Effective and Safe Firefighting is a Team Effort!There are very few fireground tasks that

a single firefighter can perform safely alone.

There are NONE that can be performed safely in an IDLH environment.

Crew integrity is a prerequisite to effective personnel accountability.

Becoming separated from crew members is a common factor in firefighter fatalities.

In the report “U.S. Firefighter Disorientation Study” (2003) prepared by Captain William R. Mora of the San Antonio Fire Department, crew integrity was lost during 100% of the 17 firefighter fatality incidents included in the study.

When things go bad on the emergency scene, they usually go bad quickly.

There may not be enough time to locate your crew and make a safe exit.

A crew that stays together has an increased chance of survival when faced with deteriorating conditions.

Report # 10-064SynopsisFloor collapse at structure fire dumps FF in basement.Description…”The other firefighter left to find the stairs. I advanced the line about 15' inside the door. I noticed a hole in the floor at that time, and attempted to advance between the hole and a baby grand piano.

Once I was between the piano and the hole, the floor gave way and I was dumped into the basement which was fully involved. I hugged the attack line, which slowed my fall, and I reached the basement uninjured. My radio fell out of my pocket, so I was unable to call for help. My partner was off looking for the stairs, so no one knew I was in the basement.”…Lessons Learned

Stay together as a team. Make sure your radio is secure. Maintain situational awareness (burn time, structure stability).

Size-Up Your Tactical Area of Operation.Determine the Occupant Survival Profile.DO NOT Risk Your Life for Lives or Property That Can Not Be Saved.Extend LIMITED Risk to Protect SAVABLE Property.Extend Vigilant and Measured Risk to Protect and Rescue SAVABLE Lives Go in Together, Stay Together, Come Out Together Maintain Continuous Awareness of Your Air Supply, Situation, Location and Fire Conditions.Constantly Monitor Fireground Communications for Critical Radio Reports.You Are Required to Report Unsafe Practices or Conditions That Can Harm You. Stop, Evaluate and Decide.You Are Required to Abandon Your Position and Retreat Before Deteriorating Conditions Can Harm You.Declare a May Day As Soon As You THINK You Are in Danger.

Crew Integrity is being in CONSTANT communication with your other crew members. Visually- Can you see each other? Verbally – Can you hear each other? Physical Contact – Can you touch each other?Environmental conditions will dictate which

method of communication is appropriate. Using all three methods simultaneously

usually works.

PROS

Good for noisy environments with good visibility.

Allows for greater distance apart when searching for fire or victims.

All crew members can keep an eye on each other.

CONS

Firefighters tend to dress alike and it’s easy to mistake one for another.

Doesn’t work well in darkness or smoke.

Thermal imaging cameras can malfunction.

PROS

Allows for two-way communication.

Works well if all members have a radio.

Crew members can be identified by using

names. Task related

information can be passed on quickly.

CONS

Noisy environments can confuse or impair communication.

More difficult when using SCBAs.

Radio communications can be difficult during a real emergency, such as a MAYDAY.

PROS

Ensures that members are close by if needed.

Works in low or zero visibility.

Contact can be extended by utilizing a tool , rope, or hoseline.

CONS

Can be difficult to reestablish contact if lost.

Search ropes can easily become entangled.

Not a successful option unless practiced frequently during training.

Near-Miss Report #o5-663 Synopsis

Smoke explosion nearly injures three firefighters.Event Description …“I then started seeing the rollover next to my head, we were

on hands and knees, and yelled, "It's gonna flash. Bail out! Bail out!" The room then exploded in flames. Knowing we were potentially in big trouble, I called a Mayday as we bailed out.”…

Lessons Learned5. Crew integrity is a must at all times.

( To view the complete report, visit www.firefighternearmiss.com )

Visit www.firefighternearmiss.com Search for these reports for more

examples of the positive results that result from maintaining crew integrity.#05-663#06-429#06-221#08-489#10-1036

www.sanantonio.gov/safd/PDFs/FirefighterDisorientationStudy.pdf

www.firefighternearmiss.com

www.iafc.org/MemberCenter/OnSceneArticle.cfm?ItemNumber=4966