Incident Command and Control
Incident Command and Control
 Definitions
 Initial Arrival Reports
 Follow-up Reports
 Task Assignments
 Transfer of Command
 Staging/Rehab
 Tactics Refresher
Definitions
• All Clear – No fire or extension in area assigned.
• C.A.A.N. Report – Conditions/Actions/Air/Needs Report – Progress
report to command from crews operating in hazard zone
• Command Mode – Nothing Showing (further investigation-report to
follow), Fast Attack (immediate action needed for scene
stabilization), Command Mode (due to scope of incident, stationary
incident commander required right at the outset of first arriving
officer)
• On Deck Crew – crew assigned on arrival to standby as RIT team.
May be rotated into suppression work, if another crew is moved up
from staging to take their place.
• P.A.R. Report – Personnel Accountability Report – officer or acting
officer in charge of a crew relays to command all assigned members
are accounted for.
Definitions
• Strategy – Offensive (Interior) / Defensive
(Exterior) fire attack
• Staging – Geographical location at an incident
where personnel and equipment can be
assembled for later deployment. Often at the
same location as rehab. Must be actively
overseen by an officer or acting officer
Initial Arrival Report
 Announce arrival
 Building/area
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description
Describe problem
Action being taken
Resource determination
Declare strategy
Assume/name command
Building Descriptors
• Basic categories (based on 200’ pre-connect,
apparatus spotted 50’ from the entry point)
• Small – 100% hose line coverage/access
• Medium – 75% hose line coverage/access
• Large – 50% hose line coverage/access
• Mega – 25% hose line coverage/access
• Heights – Describe stories above grade
Building Descriptors - Occupancy
• Residential – Single family home
• Mutli Unit residential – Apartment/townhouse/row house
style
• Strip Malls
• Commercial/Industrial (Stand Alone building)
• High Rise (over 7 stories – not applicable in our coverage
area)
• Public Assembly -community halls/churches/schools
• Institutional – hospitals
• Well Known Structures – Windsor Legion/Superstore
Describe the Problem
 Nothing Showing
 Light Smoke Showing
 Smoke Showing
 Working Fire
 Offensive/Defensive
 Exposures
Location
 What Floor
 Apartments/Strip Malls
– Middle or end?
 Larger Occupancies –
What Side (A/B/C/D)
 Exposures (A1/B1/etc)
Incident Action Plan (IAP)
 1st arriving officer must announce the following
 The tasking of their unit (running a line/catching
hydrant) – what is the strategy (offensive/defensive)
 Location (headed to 2nd floor/basement)
 Task assignment for incoming gear (take command on
exterior/set up water supply,etc)
 Addresses location of command and what is going on
for incoming units, and will help prevent freelancing
Follow-up Report
 360 to be done as soon as possible. For large buildings,
may have to detail another person to assist with this
 Any changes to the Incident Action Plan should be
announced at this point (was nothing showing in
front, at the C side you see a working fire)
 Where accountability will be set up (if applicable –
usually A side)
 Immediate/potential safety concerns (propane
tanks/viable rescues/etc)
Resource Determination
 Keep units responding that are enroute already, in
code one response mode
 Request additional resources and/or mutual aid as
required (don’t forget to cover the station if no station
officer present)
 Keep units responding that are enroute already,
downgrade them to code 2.
 Cancel all backup units, situation can be handled with
apparatus and personnel onscene.
Task Assignments
 Important for incoming units/officers to be fully aware
of what they are assigned to do
 Be sure that you know which way to enter a scene when
there are more than one route – coming the wrong way
into a scene can cause a major disruption/delay in IAP.
 Understand your tasking. If not sure, ask, don’t
assume, and don’t think it’s a sign of weakness. Better
be sure.
Task Assignments
 DO NOT let your crew off the truck before you
understand your tasking.
 DEPLOY your crew in support of the tasking that
command has issued for you.
 YOUR CREW does not elect what their assignment is
in support of the tasking. YOU deploy them. If they
cannot do the task due to training and they tell you so,
that’s fine, redeploy them accordingly.
Transfer of Command
 Allows for command to be shifted without confusion
to another officer
 Can be from a senior officer to junior officer and vice
versa
 A senior officer need not assume command from a
junior officer on arrival, if the junior officer has things
in hand
 A senior officer can assume command for any number
of reasons, even if the junior officer feels they have
things in hand
Transfer of Command
 Transfer of command can take place face to face or over
radio.
