incident scene communications effective incident communications - critically important if emergency...

Incident Scene CommunicationsIncident Scene Communications

Effective Incident Communications -

Critically important if emergency scene activities are to be conducted safely and efficiently. Company officers play key role because they transmit and receive majority of all incident scene messages.


• Communications Equipment • Radios - Basis for most fireground

communication.

• Mobile Data Terminals - Radio operated data terminal.

• GPS - Global Positioning System


• Communication Procedures - Departments

should have communications that define;

• Establish the use of common terms

(clear text)

• Establish a system of transmitting progress reports to keep all units current on the progress of the incident.


• Radio Communications - Company officers are responsible for making sure that every member of their crew is trained on;

• Basic radio operation and maintenance

• Radio frequencies assigned and used

–Routine and fireground

• Departmental radio procedures


• Radio Communications (cont.)• Clear text vs. Ten codes

–Clear Text - Standard English

–Ten Codes - Radio codes to convey

messages (10-4, 10-8, 10-70)

• Transmitting Essential Information -

Officers should monitor crews radio usage and ensure that proper procedures are followed and messages are short and simple


• Direct Orders - All fireground direction should be in form of a direct order. As much pertinent information as possible should be given. Companies should repeat transmission to ensure that it has been properly received.


• Five C’s of Communication - Five C’s of communication that every fire officer should master are;

• Conciseness

• Clarity

• Confidence

• Control

• Capability


• Conciseness• Make messages task-oriented

• Direct Messages to companies and not individuals

• Match the message to the receiver

• Keep messages specific


• Clarity• Use standard terms and everyday

language

• Messages are kept simple

• Communicate only one task at a time and have units repeat back


• Confidence• Use a calm, natural tone

• Speak at a controlled rate

• Companies will react with more confidence when confidence is communicated to them


• Control • Communication control is

responsibility of company officers

• Identify who is being called and who is calling

• Exercise emotional control needed to remain calm under stress

• Emotional maturity to set good example


• Capability • Effective communication depends on

capable (well trained) senders and receivers. Must be effective listeners as well as speakers.

Incident Scene ManagementIncident Scene Management

The safe and efficient handling of any emergency incident requires responders to gain control of the scene and to maintain that control throughout the incident. The objectives of incident scene management are;• Life Safety

• Incident Stabilization

• Property Conservation


• Life Safety - #1 priority at any emergency is the saving of civilian lives and preservation of F/F lives.

• Scene security

• Accountability


• Phases of Scene Management - Two phases of scene management that apply to every incident;

• Scene Assessment - Determine the size and nature of the incident.

• Scene Control - Traffic control, perimeter control, crowd control, witness control, evacuation, media control


• Traffic Control - Controlling the flow of vehicular traffic makes operation at the scene run more smoothly. Allows for more efficient access and departure of FD vehicles. When traffic is allowed to continue, FD vehicles must be positioned so that they provide a barrier between personnel and traffic


• Perimeter Control - Setting up control zones is most effective to control the perimeter of an incident scene.

• Hot Zone

• Warm Zone

• Cold Zone


• Hot (restricted) Zone - The area where mitigating the problem is taking place, i.e. fires, haz-mat.

• Warm (limited access) Zone - Area immediately outside the hot zone. For personnel supporting those in the hot zone (decon).

• Cold (support) Zone - Support personnel.

Command Post, PIO, personnel staging.


• Terminating the Incident - Termination phase involves equipment retrieval, fire cause and determination, releasing scene to those responsible for it, CISD for F/F’s if applicable.

Size-Up & Incident PlansSize-Up & Incident Plans

• Size-Up - On-going process of evaluating a situation to determine what has happened, what is happening, what is likely to happen, and what resources will be needed to resolve the situation.

Size-UpSize-Up

• Size-Up - Begins before an incident is reported and continues throughout the incident.

• Pre-Incident - Pre-incident planning

• On-Arrival - The most intense and important part of the size-up process

Must avoid the “moth/candle syndrome”.

Size-UpSize-Up

• Radio Report - Give good radio report with all pertinent information:

• Description of structure

• What you see (smoke, fire, nothing)

• Your actions

• Assumption of Command

• Assignment for next in company

• Request additional resources

Size-UpSize-Up

• Officer should take a quick walk around (360*) to view incident from all angles.

