STRUCTURAL FIRE

TURNING OUT

In addition to the standard turn out procedure the OIC of the first responding appliance should consider the level of response according to the Initial Response Plan .

Initial Alarm Response

Structural Fire Contingency:

• Fixed alarms Single response and nearest Brigade
• Domestic dwellings Single response and nearest Brigade
• Schools 2nd Alarm
• Multi-storey dwellings 2nd Alarm
• Factories 2nd Alarm
• Service Stations 2nd Alarm
• Fuel Depots 2nd Alarm
• Hospitals/restaurants 2nd Alarm
• Large shopping complexes 2nd Alarm
• Camps/Hostels 2nd Alarm

NOTES

• The CFS has an established operational aim to have the first responding brigade to be mobile to an Urban Fire Incident within 3 minutes of the alarm being raised.
• If the Brigade or Group becomes aware that a Brigade is not able to raise a crew to respond to an incident as above, then it must ensure the next nearest Brigade is responded. NB It is the Aldgate Brigade?s policy that - 3 persons is a minimum crew.

EN ROUTE TO INCIDENT

While en route to the incident the OIC should be evaluating the following...

• What is the make of the crew?s expertise (ie. how many are CABA trained, what fire fighting experience do they have etc) and what role may each crew member play.
• What is the availability of water?
• Have any persons been reported trapped?
• How will the weather effect fire fighting operations?
• How will the time of the day effect fire fighting operations?
• Will the topography of the area effect operations?
• Will the Group Base be required to be called out?

APPROACHING THE SCENE

When nearing the scene...

• spotting hydrants early will indicate which side of the street the main is running.
• encourage crew members to call out the street numbers to assist with locating the correct address.
• look for smoke.

ON ARRIVAL

• Position the Appliance Appropriately

Points to consider..

• Attempt to arrive and position the appliance upwind and so the pump operator can see the incident clearly.
• Keep the appliance at a safe distance, in case of structural collapse
• Are there power lines down or could they come down?
• Keep the access clear for other emergency vehicles.

• Transmit a basic/brief SITREP and predicted resource requirements to the Brigade, Group, Region 1 HQ or State HQ.
• Also consider requesting other emergency services. ie Police, Ambulance etc.

• Size Up the incident. (While the CREW ESTABLISHES WATER) The RECEO plan should be used as a guide to setting priorities but there are other points to consider...
• How large and complex is the structure.
• What is the structure constructed and does it appear sound?
• Where is the fire, is it visible, what is actually burning and how involved is the structure?
• What does the structure contain. ie Dangerous Substances etc
• Has the power been disconnected and/or the gas shut off and/or LPG cylinders protected.
• What resources have I got now, what resources will be needed?
• Will initial strategy be to concentrate on the rescue or fire fighting or both?

• Transmit a detailed SITREP, and/or any request for further resources, if required (also further detailed SITREPs should be sent every 30 minutes thereafter).

OPERATIONAL STRATEGIES AND PRIORITIES

The seven principles of fire attack are designed to assist the OIC to plan an effective fire fighting operation. They are..

• R - Rescue
• E - Exposures
• C - Confinement
• E - Extinguishment
• O - Overhaul

• V - Ventilation
• S - Salvage

• The OIC should set up a clearly visible Incident Control point as soon as time permits.
• At a large structural fire the OIC should consider sectorizing the incident and appointing a dedicated Fire Fighting Operations Officer.

FIRE FIGHTING & SAFETY NOTES

• The OIC must have the safety of his crew foremost in his mind, and should not put and crews at risk in any aspect of the operation. In particular, BA crews should not be committed, to an attempted rescue if there is any doubt relating to their ability to safety enter and exit the structure.
• Initial fire attack must be directed towards supporting the rescue attempts if launched.
• Consider ventilation to assist the rescue by clearing the structure of some heat and smoke.
• Effect ventilation only when crews are covered by a protective hose line.
• Should the size of the fire allow an interior Offence Attack, if possible it should be made through the unburnt side of the structure.
• If the structure is fully involved a exterior Defensive Attack should be employed with 64mm hose lines.
• Do not conduct simultaneous offensive and defensive attacks, injury or fatality may result.
• Be very cautious if there is smoke issuing but no fire visible, the fire may be starved of oxygen possibly leading to a back draft or flash over.
• When attending any structure fire, the OIC should be mindful that arson could be involved. Take note of any suspicious circumstances.
• Encourage the crew to communicate any information relating to the incident.
• Most incidents will require the OIC to notify the Police (traffic and crowd control), Ambulance (medical care for casualties and/or standby in the event of), ETSA (disconnect power) and SA Water
• If in doubt, don?t hesitate - call for back-up.

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