HomeMy WebLinkAboutSOG 202.01 REVISED 3-2013_2-in,2-outI. Guiding Philosophy
Nationally, there are several firefighter deaths each year because firefighters become lost
and/or trapped while working within hazardous environments. When we are as organized and
prepared as we possibly can be to assist a member in distress, we reduce the risk of injury and/or
death to our members and maximize our capability to efficiently take action and achieve positive
results.
II. Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to establish the standards for interior operations occurring
within suspected IDLH atmospheres. History has shown that following a tried, practiced, and
thorough procedure offers a lost or trapped firefighter the best chance for survival. This
guideline is not meant to replace good fire ground judgment, but to enhance our capability to
provide professional and effective emergency response services to the citizens of Beaumont
within a system of managed risk for our members.
III. Goals
The goals of this policy are to:
A. Detail the standards for initial incident operations in suspected IDLH environments.
B. Communicate the responsibilities of the Incident Commander, Incident Safety
Officer, Rapid Intervention Group (RIG) Supervisor, and dedicated RIG Pump
Operator.
C. Detail the components of the A.W.A.R.E. system of firefighter rescue.
IV. Definitions
A. A.W.A.R.E. — acronym for Air, Water, A Radio, Extrication; a system used to rescue
downed firefighters.
B. IDLH — Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health; a limit for personal exposure to a
substance defined by the United States National Institute for Occupational Safety and
Health (NIOSH), normally expressed in parts per million (ppm). This concentration is
considered to be the limit beyond which an individual will not be capable of escaping
death or permanent injury without help in less than thirty minutes.
C. Potentially Hazardous Responses — includes any of the following:
I . Working structure fires (any fire where an attack line is deployed inside a
structure with an IDLH atmosphere).
2. Any incident having significant risk of entrapment or injury to firefighters.
(Examples: technical rescue operations, defensive fires, etc.)
3. Any incident where firefighters enter an IDLH atmosphere. (Examples:
interior fire operations, technician -level hazardous materials emergencies,
etc.)
D. RIG — Rapid Intervention Group; persons assigned to monitor communications with
interior operating groups and affect firefighter rescue, if necessary. When activated to
perform a firefighter rescue, the purpose of the RIG is to locate and, when necessary,
protect/support the firefighter in place.
V. Initial Incident Operations
A. At least five (5) members shall be assembled on scene before initiating action within
areas suspected to be Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health (IDLH) and
therefore hazardous.
1. The responders arriving first on scene are expected to begin preparing for
interior operations, and conducting exterior operations as necessary.
2. This will be accomplished by establishing Command and making tactical
assignments to incoming companies, like establishing a water supply,
stretching hose lines, protecting exposures, and other actions that may be
required by the situation.
3. In the initial staff of an incident when interior operations are initiated, a
minimum of two 2 personnel shall be assigned to function as an interior
team (working within the hazardous area).
B. EXCEPTION: If, upon arrival at a scene, members find an'in'dn erihfi!...
where immediate action may prevent the loss of life or serious
injury (such as rescuing trapped and endangered occupants), they shall be permitted
to enter the IDLH area with fewer than five (5) members on scene.
1. Prior to initiating rescue operations with fewer than five (5) persons on
scene, a careful evaluation of the level of risk must be made.
2. Incoming companies shall be advised of the situation and actions being
initiated, so that they are prepared to provide necessary support and backup
upon arrival.
C. Hazardous Operations: Interior Teams
1. At emergency incidents, members operating within areas defined as
hazardous shall operate in teams of at least two (2) persons.
2. Team members operating within the hazardous areas shall be in
communications with each other at least one of the following means:
a. Visual (must be close enough to see each other)
b. Audible (must be close enough to speak to one another without the
use of radios)
c. Physical (must be close enough to touch each other)
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3. Team members shall work in close proximity to each other to provide
assistance in case of emergency.
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D. Initial Operations: Rapid Intervention Group:
1. During initial operations, at least three (3) members shall be assigned to the
Rapid Intervention Group (RIG).
2. Each member assigned to RIG shall don the appropriate level of protective
clothing and have SCBA and tools available to them ready for immediate
use.
3. At least one (1) RIG member shall maintain radio contact with crews in the
hazard zone, a constant awareness of the number and identity of members
operating in the hazardous area, their location and function, and time of
entry and not be assigned other duties.
4. RIG members who remain outside the hazardous area(s) shall be permitted
to perform non-essential firefighting duties after all essential RIG duties
have been completed (i.e. means of egress established, staging area
identified, charged RIG pre -connect in place, etc.) provided that his/her
ability to promptly activate is not hindered.
VI. Incident Commander's Responsibilities
A. Designate one of the first alarm companies as the RIG at all potentially hazardous
incidents. Due to the limited availability of truck crews and the need for the RIG
group to be able to have their own dedicated water supply and hose line, the RIG
function should be assigned to a standard 3 -person Engine Company.
