The aim of these training packages
is to promote the understanding of
BA entry control and the identified
roles and responsibilities of
personnel involved with the
application of BA as a control
measure.
Personnel will be able to state the criteria for:
1. Pre-planning
2. Incident Command and DRA
3. Rapid/Initial Deployment
4. Stage 1 Entry Control
5. Stage 2 Entry Control
6. BA Sector Control
7. Emergency Arrangements
Note
The highest level of control in use at an incident MUST be
applied to the whole incident!
Breathing Apparatus (BA) is a particular type of respiratory
protection device, which prevents the wearer from breathing
in harmful substances hazardous to health and oxygendeficient atmospheres.
Its use should be considered when other control measures
are either not possible or insufficient on their own.
Following a suitable and sufficient risk assessment that
identifies the requirement for BA to be applied as a control
measure, the Incident Commander must identify and
implement the appropriate level of BA control to ensure safe
systems of work, which should always be communicated to
all relevant personnel.
Prior to any BA Deployment a Supervisory Manager must
nominate and ensure the following tasks are undertaken:
Nomination of Roles



Competent individuals to wear BA
Competent individual(s) for the duties of an Entry Control
Operative.
During a duty period make such changes as are necessary in
the nomination of BA wearers and Entry Control Operative.
Tests and Maintenance



Ensure that the appropriate tests of BA and associated
equipment are carried out, and that the test records are
accurately maintained.
Ensure that defective equipment is removed; reported as
defective; and that replacement equipment is obtained as soon
as possible.
Ensure that BA sets and associated equipment are maintained
in a clean, safe and serviceable condition and are available for
operational use.
When nominated by a Supervisory Officer a BA Wearer is
responsible for:
 Carrying out a general check of the BA set and ancillary
BA equipment.
 As soon as practicable after completing the appropriate
test, record and sign for the result of the test.
(This must include the cylinder contents and details of any personal
issue facemask used as part of the test).
 In exceptional circumstances (where they are unable to
record the completed test results), verbally confirm with
their supervisory manager that the BA has been checked
and is working satisfactorily.
 Report to the supervisory manager any defects or
omissions.
When nominated by a Supervisory Officer a BA Entry
Control Operative is responsible for the following:
 Examine the entry control board or telemetry entry control
board/unit.
 Ensure that the control board/unit is reading the correct
time.
 Ensure correct functionality is demonstrated by means of
administering the appropriate test procedure, including
testing any audible or visual signals, where fitted.
 Examine and ensure the presence of the following BA
entry control ancillary equipment:
o BA tabard/s
o Evacuation whistle
o Waterproof marker
o Supplementary Information/briefing
Where used, ensure the availability of :






BA guidelines.
BA guideline tallies.
Cable cutters (where stowed with the ECO equipment).
Thermal imaging camera.
Telemetry repeaters/leaky feeder equipment.
Emergency Air Supply Equipment (EASE).
Check and where practicable adjust the entry control board
or telemetry entry control board/unit.
Report to the supervisory manager any defects or omissions.
Following a suitable and sufficient risk assessment
that identifies the requirement for BA to be applied
as a control measure.
The Incident Commander must identify and
implement the appropriate level of BA control to
ensure safe systems of work, which should always
be communicated to all relevant personnel.
Prior to committing BA wearers IC’s have a duty to
carry out a suitable dynamic risk assessment
The information which should be sought is:
 Location of fire? cause of fire? what is burning?
 Involvement of persons, how many? Where?
Last seen?
 Significant Hazards including utilities.
 Building construction hazards.
Control measures include:
 Covering jet.
 Means of self protection/extinguishment.
 Safety Brief.
ABLeR CREW mnemonic
This mnemonic can be used to assist Incident Commanders and
other roles involved within the use of BA, to identify the various
tasks which, help to ensure that effective BA supervision is in place.








