June 13, 2011 INCOMPLETE
EMERGENCY OPERATING GUIDELINE
#1.2.10
STRATEGIC & TACTICAL OPERATIONS
PURPOSE:
To provide Adair Rural Fire & Rescue with a strategic and tactical guideline to
address emergency situations. This guideline shall be a building block for most
emergency scene operations.
The emergency scene is broken into five very distinctive parts that flow together to make up an
incident.
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I.
Pre fire planning
Dispatch information
Initial Scene Size-up
Emergency Scene Problem Solving “fire attack, rescue, treatment ”
Overhaul and incident termination
Pre fire Planning
Preplanning is usually thought of as a drawing and a list of hazards involved with a potential
future emergency scene. It could also be considered previous training that was done to solve a
particular scenario or an area familiarization of the district. It may be a detailed plan threat deals
with a specific hazard. Trillium Road’s narrow access the bridge on Belden Creek crossing or the
Gym at Santiam Christian HS, all need to be preplanned for their uniqueness.
II.
Dispatch Information
Information that is acquired during the report of the emergency may be distorted by the reporting
party’s (RP) state of mind, however you need to factor it in to your size up upon arrival. If there
are multiple calls you may get a little clearer picture. Don’t hesitate to ask the Dispatcher for
additional information, have shots been fired, have police or fire responded to this location
before? Or has PD been notified? Remember they are part of the team and a vital resource.
III.
Initial Scene Size-up
In order to initiate the evaluation of any incident, the first-arriving company or fire officer shall
transmit a size-up on the fire radio channel as soon as possible after arrival on scene. This function
serves to advise other responding units of the expected situation and to advise command officers
and dispatch about the nature of the incident. The size-up parameters of various incident types are
listed below and should be reflected in the company's transmitted size-up. If an accurate size-up
cannot be given upon initial arrival, or if after several minutes on-scene the situation is
significantly different from the initial size-up, an updated size-up shall be given.
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Every effort should be made to visualize the scene from at least three sides prior to giving the sizeup, however it is better to do a 360 survey whenever possible. The size-up process serves two
purposes: first, to make a quick initial evaluation of what the nature of the incident (and its degree
of severity) represents; and second, to determine what initial actions are to be taken and what
resources will be necessary. Factors to be considered include: rescue needs, evacuation, weather,
time of day, occupancy, hazards, exposures, pre-plan knowledge, fire/rescue personnel safety,
water supply, topography, access, number of patients, degree of involvement, resources on hand
and en route, and the speed of the developing incident.
Size-up Transmission Guidelines
Vehicle Fires:
Type and size of vehicle and portion of vehicle involved, a description to weather the vehicle is
blocking the road way or no assist other responding agencies. Make note of any exposures.
Brush and Trash Fires:
The size up will include size and nature of fire and specific location. Include direction of spread (if
applicable) and whether or not there are exposures.
Vehicle Accidents:
Number of vehicles involved and degree of damage (light, moderate, heavy). Include road
blockage and update with number of victims and initial triage after secondary size-up.
Structure Fires:
Size and type of structure and note smoke conditions (white, gray, brown or black etc.) and/or fire
conditions (small, room and contents, heavily or fully involved). Include any observed evacuation
in progress and/or exposure potential. Also note initial action to be taken (investigating, attack or
command).
Automatic Alarms:
Size and type of structure and any noted fire or smoke conditions. Include any observed evacuation
or audible signals or alarms. Also note initial action to be taken (investigation, attack or command).
Heavy Rescue:
Describe visual situation and update with number of patients, initial triage and degree of
entrapment and whether extrication will be needed.
Other:
Describe visual situation.
Any special hazards noted upon arrival (Hazardous Materials, wires down, structural failure, gas
leaks, etc.) should be noted in the transmitted size-up.
IV.
Emergency Scene Problem Solving (FIRE STRATEGY)
“Fire attack, rescue, and treatment”
The Incident Commander is responsible for determining the appropriate fire ground strategy.
