Transcript 2009 Fire/EMS Safety, Health and Survival Week

2009 Fire/EMS Safety, Health and
Survival Week
Fire Department Safety:
Chapter 1 Safety
Number 1 Rule:
“Safety is the responsibility of everyone.” If you see
something, say something. Just as well, everyone on-scene
is a safety officer – leaders should provide the tools for
even the probie to fill this role.”
Section 100 Personnel
Accountability
The purpose of establishing a personnel
accountability system is for the safe tracking
and accounting of all members operating
within the “Hazard Zone” of an incident. The
“Hazard Zone” is any area that is potentially
or immediately dangerous to life and health
and/or any area that could cause a member to
be lost, trapped, or injured by environmental
or structural condition changes.

Personnel accountability applies to all
personnel. Supervisors are charged with
ensuring that the procedure is adhered to.
General Guidelines
The Incident Commander is responsible for
overall accountability during an incident and
will determine the level of accountability that
will be utilized during the incident.
The Incident Commander and supervisors will
maintain an awareness of the location and
function of all companies, divisions, and
groups.
Company members shall keep their immediate
supervisor informed of any change in their
condition, status, or assignment and report
immediately to any newly assigned
supervisor.
Crew integrity is paramount. Company officers
or crew leaders are fully responsible for their
crew members at all times
Accountability Levels
Level I Accountability:
 Personal ID tags will remain in the cab of the vehicle
attached to the vehicle ID tag. The company officer is
responsible for the accountability of their crew. This
level is used until the Incident Commander
determines that the incident has escalated or may
escalate beyond their effective span of control.
Level II Accountability:
 This level is used when the Incident Commander
determines that the incident has escalated to the point
that necessitates the need for a safety officer and/or
accountability officer. The vehicle ID tags will be
gathered by the safety officer, accountability officer, or
their designee and will be transferred to the Command
Post or Accountability Supervisor.
Personnel Accountability Reports
(PAR)

A Personnel Accountability Report will be called
for by the Incident Commander during, but not
limited to, the following conditions:
PAR

A change from an offensive mode to a
defensive mode of operations.

Any sudden hazardous event (example—
flashover, collapse, entrapment).
PAR

A report of missing firefighter(s).

At completion of a search-and-rescue effort.
PAR

At the time the incident is reported under
control (discretion of the Incident
Commander).

To check and re-organize the command
structure during long and/or complex
incidents.
PAR Guidelines

The report will take priority over communications not
directly related to the immediate emergency situation.

It will begin with companies believed to be in the
most danger and will include all units operating at the
incident.
PAR Guidelines
It will be controlled and coordinated by one person
who will advise on the appropriate TAC channel, “all
units stand by for a PAR.” Each unit will be asked for
a PAR in the following manner and acknowledge,
“Engine 7-A, acknowledge the PAR,” an appropriate
response would be “Engine 7-A, Code 4 (or OK),
side 3.”
PAR Guidelines
If a crew has been split for assignments to
different functions or areas, it will be the
responsibility of the company officer or
supervisor to assure that all members of
his/her crew are accounted for.
Section 200 Rapid Intervention

The purpose of establishing a Rapid Intervention Team
(RIT) at emergency incidents is to ensure proper
support to those crews operating in environments
considered to be Immediately Dangerous to Life and
Health (IDLH) [See Definitions]. The mission of the
RIT is to locate and rescue lost, trapped, or injured
firefighters.
OSHA 29 CFR 1910.134 (4)

“2 in 2 out” – requires that a minimum of two individuals,
operating as a team in direct voice or visual contact, conduct
interior firefighting operations utilizing SCBAs. In addition, a
minimum of two individuals who are properly equipped and
trained must be positioned outside the IDLH atmosphere,
account for the interior team(s) and remain capable of rapid
rescue of the interior team. The outside personnel must at all
times account for and be available to assist or rescue members
of the interior team.
Exceptions to OSHA 2 in 2 out
regulation

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Initial attack operations must be organized to ensure
that adequate personnel are at the emergency scene
prior to any interior attack at a structural fire.
If initial attack personnel find a known life hazard
situation where immediate action could prevent the loss
of life, deviation from the 2 in 2 out standard may be
permitted as an exception to the fire department’s
organizational plan.
Exceptions to OSHA 2 in 2 out
regulation

Exceptions to the 2 in 2 out regulation can be
made when it is known that the fire is in
incipient phase. Such deviations from the
regulations must be exceptions and not de facto
standard practices.
RIC Procedures

RIT Leader: Officer assigned to RIT, this person
answers directly to the Incident Commander or the
Operations Section Chief.

RIT Leader completes a six-sided survey of the
incident while the remainder of the crew gathers the
appropriate equipment for the type of incident.
RIC Procedures

RIT Leader ascertains the location of all crews working
within the IDLH atmosphere. This may be recorded
on a Tactical Worksheet or on a Command Board.

RIT Members shall remain in a ready state with full
turnout gear, SCBA and at the minimum a hand tool,
flashlight, radio, and personal escape equipment until
advised to stand down.
RIC Procedures

RIT Members shall stage tools near the point of entry.
Situation will dictate tools that will be staged. A
minimum of one extra SCBA and flashlight will be
staged along with forcible entry tools that are
determined by the type of construction.

When activated the RIT will remain on the original fire
ground channel. All other units will switch to TalkAround when assigned by the Incident Commander.
RIC Procedures

RIT Members shall identify means of egress and place
ground ladders where appropriate.