Assessment and decision for the use of BA.
Briefing and Debriefing.
Level of Entry Control.
Resourcing
Communication
Recording and Logging BA briefs and debriefs.
Emergency Responsibilities.
Welfare
ABLeR CREW Tasks Defined
A
Assessment
and decision
for use of BA
 Decision to initiate BA as a control measure
following a suitable and sufficient risk
assessment.
 Determining, procedures and level of BA
command and control.
B
Briefing and
debriefing
 Provide a clear and concise brief detailing the
specific task to be achieved.
 Ensure BA wearers have confirmed
understanding prior to deployment
 Brief should include details of emergency
procedures to be adopted.
L
e
Level of Entry
Control
During Rapid/Initial Deployment there will not be a
dedicated ECO. The IC must ensure:
 Monitoring of the Entry Control Board.
 A greater degree of control is implemented as
soon as practicable.
R
Resourcing
 Suitable and sufficient to appoint a dedicated
BA Entry Control Operative as soon as
practicable.
ABLeR CREW Tasks Defined (continued)
C
Communication  Ensure radio communications are established
and maintained between IC and BA team.
R
Recording and
Logging
Information
 Ensure the process of recording and logging all
relevant BA command and control information is
implemented and maintained
E
Emergency
Arrangements
 Implement BA emergency procedures.
 Declare a BA Emergency through Fire Control
W
Welfare
 Consider welfare requirements
Note
The level of responsibility for each tasks under ABLeR CREW will
increase or decrease for each BA role depending of the level of
entry control be applied.
Entry Control Criteria
Incident/Structure
Small limited, not complex.
Entry Control
 Limited resources available to provide a dedicated BA
Entry Control Operative
BA Wearers
 No more than 2 BA wearers in the risk area.
Activities
 Immediate risk to life.
 Prevention of significant escalation of an incident.
Note
During Rapid/Initial Deployment there will not be a dedicated Entry
Control Operative therefore the IC must provide a greater level of
Entry Control supervision.
Resources
Roles
 Incident Commander
(L1 Supervisory Manager or above)
 BA Wearers
Equipment
 Suitable and sufficient to implement BA Entry Control
Procedures.
 Communications equipment.
Tasks and Responsibilities
Incident Commander - (L1 Supervisory Manager or above)
Task
Responsibility
A
Assessment and decision for use of BA
IC
B
Briefing and debriefing
IC and BA wearers
Le
Level of Entry Control
IC and BA wearers
R
Resourcing
IC
C
Communications
IC
R
Recording and Logging Information
IC and BA wearers
E
Emergency Arrangements
IC
W
Welfare
IC
Tasks in addition to ABLeR CREW
Incident Commander
 During Rapid/Initial Deployment there will not be a dedicated Entry
Control Operative therefore the IC must provide a greater level of Entry
Control supervision.
Resources Permitting
 Provide a dedicated BA Entry Control Operative which will take the level
of entry control to Stage I
BA Wearers
 Wearers must ensure that suitably and
sufficiently completed tallies are entered into
a BA control board.
 An attempt to establish a telemetry link must
be made prior to entry whenever telemetry
enabled equipment is used for deployment.
Wearers
Name
Cylinder
Pressure
Time
In
Entry Control Diagram
A greater level of supervision is required by the
IC during this level of entry control.
BA Teams
BA Entry Control Operative
(Not dedicated to the role)
L1 Incident
Commander
Under this level of entry control the Entry Control Operative
may undertake other critical tasks like pump operation.
Entry Control Criteria
Incident/Structure
Small limited, not complex.
Entry Control
 Not more than one entry control point.
BA Wearers
 No more than 3 BA teams in the risk area at any
one time.
 No more than 6 BA wearers in the risk area at
any one time.
Activities
 The use of BA is not likely to be protracted.
 BA Guidelines will not be required.
Resources
Roles
 Incident Commander
(L1 Supervisory Manager or above)
 Entry Control Point Operative
(Competent BA wearer Firefighter or above)
 BA Wearers
Equipment
 Entry Control Board and ancillaries suitable and sufficient
to implement BA Entry Control Procedures.
 Communications equipment
Tasks and Responsibilities
Incident Commander - (L1 Supervisory Manager or above)
Task
Responsibility
A
Assessment and decision for use of BA
IC
B
Briefing and debriefing
IC, BA wearers and ECO
Le
Level of Entry Control
IC and ECO
R
Resourcing
IC
C
Communications
IC, BA wearers and ECO
R
Recording and Logging Information
IC
E
Emergency Arrangements
IC and ECO
W
Welfare
IC
Tasks in addition to ABLeR CREW
Incident Commander
Resources Permitting
 Consider starting a BA Team Briefing Log to record information
 Consider providing Emergency Team/s
 Consider appointing a Communications Operative
Entry Control Operative (ECO)
 An ECO must take into account any elapsed time since entry of BA
wearers who entered the risk area under the use of an automated BA
entry control board or initial deployment.
Interoperability
 At incidents involving other services/agencies be alert to potential
monitoring issues (radio communications) prior to BA wearers entry into
the risk area
Entry Control Diagram
BA Teams
BA Entry Control
Operative
(Dedicated to the role)
L1 Incident
Commander
Under this level of entry control the Entry Control Operative will
only undertake duties applicable to the role.
Entry Control Criteria
Incident/Structure
Larger and/or more complex.
Entry Control
 To be operated by a Supervisory Manager or a FF under
direct supervision of a Supervisory Manager.
 More than one entry control point.
BA Wearers
 More than 3 BA teams in the risk area at any one time.
 More than 6 BA wearers in the risk area at any one time.
Activities
 The use of BA is likely to be protracted.
 BA Guidelines may be used.
 Stage II demands a higher level of emergency provision
including BA emergency teams.
Resources
Roles
 Incident Commander
(Supervisory Manager with ICS level appropriate to the needs of
the incident)
 Entry Control Point Operative
(Supervisory Manager or a FF under direct supervision of a
Supervisory Manager both competent BA wearers).
 BA Wearers
 BA Emergency Team/s
Equipment
 Entry Control Board and ancillaries suitable and sufficient
to implement BA Entry Control Procedures.
 Communications equipment
 Emergency Provisions.
Tasks and Responsibilities
Incident Commander - (L1 Supervisory Manager or above)
Task
Responsibility
A
Assessment and decision for use of BA
IC
B
Briefing and debriefing
IC, BA wearers and ECO
Le
Level of Entry Control
IC and ECO
R
Resourcing
IC
C
Communications
IC, BA wearers and ECO
R
Recording and Logging Information
IC
E
Emergency Arrangements
ECO, IC and ECPS where used
W
Welfare
IC
Tasks in addition to ABLeR CREW
Incident Commander
Resources Permitting
 BA Sector Commander
 Consider appointing a Entry Control Point Supervisor (ECPS).
 Consider appointing a Communications Operative.
 BA Relief teams
 Resourcing Officer
Entry Control Operative (ECO)
 An ECO must take into account any elapsed time since entry of BA
wearers who entered the risk area under the use of an automated BA
entry control board or initial deployment.
 Work in conjunction with command support and/or ECPS, BA Sector if in
place.
Interoperability
At incidents involving other services/agencies be alert to potential
monitoring issues (radio communications) prior to BA wearers entry into the
risk area
Entry Control Diagram
For the purposes of continuity, a
firefighter operating a BA entry
control point under Stage I may also
go on to operate the BA board at
Stage II, under the direct supervision
of supervisory manger.
BA Emergency Team
BA Teams
BA Entry
Control Operator
BA Entry Control Point
Supervisor (ECPS)
Sector
Commander
Incident
Commander
(Supervisory Manager)
BA Communications
Operative
Command
Support
Entry Control Criteria
Incident/Structure
Larger and/or more complex.
Entry Control
 More than one Stage II entry control point
 To be operated by a Supervisory Manager or a FF under
direct supervision of a Supervisory Manager.
BA Wearers
 Large numbers of BA wearers
Activities