Once the appropriate strategy is initiated, it becomes the Incident Commander's job to ensure that
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all personnel are operating within the strategy. By controlling the fire ground strategy, the
Incident Commander is providing overall incident scene safety. The proper strategy will be based
on the following:
1. Avoiding simultaneous OFFENSIVE and DEFENSIVE strategies in the same fire
area. This typically happens by first committing personnel to interior positions,
then operating master streams from exterior positions. This places interior crews
in danger of injury or death.
2. Matching the appropriate strategy to the fire conditions of the structure, and
minimizing risk to firefighters.
Managing fire ground strategy must start with the arrival of the first unit and be constantly
monitored and evaluated throughout the entire incident. The initial Incident Commander will
include the fireground strategy in the on-scene report. As Command is transferred to later
arriving officers, these officers assuming Command must evaluate the fire ground strategy based
on the Risk Management Plan.
Fire ground strategy provides a starting point to begin fireground operations. Once the strategy is
announced, all firefighters know whether to operate on the interior or exterior of the building.
The fireground strategy cannot be a mystery to anyone; everyone operating on the fireground
must be operating in the same strategy mode: Transitional, Offensive or Defensive
It is standard operating procedure to attempt to stabilize fire conditions by extending
WHEREVER POSSIBLE an aggressive well-placed and adequate offensive interior fire attack
effort and to support that aggressive attack with whatever resource and action is required to
reduce fire extension and to bring the fire under control.
A critical Command decision (both initial and on-going) relates to the transitional
/offensive/defensive strategy of the situation:
Transitional Strategy- Exterior attack due to staffing or resource short falls. This is a stop
gap procedure while waiting for adequate resources and moving to an Offensive or
Defensive Strategy is preferred as soon as possible.
Offensive Strategy--Interior attack and related support directed toward quickly
conducting a search for victims and bringing the fire under control.
Defensive Strategy--Exterior attack directed to first reduce fire extension and then bring
the fire under control.
Command must declare which strategy is being used as part of the on-scene report and at
each notification of elapsed time.
Command must define transitional, offensive/defensive strategy based upon a standard risk
management profile evaluating:
1. Available personnel and resources
2. Fire extent
3. Structural conditions
4. Entry capability
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5. Ventilation profile
6. Rescue profile of occupants
7. Resources profile
TRANSITIONAL FIRE ATTACK
1. Take Command
2. Size-up fire / call for additional resources
3. Evacuate residents / rescue ( non intrusion area)
4. Evaluate staffing
5. Locate fire
6. Using available water and staff attack fire from the exterior
7. Re-evaluate strategy as resources arrive
8. Move to Offensive or Defensive Plan as you are able
BASIC OFFENSIVE FIRE STRATEGY
1. Take Command
2. Size-up fire / call for additional resources
3. Locate the fire
4. First line--fast, aggressive interior attack
5. Provide support activities (i.e., ventilation, forcible entry, search)
6. Second line--backup /establish RIT
7. Do primary SEARCH
8. Establish water supply
9. Quickly evaluate success and react
BASIC DEFENSIVE FIRE STRATEGY
1. Take Command
2. Size-up fire / call for additional resources
3. Locate the fire
4. evaluate fire spread/write-off lost property
5. Prioritize fire streams and protect exposures
6. Provide big, well placed streams
7. Pumped tank water and establish water source
8. Quick determination on additional resource needed
9. Surround and drown
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RISK MANAGEMENT PLAN
WE WILL RISK MORE TO SAVE A LIFE.
WE WILL RISK LESS TO PROTECT SAVABLE PROPERTY.
WE WILL RISK NOTHING TO SAVE WHAT IS ALREADY LOST.