RIT Members shall force locked doors, clear existing
openings or create new ones and assist the RIT Leader
in the development of an Action Plan for the rescue if
needed.
RIC Procedures

The RIT Leader will inform the RIT of all pertinent
information and individual assignments.

The RIT Leader shall inform the Incident Commander
of the need to add RIT crews when the situation
warrants (multiple entry points, multiple floors, etc.).
RIC Procedures

Should additional RITs be needed, a RIT Group
shall be established with one RIT Officer, and
individual RIT leader(s) in charge of each team.

In high-rise applications RIT is to be staged one
floor below the fire floor.
Procedures for Lost or Trapped
Firefighters

Any firefighter operating on an incident scene
that becomes disoriented, trapped, separated
from their crew, injured or low on air supply
should take immediate action to notify
Command and if possible initiate self rescue
MAYDAY-MAYDAY-MAYDAY

The radio message “MAYDAY-MAYDAY-MAYDAY” will be
used by lost or trapped firefighters or their crew members to
report their status as being in trouble and needing rescue.

Any member may use “MAY-DAY” to report a lost firefighter.
Any report of “MAY-DAY” will receive priority radio traffic.
The term “May-Day” will be reserved ONLY to report lost or
trapped firefighters. The term “emergency traffic” will be used
to report other emergencies.
MAYDAY CONT.



Firefighters should use any and all means
necessary to escape the hostile environment.
Activate P.A.S.S.
If able, notify Command of last known
location, unit number, and if mobile or trapped.
LUNAR
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Location
Unit
Name
Air
Resources Needed
Section 300 Personal Protective
Equipment (PPE)

All employees have been provided personal
protective equipment for use in their respective
job functions. The utilization of this equipment
will have a direct bearing on the health and well
being of personnel and efficiency of operations.
Minimum requirements are:


Response: All personnel must wear seatbelts
during vehicle movement. Standing while
riding is strictly prohibited.
Fire Alarms (including automatic alarms): All
protective equipment to include helmet, hood,
coat, pants, boots, gloves, and SCBA.


Rescue Alarms: All protective equipment to include
helmet, hood, coat, pants, boots and gloves. SCBA is
required for hazardous atmospheres. Eye protection
and medical gloves are required for patient contact.
Medical Alarms: Eye protection and medical gloves.
If circumstances dictate, gowns and face protection.


Water Alarms: Personnel within 10 feet of any open
water will be required to utilize a PFD. For safety
reasons, the utilization of bunker gear near water will
be discouraged.
Roadway Alarms: Reflective vests are required to be
worn anytime an employee is operating on or adjacent
to the roadway. Bunker coats can be worn in lieu of
reflective vests.


Auto accidents: Bunker coat, pants, helmet, gloves and eye
protection are required to be worn when operating inside or
around vehicles with moderate to severe damage.
Helmets: FD personnel will wear helmets on scenes with
multiple units/agencies operating for identification purposes.
Helmets will be worn anytime personnel are working
near/under elevated operations (i.e. training/ladders/
construction sites).

Cell phones: Personal cell phones will not be
used when operating department apparatus or
while operating on incident scenes (Refer to
Chapter 4, Section 200.000, Cell Phone
Usage).
Section 400 Self-Contained Breathing
Apparatus (SCBA)


Personnel shall not breathe smoke, vapors, or
any particulate matter.
Personnel shall not enter the confines of a
structure or other situation producing a toxic
or oxygen deficient atmosphere without an
SCBA and activated PASS device.
SCBA

The only exception to rule one and/or rule two will
be woods fires. The use of an SCBA at these
incidents will be left to the discretion of the Incident
Commander.

When SCBAs are required, personnel will operate in
teams of at least two persons.
SCBA

A team leader shall be designated for each group. The
team leader is responsible for maintaining crew
integrity.

Team members should not be out of sight or contact
of the team leader for any reason—this includes
exiting the building for air or other assignments
SCBA

The decision to remove SCBAs shall be the
responsibility of the Incident Commander.
During overhaul, the Carbon Monoxide and
Hydrogen Cyanide level should be no more
than 10ppm before SCBAs can be
discontinued. This will be confirmed through
the use of available monitors.
SCBA

SCBA mask shall be maintained in good
working order by the personnel to whom they
are assigned.
Section 500 Rehabilitation

To ensure that the physical and mental condition
of members operating at the scene of an
emergency or a training exercise does not
deteriorate to a point that affects the safety of
each member or that jeopardizes the safety and
integrity of the operation.
Incident Commander

Shall consider the circumstances of each incident and make
adequate provisions early in the incident for the rest and
rehabilitation for all members operating at the scene. These
provisions shall include medical evaluation, treatment and
monitoring; food and fluid replenishment; mental rest; and relief
from extreme climatic conditions and the other environmental
parameters of the incident. The rehabilitation shall include the
provision of medical services at the Basic Life Support (BLS)
level or higher.
Supervisors

Shall maintain an awareness of the condition of each
member operating within their span of control and
ensure that adequate steps are taken to provide for each
member's safety and health. The command structure
shall be utilized to request relief and the reassignment
of fatigued crews. During routine duties, physical
activity should be monitored and performed in
moderation when the heat index is high. Hydration is
encouraged.
Personnel

During periods of hot weather, members shall be encouraged to
drink water and activity beverages throughout the workday.
During any emergency incident or training evolution, all
members shall advise their supervisor when they believe that
their level of fatigue or exposure to heat or cold is approaching a
level that could affect themselves, their crew, or the operation in
which they are involved. Members shall also remain aware of
the health and safety of other crewmembers.
The End.