 Ensure that transfer of command is broadcast over the
air to ‘39, so that everyone is aware of who is IC. ’39
should note same on the incident report sheet.
Staging - Apparatus (Level I)
 Units should stage in proximity to the incident scene
until tasked by command.
 This level of staging allows for command to deploy
incoming units without them landing on the scene in a
haphazard manner, jamming up scene.
 This could be down the block from the scene, around
the corner on an intersecting street, etc.
Staging – Apparatus (Level II)
 Units are staged a distance away from the scene, as
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assigned from command for potential deployment.
Units are not yet required at the scene
Could be a parking lot several blocks away from the
scene
Mostly for major incidents where multiple units and
departments are involved.
An officer should be put in charge of the marshalling
area for these units, and units deployed out of here as
required by the IC via this staging officer.
Staging – Level I
Staging – Level II
Staging/Rehab - Personnel
 A personnel staging area should be set up near Rescue 6
 All un-committed firefighters should marshal here/ be
directed here if seen wandering around or attempting to
self-task.
 A Staging/Rehab officer shall be assigned to control this
site.
 Requests for personnel shall be acted on by this member to
deploy members to the task assigned by the IC.
 Consider having EHS personnel onsite at this location for
vitals check on members on larger scale incidents.
Staging – 3 Deep Deployment
 It is important to keep operational resources
constantly backed up.
 When a crew from the on-deck position is deployed for
whatever reason operationally, you must pull from
staging a crew to replace that.
 At that time, you can backfill staging if it is getting
depleted.
 Staging officers need to keep track of resources, and if
it is getting low, request IC for more bodies early, not
after the last personnel on hand are committed.
Exposures
 Potential property near a fire that may become
involved as a result of the main fire. Important
consideration as we may leave an initial fire to burn
when it is lost to save a neighbouring property. KNOW
WHEN THE BATTLE IS LOST.
 Important to note where in proximity to the main fire
the exposure is.
 A/B/C/D (Alpha/Bravo/Charlie/Delta) side of the fire
building, running clockwise. “A” side is typically your
street address side – to be announced by IC.
Exposures
 In the event of a strip mall or row house, you may have
multiple exposures on a given side.
 A fire in the middle of a 6 unit row house, for example.
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Exposures
 Consider large calibre streams for exposure protection.
 Get an aerial device in the air as soon as possible when
exposures are a potential hazard and it doesn’t look
like a quick knockdown is going to happen
 ALWAYS check the interior of an exposure when there
has been external extension to a building. OPEN the
exterior and interior to be sure.
 It is not unheard of to pull an adjoining exposure down
to prevent extension.
Exposures
Evacuation
 The time will come when it is required to abandon an
interior attack.
 There are two main evacuation signals: 3 blasts of the
air horn on apparatus surrounding the scene, and
Radio call to evacuate.
 On clearing the structure, a P.A.R. is to be given by the
crew officers, tags are to be collected and
accountability check will be done by Safety
Officers/Accountability Officers.
 Once all members are accounted for, tactics can be reevaluated
Tactics Refresher
 Any incident is successful or not so successful based on
the first 5-10 minutes of the call.
 Think ahead of the situation you currently see in front
of you.
 Make sure the resources you have are enough, if in
doubt, call for help from the start – DON’T get caught
playing catch up.
Tactics Refresher
 For most calls, we use the standard 1-3/4”. Don’t get
tunnel vision, know when the incident is not a run of
the mill call, and run lines accordingly.
 Shed fire – 1-3/4” works pretty good.
 Fully involved detached garage – 2-1/2” should be your
first pull.
 What about an apartment fire on the 3rd floor? First
thought may be 2-1/2”,,,but how easy will that be to
move? 1-3/4”? Quick deployment - - but can I catch the
fire before it gets much more advanced? What about
master streams??
SITUATION DRIVEN!!!
SITUATION DRIVEN !!
SITUATION DRIVEN !!
WATER ??? WHAT WATER ?????
 Remember what you have on board for water.
 #3 – 800 gallons/ 1050 GPM Pump
 #5 – 800 gallons/ 1500 GPM Pump
 #1 – 800 gallons/ 1500 GPM Pump
 #2 – 2000 gallons/ 1500 GPM Pump
 #10 – 3200 gallons / 625 GPM Pump
 #11 – 625 gallons / 1050 GPM Pump
 Better get more if you have a working fire ! Booster
tanks wont last you long!
Hydrants / Tankers
 If it looks like a job that you cannot handle with what you
have on board, either catch a hydrant on the way in to the
call, or have the next due piece establish water.