Considering the level of risk, the Incident Commander will choose the proper strategy to be used
at the fire scene. The strategy can change with conditions or because certain benchmarks (i.e.,
ALL CLEAR) are obtained. The strategic mode will be based on:
1. Availability of suppression personnel and resources
2. Access to the building
3. The building (type of construction, condition, age, etc.)
4. Structural integrity of the building (contents vs. structural involvement)
5. The fire load (what type of fuel is burning and what's left to burn)
6. The fire and/or smoke conditions (extent, location, etc.)
7. The rescue profile (savable occupants/survivability profile)
TRANSITIONAL FIRE ATTACK STRATEGY
Transitional Fire Attack is based on your ability to suppress the fire. In a service that depends on
volunteer firefighters and Mutual Response/Aid the resources are not available at the time of
need. Time may be required to assemble the needed people and pieces of equipment to suppress
the fire. (Rose’s Rule # 6 Without adequate manpower use a transitional fire attack, until
resources arrive) During this time it will be, for firefighter safety, necessary to fight the fire from
the exterior of the structure with straight streams. This is a temporary mode and you will need to
change to either offensive or defensive when resources arrive.
OFFENSIVE STRATEGY
Within the framework of the Risk Management Plan, the structure must first be determined to be
safe to enter. Once determined safe, an Offensive Fire Attack is centered around RESCUE. When
safe to do so, the Adair Rural Fire & Rescue will initiate offensive operations at the scene of
structure fires. The following are guidelines for offensive fire attacks:
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Assign Entry Team, Back up line /RIT team prior to entry. Place lines at the fire floor and
charge them. Bring adequate tools to insure forcible entry if necessary.
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Initial attack efforts must be directed toward supporting a primary search--the first attack
line must go between the victims and the fire to protect avenues of rescue and escape.
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Determine fire conditions and extent before starting fire operations (as far as possible).
Don't operate fire streams into smoke.
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Offensive fires should be fought from the INTERIOR-UNBURNED SIDE (interior capability is
the principal offensive strategy factor). Semi-fog streams are use interiorly to push the fire out of
the structure.
Straight streams are to be used exteriorly for TRANSITIONAL FIRE ATTACK (Rose’s Rule #
3 Straight Streams don’t push fire). Fog streams are to be used when protecting exposures or
using the stream as a shield for self protection.
Companies must resist the urge to focus only on the fire (this is known as the "candle moth"
syndrome or "tunnel vision"). In some cases, the most effective tactical analysis involves an
evaluation of what is not burning rather than what is actually on fire. The unburned portion
represents where the fire is going and should establish the framework for fire control activities
and requirements.
Command must consider the most critical direction and avenues of fire extension, plus its speed,
particularly as they affect:
1. Rescue activities
2. Level of risk to firefighters
3. Confinement efforts
4. Exposure protection
Command must allocate personnel and resources based upon this fire spread evaluation.
Command must not lose sight of the very simple and basic fireground reality that at some point
firefighters must engage and fight the fire. Command must structure whatever operations are
required to PUT WATER ON THE FIRE. (Rose’s Rule # 1 if it is wet it won’t burn) The
rescue/fire control-extension/exposure problem is solved in the majority of cases by a fast,
strong, well-placed attack. Command must establish an attack plan that overpowers the fire with
ACTUAL water application, either from offensive or defensive positions.
Command must consider the seven sides (or divisions) of the fire: front, rear, both sides, top,
bottom, and interior. Fires cannot be considered under control until all seven sides are addressed.
Failure to do so frequently results in fire extension.
Where the fire involves concealed spaces (attics, ceiling areas, construction voids, etc.), it
becomes paramount that companies open up and operate fire streams into such areas. Early
identification and response to concealed space fires will save the building. Officers who hesitate
to open up because they don't want to beat up the building may lose the structure.
Early ventilation (natural or positive pressure) is a major support item that must be addressed
during concealed space attacks. This must be initiated early and be well coordinated. Ventilation
openings should be made in the fire area. Positive pressure should be injected from the
unburned side and exit out of the fire area.
Command must get ahead of the fire. Command must make critical decisions that relate to cutoff
points and develop a pessimistic fire control strategy. It takes a certain amount of time to get
water to a location, and the fire continues to burn while the attack is being set up. Command
must consider where the fire will be when attack efforts are ready to actually go into operation; if
misjudged, the fire may burn past the attack/cutoff position before resources and personnel are in
position. Don't play "catch up" with a fire that is burning through a building. Project your set-up
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time, write off property, and get ahead of the fire. Set up adequately ahead of the fire, then
overpower it.
