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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFresno Operational Area Rapid Intervention Standard Operating Guideline - Final 081425Fresno Operational Area Rapid Intervention Standard Operating Guideline 1.0 Purpose To establish guidelines for providing firefighter safety and potential emergency rescue of firefighters operating in hazardous areas or areas immediately dangerous to life and health. 1.01 Scope All Emergency Response Personnel 1.02 Definitions Appropriately Equipped: In addition to the required personal protective clothing, being appropriately equipped includes positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) and appropriate rescue equipment to locate and remove firefighters from hazardous areas. Emergency Traffic: A term used to clear radio channels to allow for critical communications related to potential life-threatening situations which could lead to a fire fighter emergency. These may include downed power lines, partial building collapse, or an immediate change in operational strategy (offensive to defensive). Hazardous Area: Any area at an incident scene that poses a risk to safety, health, or well-being of firefighters. Immediately dangerous to life and health (IDLH): An atmospheric concentration of any toxic, corrosive, or asphyxiant substance that poses an immediate threat to life to an unprotected person, may cause irreversible adverse health effects, or impair the ability to escape from a hazardous area. Interior atmospheric conditions at structure fires beyond the incipient stage are IDLH. Incipient Stage Fire: A fire in the initial or beginning stage that can be controlled or extinguished by portable fire extinguishers, Class II standpipe, or reel line without the need for SCBA. Fresno Operational Area Rapid Intervention Standard Operating Guideline Interior Structure Fire Fighting: The physical activity of fire suppression, rescue operations, or both, conducted within buildings or enclosed structures involved in a fire beyond the incipient stage. Mayday: A term used to clear designated radio channels used at an incident to prioritize critical communications for a firefighter in distress who requires immediate assistance or rescue. Personnel Accountability Report (PAR): Personnel Accountability Report is a survey of fire ground resources to account for all personnel by assignment or unit. Rapid Intervention: Fireground assignment comprised of personnel who are appropriately equipped, prepared, and standing by outside the hazardous areas/IDLH, to rescue a fellow firefighter in distress. Rapid Intervention Crew (RIC): A Rapid Intervention Crew shall have a minimum of (3) personnel, consisting of one qualified Officer and two members, whose sole function is to prepare, monitor, and provide for effective emergency rescue of responders in hazardous areas/IDLH. Rapid Intervention Group Supervisor: The Officer designated by the Incident Commander to oversee the Rapid Intervention Group. This position is typically assigned to a Chief Officer, depending on the complexity and scale of the incident. Rescue: The action of firefighters entering a hazardous area or IDLH without the prior establishment of Two-Out or RIC to save a life. Fresno Operational Area Rapid Intervention Standard Operating Guideline Two-Out: Two appropriately equipped firefighters outside the hazardous area or IDLH who monitor and provide emergency rescue for responders until a Rapid Intervention Crew (RIC) is established. 1.03 Application The primary task of Rapid Intervention personnel (Two-Out or RIC) is to respond to any firefighter reported in distress. The official term for a firefighter in distress shall be "MAYDAY" (Reference: Operational Area Firefighter Emergency Standard Operating Guideline). This guideline ensures adequate personnel are on scene before interior operations begin in any known or potentially hazardous areas or IDLH. All personnel entering hazardous areas or IDLH shall operate utilizing a "Buddy System" and shall always maintain voice, physical, or visual contact. Radios or other electronic equipment shall not be a substitute for voice or visual contact. Personnel shall not enter an IDLH environment until Two-Out or RIC have been established. At structure fires, where interior fire conditions are beyond the incipient stage, a minimum of two (2) firefighters are required to fill the Two-Out assignment. Personnel may initiate an interior attack without establishing Rapid intervention personnel (Two-Out or RIC) when the fire is in the incipient stage and has not reached IDLH. Nothing in this policy prohibits firefighters from performing emergency rescue activities before two-out or RIC have assembled. During the initial phase of an incident, first arriving firefighters who encounter an imminent life-threatening situation where immediate action may prevent the loss of life or serious injury (including civilian rescues) are permitted to enter the IDLH without establishing Two-Out or RIC. First arriving Officers shall attempt to immediately assess the rescue/victim profile and deploy resources as the assessment and risk management dictates. Personnel initiating entry into an IDLH without establishing Two-Out or RIC shall notify dispatch that a rescue is in progress. Fresno Operational Area Rapid Intervention Standard Operating Guideline Examples: a. "Communications, Engine 42 will be in Rescue-Mode, entering with 2." b. "Communications, Engine 3 conducting a rescue." c. "Fresno, Engine 85 we have a confirmed rescue." 