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Fire Fighter
Safety
5
Learning Objectives (1 of 13)
• Identify and analyze the major causes
involved in on-duty fire fighter fatalities
related to health, wellness, fitness, and
vehicle operations.
• Analyze the trend in the number of fire
fighter on-duty deaths over a 30-year
period.
• Define frequency and severity as they
relate to fire fighter injuries.
5
Learning Objectives (2 of 13)
• Enumerate fire-ground safety issues
addressed in NFPA 1500.
• Compare and contrast fire trends and
fire fighter on duty deaths.
• Describe the relative risk to fire fighters
combating fires in different occupancy
types.
5
Learning Objectives (3 of 13)
• Analyze the trend in number of fire
fighter injuries.
• Discuss risk management principles
applied to the fire ground.
• Discuss and give an example of an
imminent life-threatening situation.
5
Learning Objectives (4 of 13)
• Use a probability analysis to assess the
occupied status of a building based on
time and occupancy.
• Estimate the collapse time based on
burn time, fire intensity, content load,
and construction type.
5
Learning Objectives (5 of 13)
• Examine the difference between a managed
retreat and an evacuation due to an imminent
hazard.
• Evaluate the difference between lightweight
and heavy structural components.
• Discuss and contrast pre-fire and fire
conditions that contribute to structural
collapse.
• Examine hazards presented by suspended
ceilings.
5
Learning Objectives (6 of 13)
• Compare construction methods in terms
of structural stability, fire extension, and
fuel contribution.
• Review the basics of building
construction and how they relate to pre-
fire planning.
• Estimate the collapse zone for a
building in imminent danger of collapse.
5
Learning Objectives (7 of 13)
• Describe exclusion zones other than collapse
zones.
• Develop zones and perimeters around a
structure fire.
• Define and explain the five time segments
from ignition to effective action.
• Evaluate the survivability, structural stability,
and flashover from ignition to effective action.
5
Learning Objectives (8 of 13)
• Evaluate set-up time in regard to staffing on
the first-arriving engine company.
• Compute the staffing necessary to achieve
the tasks enumerated in NFPA 1710.
• Define and compare flashover and backdraft.
• Explain the relationship between NIMS and a
fire fighter accountability system.
5
Learning Objectives (9 of 13)
• List situations when a personal accountability
report (PAR) should be initiated.
• Explain the importance of alternative egress
for fire fighters conducting an offensive
attack.
• Define rapid intervention crew (RIC).
• Explain the role of the RIC.
• Explain the importance of having a RIC
immediately available from initial attack and
throughout the operation.
5
Learning Objectives (10 of 13)
• Determine the number of personnel to
be assigned to the RIC based on the
size and complexity of the building and
incident.
• Describe safe interior operations.
• Construct an emergency message for a
disoriented fire fighter needing
assistance.
5
Learning Objectives (11 of 13)
• Explain measures that can be taken to
improve the chances of survival when fire
fighters are lost and out of air in a large
building.
• Describe methods used to supply air to a
trapped fire fighter who has exhausted his or
her air supply.
• List tools that should be available to a RIC.
5
Learning Objectives (12 of 13)
• Compare the advantages and disadvantages
of a mobile RIC versus a stationary RIC.
• Recognize hazards in operating opposing fire
lines.
• Evaluate hazards to fire fighters during
overhaul operations.
• Define immediately dangerous to life and
health (IDLH) atmospheres and the
relationship to SCBA usage.
5
Learning Objectives (13 of 13)
• List factors the IC should consider when
formulating an incident action plan to be used
during overhaul.
• Describe informal rehabilitation at the fire
scene.
• Describe hot weather rehabilitation
• Describe cold weather rehabilitation.
• List the signs of critical incident stress.
5
Overview
• Fire departments
– Dedicated to saving lives and property
– Saving lives is the highest priority.
• Safety closely related to risk-versus-
benefit analysis.
5
Adequate Number of
Personnel
• Set-up time is related to staffing.