WRITE-OFF PROPERTY THAT IS ALREADY LOST and go on to protect exposed property
based on the most dangerous direction of fire spread. Do not continue to operate in positions that
are essentially lost.
The basic variables relating to attack operations involve:
1. Location/position of attack
2. Size of attack
3. Support functions
Command develops an effective attack through the management of these factors. Command must
balance and integrate attack size and position with fire conditions, risk, and resources.
Many times offensive/defensive conditions are clear cut and Command can quickly determine
the appropriate strategy. In other cases, the situation is MARGINAL and Command must initiate
an offensive interior attack, while setting up defensive positions on the exterior.
THE ONLY REASON TO OPERATE IN MARGINAL SITUATIONS IS RESCUE.
The effect of the interior attack must be constantly evaluated, and the attack abandoned if
necessary. Strategy changes can develop almost instantly or can take considerable time.
Command must match the strategy with the conditions. The Incident Commander controls
overall incident scene safety by determining the proper strategy to be used.
If the Incident Commander doesn't change strategies from offensive to defensive until the
building is disassembling itself due to structural damage, Command is late in strategy
determination and on the receiving end of the building's decision governing the new strategy to
be employed. Often times when the building gets to make those decisions, firefighters become
traumatized (physically and/or emotionally). THE INCIDENT COMMANDER DETERMINES
THE STRATEGY, THE BUILDING SHOULDN'T.
Command should abandon marginal attacks when:
1. A primary all clear is obtained and the situation is still marginal.
2. The roof is unsafe or untenable. Especially working fires in large unsupported, or
lightweight trussed attic spaces.
3. Interior forces encounter heavy heat and cannot locate the fire or cannot make any
progress on the fire.
4. Heavy smoke is being forced from the building under pressure and is increasing.
Command needs to constantly evaluate conditions while operating in marginal situations. This
requires frequent and detailed reports from Sector Officers.
It is imperative that Command assign a Roof Sector as early as possible during marginal
situations for rapid evaluation of roof conditions. In certain situations Command should strongly
consider not committing crews to the interior of a structure unless he/she receives a report from
Roof Sector that the roof of the structure is safe to operate on and under. It is better to go from an
offensive to a defensive strategy too soon rather than too late.
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DEFENSIVE STRATEGY
The decision to operate in a defensive strategy indicates that the offensive attack strategy, or the
potential for one, has been abandoned for reasons of personnel safety, and the involved structure
has been conceded as lost (the Incident Commander made a conscious decision to write the
structure off).
The announcement of a change to a defensive strategy will be made as “Emergency Traffic” and
all personnel will withdraw from the structure AND MAINTAIN A SAFE DISTANCE FROM
THE BUILDING. Fire Officers will account for their crews and advise their Division/Group
Officer on the status of their crew. The Division/Group Officers will notify Command of the
status of the crews assigned to their sector. A PAR (Personnel Accountability Report) shall be
obtained after any switch from offensive to defensive strategy.
Interior lines will be removed during a “withdraw” and repositioned when changing to a
defensive strategy. Crews should retreat with their hose lines if safe to do so. If retreat is being
delayed because of hose lines, and it's unsafe to stay in the building, hose lines should be
“abandoned”.
All exposures, both immediate and anticipated, must be identified and protected. The first
priority in defensive operations is personnel safety; the second is exposure protection.
The next priority may be to knock down the main body of fire. This may assist in protection of
exposures but does not replace it as a higher priority.
Master streams are generally the most effective tactic to be employed in defensive operations.
For tactical purposes, a standard master stream flow of 500-1000 GPM should be the guideline.
Adjustments may be made upward or downward from this figure but it is very significant in the
initial deployment of master streams.
When the exposure is severe and water is limited, the most effective tactic is to put water on the
exposure and, if need be, from the interior of the exposure.
Once exposure protection is established, attention may be directed to knocking down the main
body of fire and thermal-column cooling. The same principles of large volume procedures should
be employed.
