Not Protectively Marked
Tactical Operational Guidance
Part One
Initial Attendance
Considerations
Aide Memoire and Flowchart
Part Two
Detailed Considerations to Assist
Incident Command
Significant Hazards and
Control Measures
Part Three
Incident Review
Incident Review Considerations
Part Four
Rescue from Silo or Grain Dryer
Document References
Relevant References
Technical References
Document Overview
Guidance to assist Incident Commander in dealing with incidents involving the
release of persons physically trapped in silos or grain dryers.
Ref no:
Date of issue:
Version no:
Page 1 of 26
R1.5.0
12/11/2014
1
Lead FRS:
Oxfordshire
Review date:
11/11/2017
Protective
marking:
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None
Rescue from Silo or Grain Dryer
Part One – Initial Attendance Aide Memoire
1
Initial considerations
En route



Initial crew briefing
Consider available in-cab information
Attention to safety signage information
on entering the site



Consider resource management
Start risk assessment process
Previous experience sought/shared


Establish contact with casualty
Set objectives – balance risk against
benefit
Initiate actions towards objectives
Inform others
Evaluate, feedback, review and amend
plan
On arrival





2



3




4
Gather information
DRA
Determine extent of incident and
resources required
Identify initial incident priorities
Take control of actions/rescue attempts
being carried out by others



Incident information
Establish extent and overview
Consider multiple sources of information
(360 survey/MDT/owner/occupier/
witnesses/SSRI)
Confirm:
o Oxygen-limiting
o Materials stored
o Volume of contents
o Machinery (augers, conveyors)
o Nature/reason for entrapment
o Toxic/flammable




What’s: happened – happening - likely –
necessary?
Share and gain situational awareness
with other responders
Ensure all relevant risk information is
communicated
Effectiveness of incident control
Resource information
Consider PDA/ETA/make up
Access location for aerial appliances and
specialist/technical rescue teams
Consider other agencies - in attendance
or required
Gas monitors




Identify how resources are to be
managed
Establish and maintain safe access and
egress
RVP/marshalling areas
Site plans
Risk information to inform planning
Key hazards
Key control measures
Confirm relevance of key hazards below:
 Trapped by free flowing material
 Contact with plant and machinery
 Objects falling from height
 Arduous working conditions
Confirm relevance of key control measures
below:
 Establish, maintain and review cordons
 Isolation of machinery
 Avoidance routes
 Lighting
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




5
Manual handling of casualties/equipment
Restricted working area
Working in irrespirable atmosphere
Flammable and/or explosive atmosphere
Falls from height

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













On-site liaison
BA procedures
Working at height (WAH) procedures
Specialist/technical rescue teams
Crew rotation
Tactical ventilation
Adherence to on-site warning signs
Intrinsically safe equipment
Branches set to spray
Safety jet
Avoid cutting into silos
Safety Observer(s)/Officer(s)
Manual handling techniques (TILE)
FRS welfare procedures
Aerial appliance
Gas monitoring






Is correctly resourced
Is communicated and understood
Is flexible
Is resilient e.g. ‘plan B’
Is regularly reviewed
Be prepared to brief/hand over


Avoid cutting into silos
Isolate connected plant and machinery
unless this is detrimental to the plan
Gas monitoring equipment
Establish emergency team
Use of breathing apparatus
Use intrinsically safe equipment
Planning
Common prompts
Ensure plan:
 Is based on relevant information
 Follows a logical sequence
 Is appropriately delegated
 Balances risks and benefit
 Aligns to Tactical Mode
Incident specific prompts




On site emergency rescue arrangements
USAR or technical rescue team
Use of thermal imaging camera for
casualty location
WAH procedures
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


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Aide Memoire – Flowchart












Incident info
Establish extent and
overview
Consider multiple
sources of information
(360
survey/MDT/owner/
occupier/witnesses/
SSRI)
What’s: happened –
happening - likely –
necessary?
Share and gain
situational awareness
with other responders
Ensure all relevant risk
information is
communicated
Consider
On site emergency
rescue arrangements
USAR or technical
rescue team
Use of thermal imaging
camera for casualty
location
Avoid cutting into silos
Isolate nearby plant
and machinery unless
this is detrimental to
the plan
Establish emergency
team
Use intrinsically safe
equipment
En route



