“Saving Our Own”

This course was developed by the Illinois Fire Service Institute. The course was taught by

members of the Chicago and Schaumburg Fire Departments. This was initially a 16 hour “train

the trainer” course taught to members of AFD that had been selected by the training staff. The course was modified to meet the immediate needs of the AFD. Additional components of this course will

be incorporated into future training sessions.

Course Objectives

At the end of this training session the firefighter will be able to:• Identify factors that lead to firefighter injury and fatalities.

• Identify factors that increase Firefighter Safety including:– Pass Devices (SOP 203.40)– Improved communications (SOP 204 .30– Fire Ground Accountability (SOP 203.11)

• Demonstrate basic firefighter rescue techniques.• Understand the importance of Rapid Intervention Crews

Firefighter Injury Facts

• Firefighter Injuries 1995 - 94,500• 50,640 Injuries on the Fire Ground• Problems:

– Less fires but same number of deaths

– Were described as “routine fires”

– Several “things” went wrong.

– Common factors involved.

Fatality Statistics 1997NFPA

• 43.6% Fire Ground / 40 of 94

– 13 Heart Attack

– 8 Asphyxiation

– 7 Crushing

– 5 Internal Trauma

– 3 Burns

– 1 Heat Stroke

– 1 Drown

– 1 Asthma Attack

– 1 Shot

43.3% caught or trapped

Common Factors Contributing ToFirefighter Injury & Fatality

• Failure to read the building - # 1 overall factor– Lack of, or incomplete size up

– Lack of knowing building construction and fire behavior

• No Pass device– NFPA reports 1984-94, 173 FF fatalities

– 160 with no pass device

– 6 with pass not turned on

– only 7 with pass device turned on

Common Factors Contributing ToFirefighter Injury & Fatality (Cont.)

• Heavy Fire on lower levels– Walk out basements

– Floor weakened or holes burnt through

• Communications - Information between IC & Companies– Hackensack, NJ 5 fatalities, called for help over 30

minutes, 17 minutes after collapse last call for help.

– Indianapolis, called for help 7 times in 5 minutes.

WHY DON’T WE HEAR?

Common Factors Contributing ToFirefighter Injury & Fatality (Cont.)

• Accountability– # 1 factor in accountability is the officer

knowing where his/her people are– 25% of all firefighter fatalities are due to a lack

of accountability

• On your own time review SOP 203.11

203.12

203.13

Common Factors Contributing ToFirefighter Injury & Fatality (Cont.)

• Hotter fires - Since 1970 fires have tripled the BTU output– Iowa (Royers) L X W X H / 100 = GPM

– NFA L X W / 3 = GPM

• Energy Efficient Windows

• Average apartment has over 2500 lbs... Of plastic

• Temperature inversion at flashover - 1100 at ceiling 1700 at floor

• Deteriorating buildings

• Light weight and truss construction– Light weight truss can fail as soon as 4 minutes

85 - 90% of Firefighters have

never practiced

Firefighter Rescue

Basic Concepts of Firefighter

Rescue

“The Concept is one of Attitude”

Concept of Firefighter Rescue• Attitude is everything!!!

– It doesn’t take a 500,000 dollar squad to begin thinking and ACTING…

– Do you come dressed for the party?

– Firefighters are killed surrounded by 1/2” sheetrock.

– “Don’t give up! Mentality is essential!”

– Who do you want coming to get you?

– Rapid Intervention Crew

Concepts of Firefighter Rescue (Cont.)• Anticipate problems - Everyone must be looking!!!

• Read the building

• 360 degree survey

• Throw ladders

– Engineers – Stand by companies

• Clean out windows

• Think Forcible EXIT Tools.

Concepts of Firefighter Rescue (Cont.)• Ensure Operation of PASS when dismounting apparatus• Watch your air

– Point of no return

– SCBA Emergencies

• Consider level of activity

• Listen to the radio. (Lapel Mic’s)• Communicate to IC

– Declare “MayDay” w/ CO. I.D. and best known location– Activate PASS– Turn on Flash Lights– Inform IC of noises heard, ie. Saws, Fans, Crews, etc.– Tap or Beat on Surroundings

Lost / Missing Firefighters SOP 203.13

• Initial Action (IC)– Must automatically assume trapped or lost

– Must request next higher alarm

– Send RIC 203.12 Ref. SOP 203.13 page 2 (IC Actions)

• Discuss Air horns, Emergency traffic, Mayday….

PROCEDUREFirefighters who are Missing,

Lost, or Trapped….In or around the structure or incident should attempt to

perform the following functions:

1. On the companies portable radio, declare a “May Day” along with your company ID and location or the best known location to the I.C.

2. Activate PASS devices to assist rescue crews in their search.

3. Point flashlight beams in the direction of rescue crews or straight in the air to alert rescuers of your location.

4. Keep the I.C. informed to noises heard to aid in their search, i.e., overhead ventilation efforts with saws, etc.

PROCEDUDRE cont.

5. Kick legs or move arms to attract rescuers.

6. Tap or beat on the surroundings.

7. Shout for help.

8. Take every measure necessary to increase survivability.

PROCEDUREIncident Command’s

ResponsibilityI.C. shall perform the following functions:1. Ask Dispatch Services to send out an alert tone on the

Emergency Scene channel to get the attention of all companies in the “Hot Zone.”

2. Announce emergency traffic.

3. Declare a “May Day” on the fire ground to all companies on the radio and advise them of the following:

A. What company members are missing, lost, or trapped

B. How many firefighters are in the missing company

C. The firefighter’s last known location on the fire ground

PROCEDURE Cont.

4. Assign the RIC to initiate a rescue at the last known location of the missing firefighters.

5. Call for the next greater alarm level.

6. Activate the emergency withdrawal procedure, if necessary.

7. Assign companies to assist or support the rescue effort.

8. Conduct a PAR of all companies to confirm the number of missing, lost, or trapped firefighters.

THE RIC OFFICER: ENROUTE

• Officer has a different role!

• Responding for firefighter rescue, not suppression.

THE RIC OFFICER: EXPECTATIONS

• The chief officers must have high expectations of their RIC Officers

RIC

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Frequently Asked Question:• Can different companies rotate in and out of the

RIC role?

No - only as last resort• Can personnel assigned to RIC be used for

fireground “work”?

No - RIC must keep fresh