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Home My WebLink About201.005 - Risk Management Policy Effective Date: June 2016 Theodore Semonious, Deputy Chief Current Revision Date: 1/3/2023 Section 201.005 Next Revision (1) Date: 1/3/2028 Page 1 of 7 200 Standard Operating Procedures Manual SECTION 201.005 RISK MANAGEMENT PURPOSE The purpose of this policy is to establish a formal procedure to reduce the inherent risk of injury or death to firefighters. APPLICATION Fire department operations present inherent risk of injury or death to firefighters. It is a goal of the Fresno Fire Department (FFD or Department) to provide the safest possible work environment for its members. It is imperative that each member operates in a safe manner for their own safety as well as for the safety of others. OPERATIONAL POLICY The Fire Department expects all members to make operational decisions consistent with the following FFD Risk Management Principles: 1. RISK A LOT TO SAVE A LIFE. Firefighters may accept significant risk of injury or death ONLY when protecting savable human life. 2. RISK A LITTLE TO SAVE PROPERTY. Reduced levels of risk to firefighters are acceptable when protecting savable property, ONLY after balanced evaluation of hazards, AND appropriate control measures are established. 3. RISK NOTHING WHEN NOTHING CAN BE SAVED. No risk to the safety of firefighters will be acceptable if no reasonable probability exists to save lives or property. 4. When risk to firefighters is excessive AND control measures inadequate, consider disengagement or defensive posture. OPERATIONAL GUIDELINE Actions to reduce or avoid risk during operations should include, but are not limited to: Fresno City Fire Department Effective Date: June 2016 Theodore Semonious, Deputy Chief Current Revision Date: 1/03/2023 Section 201.005 Next Revision (1) Date: 1/03/2028 Page 2 of 7 • Incident Command established. • FFD Command Algorithm utilized. • Actions consistent with Standard Operating Procedures/Standard Operating Guidelines. • Proper personal protective equipment utilized. • Accountability system established. • Continuous risk assessment by all members. FFD Risk Management Principles RISK A LOT TO SAVE A LIFE. Firefighters may accept significant risk of injury or death ONLY when protecting savable human life. RISK A LITTLE TO SAVE PROPERTY. Reduced levels of risk to firefighters are acceptable when protecting savable property, ONLY after balanced evaluation of hazards, AND appropriate control measures are established. RISK NOTHING WHEN NOTHING CAN BE SAVED. No risk to the safety of firefighters will be acceptable if no reasonable probability exists to save lives or property. When risk to firefighters is excessive AND control measures inadequate, consider disengagement or defensive posture. Effective Date: June 2016 Theodore Semonious, Deputy Chief Current Revision Date: 1/03/2023 Section 201.005 Next Revision (1) Date: 1/03/2028 Page 3 of 7 PROCESS See Command Algorithm at the end of this document for reference material on integration of Risk Management Principles into Incident Management. FFD Command Algorithm INCIDENT SIZE UP SITUATIONAL AWARENESS INCIDENT PRIORITIES OPERATIONAL MODE OPTIONS FOR COMMAND ESTABLISH ICP + DEVELOP IAP INFORMATION Job Aids #1 and #2 are included in this policy to assist interpretation and implementation of the Command Algorithm. Job Aid #1 assists the user in the relationship between Incident Priorities and Operational Modes. The flow chart encourages adherence to observation of incident priorities through decision points to achieve an effective incident action plan that reflects the balance of risk vs. benefits of the situation. Job Aid #2 takes the user through a series of decision points that will help determine incident priorities, operational modes, options for command and ultimately an effective incident action plan reflective of the risks and benefits of the situation. DEFINITIONS Incident Priorities 1. Life Safety: Encompasses responders and the public. It includes rescuing endangered civilians; treating the injured; and providing for the safety, accountability, and welfare of response personnel. Life safety is an ongoing priority throughout the incident. 2. Incident Stabilization: Seeks to keep the incident from escalating, minimize its effects, and bring it under control. 3. Property Preservation: Maintaining the property, the infrastructure, the evidence, and the economy and providing for recovery. ONGOING ASSESSMENT OF INCIDENT AND HAZARDS Effective Date: June 2016 Theodore Semonious, Deputy Chief Current Revision Date: 1/03/2023 Section 201.005 Next Revision (1) Date: 1/03/2028 Page 4 of 7 4. Environmental Protection: Maintaining the environment, including water ways, air quality, crops, etc., and providing for recovery. Operational Mode 1. Investigative: Initial resources are determining the extent of an incident and need for further resources. 2. Rescue: There is an immediate life safety hazard where some risk mitigation efforts may be bypassed for the potential benefit of a savable life. 3. Offensive: Direct, Interior, or aggressive exterior attack within the collapse zone, observed risks are mitigated to provide for responder safety. Risks are in line with benefits of saved property. 4. Defensive: Indirect or exterior attack outside of the structural collapse zone, there is no life or property to be saved. Options for Command 1. Pass Command: Command can be passed from a first arriving company officer to the next arriving company officer who is ON THE SCENE. This is indicated when the initial commitment of the first arriving company requires a full crew (i.e., high-rise or an immediate rescue situation) or the incident complexity prohibits the first arriving company officer from fulfilling the responsibilities of the Incident Commander (IC). 2. Establish Command: On arrival, an officer determines that the best course of action for mitigating an emergency is to assume the dedicated role of IC. 3. Transfer of Command: The transition of command from a lower ranking officer to a higher-ranking officer. 4. Working Command: This option for command is applied when quick, immediate action can prevent life loss or injury. These situations require direct involvement on the part of the company officer to rescue patients and/or stabilize the incident. In this mode, the company officer accompanies the crew to provide the appropriate level of supervision. Command may be passed to the next arriving officer, upon their arrival. Command shall not be passed to an officer who is not on scene (Firescope California, Structure Fire Operations, ICS-500, Page 7, Command Guidelines, Risk Management). Effective Date: June 2016 Theodore Semonious, Deputy Chief Current Revision Date: 1/03/2023 Section 201.005 Next Revision (1) Date: 1/03/2028 Page 5 of 7 5. Incident Action Plan: The strategic goals, tactical assignments, and support requirements for the incident. All incidents require an action plan. For simple incidents, the action plan is not usually in written form. Large or complex incidents require that the action plan be documented in writing. CROSS-REFERENCES Firescope California, Structure Fire Operations, ICS-500 Page 7, Command Guidelines, Risk Management Effective Date: June 2016 Theodore Semonious, Deputy Chief Current Revision Date: 1/03/2023 Section 201.005 Next Revision (1) Date: 1/03/2028 Page 6 of 7 Risk Management Command Algorithm Job Aid #1 Effective Date: June 2016 Theodore Semonious, Deputy Chief Current Revision Date: 1/03/2023 Section 201.005 Next Revision (1) Date: 1/03/2028 Page 7 of 7 FFD Command Algorithm / Job Aid #2 Decision Tree for Command Algorithm Operational Modes and Options for Command Dispatched to Residence Is it a “Working Fire” Is it a Rescue Is it Offensive Is fire Incipient OFFENSIVE MODE Ventilation NO YES YES NO 2-Out Exemption Form Hose Reel Extinguisher Water Can Extinguish DEFENSIVE MODE Transitional Exposures Overhaul Salvage Fire Attack Cancel Response 2-Out Transitional 2-Out Exemption Form Investigate YES NO NO YES PASS COMMAND 360 ESTABLISH COMMAND 360 ESTABLISH COMMAND 360 RESCUE MODE Water Supply Risk Management Command Algorithm Job Aid #2