2009 Fire/EMS Safety, Health, and Survival Week Structural Size-Up and Situational Awareness.

2009 Fire/EMS Safety, Health, and Survival Week

Structural Size-Up and Situational Awareness

Structural Watch-outs1. 360 view of fire and size up not performed.

2. Uninformed on strategy, tactics, fire conditions, and hazards.

3. Instructions and assignments not clear.

4. The incident is progressing poorly.

5. Transitioning from offensive to defensive or visa versa.

6. The structure has been evacuated by the public and is confirmed.

7. Water supply is unreliable.

8. Searching without a hose line or tag line.

9. Working above or below the fire.

10. Attempting to attack the fire from a ground ladder.

11. Interior building configuration makes escape to safe areas difficult.

12. Upon entering the structure you encounter heavy smoke conditions and / or high heat.

13. Unable to quickly locate the seat of the fire.

14. Unfamiliar with the building and / or its contents.

15. The building has had numerous alterations.

16. Operating on the roof with only one means of egress.

17. 15 minutes have elapsed & the interior fire fight continues.

18. Environmental conditions are extreme.

19. The incident scene is dark.

20. Mentally and / or physically tired.

10 Rules of Engagement - IAFC No building or property is worth the life of a

firefighter. All interior firefighting involves an inherent

risk. Some risk is acceptable in a measured and

controlled manner. No level of risk is acceptable if there is no

potential to save lives or savable proptery.

10 Rules of Engagement - IAFC Firefighters should not be committed to

interior offensive firefighting operations in abandon or derelict buildings.

All feasible measures shall be taken to limit or avoid risk through a risk assessment by a qualified officer.

It is the responsibility of the IC to evaluate the level of risk in every situation.

10 Rules of Engagement - IAFC Risk assessment is a continuous process for the

entire duration of the incident. If conditions change, and risk increases, change

strategy and tactics. NO BUILDING OR PROPERTY IS WORTH THE

LIFE OF A FIREFIGHTER.

Full report: http://www.iafc.org/associations/4685/files/rules.pdf

Tactical Decision Game Everyone get a sheet of paper to write your

answers on. One person will keep the time.

You have three minutes to read the statement and answer the questions below in order of highest priority.

You are the Officer assigned to E10. E10 is dispatched to a reported structure fire in CO. 14’s first-in district. The fire is located at 2320 Buford Dr. The fire building consists of a large one story, Type II, commercial building; restaurant. The fire is located on Side D of the building. E14, E26 and E21 are on a previous call. You’re first on-scene. Your crew consists of a 4 year firefighter, a 5 year relief driver and yourself.

Scenario

Questions

•Est. command, size-up, and priorities.•What is you initial action?•What other considerations do you have?

Discuss your answers with the crew. Look for differences in opinions and discuss the background of why you made your decision.

Situational Awareness An internal process that goes on constantly,

much like a size up.

Becomes driving factor for Decision Making.

Situational Awareness

Perception of theElements in the

Environment

Projection of Future Status

Comprehension ofthe Current

Situation

Perception- I see smoke.

Comprehension- The smoke is very dark and turbulent, pushing.

Projection- Smoke explosion/flashover imminent, back crews out.

8 Factors that Lead to Lost Awareness Ambiguity- Open to more than one

interpretation or unclear. Distraction- Attention is drawn away from

the original focus of attention. Fixation- Focusing attention on one item

excluding all others. Overload- Too busy to stay on top of

everything

Complacency- A false sense of comfort that masks deficiencies and danger.

Improper Procedure- Deviating from SOP’s without justification.

Unresolved Discrepancy- Failure to resolve conflicts or conflicting conditions.

“Nobody flying the plane”- Self Explanatory.

Situational Awareness Reality- What is going on? Perception- What we perceive is going on?

Goal is to be identical, allows us to make the best decision.

Additional Info. http://www.fireengineering.com/display_artic

le/355909/25/none/none/Feat/Situational-Awareness:-Key-to-Emergency-Response

http://www.iafc.org/associations/4685/files/pubs_CRMmanual.pdf Page 19.