On arrival
 Gather information
 DRA
 Determine extent of
incident and resources
required
 Identify initial incident
priorities
 Take control of
actions/rescue attempts
being carried out by others
 Set objectives – balance
risk against benefit
 Initiate actions towards
objectives
 Inform others
 Evaluate, feedback, review
and amend plan





















Page 4 of 26


Safety critical actions
Working at height
procedures
Correct PPE
Establish, maintain and
review cordons
Isolate power as
appropriate
BA
Appropriate level of control
delegated
Plan aligns to Tactical mode
/communicated
Emergency crews
As incident develops
Flexible /casualty welfare
Resilient e.g. ‘plan B’
Regularly reviewed
Be prepared to brief/hand
over
Crew rotation/welfare
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










Resources info
Consider PDA/ETA
Initiate a make-up
Consider other
agencies
Gas monitors
Identify how
resources are to be
managed
Establish and maintain
safe access/egress
RVP/marshalling areas
Key hazards
Trapped by free
flowing material
Contact with plant and
machinery
Objects falling from
height
Arduous working
conditions
Manual handling of
casualties/ equipment
Restricted working
area
Working in irrespirable
atmosphere
Flammable and/or
explosive atmosphere
Falls from height
Other hazards
Ground conditions
Environmental
conditions affecting
visibility leading to
Slips, trips and falls
Intimidation/violence
from members of
public/affected
person(s)
Operational imperative
(moral pressure to
act)
Electricity
Loss of signal
Biohazards
Hazmat
Rescue from Silo or Grain Dryer
Part Two – Detailed Considerations to Assist
Incident Command
1
Initial considerations
1.1
En route
a)
Initial crew briefing appropriate to the predicted risk:
b)
c)

PPE

Roles delegated/confirmed

Key safety actions

Previous experience sought/shared
Consider available in-cab information:

Of particular note is any information regarding the type of silo (e.g.
oxygen-limiting), construction, turn out information/tip sheet

MDT/consider available operational guidance/SSRI and/or plans
External prompts that may influence planning:

Attention to safety signage information on entering the site
o
d)
e)
Health and safety warning/information signs at the entrance to
the site will assist in informing the risk assessment
Consider resource management:

PDA (other resources that are en route and estimated time of arrival)

Space for specials/ambulance
Start risk assessment process:

Identify if dust/flammable gas explosion is likely to be a significant
risk
f)
Previous experience sought/shared
1.2
On arrival
a)
Initial information gathering – Upon arrival the incident commander
needs to gather sufficient information to enable initial actions to
commence, this may include considering:

What has happened

What is happening now

What is likely to happen

Who or what is at risk

Identify and address any immediate risks
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b)
Establish contact with casualty to:

Reassure

Stabilise situation, i.e. inform casualty to stay still/lower line
2
Incident information gathering
2.1
Common
a)
Detailed information gathering - As soon as possible, a more detailed
and accurate overview should be established that should take into account:

Local factors such as:
o
The weather now and predicted (FireMet).
o
The time of day.
o
The slope of ground and likely drainage routes etc.
b)
These factors will inform the planning, resources and organisational
structures needed to manage the incident.
c)
The overview should draw from as many sources of current information as
possible (360° survey/MDT/owner/occupier/witnesses/SSRI/or specialist
information sources.
d)
The IC should liaise with other responders to establish a common
overview, reconciling any differences in situational awareness and resolving
any conflicting priorities.
e)
In gathering information, the mnemonic METHANE may help to structure
the questions to be considered.

Major incident declared

Exact location

Type of incident, e.g. explosion and fire in a tall building

Hazards - present and potential

Access - routes that are safe to use

Number, type, severity of casualties

Emergency services now present and those required
2.2
Rescues
a)
Gather information to establish:

Number of person(s) trapped

Nature of entrapment

Falls from internal/external ladders

Entrapment in product

Medical entrapment
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b)
c)

Entrapment from structural collapse

Entrapment by machinery

Overcome by fumes

Duration of entrapment

Nature of injuries

Location within silo/grain dryer

Best access/egress routes
Silo/grain dryer info:

Type

Depth

Width

Age

Condition

Route

Status
Who requires rescue?

