Officers Training Officers

1. © 2004 Montgomery County Fire Rescue Training Academy OTOP Officers Training Officers Strategy & Tactics Battalion Chiefs Paul McNeel & John Tippett

2. © 2004 Montgomery County Fire Rescue Training Academy OTOP

3. © 2004 Montgomery County Fire Rescue Training Academy OTOP Overview Command Sequence Strategy Tactics Tasks Reading Smoke Handling the MAYDAY

4. © 2004 Montgomery County Fire Rescue Training Academy OTOP MCFRS Philosophy We will risk a life to save a life; we will use considerable caution to protect savable property; we will not risk a life to save what is already lost.

5. © 2004 Montgomery County Fire Rescue Training Academy OTOP Command Sequence Step by step decision making process of incident management Performing size – up (The Thinking Phase) Determining strategy & selecting tactics (The Planning Phase) Implementing the action plan (The Action Phase)

6. © 2004 Montgomery County Fire Rescue Training Academy OTOP Strategy Loosely defined as “what has to be done to solve the problem” Broad Goals Overall plan to control the operation

7. © 2004 Montgomery County Fire Rescue Training Academy OTOP Three Modes Offensive Defensive Transitional

8. © 2004 Montgomery County Fire Rescue Training Academy OTOP Offensive – coordinated, aggressive interior attack Adequate resources Predict benefits worth risks Necessary support functions

9. © 2004 Montgomery County Fire Rescue Training Academy OTOP Defensive – fight the fire with minimum risk Risk too great for benefit Insufficient resources Maximize safety Stay out of collapse zone No entry made Contain fire in area of present involvement Protect exposures Loss of building probable Master stream operation

10. © 2004 Montgomery County Fire Rescue Training Academy OTOP Transitional - switching from one operational mode to the other Defensive to Offensive No entry made until additional resources arrive Begin interior attack Offensive to Defensive Confine fire until rescue can be completed Protect exposures

11. © 2004 Montgomery County Fire Rescue Training Academy OTOP National Fire Academy Incident Priorities PRIORITY Life Safety Incident Stabilization Property Conservation BENCHMARK All Clear Under Control Loss Stopped

12. © 2004 Montgomery County Fire Rescue Training Academy OTOP Lloyd Layman’s Strategies R-E-C-E-O -VS- Rescue Exposures Confinement Extinguishment Overhaul Ventilation-Salvage

13. © 2004 Montgomery County Fire Rescue Training Academy OTOP Tactics The execution of the Strategic Plan Tactics deals specifically with selecting, placing, and operating: PERSONNEL, HOSELINES, LADDERS TOOLS & EQUIPMENT

14. © 2004 Montgomery County Fire Rescue Training Academy OTOP Engine Company Tactics NOZZLE SELECTION HANDLINE SELECTION HANDLINE PLACEMENT TACTICAL HOSE MANAGEMENT

15. © 2004 Montgomery County Fire Rescue Training Academy OTOP Principal role of the engine company is to: Locate, Confine, and Extinguish the fire.

16. © 2004 Montgomery County Fire Rescue Training Academy OTOP Select the appropriate nozzle and handline based on: Required fire flow (L x W/3) Staffing Attack Mode (Offensive, Defensive, Transitional)

17. © 2004 Montgomery County Fire Rescue Training Academy OTOP Handline Selection 1 3/4” minimum for interior fire attack. Rules of thumb: Up to three rooms involved, 1 3/4”. Three or more rooms involved, 2” or larger. Commercial occupancy - 2” or larger. High rise, 1 3/4” w/solid stream or 2” +.

18. © 2004 Montgomery County Fire Rescue Training Academy OTOP Handline Placement Handlines are placed to accomplish one of three goals: Protect occupants Protect means of egress Attack and extinguish fire, including extension

19. © 2004 Montgomery County Fire Rescue Training Academy OTOP 3-Line Concept 1st line – Attack 2nd line – Stand by/Back up 3rd line – Back up/Extension Prevention

20. © 2004 Montgomery County Fire Rescue Training Academy OTOP Tactical Hose Management Fully stretch drag loads before flaking shoulder loads. Un-needed hose should not be stretched into a building. Additional hose should be flaked outside of the entrance.

21. © 2004 Montgomery County Fire Rescue Training Academy OTOP Support personnel (EMS crews, truck company/rescue squad personnel) should assist with hose stretch. Add one additional length for each flight of stairs. Ensure hose wraps around banister and doesn’t get wedged in a narrow well.

22. © 2004 Montgomery County Fire Rescue Training Academy OTOP For open well stairs, keep line in well. Secure line to rail when attack advance begins. Open well stretch requires only one length for every five stories of height. Apply the rule of thumb to determine how much hose should be stretched into occupancy.

23. © 2004 Montgomery County Fire Rescue Training Academy OTOP Rule of Thumb Length + Width of Building + one length for each floor above or below grade EXAMPLE

24. © 2004 Montgomery County Fire Rescue Training Academy OTOP Special Service Tactics Ladders Overhaul Ventilation Entry Rescue Salvage Utilities

25. © 2004 Montgomery County Fire Rescue Training Academy OTOP Ladders & Ventilation “Prepare” the building for entry by engine company and search teams.

26. © 2004 Montgomery County Fire Rescue Training Academy OTOP Ladder Selection & Placement Quick Select Method Choose the ladder that has the same first digit as the floor you are trying to reach. (Example: Need to reach a 2nd story window, choose a 24 or 28’ ladder. Need to reach the roof of a 3 story building, choose a 35’ ladder.)