Fire under control means the forward progress of the fire has been stopped and the remaining fire
can be extinguished with the on-scene resources; it does not mean the fire is completely out.
When the fire is brought under control, Command will notify Dispatch utilizing the standard
radio report of "FIRE UNDER CONTROL." Dispatch will record the time of this report.
Command must initiate a PAR report from all on-scene divisions and crews.
If defensive operations are conducted from the onset of the incident, Command will notify
Dispatch that there will not be a primary search completed for the affected structure(s).
VENTILATION
Ventilation is a strategy that is used to help cool the atmosphere of the fire structure , to felicitate
fire attack and search and rescue. Ventilation will need to be accomplished in one of three type
of formats: (Rose’s Rule # 4 The fire won’t grow without air, control the vent, control the fire)
1. Vertical Ventilation (cutting a hole in the roof)
2. Horizontal Ventilation (opening of doors and windows - Positive pressure
ventilation (PPV))
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3. Hydraulic (water out of a window with a nozzle)
Vertical Ventilation
Is accomplished be sending a Vent Group to the roof and cutting a hole of at least 4 ft sq.
in the roof over the fire. The process thought effective is time comsuming and requires a
high level of skill, equipment and man power to preform. If you are fighting an attic fire
it may be the best alternative. However putting some on a roof is a dangerous
consideration in most cases, use discression when doing so.
Horizonal Ventilation (PPV) Mechanical
Positive pressure ventilation (PPV) has many benefits to fire operations. They include:
1. PPV rapidly removes heat and smoke from the building, thus reducing the fires ability to
propagate and advance.
2. PPV causes an improving atmosphere--thus improving patient survivability profiles.
3. Rapid removal of smoke improves fire fighters ability to conduct search and rescue
operations as well as effective loss control operations.
4. The improved atmosphere and visibility increases the fire fighters ability to conduct the
attack/extinguishment operations.
5. The improved atmosphere reduces fire fighter heat stress.
6. PPV reduces loss caused by smoke and fire damage to the structure.
PPV can reduce the need and risk of roof ventilation at many fires.
PLACEMENT OF FANS
Positive pressure fans should be placed at the point of entry(s) from the unburned side of the fire.
Fans should be positioned 12-15 feet back from the entry point. The objective is to create a
pressure "cone" effect around the door. This position will also allow access for crews to enter the
building.
Where additional fans are required, placing two or more fans in "tandem"--one behind the other
is more effective than side by side.
REQUIRE TACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS
Positive pressure ventilation is effective only when applied properly. Two major items are
required:
1. An "exit" for the pressurized air must be provided and must be located in the fire area.
This is generally a window, door or other opening.
2. Positive pressure ventilation must be injected from the unburned side of the fire.
3. It will be the ladder company officers responsibility to ensure that these two requirements
are completed prior to injecting positive pressure into the structure.
CONTROLLING AIR FLOW
Air flow from PPV must be controlled throughout the operation. Too many openings or exit
points reduce the effectiveness of PPV. In some cases, windows and doors that are already open
may need to be closed to direct the air flow into the fire area, or the most densely affected smoke
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area. As one area is cleared of smoke, that area may need to be sealed off and another exit
created in another area of the structure to direct the air flow into the next area to clear.
Ladder company officers or sector officers will be responsible for coordinating this effort
ATTIC FIRES
Isolated attic fires can benefit from PPV. During initial attack, fire crews should use small
openings in the ceiling for water application. This will prevent the clear environment below the
ceiling from rapidly filling with smoke. Moving from one room to another and "punching" the
nozzle through the ceiling and using a fog application is very effective. Use of penetrating
nozzles is also recommended. Loss control measures should be initiated simultaneously with fire
attack.
An "exit" for PPV in the attic must be in place. Most roofs/attics have pre-existing vents
typically at the end of the attic space in a vertical wall. These are often adequate for an "exit".
Some structures may have a "sealed" attic space with no in place vent openings. In this case,
opening a vertical wall on one end of the attic or cutting a vent hole in the roof may be required.