Male/female, age, name, known medical condition(s), nature of
injuries
d)
Previous rescue attempts/generic rescue plans
e)
Prioritise saveable lives/those most at risk
f)
Are there any barriers to overcome?

g)
Are specialist teams/resources required?

h)
Machinery still running
USAR/technical rescue/aerial appliance
Collapse – assess stability and predict further collapse

Contents of Silo/Grain dryer will vary and react differently
2.3
Hazardous materials and environmental protection
a)
Are Hazmats involved/likely to be involved
b)
Use Site Specific Risk Information if available
c)
Consider HMEPA/specialist advisor
d)
Can contamination of environment be prevented or minimised:

Isolate/contain/control leaks and/or spillages

Protect risks (drains, rivers etc.)
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3
Resource requirements
Resources that are available or may be required and arrangements needed to
manage them
3.1
Resources
a)
Consider the PDA and it’s ETA to understand what is:
b)

Already deployed

In attendance but not yet deployed

En route and expected to be available for deployment when
prioritising objectives

Required to meet initial and developing incident priorities and
objectives and contingencies
Consider other agencies that are:

In attendance and how they can it be used to assist with the incident
c)
FRS resources availability - appliances, personnel, specialists, equipment,
firefighting media, consumables (fuel, BA cylinders etc.)
d)
Specialists/Tactical advisors
e)
Other agencies - specialist equipment, PPE, decontamination, clean up
f)
Periodically review resource requirements to meet the needs of the plan
and adjust as necessary
3.2
Resource management
a)
Record resource deployment and availability – site plan
b)
Establish and maintain safe access and egress
c)
Consider access and space for specials
d)
Consult SSRI
e)
Mitigate impact of incident response on surrounding community
f)
RVP/marshalling, staging or holding areas/cordon control
g)
Support sectors (logistics, BA etc.)
h)
Equipment (recovery/servicing/repairs/spares/recording etc.)
i)
Reliefs/welfare arrangements
j)
Continually review resource management arrangements
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4
Risk information
Consider and review significant hazards and appropriate control measures.
The table below identifies the significant hazards and control measures identified
through pre-planning. Utilise this information where relevant and the risk
information gathered at the incident to develop risk assessments appropriate to
the dynamics of the situation.
4.1
Significant hazards
Trapped by free flowing material

The presence or ingress of
fluids/materials that can flow into
the silo/grain dryer can lead to
drowning or entrapment
Contact with plant and machinery
Machinery may be used to move
contents of silos and to transport
products through grain dryers. The
types of machinery include:

External conveyor belts and
augers (augers resemble large
corkscrews) moving material to
and from the silo

Internal augers that control
unloading the contents of the silo
agitators

Fans: some silos have integrated
grain drying units

Conveyors: especially in grain
dryers

Lifts: some larger silos may have
lifts that people can ride. These
lifts can be dangerous as
equipment or limbs that are
inadvertently outside the lift
frame could become trapped as
the lift rises/descends
Page 9 of 26
4.2
Control measures

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
BA procedures

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







Appoint Safety Officer

Do not use open framed lifts for
transport of personnel
WAH procedures
Prevent further ingress/egress of
materials
Technical rescue advice
Establish and maintain cordons
Avoidance routes
Lighting
Safety Observer
Isolation of supply by engineer
Isolation of services
Physical restraint of machinery
On site liaison regarding
controls/isolation.
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Objects falling from height

Debris or equipment from
personnel WAH
Arduous working conditions
Manual handling of casualties/
equipment

Working in a restricted space can
create a greater risk of manual
handling injuries to rescuers
Restricted working area

The access gantry and inside the
silo/grain dryer are narrow and
have limited space
Ground conditions

Uneven ground conditions around
these premises types increase the
potential for slips, trips and falls
Environmental conditions affecting
visibility leading to slips, trips and
falls

The time of day, location and/or
weather conditions can add to the
risk of poor visibility leading to
increased likelihood of injuries
arising from slips, trips and falls
Page 10 of 26




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

Establish and maintain cordons

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





Aerial appliance
Safety Observer
Lighting
Visors down
Crew rotation
FRS welfare
Correct use of manual handling
techniques: task, individual, load,
environment (TILE)
Mechanical aids
Technical rescue
Welfare procedures
Crew rotation
WAH procedures
Technical rescue advice
Establish and maintain cordons
Avoidance routes
Lighting
Establish and maintain cordons
Avoidance routes
Lighting
Intrinsically safe lighting (close to
silo/grain dryer)
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Intimidation/violence from
members of public/affected
person(s).