 Remember – assign water supply on your IAP !!!
 In the rural area, remember to bring the water with you
(tankers) and that, at some point, we need a water supply
to fill them. Assign a water supply officer to co-ordinate
this if required!
 Think via geography, where are the next closest tankers?
Don’t forget New Ross and Chester when in Vaughan!
Aerial Devices
 Plan for these large apparatus early. If you think you need
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one, get it on the road and in place before other apparatus
block up the scene.
Think exposures, or if not an issue, major suppression
power.
Get these units an independent water supply if possible
Watch the wires!
Know where the next aerials are, and get one on the road if
it looks like a major incident (Wolfville is closest, New
Minas has a 55’ Snorkel, Kentville has a large platform
similar to Wolfvilles as well).
Structure Fires
 1st unit in should spot just past the fire building, out of
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collapse zone, allowing a view of 3 sides on the approach.
Town initial Response (2 Pumpers/Snorkel), County, (3
Pumpers, 2 Tankers, Snorkel)
Catch a hydrant on way on or assign next due apparatus to
do so.
Arrival report, 360, follow-up report, assign resources
Request RCMP and NSPC. EHS should be onsite as well.
Offensive/Defensive Operation
Offensive, ensure on deck crew/RIT in place
Structure Fires - Afterwards
 Fire Marshal to be notified, and brought to the scene for
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investigation if beyond the skills of those present.
Fire Marshal to be brought to the scene for any fire
involving injury or death. Additionally, any incendiary fire
(used to be called suspicious fires) they should attend.
Gather info from owners/occupants (contact info)
Careful of ‘interrogating’ people. Could be a police issue.
Welfare of the occupants is our concern as well. Red Cross
should be notified if required for shelter/clothing.
Fire Marshals Report to be filled out for any
structure/vehicle fire or any fire with injury/death.
Vehicle Fires
 Where is it (in a garage – will be considered a structure
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fire), driveway ( could be an exposure problem), 101 hwy
(traffic is a hazard)
What is burning? When dispatch says “vehicle fire”, ask
what it is.. A ½ ton truck vs. a highway tractor hauling
gasoline is quite a difference…but both are “vehicles”.
On highways set up a safe work area even if it means
shutting the road down. Work with the RCMP on this.
Consider HAZMAT for placarded commercial vehicles. Call
early, takes a bit for them to get it together.
2 pumper response normally, #11 and #12 at Stn 2 area
Motor Vehicle Accidents
 Safety of responders paramount
 Pumper, Rescue 6, SSV9 rule of thumb
 #7 if extended periods of traffic control anticipated
 Pumper to stage in “fend off” position
 Block roadway if needed, work with RCMP
 Leave room for Rescue Units
 Consider unified command on a common channel
with IC of RCMP
 Wrap checked vehicles with fire line tape
Motor Vehicle Accidents
 RCMP role is investigative. Try not to destroy evidence
 Treat all victims, deceased or otherwise, with respect
 Consider REV BILL being brought to scene for serious
calls. Fatalities in particular
 Consider CIS callout, at least make sure the crews are
met with downstairs on return to the station. Go from
there
 Arrival report is just as important with these kind of
calls, though it may be sparse to start, remember the
follow-up report!
Grass/Brush/Forest Fires
 Truck #3 / Truck #11 should be primary
 Don’t commit #9 too quick, in case we need the RTV.
 Anything out side of town limits, advise DNR. Make
sure if you want them, you ask for them to come,
otherwise its just a notification.
 When they arrive at a woods fire, its their call. We
liaise and work with their IC.
 Remember frequent rehab/crew rotation
 Bunker suits are a no-go. Make folks get their coveralls
on. Heat exhaustion will be a real hazard here.
Investigation – Silent Calls
 We get a lot of them. 40 last year.
 You should not go alone, take another member with you.
 These can go downhill quick-especially when you tell
someone to put a fire out. Call RCMP if required.
 Contact Valley via VHF and announce your location and
what you are doing. If you get in trouble, at least we can
find you.
 Calls received at station, etc. If it seems like a potential
emergency, instruct people to hang-up and call 911, you can
gather a crew on hand and radio it in on your way as well.
Alarms/Sprinkler Alarms
 Initial response 2 pumpers.
 May be called in by alarm co or a person in a building.
 First unit should respond to location of alarm panel.
 Once location is determined from panel (if not a general
alarm), crews should head for this spot to check.
