistance of engine company assistance of engine company

• Tasks SHOULD NOT be delayed if specific Tasks SHOULD NOT be delayed if specific resource has not arrived resource has not arrived – i.e. An engine may be assigned to perform truck i.e. An engine may be assigned to perform truck

functionfunction

POLICYPOLICY

• Requires fireground lighting when Requires fireground lighting when necessary to identify hazards and increase necessary to identify hazards and increase firefighter safetyfirefighter safety– Trapped occupantsTrapped occupants– Structural features / damageStructural features / damage– Power linesPower lines

POLICYPOLICY

• Requires NIMS compliant identification of Requires NIMS compliant identification of building sides:building sides:– Division A (ALPHA) - Front of the fire building Division A (ALPHA) - Front of the fire building

(side of the building where the main entrance (side of the building where the main entrance to building is located, and where IC is located.) to building is located, and where IC is located.) Proceeding clockwise, structures and properties Proceeding clockwise, structures and properties are identified in order.are identified in order.

– Division B, (BRAVO) - Next side clockwiseDivision B, (BRAVO) - Next side clockwise– Division C, (CHARLIE) - Rear of the building: Division C, (CHARLIE) - Rear of the building: – Division D. (DELTA) - Next side clockwiseDivision D. (DELTA) - Next side clockwise

POLICYPOLICY

• Requires NIMS compliant identification of Requires NIMS compliant identification of interior areas:interior areas:– Ground floor - Division 1, Ground floor - Division 1, – 2nd floor - Division 2, etc..., 2nd floor - Division 2, etc..., – Any floors fully below ground floors should be Any floors fully below ground floors should be

designated as “Basement Division". designated as “Basement Division". – Multiple below ground floors should be Multiple below ground floors should be

designated as "Basement 1, Basement 2” from designated as "Basement 1, Basement 2” from ground floor down. ground floor down.

– The roof of the building will be identified as The roof of the building will be identified as Roof Division. Roof Division.

POLICYPOLICY• Exposure Identification:Exposure Identification:

– Same letter designation as fire building sideSame letter designation as fire building side– Followed by a number as move away from main Followed by a number as move away from main

fire occupancy. i.e:fire occupancy. i.e:– First exposure to B side would be “Exposure B”First exposure to B side would be “Exposure B”– Next exposure would be “Exposure B-1”, then Next exposure would be “Exposure B-1”, then

B-2, etc.B-2, etc.

EXPOSURE LABELINGEXPOSURE LABELING

FIRE UNIT

Exposure B Exposure D D1

POLICYPOLICY

• Emergency Evacuation:Emergency Evacuation:– All personnel in or on the All personnel in or on the

structure will immediately structure will immediately exitexit

– Report to respective Report to respective Division/Group OfficerDivision/Group Officer

– Division/Group Officer Division/Group Officer advises IC if they have advises IC if they have PARPAR

POLICYPOLICY

• PASS Devices:PASS Devices:– All necessary precautions must be taken to All necessary precautions must be taken to

avoid accidental activationavoid accidental activation– Accidentally activated PASS must be promptly Accidentally activated PASS must be promptly

resetreset

• Activated PASS:Activated PASS:– Immediately attempt to locate the sourceImmediately attempt to locate the source– Report activation to Interior Division or Group Report activation to Interior Division or Group

Supervisor for coordination of searchSupervisor for coordination of search– Interior Division immediately notifies ICInterior Division immediately notifies IC– IC to activate FAST unless activated PASS is IC to activate FAST unless activated PASS is

quickly determined to be accidental quickly determined to be accidental

POLICYPOLICY

• Salvage and Loss Control:Salvage and Loss Control:– Undertaken as soon as staffing and fireground Undertaken as soon as staffing and fireground

conditions permitconditions permit– Encourages prompt ventilation of fire building Encourages prompt ventilation of fire building

and placement of salvage covers before and placement of salvage covers before beginning overhaul and wetdown to limit beginning overhaul and wetdown to limit property damage.property damage.

• Secondary Search:Secondary Search:– Should be performed after fire control and Should be performed after fire control and

confinementconfinement– Report results to ICReport results to IC

• Fire InvestigationFire Investigation– Should be conducted for all structure fires in Should be conducted for all structure fires in

accordance with district protocolsaccordance with district protocols

POLICYPOLICY• Building Security:Building Security:

– Must be maintained at all times during Must be maintained at all times during suppression operationssuppression operations

– Unauthorized persons in the building should be Unauthorized persons in the building should be monitored and reported to the ICmonitored and reported to the IC

– IC will coordinate building security with the police.IC will coordinate building security with the police.– IC will coordinate with police and building IC will coordinate with police and building

representative to ensure proper security of the representative to ensure proper security of the property prior to departing.property prior to departing.

• Board Up Service:Board Up Service:– Offered to the property ownerOffered to the property owner– If property owner refuses, IC should consult with If property owner refuses, IC should consult with

police and fire marshal to ensure state and local police and fire marshal to ensure state and local codes are explained and enforced.codes are explained and enforced.

CONCLUSIONCONCLUSION

• Township Chief Officers believe this OG will Township Chief Officers believe this OG will greatly enhance our fireground safety and greatly enhance our fireground safety and efficiencyefficiency

• Will require the cooperation and Will require the cooperation and commitment of all officers and members to commitment of all officers and members to be successfulbe successful

• We thank you for your commitment to the We thank you for your commitment to the residents of this township and look forward residents of this township and look forward to working together in the future.to working together in the future.