Anxious colleagues/members of
the public may physically confront
firefighters
The moral pressure on operational
crews (without a plan in place) to
do all they can to save life, may
lead crews to expose themselves
to a higher level risk than
appropriate
Working in irrespirable
atmospheres
The nature of materials stored in
silos/grain dryers may create an
irrespirable atmosphere e.g. toxic or
oxygen deficient.

Establish and maintain cordons

Request police assistance/
support if violent and
confrontational conditions are
identified or are likely to be
expected

Personnel should not be
influenced by the moral pressure
put upon them by onlookers or
other crew members expecting
immediate action


Establish and maintain cordons

Critical incident stress
management

Adherence to on-site warning
signs


BA procedures


Gas monitoring
Language/communication
difficulties may have an impact
Operational imperative (moral
pressure to act)




The main toxic and asphyxiate
gases, by-products of silage
processes, are nitrogen dioxide,
carbon dioxide and carbon
monoxide
Page 11 of 26
FRS violence/aggression policy
Language Line (translation
service)
Liaise with on-site Safety
Officer/responsible person
Tactical ventilation (this must be
controlled, because if carried out
incorrectly it could encourage a
dust explosion)
Liaison with responsible person
on-site
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Flammable and/or explosive
atmosphere

The atmosphere within or
surrounding silos/grain dryers
may be flammable, and pose the
risk of an explosion

Dust explosion
Electricity


Electrical power to
augers/conveyers may still be live
and pose a risk of electrocution to
casualty/rescuers.
Personnel WAH
Loss of signal

Establish and maintain cordons



Avoid cutting into silos







Safety jet









WAH procedures
Breathing apparatus procedures
Tactical ventilation (this must be
controlled, because if carried out
incorrectly it could encourage a
dust explosion)
Branches set to spray
Branches set to spray where dust
suspected
Intrinsically safe equipment
Isolation of services
Isolation of services
Establish and maintain cordons
Attendance of utilities rep
Isolation of service secured
Electricity supplies may be at
230V or 450V and also potentially
at 11,000V from transformers
Falls from height




Due to the materials used in the
construction of silo/grain dryers,
radio signal can be affected
leading to a loss of
communications between crews
Page 12 of 26
Lighting
Provision of working platforms
Aerial appliance (ALP)
Technical rescue
BA procedures
Emergency team
Evacuation procedure
Use of runners
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Biohazards

Infection from bodily fluids or
vermin waste
Hazardous materials

The nature of the materials stored
may result in exposure to
hazardous atmospheres already
described above
Page 13 of 26










Avoid contact


HMEPA advice

Consider gas monitoring
equipment



Hazardous information markings
Establish and maintain cordons
Hazmat procedures
Hygiene procedures
Welfare procedures
Decontamination procedures
Post exposure reporting
Health surveillance
Utilise SSRI
Hazmat procedures where the
presence of hazardous materials
has a bearing on the safe
resolution of the incident
including:
Seek specialist advice from
competent person on/off site
Hazmat reference materials
Decontamination procedures and
post exposure health surveillance
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5
Planning
Various levels of planning are undertaken at all incidents.
5.1
Aim, objectives and priorities
a)
Ensure the FRS aim is clear and communicated to all.
b)
The objectives or steps necessary to achieve the aim will need to be
prioritised according to the circumstances of the incident.
c)
Planned tasks or actions undertaken to achieve the prioritised objectives
might include:


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Life critical
o
Save saveable lives.
o
Rescues of those most at risk.
o
Prevent catastrophic event.
o
The IC may determine that the only options would be to affect
an immediate rescue or stabilise the casualty in situ.
Safety critical
o
BA must be worn at all incidents when entering a silo.
o
The minimum size of BA teams must be two.
o
Working at height procedures should be adopted.
o
There may be circumstances where space is so restricted that
only one rescuer can reach the casualty. Similarly there may
be circumstances where the second BA team member is
obscuring the light around the scene of operation. In such
circumstances the BA team should maintain contact in
accordance with BA procedures.
o
Silos/grain dryers can be over 30 metres high. There is a risk
of personnel or equipment falling down both the inside and
outside faces of these structures.
o
Gain information from on-site experts about the contents and
associated hazards.
o
The nature of the materials stored in silos/grain dryers may
result in hazardous atmospheres which can be toxic, oxygen
deficient, explosive and/or flammable.
o
In liaison with on-site specialist, isolate power to all machinery
linked to the silo/grain dryer and lock-off, unless detrimental to
the plan.
o
Use intrinsically safe equipment where appropriate.
o
Ensure resuscitation equipment is immediately available.
o
Appoint a Safety Officer/Observer(s).
o
Consider height of entry points/use of aerial appliance.
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o
Consider USAR, technical rescue teams and HART.
o
Ventilation is important and must be balanced with mitigating
the risk of creating a dust explosion.
o
Consider the on-site emergency rescue arrangements.