 If a general alarm, systematic check of all parts of the
building is required.
 All equipment to be worn (PPE/SCBA on
back/lights/forcible entry tools/Water Can) to be taken by
crews. OFFICERS TO MONITOR THIS.
Alarms/Sprinkler Alarms
 Alarm panel may be silenced once it has been determined
that folks have evacuated. A member should be located in
proximity to any muster area to ensure the people do not
re-enter the premise when the bells stop.
 Alarm panel may be reset once the cause of the alarm has
been located and rectified if possible. When the panel is
reset and stays reset, you should announce to ‘39 that the
“Panel is Re-set and holding”.
 If a sprinkler has gone off, when appropriate the system
main line valve should be closed and a sprinkler company
called in by the owners to service the system.
Alarm/Sprinkler Alarm
 In the event an alarm will not reset, or a sprinkler
system has activated, it is up to the property owner to
arrange an hourly fire watch until the system is back
up and running.
 In the event of a sprinkler alarm, the first in unit
should stage in proximity to the building FDC while
the officer attends the alarm panel.
 Take all particulars regarding cause of alarm, contact
people onscene, and owners names/contact
information for the report. Required for issuance of
bylaw tickets, particularly in Town limits.
CO (not CO2) Alarms
 Carbon Monoxide (CO not CO2) alarms are set off by
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incomplete combustion.
Occurs in oil, wood, propane, natural gas heating, and
from vehicle exhaust in attached garages.
Any time we are investigating these type of alarm, crew
should go in with SCBA active, with the gas detector.
A call received at the station for this should result in an
alarm.
Remember, ventilating with a gas powered fan will likely
increase CO levels in the location. Use electric fans.
Instruct people to have heating equipment checked if the
possible cause.
Chimney Fires
 How big is the house?
 Where is the chimney?
 Use aerials to access the chimney where possible, weather
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permitting (wind storms not such a good idea)
DO NOT commit crews to the roof in untenable
conditions. We may cause more damage dealing with it
from inside, but such is life.
When using aerials, watch for wires. Crews to harness up.
Check interior (all levels) with TIC for extension.
Instruct owners not to use system till checked and OK’d by
qualified personnel.
Mutual Aid Calls
 Units should respond with an officer or acting to all
mutual aid alarms.
 If they request two pumpers , send #5,#1,#3 OR #11
AND #2 (contrary to popular belief…#2 is a pumper
too). This keeps our other pumpers available.
 Crews and apparatus answer to our officer on these
calls. If what they ask you to do is not reasonable for
the gear and/or crew, refuse the task. The Chief
Officers will back you up on this.
 Take a TMR radio with you on mutual aid calls.
Station Officer
 In charge of the Station during a call.
 Call in Mutual Aid cover when things are depleted.
 Remember who is there already, you may have to call
from farther afield (ie HFD and BFD are at the fire,
maybe call Wolfville to cover off).
 Let command know on TMR Windsor Private if
possible who you brought. That way they know what
they have to draw from.
 Food for crews.
Some Other Points
 Medical / Ice Rescue / Water Rescue / JAWS calls –
make sure the crew you take are trained. If you have to
be the BAD GUY, be the BAD GUY, remove and replace
members as required for these calls. If they are not
trained for it, it is a liability.
 Medical Response - #9(6) / #12(11)
 Ice - #5 with crew (in suits before u leave)/ #6 gear
only, add #11 with crew (in suits before u leave) if in
Stn 2 area – ( w/zodiac if open water present)
 Water – #9 w/zodiac, #6 gear only, #5 with crew (in
suits before u leave)
Some Other Points
 Safety Officers can respond independently, in Van 7
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preferably.
Remember the role of the Safety Officer (not a tag
collector), another set of eyes for safety.
Concerns of Safety Officers are to be acknowledged. If
members are not listening to them, Ops/Acting officers are
to intervene.
CADETS – not to be going to MVAs or Mutual Aid calls,
and should not be on 1st truck for structure fires, and other
similar calls.
Officers discretion ultimately, but be prepared to watch
after them and answer for it if it becomes an issue.
Exercises
Initial Radio Report - Followup
Initial Radio Report - Followup
Initial Radio Report - Followup
Initial Radio Report - Followup
Initial Radio Report - Followup
Initial Radio Report - Followup
Initial Radio Report - Followup
Initial Radio Report - Followup
Describing the Problem
Describing the Problem
Describing the Problem
Describing the Problem
Describing the Problem
Describing the Problem
QUESTIONS?