FIRST FIVE MINUTES ROLES FIRST FIVE MINUTES BEFORE

FIRST FIVE MINUTES ROLES

FIRST FIVE MINUTES BEFORE THE TONES

First Five Minutes BEFORE THE TONES • Preparation is a key • Part of firefighting success • Improvising is a worthy attribute • Should not be the norm • Preparation leads to • Better outcomes on incidents outside the norm 3

First Five Minutes BEFORE THE TONES • Firefighting involves • Constant training & preparation • Are you mentally fit • Outside the service/Inside the service • Are you physically fit • The job requires immense physical capabilities 4

First Five Minutes BEFORE THE TONES • Do you know your equipment • Is it maintained to prevent issues • Do you check your PPE & SCBA • At the start of every shift & keep it clean • Do you pay attention to • Building construction, exit paths, occupancy and other factor when you are on an EMS call 5

BEFORE THE TONES • Company Officer • Are you committed to the concepts of preparation • Command Level • Are you clear about wanting to be informed on firefighters mental and physical readiness • Chiefs’ Role • Walk the talk 6

FIRST FIVE MINUTES STRETCHING THE INITIAL LINE PUTTING WATER ON THE FIRE

First Five Minutes FIREFIGHTER'S ROLE • Maintain Situational Awareness • Conduct ongoing size-up • Size-up your Tactical area • Pause, look over your area • Evaluate individual exposure • Determine a safe approach 8

First Five Minutes FIREFIGHTER'S ROLE • Building size-up • Escape options/Monitor change • Monitor fire conditions • Occupant survival profile • Possible occupant survival profile • Individual risk assessment 9

First Five Minutes FIREFIGHTER'S ROLE • Know you CO expectations • Follow orders • Do Not risk your life for • Un-savable life or property • Extend LIMITED risk to • Protect SAVABLE Property 10

First Five Minutes FIREFIGHTER'S ROLE • When saving a building limit your risk exposure to • reasonable, cautious and conservative level • Be VIGILANT, MEASURE risk to • Protect & Rescue SAVABLE Property 11

First Five Minutes FIREFIGHTER'S ROLE Firefighters should manage search and rescue and supporting firefighting operations in a calculated, controlled and safe manner. Remain alert to changing conditions, especially during high-risk primary search and rescue operations where lives can be saved. 12

FIRST FIVE MINUTES POSITION ROLES

First Five Minutes POSITION ROLE • Adequate water supply • Catch a hydrant • Adequate water supply • Establish water supply ops • Water is critical • Establishing this component is a priority 14

First Five Minutes POSITION ROLE • Getting rapid water on the fire • Increases everyone’s safety • Fire stream selection and hose • Part of your initial plan • Stream selection and operation • Part of size-up per departments rules 15

First Five Minutes POSITION ROLE When directed by the company officer to put water on the fire, Firefighters should initiate fire attack as soon as possible. 16

First Five Minutes POSITION ROLE • Fire stream placement • Interior or • Directed to the most effective position and location • Exterior • Flow Path • Use it to your advantage • Door control/ventilation • Important role in putting water on the fire 17

First Five Minutes POSITION ROLE • Police the kinks • Everybody’s job • Effective communication • Stay clear for emergency traffic • Maintain awareness • Of all fireground radio communications 18

First Five Minutes POSITION ROLE Speak up as soon as you see issues that could affect safety or the Incident Action Plan. Firefighters must pass on anything they see on the fireground so that the incident commander is getting the information they need. All interior crews must be kept informed of changing fire conditions observed from the exterior by the incident commander or other command officers. 19

FIRST FIVE MINUTES CHIEF’S ROLE IN SUPPORTING THE FIREFIGHTERS

First Five Minutes CHIEF’S ROLE ON THE EFFECTS OF STREAM SELECTION GIVE OFFICERS LATITUDE TO MAKE GOOD DECISIONS • Establish a training program to • Educate firefighters • Establish a training program to • Educate line-officers • Establish a training program to • Educate members on current science 21

First Five Minutes For more information refer to this research Analysis of Changing Residential Fire Dynamics and its Implications on Firefighter Operational Timeframes www. fstaresearch. org/resource/? Fstar. Id=11513 www. safetystanddown. 22

FIRST FIVE MINUTES ON SCENE FIREFIGHTER

First Five Minutes FIREFIGHTER ON SCENE-TAKE ACTION • Firefighters are the working arm of the fire service. Their ability to perform tactical functions can mean the difference in a smooth operation and one filled with mistakes that could endanger others. 24

First Five Minutes FIREFIGHTER ON SCENE-TAKE ACTION • But they are not just a “robot” • They are another set of eyes for the company officer and IC • Therefore they must understand • More than task level firefighting • Comprehension of strategy and tactics • Allows the firefighter to recognize the relationship between their duties and the “big” picture 25