1.04 Two-Out Guidelines Initial Firefighter safety may be provided by a minimum of (2) appropriately trained and equipped firefighters positioned outside the IDLH to provide emergency rescue of personnel within the IDLH. This arrangement ensures initial firefighter safety until a formal RIC is established. Pre-deployment (Two-Out): 1. Acknowledge the assignment. 2. Gather basic tools: • A charged hose line of equal/greater size than the line used by Fire Attack • RIC pack (if equipped) or spare SCBA with mask • Wire cutters • Webbing or rescue strap • Hand tools (Irons) 3. Take a position in a safe location outside the IDLH near the point of entry of interior crew (s). (See staging considerations section) 4. Advise Incident Commander on the establishment of Two-Out . 5. One member shall track and account for the personnel entering the IDLH. • Unit, location, and assignment • Number of personnel • Time and point of entry Fresno Operational Area Rapid Intervention Standard Operating Guideline 6. The second member of the Two-Out is permitted to take brief proactive actions: • 360◦ size up (if practical) • Utilities No task shall be initiated that would place any firefighter at additional risk should the task need to be immediately abandoned. Deployment of Two-Out: Two-Out may deploy with immediate notification to the Incident Commander for a firefighter rescue or a life-threatening situation where immediate action may prevent the loss of life or serious injury (including civilian rescues). Two-Out deploying for firefighter rescue shall take the following steps: 1. Acknowledge request, confirming any information gathered from mayday transmission. 2. Members quickly confirm the rescue plan and individual assignments/responsibilities. 3. Make entry and notify Command of entry into the IDLH. 1.05 Rapid Intervention Crew (RIC) Guidelines The purpose of a Rapid Intervention Crew (RIC) is to provide proactive fireground tactics for firefighter safety and to prepare for, monitor, and provide effective emergency rescue of firefighters. A Rapid Intervention Crew shall have a minimum of (3) personnel, consisting of one qualified Officer and two members. The number of personnel assigned to a RIC, and the overall number of Rapid Intervention Crews, is determined by the complexity and needs of the incident and is reevaluated throughout the incident. The Incident Commander has the discretion to assign a Rapid Intervention Crew (RIC) without having first assigned a Two-Out. This decision is based on risk assessment, incident priorities, strategic objectives, and available resources. Fresno Operational Area Rapid Intervention Standard Operating Guideline If a Rapid Intervention Crew is assigned on an incident where Two-Out has previously been established, the IC may direct the RIC to absorb Two-Out or reassign them. Absorbing the Two-out into the RIC has many benefits, such as: • Expanding the initial RIC crew size will allow for more proactive actions, increasing firefighter safety. • Information gathered by Two-out on tracking and accounting for personnel entering the IDLH stays with the RIC. • Two-out personnel know how the incident has progressed and changed with the efforts of interior crews. • It is common to find Two-Out established with (1) engineer and (1) firefighter. Absorbing them into RIC places them back under the supervision of a qualified Officer. • Provides additional staffing for potential rescue efforts early in the incident when MAYDAYs are statistically most likely to occur. Pre-deployment (RIC): Upon arrival and receipt of a Rapid Intervention Crew assignment, the Officer shall facilitate the following actions: 1. Acknowledge the assignment and confirm the radio identifier. 2. Contact Two-Out (if assigned) and absorb them into RIC. 3. Gather basic tools: • A charged hose line of equal/greater size than the line used by Fire Attack • RIC pack (if equipped) or spare SCBA with mask • Webbing or rescue strap • Wire Cutters • Hand Tools (Irons) 4. Advise Incident Commander on the establishment of RIC. Fresno Operational Area Rapid Intervention Standard Operating Guideline 5. Ensure all RIC members are: • Appropriately equipped • On the same radio channel • Assigned a positional assignment (i.e., RIC Pack, tools, search rope) 6. Perform a 360◦ size up and note: • Building size, age, construction • Access and egress points • Fire conditions • Access/egress obstacles to soften • Hazards for Command 7. At least (1) member shall be dedicated to tracking and accounting for the personnel entering the IDLH. • Unit, location, and assignment • Number of personnel • Time and point of entry 8. Direct and assign other members to proactive tasks: • Soften the building (i.e., forcing exits, removing bars, opening doors) • Place narrow beam lights in exits • Preposition exterior ladders • Establish a RIC equipment cache to augment rescue capabilities 9. Request additional resources if needed to expand Rapid Intervention. 