Chapter 14

Copyright © 2006 Thomson Delmar Learning

Introduction to Fire Protection 3rd EditionRobert Klinoff

Introduction to Fire Protection3rd Edition



Chapter 14

Emergency Operations



Objectives

• Identify the role of the fire department at various types of emergencies

• List limitations of the fire department in certain emergency types

• List important safety considerations when operating at different types of emergencies



Introduction

• Two general areas of emergency functions– Operations

• Application of resources towards mitigation of incidents

– Support• Aids the front line personnel



Personnel

• Variety of emergency responders– EMS

– Firefighters

– Law enforcement

• Fire Department may or may not be in charge of all incidents that they respond to



Life Safety Initiatives

• Duty and responsibility– Make every day a training day so everyone

goes home

• Firefighter maintenance program– Receive regular medical checkups, get regular

exercise, and eat healthy

• Rehab guidelines– Stop before you drop, stay hydrated, and

monitor vital signs



Life Safety Initiatives (con’t.)

• Passengers responding to incidents– Wear full PPE, get in the apparatus, sit down,

fasten your seatbelt, and ride with drivers that will get you there in one piece

• Drivers responding to incidents– It is not a race, safe is more important than fast,

stop at all red lights and stop signs, and if others do not pull over – don’t run them over



Life Safety Initiatives (con’t.)

• Interior firefighting– Work as a team, stay together, stay oriented,

manage your air supply, take the proper tools with you for any interior operation, every member should have a radio, provide constant updates and constantly assess for risk versus benefit



Rapid Intervention Teams

• Assigned at incident scenes• Have proper equipment• Rescue trapped firefighters

– RITs not used for trapped occupants

– If using more than one entrance or numerous firefighters are inside, may need more than one RIT



Two In, Two Out

• OSHA regulation• Operating in areas that require SCBA

– Must maintain buddy system in IDLH environment

– Must maintain minimum of two person rescue team outside

– Must maintain direct contact with personnel inside/outside



Two In, Two Out (con’t.)

• Only exception to two in, two out is “imminent rescue”– Has to be sufficient reason to believe a life can

be saved to violate the regulation

• If making an exception, announce it over the radio and give your reasons



Structure Firefighting

• Basic fire department responsibility• Most departments spend the bulk of their time

and money on this one function (see Figure 14-2)

• Structure fires present many hazards: – Contents

– Roof loads

– Structure collapse

– Backdraft and flashover



Structure Firefighting (con’t.)

• Key safety points– SCBA will not protect you from skin contact

hazards

– Stay away from windows due to backdraft potential

– Always leave yourself a second way out

– Do not freelance

– Look up before raising ladders



Structure Firefighting (con’t.)

• Key safety points (con’t.)– Turn off the electrical power

– Use lights when appropriate

– Establish a Rapid Intervention Team whenever possible

– Use the buddy system

– Stay focused on the “big picture”



Fire Department Operations at Sprinklered Occupancies

• Three main causes of unsatisfactory sprinkler performance– Closed valve in system

– Delivery of inadequate water supply to system

– Occupancy changes that render the installed system unsuitable

• Establish SOP for operations – Boost supply to system



Fire Department Operations at Sprinklered Occupancies

(con’t.)

• Establish SOP for operations (con’t.)– Ensure valves are open– Advance hoselines to seat of fire– Only turn off necessary areas for salvage and

overhaul operations– Place system back into service ASAP– If unable to restore, notify responsible party



Electrical Installations

• Key safety points– Do not enter without power company personnel

– Some equipment may contain carcinogens

– Water may be the wrong extinguishing agent to use



Wildland Firefighting

• Basic methods of extinguishment– Apply water or fire retardant to fire edge

– Create a fire break or control line around the perimeter

• May use the following tools/techniques– Pumpers, dozers, hand tools

– Class A foam

– Create a backfire



Wildland Firefighting (con’t.)

