Officers Training Officers Strategy Tactics Battalion Chiefs Paul

Student Performance Objectives Today’s presentation will provide the attendee with an introduction to several concepts that should enhance emergency scene performance on the fireground. © 2004 Montgomery County Fire Rescue Training Academy OTOP

Overview • • • Command Sequence Strategy Tactics Tasks Reading Smoke Handling the MAYDAY

MCFRS Philosophy We will risk a life to save a life; we will use considerable caution to protect savable property; we will not risk a life to save what is already lost. © 2004 Montgomery County Fire Rescue Training Academy OTOP

Command Sequence Step by step decision making process of incident management • Performing size – up – (The Thinking Phase) • Determining strategy & selecting tactics – (The Planning Phase) • Implementing the action plan – (The Action Phase) © 2004 Montgomery County Fire Rescue Training Academy OTOP

Strategy Loosely defined as “what has to be done to solve the problem” »

Three Modes Offensive Defensive Transitional © 2004 Montgomery County Fire Rescue Training Academy OTOP

Offensive – coordinated, aggressive interior attack • Adequate resources • Predict benefits worth risks

Defensive – fight the fire with minimum risk • Risk too great for benefit • Insufficient resources • Maximize safety • Stay out of collapse zone • No entry made • Contain fire in area of present involvement • Protect exposures • Loss of building probable • Master stream operation © 2004 Montgomery County Fire Rescue Training Academy OTOP

Transitional - switching from one operational mode to the other Defensive to Offensive – No entry made until additional resources arrive – Begin interior attack Offensive to Defensive – Confine fire until rescue can be completed – Protect exposures © 2004 Montgomery County Fire Rescue Training Academy OTOP Photo by Ed Ruping

National Fire Academy Incident Priorities PRIORITY BENCHMARK Life Safety All Clear Incident Stabilization Under Control Property Conservation Loss Stopped © 2004 Montgomery County Fire Rescue Training Academy OTOP

Lloyd Layman’s Strategies Photo by Carlos Alfaro R-E-C-E-O -VSRescue Exposures Confinement Extinguishment Overhaul Ventilation-Salvage

Tactics The execution of the Strategic Plan Tactics deals specifically with selecting, placing, and operating: PERSONNEL, HOSELINES, LADDERS TOOLS & EQUIPMENT © 2004 Montgomery County Fire Rescue Training Academy OTOP

Engine Company Tactics • NOZZLE SELECTION • HANDLINE PLACEMENT • TACTICAL HOSE MANAGEMENT Photo

Principal role of the engine company is to: • • • Locate, Confine, and

Select the appropriate nozzle and handline based on: Required fire flow (L x W/3)

Handline Selection • 1 3/4” minimum for interior fire attack. • Rules of thumb: – Up to three rooms involved, 1 3/4”. – Three or more rooms involved, 2” or larger. – Commercial occupancy - 2” or larger. – High rise, 1 3/4” w/solid stream or 2” +. © 2004 Montgomery County Fire Rescue Training Academy OTOP

Handline Placement Handlines are placed to accomplish one of three goals: Protect occupants Protect means of egress Attack and extinguish fire, including extension © 2004 Montgomery County Fire Rescue Training Academy OTOP

3 -Line Concept • 1 st line – Attack • 2 nd line –

Tactical Hose Management • Fully stretch drag loads before flaking shoulder loads. • Un-needed hose should not be stretched into a building. • Additional hose should be flaked outside of the entrance. © 2004 Montgomery County Fire Rescue Training Academy OTOP

• Support personnel (EMS crews, truck company/rescue squad personnel) should assist with hose stretch. • Add one additional length for each flight of stairs. Ensure hose wraps around banister and doesn’t get wedged in a narrow well. © 2004 Montgomery County Fire Rescue Training Academy OTOP

• For open well stairs, keep line in well. Secure line to rail when attack advance begins. Open well stretch requires only one length for every five stories of height. • Apply the rule of thumb to determine how much hose should be stretched into occupancy. © 2004 Montgomery County Fire Rescue Training Academy OTOP

Rule of Thumb Length + Width of Building + one length for each floor above or below grade Fire on the 1 st Floor 1 5 0’ EXAMPLE 50’ 150 + 50 = 200’ © 2004 Montgomery County Fire Rescue Training Academy OTOP

Special Service Tactics Photo by Carlos Alfaro • • Ladders Overhaul Ventilation Entry Rescue

Ladders & Ventilation “Prepare” the building for entry by engine company and search teams.