1. Command will advise by radio which company is designated as the RIG.
2. An Incident Safety Officer (ISO) will also be assigned with the RIG.
a. This will be accomplished with the additional assignment of a
second Chief's Car on all working fires or potentially hazardous
responses.
b. Until the arrival of the ISO, the Incident Commander will assume all
ISO responsibilities.
B. Follow Special Operations RIG guidelines for any operation designated as such.
(Examples: high rise operations, dive rescue, and haz-mat alarms, etc.)
C. Strongly consider requesting additional resources in order to establish and maintain
the RIG.
D. Once established, the RIG will remain in place at least until the "Primary Search
Complete" and "Fire Under Control" benchmarks have been achieved.
1. After these benchmarks have been achieved, the risks to firefighters should
be carefully assessed.
2. Command should consider maintaining the RIG function throughout the
event if there is any doubt about the building's structural stability or if there
are any extenuating circumstances.
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3. Command will announce over the assigned tactical channel when it is safe
to deactivate the RIG.
E. Activate the RIG when needed for firefighter rescue. When doing so, Command will:
1. Ensure that the ISO assumes management of RIG operations and directs the
firefighter rescue effort.
2. Ensure that all regular ISO duties are assumed by Command until a new ISO
is assigned.
a. The original ISO's only duties at this point in the operation are those
of the RIG Supervisor.
b. Insure that the RIG is re -staffed as soon as possible and that a new
ISO is assigned. (Once the original RIG is activated for firefighter
rescue, additional RIG staffing should be considered in the event that
an additional firefighter rescue is needed.)
c. After the RIG activation, insure that the Fire Control Group's
primary tasks stay centered on controlling the fire to reduce further
risk to interior crews.
F. Verify that a second alarm has been dispatched immediately upon activation of the
RIG.
G. At structure fires, the backup team may serve as the RIG if:
1. The fire is quickly knocked down by one fire attack hose line and a backup
team is in place outside the IDLH atmosphere.
2. However, due to building size, occupancy considerations, smoke conditions,
rescues in progress, or other higher risk situations, Command may choose to
assign a separate engine company as the RIG even to reduce the risk to the
attack crew.
H. Beaumont EMS (BEMS) crews offer resources to support the RIG function.
Command may opt to create a RIG Task Force (consisting of the initial BFRS RIG
combined with BEMS or other resources) when the situation warrants.
VII. Incident Safety Officer Responsibilities
A. Insure that the RIG function is effectively addressed. The RIG will be managed by
the ISO.
1. Insure that the RIG remains available until deactivated by Command.
2. Insure that all RIG duties listed under the RIG Supervisor's responsibilities
section are being performed.
3. Insure that the RIG is located to achieve the best tactical advantage.
4. Insure that the RIG is staffed with a minimum of three (3) personnel at all
times. (2 RIG members available for entry and I RIG member who remains
at the pump panel to perform the pumper/operator duties for the additional
RIG hose line).
5. Request from Command additional resources when the assignment of
multiple units are required to satisfy the RIG function.
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6. Insure that the mobile radio dedicated to monitoring the assigned BFRS
tactical radio channel (located at the Command Post) is functioning.
a. The ISO should call the RIG on the assigned BFRS tactical channel
from the Command Post to test the Command Post radio and the
RIG's communications capability.
B. When the RIG is activated by Command, the ISO will:
1. Assume the RIG Supervisor responsibilities and direct those assigned to the
group in rescue operations.
a. All other ISO functions will now be transferred to Command until a
new ISO is assigned.
2. Transmit over the radio:
a. That the RIG is deployed,
b. Where they are deployed to, AND
c. The RIG ACTION PLAN.
1) The history of rapid intervention team activations indicates that
when a "firefighter down" is announced, many times, firefighters
on scene will abandon their assigned duties and self -assign to the
rescue. When the RIG action plan is formally announced over
the radio other units conducting fire control activities are less
likely to abandon their assigned duties and join the search
eff ors~
Request from Command the resources necessary to provide ongoing RIG
support.
a. Support the activated RIG as required. This should include assigning
a person as an Air Manager who will monitor and record the SCBA
air levels of the RIG members.
b. Expand the rescue operation if needed.
c. Provide additional relief resources for RIG personnel.
d. In the event of extended "protect in place" operations, attempt to
have at least two firefighters staged for every one firefighter
involved in the rescue effort.
VIII. RIG Supervisor's Responsibilities
A. The initial RIG Supervisor is the Company Officer assigned to the RIG function. The
ISO assumes the overall RIG Supervisor role when the RIG(s) are actually deployed.
A RIG Supervisor may be responsible for the following:
1. Report to the Command Post fully bunkered with SCBA, hand light, and
radio.
2. Report to the ISO and Command to obtain a briefing with respect to tactical
operations and company assignments.
3. Obtain the RIG equipment bag and other tools necessary to locate and
support a downed firefighter (Example: thermal imaging camera,
miscellaneous rescue equipment, medical gear, etc. A RIG bag and
miscellaneous rescue equipment is currently located on all Chief s Cars.)