• The Ten Standard Firefighting Orders– Fight fire aggressively, but provide for safety first

– Initiate all action based on current and expected fire behavior

– Recognize current weather conditions and obtain forecasts

– Ensure instructions are given and understood

– Obtain current information on fire status




• The Ten Standard Firefighting Orders (con’t.)– Remain in communication with crew members,

your supervisor, and adjoining forces

– Determine safety zones and escape routes

– Establish lookouts in potentially hazardous situations

– Retain control of yourself/your crew at all times

– Stay alert, keep calm, think clearly, and act decisively




• 18 Situations That Shout Watch Out– The fire is not scouted or sized up

– You are in country not seen in daylight

– Safety zones and escape routes are not identified

– You are unfamiliar with the weather and local factors influencing fire behavior

– You are uninformed on strategy, tactics, and hazards




• 18 Situations That Shout Watch Out (con’t.)– Instructions and assignments are not clear

– You have no communications link with crew members/supervisor

– You are constructing a line without a safe anchor point

– You are constructing a line downhill with fire below




• 18 Situations That Shout Watch Out (con’t.)– You are attempting frontal assault on a fire

– There is unburned fuel between you and the fire

– You cannot see the main fire, and you’re not in contact with someone who can

– You are on a hillside where rolling material can ignite fuel below




• 18 Situations That Shout Watch Out (con’t.)– The weather is getting hotter and drier

– The wind increases or changes direction

– There are frequent spot fires across the line

– Terrain and fuels make escape to safety zones difficult

– You feel like taking a nap near the fire line




• Two condensed safety messages have been adopted as a general reminder of the previous rules

• LCES– Lookouts

– Communications

– Escape routes

– Safety zones




• Look three ways– Look up

– Look down

– Look around

• These safety messages apply to every type of firefighting– Main focus is to stay alert



Wildland Urban Interface / Intermix Firefighting

• Structures in path of wildland fires• Often assigned to engine companies• May be in front of advancing fire• Dangerous operation

– Has caused injuries, lost lives and equipment



Wildland Urban Interface / Intermix Firefighting (con’t.)

• TRIAGE– Take time to evaluate water needs and

availability.

– Recon safety zones and escape routes.

– Is the structure defendable based on construction type, topography and anticipated fire behavior?




• TRIAGE (con’t.)– Are flammable vegetation and debris cleared

within a reasonable distance?

– Give a fair evaluation of the values at stake versus resources available, and do not waste time on the losers

– Evaluate the safety risk to the crew and the equipment




• PROTECTION – Park engines backed in so a rapid exit can be

made, if necessary

– Remember to maintain communication with your crew and adjoining forces

– On occasions when you are overrun by fire, use apparatus or structures as a refuge




• PROTECTION (con’t.)– Tank water should not get below 50 gallons in

case it is needed for crew protection

– Engines should keep headlights on, windows closed, and outside speakers turned on

– Coil a charged 1 ½-inch hose at the engine for protection crew and equipment




• PROTECTION (con’t.)– Try not to lay hose longer than 150 feet from

your engine

– It is important to keep apparatus mobile for maximum effectiveness

– Only use water as needed and refrain from wetting ahead of the fire

– Never sacrifice crew safety to save property



Oil Firefighting

• Three main problems in crude oil tank fires• Boil over: occurs when hot oil contacts

subsurface water in tank

• Slop over: occurs when oil is forced over tank edge by direction of hose streams

• Froth over: occurs when hose streams stir up surface of hot oil



Oil Firefighting (con’t.)

• Extinguishment Methods– Subsurface injection of foam through a manifold

– Direct application of foam to burning surface

– Hose streams directed to cool exposed tanks

– Floating roof tank seal may be extinguished with fire extinguisher or foam

– Shut off plumbing and let material burn itself out



Gasoline Spills

• Use foam to seal off vapors• Water may just spread spill• Never walk in the spill

– May disturb foam blanket and spill will reignite around you



Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG)

• Stored in cylindrical tanks• When exposed to fire, pressure rises• Relief valve may fail• BLEVE can occur

– Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Explosion

– Container pieces can fly one-half mile

• Control ignition sources and dissipate vapors with water fog



Natural Gas

• Poses little hazard when released because lighter than air

• Collects in structures where leaks occur • Static electricity can cause ignition• Any gas smell call should be treated as life-

threatening situation



Hazardous Materials Incidents (HAZMAT)

• Approximately 2,000 new chemicals are produced each year

• Hazardous materials may be present in almost any type of incident

• Every incident requires a precautionary approach– Upwind, uphill, and upstream



Hazardous Materials Incidents (HAZMAT) (con’t.)

