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2009 Fire/EMS Safety, Health, and Survival Week Structural Size-Up and Situational Awareness. Structural Watch-outs. 360 view of fire and size up not performed. 2. Uninformed on strategy, tactics, fire conditions, and hazards. 3. Instructions and assignments not clear.
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2009 Fire/EMS Safety, Health, and Survival WeekStructural Size-Up and Situational Awareness
Structural Watch-outs • 360 view of fire and size up not performed. • 2. Uninformed on strategy, tactics, fire conditions, and hazards. • 3. Instructions and assignments not clear. • 4. The incident is progressing poorly. • 5. Transitioning from offensive to defensive or visa versa.
6. The structure has been evacuated by the public and is confirmed. 7. Water supply is unreliable. 8. Searching without a hose line or tag line. 9. Working above or below the fire. 10. Attempting to attack the fire from a ground ladder.
11. Interior building configuration makes escape to safe areas difficult. 12. Upon entering the structure you encounter heavy smoke conditions and / or high heat. 13. Unable to quickly locate the seat of the fire. 14. Unfamiliar with the building and / or its contents.
15. The building has had numerous alterations. 16. Operating on the roof with only one means of egress. 17. 15 minutes have elapsed & the interior fire fight continues.
18. Environmental conditions are extreme. 19. The incident scene is dark. 20. Mentally and / or physically tired.
10 Rules of Engagement - IAFC • No building or property is worth the life of a firefighter. • All interior firefighting involves an inherent risk. • Some risk is acceptable in a measured and controlled manner. • No level of risk is acceptable if there is no potential to save lives or savable proptery.
10 Rules of Engagement - IAFC • Firefighters should not be committed to interior offensive firefighting operations in abandon or derelict buildings. • All feasible measures shall be taken to limit or avoid risk through a risk assessment by a qualified officer. • It is the responsibility of the IC to evaluate the level of risk in every situation.
10 Rules of Engagement - IAFC • Risk assessment is a continuous process for the entire duration of the incident. • If conditions change, and risk increases, change strategy and tactics. • NO BUILDING OR PROPERTY IS WORTH THE LIFE OF A FIREFIGHTER. • Full report: http://www.iafc.org/associations/4685/files/rules.pdf
Tactical Decision Game • Everyone get a sheet of paper to write your answers on. One person will keep the time. • You have three minutes to read the statement and answer the questions below in order of highest priority.
Scenario • You are the Officer assigned to E10. E10 is dispatched to a reported structure fire in CO. 14’s first-in district. The fire is located at 2320 Buford Dr. The fire building consists of a large one story, Type II, commercial building; restaurant. The fire is located on Side D of the building. E14, E26 and E21 are on a previous call. You’re first on-scene. Your crew consists of a 4 year firefighter, a 5 year relief driver and yourself.
Questions • Est. command, size-up, and priorities. • What is you initial action? • What other considerations do you have?
Discuss your answers with the crew. Look for differences in opinions and discuss the background of why you made your decision.
Situational Awareness • An internal process that goes on constantly, much like a size up. • Becomes driving factor for Decision Making.
Comprehension of the Current Situation Projection of Future Status Perception of the Elements in the Environment Situational Awareness
Perception- I see smoke. • Comprehension- The smoke is very dark and turbulent, pushing. • Projection- Smoke explosion/flashover imminent, back crews out.
8 Factors that Lead to Lost Awareness • Ambiguity- Open to more than one interpretation or unclear. • Distraction- Attention is drawn away from the original focus of attention. • Fixation- Focusing attention on one item excluding all others. • Overload- Too busy to stay on top of everything
Complacency- A false sense of comfort that masks deficiencies and danger. • Improper Procedure- Deviating from SOP’s without justification. • UnresolvedDiscrepancy- Failure to resolve conflicts or conflicting conditions. • “Nobody flying the plane”- Self Explanatory.
Situational Awareness • Reality- What is going on? • Perception- What we perceive is going on? • Goal is to be identical, allows us to make the best decision.
Additional Info. • http://www.fireengineering.com/display_article/355909/25/none/none/Feat/Situational-Awareness:-Key-to-Emergency-Response • http://www.iafc.org/associations/4685/files/pubs_CRMmanual.pdf Page 19.