27. © 2004 Montgomery County Fire Rescue Training Academy OTOP Ventilation Vent for two reasons: fire life (Battalion Chief John Norman, FDNY)

28. © 2004 Montgomery County Fire Rescue Training Academy OTOP Venting for life begins as soon as a life hazard is realized. May intensify the fire. Venting for fire is delayed until attack teams and resources are in place.

29. © 2004 Montgomery County Fire Rescue Training Academy OTOP Search Move rapidly Close interior doors Stay in contact with walls Search with a partner Use tools and lights Search without a hoseline ONLY when there is reasonable certainty that a victim is inside and conditions suggest survivability is likely.

30. © 2004 Montgomery County Fire Rescue Training Academy OTOP Do not compromise the protective “membrane” of the compartment that surrounds you while you are conducting search operations.

31. © 2004 Montgomery County Fire Rescue Training Academy OTOP Requires a commitment of resources to areas most likely to contain victims. a. bedrooms interior travel routes (hallways & stairs) c. outside the structure

32. © 2004 Montgomery County Fire Rescue Training Academy OTOP Narrowing the Search Where were victims were last seen? Cries for help heard? Is the structure occupied or not?

33. © 2004 Montgomery County Fire Rescue Training Academy OTOP Vent-Enter-Search (VES) Advantage - search personnel enter structure from safe atmosphere (outside), search small areas (sometimes single rooms), then exit. Disadvantage - often conducted ahead of hoseline on “fire” side of structure. If PPV goes in service, entry point can become exhaust port for PPV.

34. © 2004 Montgomery County Fire Rescue Training Academy OTOP Must be coordinated with Incident Commander. VES should only be used when probability of finding victim is high!

35. © 2004 Montgomery County Fire Rescue Training Academy OTOP Tasks Labor intensive activities that work to satisfy either: Layman’s “RECEO(SV)” or NFA’s “LIPs” (Strategies)

36. © 2004 Montgomery County Fire Rescue Training Academy OTOP Specific activities that firefighters engage in to satisfy tactics

37. © 2004 Montgomery County Fire Rescue Training Academy OTOP Advancing handlines Throwing ladders Operating nozzles Operating pumps Using tools and appliances

38. © 2004 Montgomery County Fire Rescue Training Academy OTOP Reading Smoke TEMPE, ARIZONA PROGRAM

39. © 2004 Montgomery County Fire Rescue Training Academy OTOP Handling the MAYDAY! Standardized Survival Actions of a Lost/Disoriented Firefighter

40. © 2004 Montgomery County Fire Rescue Training Academy OTOP STAY CALM! Conserve your air supply. Stay with your partner (or crew). Initiate a “MAYDAY” U – Unit C – Conditions A – Actions N – Needs

41. © 2004 Montgomery County Fire Rescue Training Academy OTOP Activate PASS Monitor radio/Update Turn off PASS to communicate! Reactivate PASS after! Use flashlight to signal Use tools or debris to alert rescuers

42. © 2004 Montgomery County Fire Rescue Training Academy OTOP Attempt to locate an exit/area of refuge Move toward visible light Listen for audible sounds Search walls for windows/doors Search for a hoseline (read couplings) Attempt to locate a lifeline

43. © 2004 Montgomery County Fire Rescue Training Academy OTOP Go down steps unless in a basement or sub-floor. Assume defensive posture Lie on your right side Protect facepiece with gloved hands

44. © 2004 Montgomery County Fire Rescue Training Academy OTOP Handling the MAYDAY! Standardized Actions of a Rapid Intervention Company in Locating and Removing a Lost/Disoriented Firefighter

45. © 2004 Montgomery County Fire Rescue Training Academy OTOP Pre-plan structure and fire conditions upon arrival Prolonged burn time/heavy fire conditions Smoke/water showing through walls Inadequate ventilation (potential for rapid fire development) Sagging floors, bulging walls, localized interior collapse 2 or more floors involved Unprotected steel

46. © 2004 Montgomery County Fire Rescue Training Academy OTOP Fireground Preparations Proactive ladders *Four-side scene lighting/Entry point lighting Back-up/Safety Lines Proactive security bar removal

47. © 2004 Montgomery County Fire Rescue Training Academy OTOP Response to the MAYDAY Monitor Radio communications RIC is not rapid (Phoenix/Seattle trials) Consider personal limitations “Smurfs” rescuing “Gullivers” Don’t become a victim yourself!

48. © 2004 Montgomery County Fire Rescue Training Academy OTOP Personnel Discipline Those closest may assist Those not closest need to get out of the way! Fire Attack must continue Look for signals Activated PASS Alarm flashlight beams banging on walls and floors dropped helmet

49. © 2004 Montgomery County Fire Rescue Training Academy OTOP *Check exterior walls and corners* RIC Team Concept “AWARE” Air Water A Radio Extrication plan

50. © 2004 Montgomery County Fire Rescue Training Academy OTOP Three or more teams RIC #1 – Recon & Search Locate downed/lost member Establish traceable means of access to victim Determine additional needs RIC #2 – Stabilization/Removal Provide equipment & personnel requested Begin extrication process

51. © 2004 Montgomery County Fire Rescue Training Academy OTOP RIC #3 – Support Team Provide external support Provide personnel to support

52. © 2004 Montgomery County Fire Rescue Training Academy OTOP The successful rescue of a downed firefighter is dependent upon a well-defined rescue action plan that is continually updated.

53. © 2004 Montgomery County Fire Rescue Training Academy OTOP Wrap Up Be Vigilant, Stay Focused (BVSF). Think before you act. Use all of your resources (CRM). Don’t Wreck enroute! You are no help if you are not there! Seek out other S&T opportunities. Conduct a “hotwash” after each incident.

54. © 2004 Montgomery County Fire Rescue Training Academy OTOP Think Strategically, Act Tactically