10. Stage (see staging considerations section) and continue to monitor interior crew(s) location(s), tactical objectives, and fire progression. Fresno Operational Area Rapid Intervention Standard Operating Guideline Deployment of RIC: RIC shall take the following actions when deployed: 1. Acknowledge request, confirming any information gathered from mayday transmission. 2. Ensure all members are on the same radio channel as the firefighter in distress. 3. Confirm the rescue plan with all members, including positional assignments. 4. Collect needed tools or rescue equipment from the cache based on the situation. 5. Notify Command or Rapid Intervention Group supervisor (if assigned) of the number of personnel making entry and entry point. 6. Make entry. Rapid Intervention Group supervisor guidelines When dictated by incident needs and complexity, the IC should consider assignment of a Rapid Intervention Group Supervisor to maintain Command and Control of rescue personnel. A Chief Officer is preferred, however any qualified Officer on the scene can fill this position. Pre-deployment (group supervisor): The RIC Group Supervisor maintains Command and Control of the personnel assigned and is responsible for all Rapid Intervention operations on the incident, including: 1. Acknowledge the assignment and confirm the radio identifier. 2. Contact RIC(s) currently assigned. 3. Monitoring all operations on all channels. 4. Size up access points, egress points, fire behavior, and current fire operations. Fresno Operational Area Rapid Intervention Standard Operating Guideline 5. Request additional resources if needed to expand Rapid Intervention. RIC Group supervisor during deployment: The RIC Group Supervisor should position themselves in best location to manage the rescue efforts, monitor only the channel being utilized for the rescue and take the following actions when a Rapid Intervention Deployment is initiated: 1. Deploy the Rapid Intention Crew(s). 2. Initiate the Rapid Intervention Checklist. 3. Request additional resources through Incident Command (IC) or Operations Section Chief to backfill the deployed Rapid Intervention Crew(s). 4. Consider utilizing available resources to assist with resource tracking and radio monitoring. 5. Remain in constant contact with the deployed Rapid Intervention Crew(s) and the firefighter in distress. 6. Secure all entrances to the deployment area. Staging considerations Rapid intervention personnel (Two-Out or RIC) shall stage in a safe location outside the IDLH/hazard area. The selection of a location(s) for the staging of personnel and equipment must allow for the monitoring of fire conditions by visual observation and the communications of assigned personnel over the radio traffic. Additional factors when selecting a staging location(s): • Initial entry point(s) of interior crew(s) • Secondary egress points • Hazards • Building Construction • Size and layout of the building or hazard area(s) • Number of personnel working in the hazard area(s) Fresno Operational Area Rapid Intervention Standard Operating Guideline • Corners allow for a view of (2) sides of the structure • Availability of pumping apparatus and hose lines In high-rise fire incidents, Rapid Intervention personnel are typically located outside the IDLH one floor below the fire floor or point of entry for crews working in the IDLH or hazard areas. 1.06 Expansion of Rapid Intervention The Incident Commander or RIC Group Supervisor must reassess the Rapid Intervention needs for an incident as the incident progresses. To ensure sufficient personnel are readily available to assist fire personnel working in the IDLH or hazardous area, consider the following items: • Number of entry crew (s) • Geographical size of the area (s) • Number of entry points During the initial stages of an incident with limited resources, assigning Two- Out provides for initial firefighter safety and emergency rescue needs. Two- Out will report directly to the Incident Commander. The Incident Commander may assign a Rapid Intervention Crew (RIC) without first assigning a Two-Out. If Two-Out was assigned, the IC should direct the RIC to absorb the Two-Out. RIC reports directly to the IC or a Rapid Intervention Group Supervisor (if established). Incident Commander (IC) Two-Out Fire Attack Vent Search Fresno Operational Area Rapid Intervention Standard Operating Guideline If the incident/structure is large enough to require multiple entry locations or the establishment of divisions requires various entry points, consider additional Rapid Intervention Crews for each entry point. If (2) or more RIC crews are assigned, a Rapid Intervention Group Supervisor should be assigned to maintain Command and control. The second Chief Officer or any qualified Officer on the scene can fill this position. The Rapid Intervention Group Supervisor reports directly to the IC (see chart above) or Operations Section Chief (if established). Incident Commander (IC) RIC Fire Attack Vent Search Incident Commander (IC) RIC Group Sup. RIC Fire Attack Vent Search Fresno Operational Area Rapid Intervention Standard Operating Guideline If multiple Rapid Intervention Group supervisors are required to oversee Rapid intervention crews entering from numerous access points, or an extended RIC operation ensues. In that case, the Incident Commander should open the Rapid Intervention Branch Director to maintain Command and control. Near the Command Post, remote from the RIC entry location(s), is