Environmental protection.

Preserve scene.

Return to normality.
o
Operations scaled down.
o
Actions to assist recovery.
5.2
Considerations when managing, monitoring or taking over
a)
When developing a plan the IC is to consider relevant incident prompts.
b)
When reviewing progress against the plan or when monitoring or taking
over an incident, the following will need to be taken into consideration and
regularly reviewed and amended as necessary to ensure the overall aim is
achieved:
c)

Information available (situation, resources and risks).

Are the identified objectives, priorities and tasks appropriate?

Does planning apply a reasonable test of risk against benefit?

How effective and appropriate are any plans or actions already
underway – actual progress against anticipated timeline?

How effective are incident ground organisation/control and
communication arrangements?

Confirm the extent of incident (Major Incident etc.).

Have alternative plans been considered, also are suitable and
sufficient contingency arrangements in place (‘plan B’ – what if?)?
Have any wider potential impacts of the incident been identified,
considered and mitigated, perhaps using the mnemonic PESTLER:

Political – High profile incident; potential for incident outcome to be
linked positively or negatively to political decisions etc.

Economic – Incident affects high value property; response involves
significant costs etc.

Societal – Incident disrupts large school, major employer, high
profile site.

Technical – Good or poor performance of equipment, procedure etc.

Legal – Statutory duty not met, incident contains a crime scene etc.

Environmental – Incident affects watercourses or involves Site of
Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) etc.

Reputational – Potential to affect FRS reputation either positively or
negatively.
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6
Command and control
The command structure and incident ground organisation should reflect the
needs, complexity and scale of the incident being dealt with and control the
operational activities necessary to achieve the objectives of the incident plan.
a)
The IC should confirm that the command structure meets the needs of the
plan with:

The appropriate level of incident command.

Delegated roles, responsibilities and authority limits that are clearly
understood and within the experience and capability of individuals
within the command team.

Manageable spans of control.

Sectors (operational and support if required), with coordinated
working.

Clearly defined reporting lines established.

Clearly defined communication routes/methods appropriate to the
circumstances.