– Initial attack should be delayed if:
• Company staffing is less than four
• Imminent life-threatening situation does not
exist
5
NFPA 1500
• Stipulates a minimum of four fire
fighters as an initial crew at a working
structure fire
– Unless imminent life-threatening situation
exists
– Three is acceptable in situations of
imminent danger
5
Fire-Ground Tasks (1 of 3)
• Required to save lives and protect
property
• Additional attack lines
• Attack line above the fire
• Attack line to concealed spaces
• Backup for the initial attack line
5
Fire-Ground Tasks (2 of 3)
• Exposure protection
• Forcing entry
• Laddering the building
• Opening up concealed spaces
• Salvage or property conservation
5
Fire-Ground Tasks (3 of 3)
• Search and rescue of area around the
fire
• Search and rescue of area above the
fire
• Search and rescue of other areas
• Utility control
• Ventilation
5
NFPA 1710
• Establishes minimum staffing levels
– Tasks to be accomplished
– Personnel needed
– Minimum of 14 personnel
• 15 if an aerial device is used
5
Tactical Reserve
• Planning is crucial.
• Tactical efficiency can reduce number
of people necessary.
• Size of tactical reserve force depends
on:
– Stage and type of incident
– Number of units working
5
Elapsed Time and Flashover
• Time is a critical factor.
• Longer the fire burns:
– Less chance for rescue
– Greater chance of structural collapse
– Post-flashover chance for survival = near
zero
– Risk to fire fighters increases
5
Communications
• Lifeblood of any command organization
• Situation could be chaotic without
communications.
– Each crew should have a radio.
5
Radio Discipline
• Significant challenge
• Imperative when everyone is assigned a
radio
– Proper use of the radio
• Clear
• Calm
• Concise
5
Progress Reports
• Essential to the IC
• Interior crews = eyes and ears of the IC
• Provide information to everyone on fire-
ground
5
Emergency Operations
• Mayday is used to indicate that a fire
fighter is in trouble.
• SOPs should define response to a
Mayday
– Critical functions will not be accomplished
if all personnel begin focusing on the
rescue operation.
5
Mayday
• IC must remain in total control.
• Officers must remain within the ICS.
• Specific assignments should be made
for the rescue operation.
5
Evacuation Signal
• Should be established through SOPs
– 10 three-second blasts of air horns
– Emergency evacuation radio message
5
Evacuation
• “Drop everything and run”
– Seldom warranted
– Used during defensive operations
• Offensive operations
– Organized retreat is better alternative
5
Command and Control
• Common goal
– Organized fashion
– Safe and effective operation
• Freelancing leads to injuries and
fatalities.
5
Accountability
• A good organizational structure:
– Accounts for all personnel at scene
– Maintains reasonable span of control
• Crew unity is essential.
• Crew members should not be separated
within the structure.
5
Personnel Accountability
Report (1 of 2)
• Often referred to as a PAR.
• SOPs call for PARs in the following
situations when:
– IC thinks it is necessary
– Safety officer requests one
– IC changes from an offensive to a
defensive attack
5
Personnel Accountability
Report (2 of 2)
• Sudden changes occur.
• Entire building has been searched.
• Fire is extinguished.
• Called for at prescribed times
– NFPA 1500: Every 10 minutes
5
Accountability Procedures
• More important as incident increases in
size and complexity
– Mutual aid resources
– A regional approach is logical
5
Accountability Officer
• Should not be the safety officer
– Safety officer is mobile.
– Accountability officer is stationary.
• The accountability officer is an
informational resource for the safety
officer, RIC, and IC.
5
Safety Officer
• Safety is everyone’s responsibility.
– Whether or not a safety officer has been
assigned
• Safety officer monitors all areas.
• SOPs outline when position is
established
– When IC can no longer effectively monitor
safety at the scene
5
Alternative Egress (1 of 2)
• Interior stairs
– Preferred means of access and egress
• Fire escapes
– Additional means
– Provide access to upper floors
5
Alternative Egress (2 of 2)
• Proper laddering
– Should be accomplished early in operation
• Provides alternative means of egress
• Addressed in SOPs
• Location of ladders must be
communicated to crews.