Ladder Selection & Placement Quick Select Method Choose the ladder that has the same first digit as the floor you are trying to reach. (Example: Need to reach a 2 nd story window, choose a 24 or 28’ ladder. Need to reach the roof of a 3 story building, choose a 35’ ladder. ) © 2004 Montgomery County Fire Rescue Training Academy OTOP Photo by Carlos Alfaro

Ventilation Vent for two reasons: fire life (Battalion Chief John Norman, FDNY) © 2004

Venting for life begins as soon as a life hazard is realized. May intensify the fire. Venting for fire is delayed until attack teams and resources are in place. © 2004 Montgomery County Fire Rescue Training Academy OTOP

Search Photo by Carlos Alfaro Move rapidly Close interior doors Stay in contact with walls Search with a partner Use tools and lights • Search without a hoseline ONLY when there is reasonable certainty that a victim is inside and conditions suggest survivability is likely. © 2004 Montgomery County Fire Rescue Training Academy OTOP

Do not compromise the protective “membrane” of the compartment that surrounds you while you

Requires a commitment of resources to areas most likely to contain victims. a. bedrooms b. interior travel routes (hallways & stairs) c. outside the structure © 2004 Montgomery County Fire Rescue Training Academy OTOP

Narrowing the Search • Where were victims were last seen? • Cries for help heard? • Is the structure occupied or not? Photo by Morningside VFD © 2004 Montgomery County Fire Rescue Training Academy OTOP

Vent-Enter-Search (VES) Advantage - search personnel enter structure from safe atmosphere (outside), search small areas (sometimes single rooms), then exit. Disadvantage - often conducted ahead of hoseline on “fire” side of structure. If PPV goes in service, entry point can become exhaust port for PPV. © 2004 Montgomery County Fire Rescue Training Academy OTOP

Must be coordinated with Incident Commander. VES should only be used when probability of

Tasks Labor intensive activities that work to satisfy either: Layman’s “RECEO(SV)” or NFA’s “LIPs”

Specific activities that firefighters engage in to satisfy tactics © 2004 Montgomery County Fire

• • • Advancing handlines Throwing ladders Operating nozzles Operating pumps Using tools

Reading Smoke TEMPE, ARIZONA PROGRAM © 2004 Montgomery County Fire Rescue Training Academy OTOP

Handling the MAYDAY! Standardized Survival Actions of a Lost/Disoriented Firefighter © 2004 Montgomery County

1. STAY CALM! Conserve your air supply. 2. Stay with your partner (or crew). 3. Initiate a “MAYDAY” • • U – Unit C – Conditions A – Actions N – Needs © 2004 Montgomery County Fire Rescue Training Academy OTOP

4. Activate PASS 5. Monitor radio/Update • • Turn off PASS to communicate! Reactivate PASS after! 6. Use flashlight to signal 7. Use tools or debris to alert rescuers © 2004 Montgomery County Fire Rescue Training Academy OTOP

8. Attempt to locate an exit/area of refuge • • • Move toward visible light Listen for audible sounds Search walls for windows/doors Search for a hoseline (read couplings) Attempt to locate a lifeline © 2004 Montgomery County Fire Rescue Training Academy OTOP

9. Go down steps unless in a basement or sub-floor. 10. Assume defensive posture • • Lie on your right side Protect facepiece with gloved hands © 2004 Montgomery County Fire Rescue Training Academy OTOP

Handling the MAYDAY! Standardized Actions of a Rapid Intervention Company in Locating and Removing

Pre-plan structure and fire conditions upon arrival – Prolonged burn time/heavy fire conditions – Smoke/water showing through walls – Inadequate ventilation (potential for rapid fire development) – Sagging floors, bulging walls, localized interior collapse – 2 or more floors involved – Unprotected steel © 2004 Montgomery County Fire Rescue Training Academy OTOP

Fireground Preparations 1. Proactive ladders 2. *Four-side scene lighting/Entry point lighting 3. Back-up/Safety Lines 4. Proactive security bar removal © 2004 Montgomery County Fire Rescue Training Academy OTOP

Response to the MAYDAY 1. Monitor Radio communications 2. RIC is not rapid (Phoenix/Seattle trials) 3. Consider personal limitations • • “Smurfs” rescuing “Gullivers” Don’t become a victim yourself! © 2004 Montgomery County Fire Rescue Training Academy OTOP

4. Personnel Discipline • • • Those closest may assist Those not closest need to get out of the way! Fire Attack must continue 5. Look for signals • • Activated PASS Alarm flashlight beams banging on walls and floors dropped helmet © 2004 Montgomery County Fire Rescue Training Academy OTOP

6. *Check exterior walls and corners* 7. RIC Team Concept • “AWARE” • •

Three or more teams • RIC #1 – Recon & Search • Locate downed/lost member • Establish traceable means of access to victim • Determine additional needs • RIC #2 – Stabilization/Removal • Provide equipment & personnel requested • Begin extrication process © 2004 Montgomery County Fire Rescue Training Academy OTOP

• RIC #3 – Support Team – Provide external support – Provide personnel

The successful rescue of a downed firefighter is dependent upon a well-defined rescue action plan that is continually updated. Photo by Ed Ruping © 2004 Montgomery County Fire Rescue Training Academy OTOP

Wrap Up • • Be Vigilant, Stay Focused (BVSF). Think before you act. Use all of your resources (CRM). Don’t Wreck enroute! You are no help if you are not there! • Seek out other S&T opportunities. • Conduct a “hotwash” after each incident. © 2004 Montgomery County Fire Rescue Training Academy OTOP

• Think Strategically, • Act Tactically This program was developed by the Montgomery County Fire/Rescue Training Academy © 2004 No part may be used or copied without the expressed written consent of the Training Officer. © 2004 Montgomery County Fire Rescue Training Academy OTOP