Transcript Monterey County Fireground Safety System
Monterey County Fireground Safety System
Revised April 2003
Why?
Several firefighter fatalities at “routine” fires Confusion of missing firefighters Inability to rescue distressed firefighters Poor accountability & “freelancing” Adopted & tailored to suit the needs of Monterey County fire departments Auto Aid / Mutual Aid - compatibility
6 Components
Firefighter Accountability System Building Emergency Evacuation Signal Personnel Accountability Report (PAR) Missing Firefighter Procedure Initial Rapid Intervention Crew (IRIC) Rapid Intervention Crew (RIC)
Purpose
Improve firefighter safety through accountability
System Description
Passport Overview System Hardware Nametags - personal Passports – crew members Status Boards – Overhead vehicles Helmet ID tags – Unit Numbers (Appendix A)
Pre-Incident Procedures
Passport set-up Update & keep accurate Proper order Helmet ID Tags Accurate to apparatus
Emergency Incident Procedures
Initial crews leave passport in apparatus Next crews check in with IC w/ passport Vol. check-in w/ respective engines Maintain accountability on status board of all assigned personnel at incident
Accountability Officer’s Checklist
(Appendix B)
Building Emergency Evacuation Signal
Provide a uniform signal to alert personnel of dangerous conditions that requires them to immediately leave the building IC’s responsibility to initiate once determined conditions have deteriorated to point it is too dangerous to continue inside IC must conduct post-incident analysis if this signal was activated
Signal Procedure
IC initiates “Building Emergency Evacuation Signal” Shall consist of 3 components: Radio message from IC Transmitted on all frequencies of incident “Attention all units on the ____Incident, standby for emergency traffic, clear the building” Evacuation Signal – Engine at scene gives short blasts of airhorn for ten seconds followed by ten seconds of silence for 3 cycles May need to be transmitted on each division Personnel Accountability Report (PAR) IC initiates a PAR to confirm “all clear”
Upon activation of the “Building Emergency Evacuation Signal” all radio traffic shall cease except that which is pertinent to the rescue efforts or obtaining a PAR The term “Emergency Traffic” will be utilized & have priority Use clear text and report the following: Location of emergency Number of missing or injured Identity if known What happened?
Special equipment?
Specific hazard?
Personnel Accountability Report (PAR)
Roll call to ensure personnel safety Hazardous events occur Tactical objectives are achieved At designated timed intervals
Benchmarks for PAR
Report of missing or trapped firefighter Sudden hazardous situation Change from offensive to defensive Crews reporting an “all clear” on a search When fire is declared controlled Any time IC deems necessary to initiate roll call 10 minute elapsed time intervals
Elapsed Time Notification
Firecom / ECC shall notify IC every ten minutes after arrival at scene until incident is controlled or IC cancels timer 10 minute – used to keep track of fatigue, structural integrity, progress, etc.
20 minute – PAR checks “IC, Monterey…(10, 20, 30, etc.) minute elapsed time notification”
Missing Firefighter Procedure
1) 2) 3) 4) 5) Initiate PAR immediately Assume firefighter is lost in hazard area until proven otherwise Immediately send RIC crews to last reported work area of missing firefighter Immediately call for additional resources, including a medical component Location & rescue of the missing firefighter must become the top priority at the incident
Initial Rapid Intervention Crew (IRIC)
Purpose Whenever interior operations are initiated in an IDLH (Immediately Dangerous to Life & Health) atmosphere, an IRIC shall be established to be immediately available to effect rescue of a lost, trapped or injured member of the IDLH operations crew(s).
The IRIC shall: Consist of min. 2 trained firefighters in full PPE w/ SCBA trained in RIC operations thru MCFTOA 1 member must remain at point of entry monitoring #, identity, location and function of interior crew ready to initiate rescue Other IRIC member may perform other duties such as IC, pump operator, ventilation, accountability, etc. so long as task may be abandoned to assist in rescue Be immediately available with radio communications Be equipped with RIC bag
RIC BAG
RIC bag must have “RIC” in 4” letters on the side and consist of a minimum of the following: 2 hand-held lights 2 door wedges Safety line – 100’ of 3/8” in a rope bag with carabiner at each end 10’ loop of 1” or 2” webbing for rescue 1 pair of wire cutters 1 pair of trauma shears
Consider the following:
Thermal Imaging Camera Forcible entry tools Airbags / cribbing Hydraulic rescue tool Chainsaw / rotary saw Additional safety line (tag line) Chalk Ladders Additional door wedges / latch covers
IRIC must also:
Have one complete SCBA with mask Have backup / rescue hoseline immediately available.
Be assigned by the IC Be assigned to IC or Ops directly Stage at “point of entry” unless otherwise assigned
Deployment of IRIC
Upon activation of “Emergency Traffic” signal, IC shall deploy IRIC to last known location of distressed firefighter IRIC at point of entry will establish positive physical connection to pt of entry Initiate S&R with necessary RIC equip
Deployment of IRIC (Cont)
Maintain positive physical connection at all times IC will announce IRIC deployed. IRIC ops will always have communications priority IC consider reassigning other resources to support IRIC effort IC consider ordering more resources including EMS for shift in strategy
Rapid Intervention Crew (RIC)
Purpose • • • IC deems appropriate due to complexity Large residence, commercial, high rise, etc.
RIC intended to replace IRIC & meet 2 in / 2 out requirements
Differences – IRIC vs. RIC
Establishes a leader Minimum 4 firefighters, preferably 5 firefighters Minimum of 2 at door Other members conducting RIC related tasks Est. egress / access points Secure utilities Firefighter accountability Deploy ladders
IRIC / RIC Duties
(Appendix C)
Rapid Intervention Crew Tactics
Review
An Effective RIC is:
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Prepared
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Equipped
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Trained
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Properly placed
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Expected to overcome
RIC is a combat position
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A dynamic working crew
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Not a rehab position
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Will be busy
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All personnel trained as RIC
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Must have full PPE and proper equipment required for any potential search and rescue operation
The RIC Officer
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Competent
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Has guidelines to follow
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Disciplined & focused
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Trained to meet RIC expectations
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Understands:
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If something goes wrong, you’re it!
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EMS protocol
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Get to victim in 4-6 minutes
Role of Rapid Intervention Crew
Our highest priority. . .
Firefighter Rescue
Officers or members assigned to RIC shall not get involved with routine firefighting activities, but remain in a state of readiness keeping company members together and ready for deployment
RIC Size-Up
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Type of building
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Extent of fire
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Type of occupancy
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Level of alarm
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Special hazards
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Monitor radio to gather info
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On approach, what do you see?
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Report to Operations
IC if Ops is not assigned
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Know strategic mode & tactics being deployed
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Understand radio & unit ID
“RIC” or “DIV 3 RIC,” etc.
RIC Size-up is Ongoing
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Take a lap around building
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Anticipate fire spread
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Locate alternate entrances & exits
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Place additional ladders, if appropriate
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Look for anything that might make your job harder or easier
RIC Size-up Continued
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Anticipate firefighter rescue
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Establish crew position, tools needed, & plan
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On going process
RIC on the Fireground
RIC size-up similar in function to Safety Officer