|
ARCHIVE ISSUE February-March 2002 |
Multi-company Placement
Part I
There are two questions I can always ask in a workshop/seminar environment and receive an almost universal show of hands. Those two questions are as follows:
"Have you ever noticed opposing handlines at a structure fire?"
"Have you ever witnessed bad apparatus placement at a structure fire?"
Obviously, the answer to both of these questions is a resounding YES, regardless of the fire department you work for. So, for purposes of this article, let's discuss the issue raised in the latter question: Why is bad apparatus placement common in the fire service? Let's start by considering nine basic principles of multi-company operations.
EFFECTIVE FIREGROUND OPERATIONS CENTER AROUND ONE INCIDENT COMMANDER
First, effective firefighting operations require a plan that is based on an initial direction and a prediction of where a fire is going (What it will do next?). Second, the first officer on the scene of an incident is the individual who begins to develop an initial plan and direction for an incident. Therefore, the first-in officer is the incident commander, whether the officer announces or acknowledges that fact or regardless of the rank of that person. Remember, the goal of an incident commander is to achieve maximum effectiveness from all resources working together. A lack of initial direction will usually result in independent action (or free-lancing) by additional companies as independent actions do not consider the overall goal of a team.
THE SUCCESS OF AN OPERATION DEPENDS ON EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATIONS
Simply stated, communications provides a connection between an incident commander, on-scene personnel, and responding resources. Of all the participants in an incident, an incident commander should have a plan of direction and should communicate that plan. Fireground communications should not be "top secret," or classified as a "007" operation. To summarize principle 1&2, assume the first-in officer to a working fire in the rear of a single-story, single-family dwelling conducts a quick mental size-up and gives the following radio size-up:
"Dispatch from Engine 1, we are on-scene at 1420 Elm Street with fire visible from the rear portion of a single-story, single-family dwelling. Engine 1 is taking an attack line inside the structure via the front door." In this size-up, the officer has described incident conditions and initial suppression actions. However, without specific directions, the next arriving company can easily spot next to Engine 1 and take an attack line in the rear door with the intent to also assist in extinguishing the fire. (I know you have never even thought about doing this.) If this operation results in opposing attack lines, it is the combined fault of the officer on Engine 1 for ineffective communications, and the officer of the second-in company for not asking for specific directions prior to becoming involved in the incident (freelancing). In contrast, let's modify the initial size-up as follows:
"Dispatch from Engine 1, we are on-scene at 1420 Elm Street with fire visible from the rear portion of a single-story, single-family dwelling. Engine 1 will be command and is taking an attack line inside the structure. Additionally, I want the next arriving company to provide a backup line for my company." In this size-up, the initial officer has clarified the following:
Engine 1 is in command of this incident.
What the actions of Engine 1 are.
What the actions of the next arriving company should be.
This approach has eliminated any fireground free-lancing between the first two arriving companies and has both companies working together. If the initial officer does not adhere to the principle of assigning specific tasks to responding companies when necessary, additional arriving companies should ask for specific instructions prior to arriving at an incident. This will force the initial officer to communicate what actions are necessary by later arriving companies. As an example, assume you are the officer of the second-in arriving company. Without any specific assigned task, try the following radio message: "Engine 1 from Truck 2, we are several blocks away. How can we help you?"
To assist in the delivery of an effective initial size-up, let's consider a few basics. First, size-up has been defined as "the estimate of a situation made by the officer in charge, through which it is determined what to do and how to do it." It is the development of a plan, the decision as to the method of attack. It is the beginning of, and the basis for, firefighting operations. The degree of efficiency attained in firefighting will depend on the thoroughness with which a size-up is made, as it is a continuous process. Strategic objectives, tactical operations and methods will be established based on information gathered during a size-up. Although a size-up is the first building block in the hierarchy of fireground decision making, it becomes diluted if additional companies are not aware of the common goal for an incident. Second, an initial size-up can be summarized as a "snap estimate" of a situation that is made upon the arrival of the initial company and should include the following considerations:
Address (location) of incident.
Observed conditions.
Initial action being taken.
Instructions to incoming resources (if appropriate).
Request additional resources (if appropriate).
Now, let's combine the preceding five considerations into an initial size-up pre-plan as follows:
"DISPATCH FROM_______1________, I AM ON-SCENE AT_______2________, I HAVE A_________3_________: ____________4-5-6-7___________________."
1. Your designation. You should be familiar with this one!
2. Location of incident. This ensures all resources are responding to the same address!
3. Describe what you see, not what you suppose. This allows incoming resources to start their mental size-up. An ineffective initial size-up is illustrated by the following example: "Dispatch from E-1, we are on-scene and have smoke showing". Is there a difference between food-on-the-stove and a well involved structure with exposures, as both of these examples have smoke showing? So, describe what you see and be relatively descriptive. If you are the initial company and have insufficient information for an initial size-up, try the following: "Dispatch from E-1, we are on-scene at 123 Highland Parkway. I am unsure of the extent of this incident. I will give an additional size-up when I see what I have." When speaking on the radio, don't let your mouth fill in the blanks your eyes don't see. If you have additional resources "breathing down your neck" and you are unsure about incident needs and additional resource actions and placement, tell the additional resources to stage back from the incident until you have a chance to evaluate the needs of the incident. Don't let the speed and excitement of incoming resources force you into a corner or enhance fireground freelancing.
4.-5.-6.-7. Optional Items:
4. Your actions. If necessary, what will your initial actions consist of?
5. Resource placement and actions. If necessary, give incoming resources specific assignments.
6. Additional resources. If you need (or think you will need) additional resources, ask. Be proactive, not reactive.
7. Modify your original size-up when you have seen more. If incident conditions change, update your dispatch personnel.
As this simple initial size-up pre-plan can be used for any type of incident, let's consider the following example:
Assume you are E-1 responding to a reported structure fire at 120 South Grant Avenue, and the initial assignment consists of two engines and one truck company. As the initial company approaching the incident, you observe a two-story, single-family dwelling with fire showing from a window on the second floor. Using the preceding initial size-up example, your size-up would be as follows: "Dispatch from Engine 1 (1), we are on-scene at 120 South Grant Avenue (2), and have a two-story, single-family dwelling with fire showing from a window on the second floor (3). E-1 will be taking an attack line inside the front door (4). I want the next engine company to provide me with a back-up line, and I want the first truck company to perform ventilation operations (5). Additionally, I want another engine company to respond to this incident (6)." Remember, the initial size-up is your opportunity to ensure that additional resources can "follow in the footprints that you left in the sand."
The foregoing is an excerpt from Truck Company Operations by John Mittendorf, published by Penwell. To purchase, click here.
© Copyright Firenuggets.com 2002 • Click here for Terms and Conditions of Use
<•••SIGN OUT
®