the ideal location for the Rapid Intervention Branch Director. The rapid Intervention Branch supervises the Rapid Intervention Group Supervisors and reports to the IC or Operations Chief. Incident Commander Operations RIC Group Sup. RIC 1 RIC 2 Fire Attack Search Vent Evacuation Incident Commander (IC) Rapid Intervention Branch RIC 1 Group Sup. T-41 E-6 RIC 2 Group Sup. E-3 E-42 T-11 Fire Branch Medical Branch Fresno Operational Area Rapid Intervention Standard Operating Guideline Management of Identifiers As the Incident command structure expands in size and complexity, the assignment of radio identifiers is critical to effective communications. The following chart explains the changes as Rapid Intervention needs to expand. Stages of Expansion Radio Identifier Purpose (2) Minimum personnel “Two-Out” or unit identifier Firefighter rescue personnel, basic. Assigned Rapid Intervention Crew “RIC” or unit identifier The only crew assigned to Rapid Intervention. (2) or more RICs assigned to different geographical areas “RIC alpha” “RIC bravo” “RIC1” “RIC 2” etc.…or unit identifiers Geographically based on sides of a structure or floors. Rapid Intervention Group Supervisor assigned “RIC Group” Designates the supervisor. Geographic identifiers for RICs stay the same. Multiple RICs assigned to the same geographical area Maintain/revert to unit identifier "T-4”, “E-6” etc.… Keeps communication simple with easy identifiers. (2) or more Rapid Intervention Group Supervisors assigned to different geographical areas “RIC Group alpha” “RIC Group bravo” “RIC Group 1” “RIC Group 2” etc.… Geographically based on sides of a structure or floors. (2) or more Rapid Intervention Group Supervisors assigned to the same geographical area Maintain/revert to unit identifier “BC- 43”, “BC-4” Keeps communication simple with easy identifier. Rapid Intervention Branch assigned “RIC Branch” Designates the branch. Geographic identifiers stay for the Group Supervisors. Disbanding of Two-Out or Rapid Intervention Crew(s) Fresno Operational Area Rapid Intervention Standard Operating Guideline Disbanding the Two-Out or Rapid Intervention Crew(s) is critical information to disseminate to all personnel remaining at the scene. When considering disbanding, the Incident Commander shall ensure the following points: • Two-Out or Rapid Intervention Crew(s) shall not disband until all areas that are immediately dangerous to life and health are mitigated and all fire personnel is removed from all other incident hazards, i.e., building collapse. • Complete a final PAR to account for all incident personnel before disbanding. • Communicate the disbanding of the Two-Out or the Rapid Intervention Crew(s) to all incident personnel via the radio. • Continually monitor the scene for a change of events or conditions that may necessitate reassigning a Two-Out or Rapid Intervention Crew. IDLH Report Form If initial attack personnel encounter an imminent life-threatening situation where immediate action may prevent loss of life or serious injury, such actions shall be permitted without Two-Out or RIC being assembled when conducted in accordance with NFPA 1500. • No exception shall be permitted when there is no possibility of saving lives. • The fire department shall thoroughly investigate any such actions taken in accordance with this section with a written report submitted to the fire chief (NFPA 1500). • The Company Officer/Acting Company Officer deviating from this guideline must: o Complete the Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health (IDLH) Form before the end of their shift. Fresno Operational Area Rapid Intervention Standard Operating Guideline o Send copies to:  The on-duty shift Battalion Chief  The Fire Chief • All completed IDLH forms will be filed in the IDLH file maintained at Fire Headquarters. Cross-References National Incident Management System Consortium Book 1 – First Edition National Fire Protection Association, 1500 National Fire Protection Association, 1710 National Fire Protection Association, 1407 Fire Scope ICS-910 Fire Scope ICS-420-1 Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) 29 CFR 1910 &1926 California Code of Regulations, Title 8, Section 5144 Command & Control Decision Making at Multiple Alarm Incidents, 2nd 2013 (NFA) Operational Area Firefighter Emergency Standard Operating Guideline Fresno Operational Area Rapid Intervention Standard Operating Guideline COMMAND CHECKLIST FOR MAYDAY Acknowledge the MAYDAY with a situational status (NULCAN – Who / What / Where / Air) Deploy Two-Out / Rapid Intervention Notify Communication Center to activate emergency alert tone on specific channel. Announce the MAYDAY situation over the fire ground channel. a. (Emergency Alert Tone) “All units from Command, we have a MAYDAY in progress, one firefighter lost on the second floor, running low on air, requesting immediate assistance. Rapid Intervention deploy, all other units Standby for assignments.” Change the plan from a fire attack to a high priority rescue. o Consider establishing a Rapid Intervention Group Supervisor Move all fireground frequencies to another channel, V-Fire 22 is recommended. Obtain PAR Request additional resources. o Additional alarm with staging location o Additional EMS units o US&R Team Establish an addition Two-Out / Rapid Intervention Crew when resources allow.