5
Rapid Intervention Crews
• Staffing is not sufficient until:
– Safety and tactical positions are covered
– Tactical reserve is available.
• Critical need to provide rescuers for fire
crews
– RIC: no substitute for safe and effective
operations
5
Fire Fighter Rescue
• IAP will reduce the need for emergency
rescues.
– Risk-versus-benefit analysis
– Good tactics
– Company-level attention to safety
5
Safe Interior Operations (1 of 2)
• Maintain crew integrity
• Provide hose line protection
• Provide means of communications
• Maintain contact with the hose line
5
Safe Interior Operations (2 of 2)
• Maintain contact with a wall or rope
• Indicate door leading to where fire
fighters are working
• Learn self-survival techniques
5
RIC Officer
• Determines need for special tools
– Based on:
• Construction type
• Occupancy
• Fire location
• Other factors
– Could be identified through pre-planning
5
Common RIC Tools (1 of 2)
• Rescue ropes, search ropes, guideline
ropes
• Thermal imaging camera
• Patient carrier, webbing, or harness
• Portable ladders for above- and below-
grade rescues
5
Common RIC Tools (2 of 2)
• Forcible entry tools
• Wire cutters and other hand tools
• Lighting equipment
5
RIC Operations
• RIC should have access to pre-plans.
• Critically important to train and practice
– Preferably under live fire conditions
5
Hose Lines
• Avoid opposing hose lines.
• Interior hose lines should attack from
same point.
– Communications between units is
essential.
5
Master Streams
• Improperly operated on the exterior will
push fire into the building, endangering
anyone inside
5
Personal Protective
Equipment (PPE)
• Appropriate level established by IC and
safety officer
• Overhaul phase
– Removing SCBA is questionable
• Removing PPE inside fire building is
unsafe
5
Overhaul Safety (1 of 2)
• Safety considerations:
– Structural damage/stability
– Smoke and airborne contaminants
– Cutting hazards
– Holes in floors
5
Overhaul Safety (2 of 2)
• Safety considerations (continued):
– Damaged stairways
– Utility hazards
– Overhead hazards
– Visibility
5
Rehabilitation
• NFPA 1584: Recommended Practice on
the Rehabilitation of Members
Operating at Incident Scene Operations
and Training Exercises
– Provides guidelines for hot and cold
weather rehabilitation
5
Three Phases
• Pre-incident hydration and preparation
• Incident rehabilitation
• Post-incident recovery
• Dependant on:
– Weather conditions
– Length of time on the scene
– Activity level
5
Informal Rehab
• Takes place at the company apparatus
– Should be in cold zone
– Members can “dress down” while resting
and rehydrating
– Should not be placed near exhaust fumes
5
Formal Rehab
• Established area for rehab
– Should provide shade and mechanical
cooling or heating
• Dependant on weather conditions
– Water or sports drinks and healthy food
should be available.
5
Two-Cylinder Rule
• Requires Rehab after a second,
30-minute SCBA cylinder
• Rest period should be at least 20
minutes
5
Critical Incident Stress
• Stress management is related to rehab.
– Best to take action at incident scene
– Critical incidents
• Fire in which fire fighters are seriously injured
or killed
• Fire in which children are seriously injured
• Fire that results in one or more fatalities
5
Signs of Critical Incident
Stress
• Shaking or trembling
• Loss of muscular control
• Blurred vision
• Respiratory difficulties
• Confusion and disorientation
• Chills
• Signs and symptoms of shock
5
Proactive Measures
• Schedule breaks
– Designated rehab area
• Rotate frontline personnel
• Check personnel for signs and
symptoms.
5
Summary (1 of 2)
• The primary rescue technique is
extinguishing fire.
– Heat, smoke, and toxic gases must be
vented.
• Structure becomes safer once fire is
extinguished.
5
Summary (2 of 2)
• Measures to reduce fire fighter injuries
and deaths:
– Improved PPE
– PASS devices
– Rapid intervention crews
– Accountability systems
– NIMS
– Rehab