First Five Minutes EN-ROUTE • Not wearing seatbelts • A factor in firefighter deaths • Who has responsibility • Speed when En-route • A factor in firefighter deaths • Who has responsibility • Road conditions • A factor in firefighter deaths • Who has responsibility 26

First Five Minutes EN-ROUTE Is radio traffic giving you information that could help? • What the battlefield looks like • What line to pull • What tool to take 27

First Five Minutes EN-ROUTE PPE allows current firefighters abilities and access their predecessors did not have. While true, there are limitations to PPE. Do you understand those limitations? How does not wearing full PPE effect your future and that of your family’s? 28

First Five Minutes ON LOCATION • Apparatus placement • Affects efficiency of the operation • Are there water issues • Poor water pressure, no tanker taskforce • Accountability goes further than a tag 29

First Five Minutes ON LOCATION • Building construction • How will it effect your task • Do you have escape points • Can they be blocked • If so pass along that information • Smoke • Fire • Flow Path • What is it telling you • Where is it going • Understanding the research • Effect of wind 30

First Five Minutes INSIDE • What are the Negative Effects of Tunnel Vision • Are there positive ones • How will maintaining Situational Awareness influence your ability to perform your work • Keeps you from seeing the big picture and potential issues • Thoughts • Allows you to complete your task while maintaining safety 31

First Five Minutes INSIDE • You are an extension of your CO and IC • Communicate pertinent information • What conditions should you look for • Safety hazards, changing environments • What might impede the IAP • Changing conditions or improper tactics 32

First Five Minutes INSIDE • How important is fireground speed & efficiency • Can Speed become a liability • Do you understand how to call a May. Day • Do you know what to do if you are told to evacuate the building • What do you do if one is called • Try to have two points of egress from any position 33

FIRST FIVE MINUTES ON SCENE COMPANY OFFICER

ON SCENE COMPANY OFFICER AS A COMPANY OFFICER, YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ENSURING THE SAFETY OF YOUR FIREFIGHTERS AS WELL THE EFFICIENT AND EFFECTIVE COMPLETION OF FIREFIGHTING TACTICS. THIS ROLE IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT ON THE FIREGROUND. AS SUCH, YOUR ACTIONS CAN SEVERELY AFFECT AN INCIDENT’S OUTCOME.

First Five Minutes COMPANY OFFICER EN ROUTE • Expeditiously is important • Arriving safely is more important • Do firefighters understand • You expect both, but will not tolerate unsafe actions • Do you set a good example • By always wearing your seatbelt 36

First Five Minutes COMPANY OFFICER EN ROUTE • Do you know your district • Do you know available water supply • Know what resources are responding • Take a side trip when returning from an EMS call • Hydrant out of service, dry hydrant maintenance • Will you be working with mutual aid 37

First Five Minutes COMPANY OFFICER ON LOCATION HOW WILL YOU CONDUCT YOUR INITIAL AND ONGOING SIZE-UP DOES YOUR DEPARTMENT USE – IMMEDIATE ON-SCENE ‘DASHBOARD’ REPORTS • Then what is your next step to ensure you completely understand the situation • 360° appraisal • Survival profile • Risk assessment 38

First Five Minutes COMPANY OFFICER ON LOCATION WILL YOU BE ESTABLISHING, ASSUMING, OR REPORTING TO COMMAND • Do you have a procedure for transferring command DO YOU KNOW WHO YOUR SUPERVISOR IS AND THEIR EXPECTATIONS FOR YOUR CREW ON THIS INCIDENT ARE No details lost Announce to all on scene and responding Accountability 39

First Five Minutes 40 COMPANY OFFICER ON LOCATION • Is your crew ready • Proper PPE • Is your crew ready • Able to perform the task • Is your crew ready • With the right tools • Is your crew ready • With the right size hose line • Is your crew ready • With the correct ladder • Is your crew ready • What to do if a May. Day is called • Is your crew ready • If they need to evacuate the building

First Five Minutes COMPANY OFFICER INSIDE A company officer’s primary responsibility is accountability of their crew. Accountability means keeping track of their location and safety but it also means ensuring the expectations of your supervisor are completed effectively and efficiently in as rapid a manner as the situation allows 41

First Five Minutes COMPANY OFFICER INSIDE ü Do you use thermal imaging ü Do you have an air management system to aid in accountability ü What factors can harm you crew q Current or future ü How often do you do Par checks ü Do conditions match you initial sizeup ü How often do you give progress reports ü Radio traffic can give hints on progress ü Always think about crew integrity ü Are tactical concerns being met q Primary search or hose placement 42

First Five Minutes COMPANY OFFICER INSIDE In the event of an emergency, where is the nearest exit for your crew? Are ladders or other necessary resources available to a rapid egress of the area? If actions to escape a dangerous situation are not possible, a Mayday needs to be declared as early as possible. 43