If pre-existing vents are too small, they may need to be enlarged.
Once PPV is in place, large sections of the ceiling can be pulled. PPV will keep the environment
below the ceiling clear. Salvage covers or black plastic should be applied first before ceiling is
pulled.
Hydraulic Ventilation
Hydraulic venting is accomplished using a fog pattern on a nozzle pointed out a window. It is
usally done after extinguishment and though marginally effective it is water intense and can
create additional damage to the structure.
SEARCH & RESCUE
It is standard operating procedure to extend a primary search in all involved and exposed
occupancies which can be entered. Command must structure initial operations around the
completion of the primary search. Primary search means companies have quickly gone through
all affected areas and verified the removal and/or safety of all occupants. The TIC may be used
to filicitate and speed up the process.
Time is the critical factor in the primary search process. Successful primary search operations
must necessarily be extended quickly and during initial fire stages.
The rescue functions that follow lengthy fire control activities will be regarded tactically as
presenting a secondary search. Secondary search means that companies thoroughly search the
interior of the fire area after initial fire control and ventilation activities have been completed.
Secondary search should preferably be completed by different companies than those involved in
primary search activities. Thoroughness, rather than time, is the critical factor in secondary
search.
The completion of the primary search is reported utilizing the standard radio reporting term
"ALL CLEAR". It is the responsibility of Command to coordinate primary search assignments,
secure completion reports from interior companies and to transmit the "ALL CLEAR" report to
Alarm. Alarm will record the time of this report from Command.
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The stage of the fire becomes a critical factor that affects the rescue approach developed by
Command. The following items outline the basic Command approach to fire stages:
1. In nothing showing situations, or in very minor fire cases that clearly pose no life
hazard, Command must structure a rapid interior search and report "ALL
CLEAR". (The interior search for victims will also verify no fire.)
2. In smoke showing and working fire situations, fire control efforts must be
extended simultaneously with rescue operations in order to gain entry and control
interior access to complete primary search. In such cases, Command and
operating companies must be aware the operation is in a rescue mode until
primary search is complete, regardless of the fire control required. In working fire
situations, primary search must be followed by a secondary search.
3. In cases of fully involved buildings or sections of buildings, immediate entry and
primary search activities become impossible and survival of occupants is
improbable. Command must initially report fully involved conditions and that he
will not report an all clear. As quickly as fire control is achieved, Command must
structure what is, in effect, a secondary search for victims.
Command and operating companies cannot depend upon reports from spectators to determine
status of victims. Control forces should utilize reports as to the location, number, and condition
of victims as supporting primary search efforts and must extend and complete a primary search
wherever entry is possible.
Command must consider the following factors in developing a basic rescue size-up:
1. Number, location and condition of victims
2. Affect the fire has on the victims
3. Capability of the control forces to enter the building, remove/protect victims and
control fire.
Command must make the basic rescue decision:
 Do we remove victims from fire? OR
 Do we remove the fire from the victims?
In some cases, occupants are safer in their rooms than moving through contaminated hallways
and interior areas. Such movement may also impede interior firefighting.
Command must realistically evaluate the manpower required to actually remove victims and then
treat their fire-affected bodies. In cases involving such multiple victims, Command must call for
the timely response of adequate resource and quickly develop an organization that will both
stabilize the fire and provide for the removal and treatment of the occupants.
Rescue efforts should be extended in the following order:
1. Most severely threatened
2. The largest number (groups)
3. The remainder of the fire area
4. The exposed areas
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Command must make specific primary search assignments to companies to cover specific areas
of large, complex occupancies and maintain on-going control of such companies until the entire
area is searched. When primary search companies encounter and remove victims, Command
must assign other companies to continue to cover the interior positions vacated by those
companies.
All initial attack efforts must be directed toward supporting rescue efforts and hose lines must be
placed in a manner to control interior access, confine the fire, and protect avenues of escape.