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4. Check RIG equipment—SCBA function and air level (must be over 4000
psi), ropes, hand lights, and any other special equipment assigned for rescue
operations.
5. Conduct an initial reconnaissance of the structure. Survey for a secondary
means of egress on all floors, terrain conditions, smoke conditions, and
tactics being employed. Confer with Command/ISO on your findings.
6. Have one member of the RIG assume the outside team member's
monitoring responsibilities according to 2-in/2-out. This person should be
dedicated to monitoring the fire scene which includes being aware of tactics
employed, changes in fire conditions, location of interior attack crew(s), etc.
7. Ensure RIG members are wearing the designated ORANGE helmets located
in the RIG bag.
8. Report to the Incident Commander when the RIG has been established and
its location.
9. The RIG radio designation shall be the company's unit designation plus the
acronym "RIG". (Example: "Engine I RIG." This system will allow for
multiple assigned RIGS at a single incident.)
10. Insure that a hand line is deployed from the dedicated RIG pumper and that
the hand line and crew are properly positioned for rapid deployment where
and when appropriate.
a. For example, there may be no reason to deploy a RIG hand line at
incidents such as a trench rescue or defensive fire.
11. Perform any necessary proactive tasks. These may include additional
forcible entry, laddering, etc. If possible, it is preferred to have other units
perform the proactive RIG functions after these tasks have been identified
by RIG members.
12. Insure that the RIG remains fully intact after being established.
13. Insure that the RIG is ready to immediately deploy.
a. RIGS should be bunkered to the extent so they are "30 -second ready"
when activated.
b. This means, at a minimum, bunker pants on, bunker coat on, SCBA
on, face piece not on but ready to be connected to SCBA regulator.
14. Have one RIG member dedicated to monitoring the assigned BFRS tactical
channel. This radio should be set to "no scan."
15. Have another RIG member dedicated to monitoring the assigned channel
for firefighter rescue operations.
16. Consider using rehab, smoke ejectors, or PPV fans to provide for cooling of
RIG members during hot weather.
IX. Dedicated RIG Pump Operator's Responsibilities
A. Obtaining hydrant supply for the RIG Engine. This may be achieved through the dual
pumping method from the attack pumper.
B. Insure apparatus water tank is full, pump is in gear and water is re -circulating.
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C. Monitor the tactical radio channel. If the RIG is activated, verify the proper radio
channel for rescue operations with the RIG Supervisor and switch to that radio
channel.
D. Once the RIG is established, remain close to the assigned engine. If the RIG is
activated, remain at the pump panel.
X. RIG Tactical Information -The A.W.A.R.E. System
A. Most firefighters have been trained to use the "grab and go" style of rescue. This may
work well with civilian rescues but becomes more difficult when you add the weight
of a firefighter's gear, entanglements, or structural collapse.
B. A system has been developed and proven to save the lives of firefighters. This system
is given the acronym A.W.A.R.E. This stands for Air, Water, A Radio, and
Extrication.
C. The strategic goal of the A.W.A.R.E. system is to provide a survivable environment
for as long as it takes to perform the rescue.
D. First, provide the victim with a redundant (primary and secondary) Alla~
SUPPLY.
E. Second, create a defendable space with „ A,'TI?aI using hose lines. Meeting these
first two needs can buy several hours of extrication time.
F. Third, provide the victim with A IIAD1 .
1. Secure a dedicated radio channel to the trapped firefighter that is monitored by
another firefighter whose ONLY responsibility is to monitor the downed
firefighter's channel.
2. The level of consciousness of the victim can be monitored by radio, if
necessary.
In extreme cases, when the victim must be left alone, leave air, water, and a
radio with him/her. (This could happen if rescuers are running low on air and
still have not been relieved by additional rescuers).
G. EXT111CWTION is the final step, which may take five minutes or several hours.
1. Prolonged extrication considerations:
a. Air.
1) The victim should have two (2) RIG SCBAs and at least three
air bottles next to him/her.
2) When the first SCBA falls below 1000 psi, provide air from the
second SCBA.
3) The empty bottle in the first RIG SCBA can then be replaced
with a full bottle.
4) If working in limited visibility, mark the RIG SCBA and air
bottles with a light source so they are not lost in the smoke or
darkness.
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5) Command should consider requesting the use of a continuous
air supply system if available.
b. Water.
1) SOG's require a dedicated RIG engine for water supply.
2) Insure that the pump operator of the RIG engine is on the same
radio channel as the rescue team. This is very important for
calling for the hose line to be charged.
c. A Radio.
1) Assign a dedicated rescue radio channel for the victim.
2) A DIFFERENT dedicated radio channel for the RIG's rescue
effort is especially important if fire control is still ongoing.
d. Extricate.
1) This is the final step in the rescue operation. Once the trapped
firefighter has been rescued, the RIG must remain in place if
fire suppression or other operations are still in progress.
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