CIBOLO FIRE DEPARTMENT

STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES

 

Engine Company Operations

 

PURPOSE:

To define the Standard Operating Procedures for Engine Company Operations.

 

RESPONSE:

Minimum four qualified members of the Cibolo Fire Department for incidents in our jurisdiction.

On mutual aid responses, a minimum of an Officer, Driver and two Firefighters.  A probationary firefighter may also ride if sufficient seat belts are available.

 

MINIMUM STAFFING:

At least four members shall be assembled before initiating interior fire fighting operations at a working structural fire.  A Working Structural Fire is defined as any fire that requires the use of a 1 1/2 inch or larger attack hose line and that also requires the use of self‑contained breathing apparatus for members entering the hazardous area.

The minimum required four members assembled for initial fire fighting operations can include any combination of members arriving separately at the incident.

Members who arrive on the scene of a working structural fire prior to the assembling of four persons may initiate exterior actions in preparation for an interior attack.  These may include, but are not limited to, actions such as the establishment of a water supply, the shutting off of utilities, the placement of ladders, the laying of the attack line to the entrance of the structure, or exposure protection

Of the minimum four members assembled to begin interior operations, at least two members must remain outside the structure.  These two outside members may be performing other duties while standing by, but must have full turn-out, SCBA and tools available, and be capable of immediately coming to the aid of any interior members who require assistance.

Once additional companies or members arrive on the fireground, additional crews may be directed to the interior; however, at least two standby members shall remain outside at all times.

Once adequate personnel are available on the fireground, the Incident Commander shall designate one 2-4 member company as a Rapid Intervention Team (R.I.T.).  This company shall remain positioned, fully equipped to immediately go to the aid of any interior members who require assistance.

EXCEPTION:     If, upon arrival at the scene, members find an imminent life threatening situation where immediate action may prevent the loss of life or serious injury, such action shall be permitted with less than four members at the scene, when conducted in accordance with sound risk management principles.

 

If members are going to initiate actions that would involve entering of a structure because of an imminent life‑threatening situation where immediate action may prevent the loss of life or serious injury, and four members are not yet on the scene, the members should carefully evaluate the level of risk that they would be exposed to by taking such actions.  If it is determined that the situation warrants such action, incoming companies should be notified so that they will be prepared to provide necessary support and backup upon their arrival.

Such action is intended to apply only to those rare and extraordinary circumstances when, in the member's professional judgment, the specific instance requires immediate action to prevent the loss of life or serious injury and four persons have not yet arrived on the fireground.

 

PRIORITIES:           The basic priorities for Engine Companies are:

1.      Size up

2.      Search and Rescue

3.      Exposure Protection

4.      Fire Suppression

5.     Salvage and Overhaul

 

Minimum Level of PPE/Tool and Equipment Assignments

All personnel assigned to fire suppression units shall don a full complement of turn-out gear. SCBAs shall be in place and ready for immediate deployment. All personnel shall carry the tools and equipment assigned to their specific riding position. All personnel (including officers) conducting an interior investigation on unconfirmed activated fire alarms and smoke or odor investigations, shall be fully turned out with SCBA and tools and equipment. All personnel, with the exception of those carrying hose packs or extinguishers, shall be equipped with a minimum of one hand tool or a thermal imaging camera.

 

POSITIONING FOR STRUCTURE FIRES

Engine Companies should be positioned based on the situation. Situation is determined upon arrival

Situation 1 The Interior Structure fires within reach of preconnected lines:

·          1st engine should be located in front of the fire building, pulling just beyond the building or the involved occupancy to allow placement of an aerial tower.

·          2nd engine should lay 5" supply line or multiple lines to 1st engine.

 

Situation 2 Structure fire beyond reach of preconnected lines: (reverse Lay)

·          1st engine should lay hand lines and 3" with gated wye to door.

·          2nd engine should lay 5" supply line or multiple lines to 1st

Situation 3 Structure fire requiring use of standpipes:

·          1st engine crew (min. of four members) should investigate to locate fire.

·          Standpipe pack and forcible entry tools shall be carried into building.