• Federal law requires establishment of an incident command system on every hazmat incident

• Fire Department’s primary objectives are to:– Isolate

– Identify

– Deny entry




• Back equipment in for quick exit• Set up perimeters• Information on chemicals available from various

sources– CHEMTREC

– DOT Emergency Response Guidebook




• Fire department actions– Dike

– Divert

– Control

– Cleanup

• Actions can only be performed safely if proper level of PPE is available



Weapons of Mass Destruction

• Acts of terrorism are a very real threat– Oklahoma City

– World Trade Center

– Pentagon, and others

• The purpose is to take human lives• Weapons may be chemical, biological,

radioactive, nuclear and/or explosive (CBRNE)



Weapons of Mass Destruction (con’t.)

• Different from hazmat incidents in many ways– Crime scene

– Major interaction with federal, state and local law enforcement

– Scene communication overload

– Chaos

– Overwhelmed resources

– Secondary devices designed to kill responders



Weapons of Mass Destruction (con’t.)

• Different from hazmat incidents in many ways (con’t.)– Preincident indicators

– Deliberate attack

– Super-toxic material that is difficult to identify

– Mass casualties with many fatalities

– Mass decontamination required

– Unusual risks to emergency responders and civilians



Emergency Medical Service Operations (EMS)

• Proper PPE must be worn every time• Treat everyone as though they are infectious• Turnouts are not the best protection

– Necessary if sharp edges or fire are involved

• Never carry contamination from the scene



Vehicle Accidents

• Dangers from spilled fuel• Dangers from passing traffic• Dangers from hydraulic rescue tools• Built-in dangers

– Air bags

– Electric cars

– LPG vehicles



Vehicle Fires

• Approach from front quarter• Avoid exploding tires and five-mile-an-hour

bumpers• Always use full PPE including SCBA• Seams of gas tank may let go and spill burning

fuel



Aircraft Firefighting

• There are many on-board hazards in large aircraft– Oxygen systems

– Fuel

– Hydraulic fluid

– Magnesium wheels

– Military aircraft may carry live ordinance (broken arrow)



Aircraft Firefighting (con’t.)

• Fire department operations– Clear a path

– Make entry

– Effect rescue

– Complete extinguishment

– Overhaul



EMS and Firefighting with Aircraft

• Special precautions with helicopters– Approach and depart from the side or front in a

crouching position in view of the pilot

– Approach and depart from the downhill side to avoid the main rotor

– Approach and depart in the pilot’s view; stay clear of the tail rotor

– Use a chin strap or secure your helmet when working under the main rotor



EMS and Firefighting with Aircraft (con’t.)

• Special precautions with helicopters (con’t.)– Carry tools horizontally, beneath waist level to

avoid contact with the main rotor

– Fasten your seat belt when you enter the helicopter and refasten it when you leave

– Use the door latches as instructed

– Use caution around plexiglass, antennas, and any moving parts




• Special precautions with helicopters (con’t.)– When entering or exiting the helicopter, step on

the skid

– Any time you ride in a helicopter in a wildland fire situation, you are required to wear full PPE

– Do not throw objects from the helicopter

• Contact with any moving part of an aircraft is often fatal




• Wildland firefighting with helicopters– Rotor wash can fan flames or knock limbs out of

trees

– Dropping water can knock you down

– Exit the drop area whenever possible

– Stay out from under helicopters with sling loads




• Wildland firefighting with fixed wing aircraft– 3,000 gallons of retardant at over nine pounds

per gallon may drop at 130 mph from 200 feet above the ground

– Wing tip vortices can fan flames

– Drops can knock limbs from trees

– Drops can roll rocks




• If a drop is to be made:– Lie face down, head toward approaching aircraft

– Lay tool aside

– Keep hard hat on and cover head with arms

– Retardant is slippery; watch your footing when you get up

– Wash retardant off vehicles as soon as possible



Summary

• Every situation has its own set of hazards• The worst hazard is often one that is

unrecognized• Firefighter’s responsibility to provide personal

safety and safety of others– Evaluate situations as they arise

– Anticipate situations that can be harmful

– Remain constantly vigilant at incident scene

Chapter 14

Technology

department operations

structure firefighting

emergency operations

interior firefighting

buddy system

key safety points scba

life safety initiatives

daylight safety zones