Hoseline placement becomes a critical factor in these cases and Command and all operating
companies must realize that the operation is in a rescue mode. It may be necessary to operate in a
manner that writes off the structure in order to buy rescue time.
Normal means of interior access (stairs, halls, interior public areas, etc.) should be utilized to
remove victims whenever possible. Secondary means of rescue (platforms (PCFD), aerials (AFD
&CFD), ground ladders, fire escapes, etc.) must be utilized in their order of effectiveness.
Command must structure treatment of victims after removal. Multiple victims should be
removed to one location for more effective triage and treatment. Command should coordinate
and utilize paramedic capability wherever available and assign treatment companies as required
to an exterior Medical Sector.
Once the primary search has been completed and an "ALL CLEAR" transmitted, Command must
maintain control of access to the fire area; beware of occupants (and others) re-entering the
building.
The most urgent reason for calling additional alarms is for the purpose of covering life safety.
Command must develop a realistic (and pessimistic) rescue size-up as early as possible.
The term "SEARCH & RESCUE" should be used when structuring a primary search over the
radio; "ALL CLEAR" should be used only as a completion report.
Tactical priorities identify the three separate tactical objectives that must be completed in order
to stabilize any fire situation--these priorities also establish the order in which these basic
fireground objectives must be performed.
These objectives should be regarded as separate, yet interrelated, activities which must be dealt
with in order. Command cannot proceed to the next priority until the current function objective
has been completed or sufficient resources have been assigned.
Basic tactical priorities are as follows:
1. Rescue
2. Fire Control
3. Property Conservation
Rescue = The activities required to protect occupants, remove those who are threatened and to
treat the injured.
Fire Control = The activities required to stop the forward progress of the fire and to bring the fire
under control.
Property Conservation = The activities required to stop or reduce primary or secondary damage
to property.
The objectives of each priority are reflected in the following bench marks of completion:
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1. Rescue - primary search (all clear)
2. Fire Control - under control
3. Property Conservation - loss stopped
All three tactical priorities require somewhat different tactical approaches from a Command and
an operational standpoint.
While Command must satisfy the objective of each function in its priority order, Command must,
in many cases, overlap and "mix" the activities of each to achieve the current bench mark.
Notable examples are the frequent need to achieve interior tenability with active/extensive fire
control efforts before proceeding with primary search, or the need to initiate property
conservation activities while active fire control efforts are being extended.
V.
Overhaul and Incident Termination
The tactical priorities, (Rescue, Fire Control, Property Conservation) are clear, measurable, and
obtainable objectives. These objectives are considered complete when the benchmarks are
declared.
Within the Command framework lies an on-going responsibility that is not completed with
benchmarks. This is often referred to as the umbrella of service. The umbrella of service is
made up of three on-going considerations. They are firefighter safety, customer service, and loss
control.
Firefighter Safety
Continuing efforts for firefighter safety include physical fitness and mental preparedness.
Training prior to incidents and post incident reviews to assure safety, we are continuously
looking for equipment to improve firefighter safety.
Customer Service
We recruit members that understand the importance of customer service. We acknowledge
positive customer service actions and look for ways to better serve our customers.
Loss Control
The concept of Loss Control not only addresses salvage and overhaul techniques but also
emphasizes the importance of craftsmanship, pride in profession, and compassion for those we
service in this time of need.
All three of these considerations take place before, during, and after all emergency responses.
This umbrella of service is as important as the tactical priorities and is critical to the success and
positive outcome of an incident.
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SALVAGE
During the salvage phase of the fire crews will be called upon to protect those items that a fire
victum may deam as valuable or irreplaceable. Depending on the size of the item the firefighters
may be required to remove the items from the threatened structure or to protect them in place,
salvage covers and furniture stacking. Often a business’ records can be saved where their loss
would be the demise of the company.
The fire victum may also need to be instructed on how to further protect their belongings. At this
point the fire may be out but this is where you maybe able to provide the best customer service,
by covering vent holes removing water, when possible insureing that the property owner has a
dry place to stay for the evening as they try to sort out their trauma.
__________________________________
Chuck Harris, Fire Chief
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