·          If Driver or EMS personnel are available, 1st engine should connect two-3” lines to supply the fire department connection and lay the supply hose to the hydrant.

·          2nd engine should stage nearby for possible use.

·          If 1st engine crew is committed, 2nd engine should connect to standpipe siamese and lay the supply line to hydrant.

Situation 4 Structure fire in sprinklered building:

·          If nothing is showing on arrival, 1st engine should investigate.

·          2nd engine should position to supply sprinkler connection.

·          If fire or smoke is showing upon arrival, 1st engine connects to sprinkler connection and lay’s the supply hose to the hydrant.

·          2nd engine should provide attack line as directed and request supply line if needed.

EXCEPTION:        If command is aware of only partial sprinklering and believes that the fire is in a non‑sprinklered area, then position for situation 1, 2 or 3 should be followed as appropriate.

 

VEHICLE FIRES:

CARS

Single Engine Response: Upon arrival at a car or other vehicle fire, the engine company should be positioned upwind/uphill of the involved vehicle if possible.  Safety of the crew should be the highest priority when determining apparatus placement.  The apparatus should be used to block off traffic flow as much as possible.  The police department should be requested to the scene (if not already present) and used for traffic control. Minimum of one-1.75” handlines shall be laid to extinguish the fire.

Trucks - Single Engine and Tanker Response: Pre‑placement size‑up is critical before beginning an attack on any type of truck fire.  The officer in charge should take all possible steps to determine the contents of the cargo area or trailer of the truck.

A second engine company should be requested for truck fires involving the cargo area.  A minimum of two 1 3/4" handlines should be used to control/extinguish a fire in the cargo compartment or trailer of a truck.

Fires involving tanker trucks containing combustible/flammable liquids shall have a minimum of 500 gpm per impingement preferably from master streams.  These fire streams should be applied at the top of the involved area of the tank compartment to cool the vapor space and help maintain the integrity of the tank.  A CESO alarm should be initiated if the fire can not be quickly controlled.  On truck fires with involvement of the tires, crews should position themselves to the front or rear of the vehicle and not perpendicular to the tires.  This will help prevent injuries in the event that the rim explodes.

Crews should take steps to control run‑off of water from truck fires, especially from those involving hazardous materials or flammable/combustible liquids.  A CESO alarm should be initiated any time these substances are identified.

DUMPSTER FIRES: A single engine response is generally adequate on most dumpster fires.  Depending on the amount of flames showing and proximity to any structure or other exposures, the officer in charge may choose a handline or the deck gun as means for extinguishment.

On dumpster fires in close proximity to a structure, the officer should upgrade the response and request a full response if there is any possibility of involvement of the exposed structure

 

TWO IN / TWO OUT

PURPOSE:

The purpose of this procedure is to protect firefighters and rescue workers entering potentially hazardous atmospheres.

 

DEFINITIONS:

This procedure specifically refers to an atmosphere that is potentially IDLH (Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health).

 

POLICY:

Personnel shall not enter IDLH environments without at least two personnel dressed to the same level of protection and capable of performing immediate back up for the personnel operating in the IDLH area.  In situations where there is a reasonable indication of immediate life hazard to occupant(s) in the IDLH area and risk benefit is considered, then entry is allowed without immediate compliance with this Procedure.

 

PROCEDURE:

Where it is found that these conditions exist or have the potential to exist, the use of a "buddy system" shall be used.  The term "buddy system" means that when members must enter into an IDLH condition, they will do so in teams of two or more.  When personnel are required to make entry into these types of areas, stand-by personnel are also required to stand by with equipment ready for assistance or rescue.

·          When workers are utilizing SCBA's while in an IDLH or potentially IDLH or unknown atmospheres, they shall operate in a buddy system of two or more individuals.

·          Workers using the buddy system are required to have voice and/or visual contact.

·          Trained and equipped personnel are required to be present outside of the IDLH, potentially IDLH or unknown atmospheres prior to a team entering and during the team's work in the hazard area.

A minimum of four individuals are required.  This shall consist of two individuals working as a team, in the IDLH, potentially IDLH or unknown atmospheres and two individuals outside the area for assistance or rescue at emergency operations where entry into the danger zone is required.