The use of BA is likely to be protracted.
Requires a significant level of logistics
High level of different briefings required
Resource requirements
Resources
Roles
 Incident Commander
(Supervisory Manager with ICS level appropriate to the needs of
the incident)

BA Sector Commander (BASC)
(Supervisory Manager with ICS level appropriate to the needs of
the incident)

Entry Control Point Operative
(Supervisory Manager or a FF under direct supervision of a
Supervisory Manager both competent BA wearers).


BA Wearers
BA Emergency Team/s
Equipment
 Entry Control Board and ancillaries suitable and sufficient to
implement BA Entry Control Procedures.
 Communications equipment
Tasks and Responsibilities
Incident Commander - (Supervisory Manager with appropriate
Task
ICS level )
Responsibility
A
Assessment and decision for use of BA
IC
B
Briefing and debriefing
BASC, ECPS and ECO
Le
Level of Entry Control
IC, BASC and ECO
R
Resourcing
IC, BASC and ECPS
C
Communications
IC, BASC, ECPS and ECO
R
Recording and Logging Information
IC, BASC, ECPS, and ECO
E
Emergency Arrangements
ECO, ECPS and BASC
W
Welfare
IC, BASC, ECPS and Welfare
Officer
Tasks in addition to ABLeR CREW
Incident Commander
Consider the logistical requirements
BA Sector Commander
Resources Permitting
 Consider appointing a Entry Control Point Supervisor (ECPS).
 Consider appointing a Communications Operative.
 BA Relief teams
 Resourcing Officer
Entry Control Operative (ECO)
Work in conjunction with BA Sector and/or ECPS, Resourcing Officer if in
place.
Interoperability
At incidents involving other services/agencies be alert to potential
monitoring issues (radio communications) prior to BA wearers entry into the
risk area
Entry Control Diagram
Sector 3
Sector 2
Sector 4
ECO
ECO
BA Emergency
Team
BA Emergency
Team
Coms
Operative
Coms
Operative
Resourcing
Officer
ECPS
ECPS
Sector
Commander
Sector
Commander
Sector 1
BA Sector
Commander
Incident
Commander
Command
Support
Incident Type
Any operational incident where Breathing Apparatus has
been deployed
Level of Entry Control
 Rapid deployment and Stage I entry control
Provision of emergency arrangements appropriate to risk
 Stage 2 Entry Control
Minimum Provision of one BA emergency team at each
entry control point.
BA Wearers
The size of the emergency team must be at least equal to
that of the largest BA team deployed from that entry control
point
Resources
Roles