Adequate resources.
b)
Command support established and command post suitably located and
identified.
c)
Any changes in the command structure and relevant details of the plan are
clearly communicated and known to all on the incident ground.
d)
Effective command is maintained when taking/handing over by
incorporating the previous IC within the new command team.
7
Safety and welfare
7.1
Safety considerations
a)
Suitable and sufficient DRA/ARA conducted and appropriately reviewed
b)
Operating methods balance benefit against risk
c)
Safety Observers or Safety Officer(s) with clear briefing regarding area(s)
of responsibility and clear reporting line(s) confirmed
d)
Cordons established, controlled/entry records
e)
Holding areas
f)
Safety briefings
g)
Evacuation systems/routes
h)
First aid/ambulance service
i)
Exposure to heat, cold, weather limited or mitigated
j)
Safety events recorded/investigation initiated
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7.2
Welfare considerations
a)
Crew rotation and reliefs
b)
Hydration, rest, feeding, toilet facilities
c)
Consider concerned relatives/others becoming aware (via news, social
media, mobile phones etc.)
d)
Stress, initial support
e)
Protracted incident
f)
Reliefs for specialists considered
g)
Shelter for responders (out of sight?)
h)
Medical aftercare/occupational health referral
8
Communication
Establish reliable, accurate and timely communications
8.1
FRS exchange of information
a)
Regular command team briefings/updates/relevant information sharing
b)
Clear briefings by delegated command team/officers to cascade
information
c)
Clear lines of communication established
d)
Confirmation that information passed is received, understood and being
acted upon
e)
Communication format is determined by incident needs (e.g. runners if
poor radio reception)
f)
Communication discipline maintained
g)
Tactical Mode changes/updates broadcast
h)
Changes to the plan are shared
i)
Seek and give regular feedback regarding progress
j)
Messages, METHANE
k)
Brief senior commanders and interested parties remote from incident
8.2
Technical considerations
a)
Single link with Fire Control established
b)
Radio channels/talk groups assigned
c)
Appropriate links to other agencies
d)
Specialist communications engineer
e)
Specialist equipment
f)
Repeaters/aerials
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g)
Intrinsically safe equipment
h)
Consider use of local systems
i)
Consider use of Mobile Telephony Priority Access Scheme (MTPAS)
9
Liaison
Effective liaison with external agencies and interested parties to build shared
situational awareness
9.1
Who?
a)
Emergency responders
b)
Medical teams
c)
Local authority officers
d)
Structural engineers
e)
Owners/occupiers/on-site knowledge
f)
Experts/specialists/site specialists
g)
Fire Control
h)
Utilities and other agencies
i)
Public
j)
FRS media department/Media
9.2
How?
a)
Formal – Gold, Silver, Bronze
b)
Regular recorded cross-agency meetings
c)
Media briefings
d)
Panel of advisers
e)
Informal – working alongside other agencies
f)
Liaison with off-site advisers
g)
Inter-agency Liaison Officer
9.3
Why?
a)
Sharing of safety information
b)
Common aims/unity of purpose
c)
Specific responsibilities confirmed
d)
Relevant information sharing
e)
Involve and maximise assistance
f)
Better informed decisions
g)
Address conflicting priorities of other agencies
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h)
Supports needs of other agencies
i)
Positive PR/accurate/common media messages
j)
Warning/informing public
10
Closing stages and post incident considerations
10.1 Scaling down operations
a)
Community impacts addressed as early as possible such as removing
cordons as early as possible
b)
Once operational activity is completed, withdraw personnel and equipment
from risk area
c)
Maintain recording, logging, Tactical Mode
d)
Any appropriate agreed assistance with site clearance
10.2 Investigations
a)
Inform Health and Safety Executive
b)
Scene preservation
c)
Logging any FRS photo/video evidence
d)
Accident investigation
e)
Post mortem/Coroner’s hearing considerations
f)
Criminal investigation/litigation considerations
g)
Public or Judicial Inquiry considerations
h)
Arranging potential joint investigations
i)
Identify key personnel/witnesses
10.3 Equipment issues
a)
Equipment returned, cleaned or bagged as appropriate
b)
Equipment left in situ logged
c)
Equipment decontamination/recovery plan
d)
Impounded equipment managed as appropriate
10.4 Economic considerations
a)
FRS cost recovery
b)
FRS incident number passed to people likely to have experienced financial
loss
c)
Owner/occupier insurance matters discussed (if appropriate)
d)
Local business as usual/return to normality issues considered as far as
reasonable
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10.5 Incident recording
a)
Gather info for IRS
b)
Gather all incident command paperwork
c)
Decision logs secured
10.6 Debriefing and post incident welfare
a)
Carry out hot incident debrief (include other agencies if appropriate)
b)
Assess crew welfare issues
c)
Start critical incident debrief procedure as appropriate
d)
Occupational health considered as appropriate
e)
Consider need for formal multi-agency debriefs
10.7 Handover and site security
a)
Handover with safety brief prepared/undertaken
b)
Handover to appropriate person/authority
c)
Site security considered
10.8 Other issues
a)
Fire-fighting PPE cleaning/re-supply issues
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Part Three – Incident Review
Incident Review Considerations
Incident specific
1
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2
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
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User notes
Initial actions
Was available information/guidance
gathered and considered?
Were DRA/ARA completed and acted
upon?
Did initial actions balance risk and
benefit?
Were initial priorities and sequence of
objectives appropriate?
Were adequate resources secured and
managed?
Were effective command, control and
communication arrangements in place?
Are remedial actions required?
Incident information
What has happened?
What is happening now?
What is likely to happen?
Who/what is at risk?
Establish the parameters of the incident
Are there any immediate risks?
Is immediate action required?
Are local factors understood and being
addressed (weather, time of day, slope of
ground etc.)?
Are the wider impacts understood and
being addressed (PESTLER)?
Are equality and diversity implications
being addressed?
Has SSRI, operational guidance been
consulted?
Are actions in line with operational
guidance?
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Incident specific
3
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4
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5
User notes
Resources information
Confirm resource requirements, consider:
 FRS
 Other agencies
 Contingencies
Are resources appropriate to plan?
Is resource management adequate?
Hazard and safety information
Is DRA/ARA/Pre-planned RA significant
hazards and control measures
incorporated into incident planning?
Has operational guidance/SSRI been
considered?
Do actions balance risk against benefits?
Planning
5.1 Priorities and objectives


