Chapter 14

Emergency Operations at Fires and Other Emergencies

Introduction

• Personnel can be divide into two general areas, operations and support

• Fundamental role of fire department is to respond to emergencies

• Incident type determines which personnel will respond

• Multiple agencies may show up at an incident to determine objectives, strategies, and tactics

• Law enforcement and other agencies assist and sometimes command incidents with fire department

FIREFIGHTER LIFE SAFETY INITIATIVES

• Cultural change• Personal and organizational accountability• Risk management• Stop unsafe practices• Training qualifications

Cont.

Learning Objective 116 Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives

FIREFIGHTER LIFE SAFETY INITIATIVES

• Medical and physical fitness standards• Data collection system• Utilize available technology• Investigate all firefighter fatalities• Safe practices

Cont.

Learning Objective 116 Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives

FIREFIGHTER LIFE SAFETY INITIATIVES

• Response policies and procedures• Response to violent incidents• Counseling and psychological support• Public education• Enforcement of codes• Apparatus and equipment

Learning Objective 116 Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives

PRACTICAL APPLICATION OF THE 16 INITIATIVES

• Duty and responsibility• Firefighter maintenance program• Rehab guidelines• Passengers when responding to incidents• Drivers responding to incidents• Interior firefighting

Learning Objective 116 Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives

RAPID INTERVENTION TEAMS

• Immediate rescue effort

• Standing by in full PPE

• Equipment and clothing same as entry team

• Firefighter Assist and Search Teams (FAST)

Learning Objective 116 Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives

TWO IN, TWO OUT

• OSHA regulation

• Applies to fires beyond ignition stage

• Only exception is threat of imminent danger

• Visual or voice contact at all times

Learning Objective 116 Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives

STRUCTURE FIREFIGHTING

• Basic responsibility of fire department

• Structure loss to a minimum

• Primary search

• Coordinated attack

Cont.

Learning Objectives 2, 3, and 4Roles and Limitations of the Fire Department

Safety Considerations at Different Emergencies

STRUCTURE FIREFIGHTING

• Ventilation issues• SCBA• Leather gloves and boots• Other building contents• Structural collapse

Cont.

Learning Objectives 2, 3, and 4Roles and Limitations of the Fire Department

Safety Considerations at Different Emergencies

STRUCTURE FIREFIGHTING

• Clandestine drug lab• Flame and smoke indicators• Second way out• Do not freelance• High-rise firefighting• Electricity

Learning Objectives 2, 3, and 4Roles and Limitations of the Fire Department

Safety Considerations at Different Emergencies

SPRINKLERED OCCUPANCIES

• Causes of unsatisfactory performance• Departments should establish SOPs• Check all valves• Turn off only portion in affected area for overhaul• Conduct investigation

Learning Objectives 2, 3, and 4Roles and Limitations of the Fire Department

Safety Considerations at Different Emergencies

ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS

• Substations and vaults• High potential for electrocution• Fog patterns or short bursts• General rule; use electric company staff for guides• Without power, Class C fire reverts to A, B, D, or K

Learning Objectives 2, 3, and 4Roles and Limitations of the Fire Department

Safety Considerations at Different Emergencies

WILDLAND FIREFIGHTING

• Basic methods of extinguishment• Backfire• Wildland safety• Ten Standing Fire Orders• 18 Situations That Shout Watch Out

Cont.

Learning Objectives 2, 3, and 4Roles and Limitations of the Fire Department

Safety Considerations at Different Emergencies

WILDLAND FIREFIGHTING

• Common causes for tragedy and near-miss incidents

• LCES• F LCES ∆• Look up, look down, look around• Main message is safety

Learning Objectives 2, 3, and 4Roles and Limitations of the Fire Department

Safety Considerations at Different Emergencies

WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE/INTERMIX

• Foothills and mountainous areas• Firefighters must be in the path of the advancing

fire• Protect as many structures as possible• TRIAGE• PROTECTION

Learning Objectives 2, 3, and 4Roles and Limitations of the Fire Department

Safety Considerations at Different Emergencies

OIL FIREFIGHTING

• Skill that needs to be developed

• Extinguish fire and control leaks

• Confine the fire and protect exposures

• Should be accompanied by refinery employees

Learning Objectives 2, 3, and 4Roles and Limitations of the Fire Department

Safety Considerations at Different Emergencies

THREE MAIN PROBLEMS

• Boil over• Slop over• Froth over• Tanks with a cone roof• Tanks with a floating roof