Incident Commander
(Supervisory Manager with ICS level appropriate to the needs of the incident)

Sector Commander
(Supervisory Manager with ICS level appropriate to the needs of the incident)

Entry Control Point Supervisor
(Supervisory Manager with ICS level appropriate to the needs of the incident)
 Entry Control Point Operative
(Competent BA wearer qualified to appropriate level of entry control)
 BA Wearers
 Fire Control
Responsible for:
• One further fire appliance
• Request the attendance of the Ambulance Service
Resources
Equipment
 Main jet
 First aid equipment.
 EASE
 BA equipment (Including additional BA entry control
board where BA emergency teams are required)
 Any other equipment that is appropriate to risk and the
IC has deemed necessary.
 Entry Control Board and ancillaries suitable and
sufficient to implement BA Entry Control Procedures.
 Communications equipment.
Tasks and Responsibilities
Incident Commander - (Supervisory Manager with appropriate ICS level )
Task
Responsibility
B
Briefing and debriefing
IC, ECO, SC and BA wearers
(ECPS if appointed)
R
Resourcing
IC, SC (ECPS if appointed)
C
Communications
IC, BA wearers and ECO
(Communication Operative if
appointed)
R
Recording and Logging Information
IC, ECO, SC and BA wearers
(ECPS if appointed)
E
Emergency Arrangements Equipment
IC, SC and ECO
Note
Due to the specific nature of the emergency arrangements ABLeR CREW is not
detailed in full.
Declaration of a BA Emergency
A BA emergency will be declared and emergency arrangements
instigated when the following circumstances arise or have the
potential to arise:
 Any BA wearer who fails to return to the entry control point by the
calculated time of whistle and cannot be contacted by any means to
confirm their safety.
 A DSU is heard or has been received by a telemetry device (unless
this is immediately confirmed as an accidental activation).
 Where audible or visual indicators suggest that BA wearers appear to
be in distress or imminent danger.
 Prolonged and unexplained breakdown in communications
 At the BA wearers request.
 Any other circumstances that may arise that warrant emergency
arrangements to be instigated.
Once a BA emergency has been declared the IC must be notified and
Fire control must be immediately informed. The radio message must
include the key phrase “BA emergency”.
Actions in the event of a BA Emergency
Entry Control Point Operative / Entry Control Point Supervisor
In the event of a BA Emergency, the person in charge of the entry
control point is to:
 Instigate BA emergency procedures including the deployment of
BA emergency teams.
 Contact the IC and communicate BA emergency. If the IC cannot
be contacted communicate BA emergency message to fire
control.
 Attempt to contact all BA teams to determine which team/wearer
is in distress.
 Redirect committed BA teams that are not undertaking risk
critical tasks to assist with the rescue.
 Operate any emergency telemetry communications (if present)
 Request further BA emergency teams
Actions in the event of a BA Emergency
Incident Commander
In the event of a BA Emergency, the IC is to ensure that:
 Ensure that BA emergency procedures including the
deployment of BA emergency teams have been
instigated.
 Communicate a BA emergency message to fire control.
 Direct non critical resources to support the emergency
arrangements
Actions in the event of a BA Emergency
BA Wearers in the risk area
BA teams that are already committed within the risk area
and are able to render assistance should consider the
following actions:
 Inform ECO that a DSU is audible and seek permission
to investigate.
 Determine whether current tasks are of a risk critical
nature and if left uncompleted may compromise the
safety of others.
 Carry out a gauge check
 Keep ECO informed of progress at all times.
Do not take unnecessary risks