Objectives identified and priorities
appropriate
Incident activity appropriate
5.2 Plan


Is there a plan and is it working
Will it deliver the actions required to meet
the priorities and objectives of the
incident:
 Is it appropriate to the incident type?
 Is it based on relevant information?
 Does it follow a logical sequence?
 Is it appropriately delegated?
 Does it align with the Tactical Mode?
 Is it correctly resourced?
 Is it communicated and understood?
 Is it flexible?
 Is it resilient e.g. ‘Plan B’/
contingencies?
 Is it monitored, reviewed, evaluated,
maintained, if amended,
communicated?
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Incident specific
6
User notes
Command and control
Confirm existing arrangements meet the
needs of the incident, with appropriate:
 Level of command
 Organisational structure
 Sectorisation (operational and support)
 Roles and responsibilities, (clearly defined
and understood)
 Spans of control
 Clear communication routes
 Continuity - initial IC/command team
 Resources
 Shared situational awareness FRS/ others
 Command support/command post
 Changes communicated to all
7
Safety and welfare
Confirm adequate safety arrangements:
 DRA/ARA conducted and reviewed
 Safety briefings
 Safety Observers/Safety Officer(s)
 Cordons established and controlled
 Holding areas
 Evacuation systems/routes
 First aid/Ambulance service
 Safety events recorded/investigation
 Welfare of personnel and others
 Protracted incident
 Crew rotation and reliefs
 Rest, feeding, hydration
 Toilet facilities
 Shelter
 Friends and relatives concerns
 Stress, initial support
 Medical aftercare/Occupational Health
referral
 Evacuation shelter – local authority
 Voluntary services support (Red Cross
etc.)
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8
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9
Communications
Briefings and information exchange/
cascade:
 Between all FRS personnel at incident
 Between FRS and other agencies
Clear lines of communication established:
 Between incident and Fire Control
 Between all FRS personnel at incident
 Between FRS and others agencies
Communication format appropriate
Tactical Mode changes/updates broadcast
Changes to plan are shared
Changes in IC/command team shared
Regular feedback/sit reps
Messages, METHANE
Brief senior commanders and interested
parties remote from incident
Technical considerations addressed
Liaison with other agencies and interested parties
Consider and confirm:
Who:
 Emergency responders
 Medical teams
 Local authority officers
 Structural engineers
 Owners/occupiers or on-site knowledge
 Experts/specialists/site specialists
 Control rooms (railway, motorway,
shopping complexes)
 Utilities and other agencies
 Public
 FRS media department/public media
How:
 Formal – Gold, Silver, Bronze
 Regular recorded cross-agency meetings
 Media briefings
 Panel of advisers
 Informal – working alongside other
agencies
 Liaison with off-site advisers
 Inter-agency Liaison Officer
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Why:
 Sharing of safety information
 Common aims and unity of purpose
 Specific responsibilities confirmed
 Relevant information sharing
 Involve and maximise assistance
 Better informed decisions
 Address conflicting priorities of other
agencies
 Supports needs of other agencies
 Positive PR/accurate information
release/common media messages
 Warning/informing public
10
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


Closing stages and post incident considerations
Scaling down operations
Safeguarding issues
Investigations
 FRS/criminal/regulatory
 Scene preservation
 Logging photos/video
 Witnesses
Community safety activity
Equipment issues
Economic considerations
 FRS cost recovery
 Owner/occupier loss/insurance
Incident recording
Debriefing and post incident welfare
Handover and site security
 Safety issues/brief
 Re-inspection organised
Other issues
 Potential fire safety breaches
 Firefighting PPE cleaning/re-supply
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Part Four – Document References
1.
Relevant References
This incident type is potentially linked to the following other operational guidance
documents:
Document Name
Link to Document
To be populated
2.
Technical References

Section 2.4. A Guide to Operational Risk Assessment, Fire Service Guide Vol 3,
1998, HMFSI.

Operations Note 01-05, Silo Rescues,005/001/005.002, RBFRS (Withdrawn)

Service Order 7/5/27, Silo Incidents, KD/RE 2/02, Hampshire Fire and Rescue
Service.

Health and Safety Commission, Working at Height Regulations 2005

Health and Safety Executive, Safe Work in Confined Spaces, Oct 1997 (reprinted
Aug 2003).
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