FIRST FIVE MINUTES ON SCENE INCIDENT COMMANDER

First Five Minutes ON SCENE INCIDENT COMMANDER TAKE ACTION The incident commander (IC) is responsible for ensuring the strategic goals of an incident are completed in a safe, effective and efficient manner. Because this involves looking at “the big picture” and accounting for all aspects of the emergency. 45

First Five Minutes ON SCENE INCIDENT COMMANDER EN ROUTE RESOURCES THE “BATTLEGROUND” ü What resources are responding ü What issues is the “battleground going to present ü Are resources adequate for the situation ü Can you picture the building ü Are mutual aid resources trained to work seamlessly with in your operation q Is it an abnormally hazardous location q What is the occupancy q Water supply q Access issues ü What will affect operations ü Should resources Stage 46

First Five Minutes ON SCENE INCIDENT COMMANDER EN ROUTE RADIO TRAFFIC ü What does the on scene radio traffic tell you q Sound out of the ordinary q Does the voice of the normally calm officer give reason for concern UNUSUAL FACTORS ü Weather q Wind q Cold q Heat ü Are you getting the information you need ü Hazardous materials ü Does the radio traffic give a good description of the battleground ü Terrorism ü Arson 47

First Five Minutes ON SCENE INCIDENT COMMANDER SIZE-UP • Does initial size-up • Match what you thought the situation would be • Do initial units • Completely understand the situation • Have survival profile and risk management changed since the first units arrived • Do tactics need to be adjusted 48

First Five Minutes ON SCENE INCIDENT COMMANDER SIZE-UP üWhat is the smoke telling you üTime to stabilize the incident üWhere is the fire going üAre mechanisms in place to control the incident üAre exposures a concern üWhat indicators inside should be of concern üHas the fire grown since initial size-up üFlow path. Wind, Timer started 49

First Five Minutes ON SCENE INCIDENT COMMANDER COMMAND ARE YOU ESTABLISHING COMMAND POST LOCATION v Assuming Command v. Does it interfere with operations v Allow unity of Command v. Does your crew know the location v Manageable span of control v Accountability in place v. Will outside influences affect your ability to perform v Safety Officer 50

First Five Minutes ON SCENE INCIDENT COMMANDER COMMAND ü Will there be an extended Incident Action Plan? ü Is it flexible enough to allow for easy change should the initial plan be ineffective? Will there be a need for unusual documentation of the event? ü Do higher-level supervisors need to be notified of this event? ü Will you need to set up a media location? 51

First Five Minutes ON SCENE INCIDENT COMMANDER OTHER CONSIDERATIONS OUTSIDE RESOURCES CONSIDERATIONS • Utility companies • Egress points • Red Cross • Ladders in place • Law Enforcement • RIT • Specialty Teams • Are “can” (benchmark) reports adequate 52

AFTER THE INCIDENT ALL POSITIONS

First Five Minutes AFTER THE INCIDENT TAKE ACTION Ø Our first priority after an incident must be to prepare for the next one. Ø This involves making sure you, your crew and your equipment are healthy and ready for the next response. Ø This document points out ways a firefighter, a company officer, an incident command-level officer and a fire chief can ensure success for the next response. 54

First Five Minutes AFTER THE INCIDENT FOR THE FIREFIGHTER Did you shower Hydrate / Refuel Check condition of PPE / Wash it Check equipment ü Where you trained to do the tasks ü Where there areas you felt you could have know more about ü Did your supervisor perform in a manner that you didn’t understand Were there issues Did your equipment work effectively 55

First Five Minutes AFTER THE INCIDENT COMPANY OFFICER ROLE Do you understand that the firefighter list is applicable to you Did your crew meet or exceed your expectations Excellent performance Need training Do you empower your firefighters to accomplish objectives at the incident How did your company perform As a crew As an individual Do you allow for the team to give constructive feedback Is your crew physically and mentally fit for further duty 56

First Five Minutes AFTER THE INCIDENT FOR INCIDENT COMMAND-LEVEL OFFICERS Were all of your firefighters returned to service and able to respond to the next incident Were there equipment issues that need your attention Were the strategic goals of the incident met? Did your crew meet or exceed your expectations Did department’s SOGs help or hinder operations Is there information that needs to be passed along to your supervisors 57

First Five Minutes AFTER THE INCIDENT THE CHIEF’S ROLE IN SUPPORTING FIREFIGHTER Do your mid-level supervisors know that you want to be kept informed of large or serious incidents Do you dismiss their attempts to do so Do you empower everyone from your firefighters to your leadership to ensure this mantra is maintained Can you use this incident to promote fire safety, better equipment, more staffing or other departments needs with your political entities? Is your department one that promotes a high level of performance while enforcing a strong safety culture? Do your firefighters and leadership have everything they need to be safe and successful on the next incident? 58

First Five Minutes AFTER THE INCIDENT THE CHIEF’S ROLE IN SUPPORTING FIREFIGHTER Do you need to make changes to your training, SOPs, interagency agreements, goal or strategic plans? 59