Learning Objectives 2, 3, and 4Roles and Limitations of the Fire Department

Safety Considerations at Different Emergencies

GASOLINE SPILLS

• Requires that vapors be controlled• Should not enter area of spill

LIQUID PETROLEUM GAS (LPG)

• Tanks are built to withstand high pressures• BLEVE

Learning Objectives 2, 3, and 4Roles and Limitations of the Fire Department

Safety Considerations at Different Emergencies

HAZARDOUS MATERIALS INCIDENTS

• Becoming more common• Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act• Regular PPE not designed for hazardous materials• Isolate, identify, and deny entry• Set up perimeters

Cont.

Learning Objectives 2, 3, and 4Roles and Limitations of the Fire Department

Safety Considerations at Different Emergencies

HAZARDOUS MATERIALS INCIDENTS

• Identify the material involved• After positive identification:

Diking or berming Diverting Controlling

Learning Objectives 2, 3, and 4Roles and Limitations of the Fire Department

Safety Considerations at Different Emergencies

WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION

• Take human lives and cause panic and disruption• Chemical• Biological• Radioactive• Nuclear• Explosive

Learning Objectives 2, 3, and 4Roles and Limitations of the Fire Department

Safety Considerations at Different Emergencies

EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES (EMS) OPERATIONS

• Exposure to bloodborne and airborne pathogens• Category 1 employees are at greatest risk for exposure• Personnel should have proper PPE• Universal precautions• Body substance isolation

Cont.

Learning Objectives 2, 3, and 4Roles and Limitations of the Fire Department

Safety Considerations at Different Emergencies

VEHICLE ACCIDENTS

• Class B foam for spilled fuel• If spilled fuel, do not use power tools

VEHICLE FIRES• Can have all the hazards of a structure fire• Full PPE and SCBA should be worn

Learning Objectives 2, 3, and 4Roles and Limitations of the Fire Department

Safety Considerations at Different Emergencies

AIRCRAFT FIREFIGHTING

• Aircraft present many different hazards

• First priority, is to create a path

• Make entry to the aircraft

• Complete overhaul of the scene

Learning Objectives 2, 3, and 4Roles and Limitations of the Fire Department

Safety Considerations at Different Emergencies

EMS AND FIREFIGHTING WITH AIRCRAFT

• Most common encounter with rescue is the helicopter• Rules for working around helicopters• Setting up a landing zone• Items pilot should be aware of• Planes or helicopters may drop

water or retardant

Learning Objectives 2, 3, and 4Roles and Limitations of the Fire Department

Safety Considerations at Different Emergencies

CREW RESOURCE MANAGEMENT (CRM)

• Assumes human error is primary cause for injuries• CRM based on five elements:

Communication Situational awareness Decision making Teamwork Barriers

Learning Objective 5Firefighter Safety and Decision Making

2 & 7 TOOL

• Two errors: Underestimating hazards Failing to notice changing conditions

• Seven barriers Inexperience

Cont.

Learning Objective 5Firefighter Safety and Decision Making

2 & 7 TOOL Getting too comfortable Distraction from primary duty Priorities out of order Social influences Stress reaction Physical impairment

Learning Objective 5Firefighter Safety and Decision Making

Summary• Numerous safety rules can be applied to a wide

range of situations• Training programs are available for different

incident types• Every situation has its own set of hazards, and it is

your responsibility to provide for personal safety and the safety of others

• Train yourself to evaluate situations as they arise• Decision-making skills are critical for safety• Remain constantly vigilant