• Asks question, “Can resources on scene or enroute handle situation”.

• Decision on how to operate is made;• Offensive

• Defensive

• Rescue

Incident Scene PrioritiesIncident Scene Priorities

• Life Safety - Always first ! Search may not be first action of fireground.

• Incident Stabilization - Controlling incident. Fire control and extinguisment.

• Property Conservation - Saving savable property through extinguishment, salvage, etc.

Incident Scene PrioritiesIncident Scene Priorities

• REVCEOS - Fireground organizational acronym. Ensures that priorities are accomplished in order of importance regardless of incident size.

• Rescue

• Exposures

• Ventilation

• Confinement

• Extinguishment

• Overhaul & Salvage

Incident PlansIncident Plans

• Incident Action Plan - A plan (either written or unwritten) for the safe and efficient disposition of an emergency incident. An incident action plan identifies the “strategic goals, tactical objectives, and support requirements for the incident.


• Operational Plans - Plans that identify the required resources, their assignments, and safety considerations for the successful control of a haz-mat incident or other emergency requiring multi-unit operations. Otherwise known as pre-plans, pre-incident plans, strategic plans.


• Incident Action Plans - Given information obtained during the initial size-up, and any other information available in an operational plan, the IC can devise a plan for the safe and efficient disposition of the incident. Specifies the strategic goals and tactical objectives for the next operational period, usually 12 hours.

Incident Action PlansIncident Action Plans

• Strategic Goals - Overall plan for controlling the incident. Broad, general statements of the overall outcomes to be achieved.

• Tactical Objectives - Tactical objectives are statements of measurable outcomes.

Action Plan ImplementationAction Plan Implementation

Once an incident action plan has been developed, it must be implemented. First step is to communicate plan to all personnel on the scene. This starts with a size-up and assumption of command.

Most important part of the incident action plan is that dealing with life safety.

Action Plan ImplementationAction Plan Implementation

• Modes of Operation• Defensive Mode - Intended to isolate the

incident. Almost always an exterior operation.

• Offensive Mode - Usually means an aggressive interior attack at a fire.

• Rescue Mode - Focuses exclusively on life safety and rescue

Incident CommandIncident Command

• Unified Command - Representatives of all affected agencies share the command responsibilities and decisions.

Firefighter Safety and Health Firefighter Safety and Health

Company officers are responsible for their own health and safety and that of each member of their company. Most departmental safety programs , policies, and procedures are based onapplicable laws and standards.

Firefighter Safety and HealthFirefighter Safety and Health

• NFPA 1500 - Contains the minimum requirements for a fire department health and safety program. Fire departments must provide as safe and healthy work environment as possible. Included are;

• Training and Education• Vehicles and Equipment• Protective Clothing and Prot. Equipment• Emergency Operations• Facilities Safety• Medical and Physical Requirements


• Safety and Health Program - A comprehensive safety and health program must cover all anticipated hazards to which the members might be exposed.

• Infectious Disease Control Program

Designed to protect the health of fire department members from infectious diseases. Programs must have;

Firefighter Safety and HealthFirefighter Safety and Health• Written Policy Statement

• Exposure Control Plan

• SOP’s

• Information Management–Member Health Records

–Training Records

• Training and Education

• Compliance and QA

• Program Evaluation

• Bloodborne and Airborne Pathogens


• Firefighter Injuries - Greatest number of injuries (more than 100,000 a year) occur at the scene of emergency incidents. There are several things company officers can do to reduce firefighter injuries;

Firefighter Health and SafetyFirefighter Health and Safety

• Having a personal commitment to reducing injuries

• Requiring all firefighters to use all personal protective equipment

• Delivering effective training

• Following all SOP’s

• Participating in Phys. Fitness and weight control programs


• Promoting individual wellness including;

–Smoking Cessation

–Nutrition

• Conducting an objective and thorough investigation of time-loss injuries


• Two-In/Two-Out - Anytime firefighters operate in an IDLH atmosphere, they must work in teams of two or more and there must be another team of two or more outside of the space but immediately available.


• Workplace Safety• Proper lifting and carrying techniques

• Ergonomics - Designing the workplace to allow the worker to perform more efficiently and safely.

• Slip, Trip and Fall

• Housekeeping


• Stress - During emergency operations, firefighters are subjected to a significant amount of stress. Stress is defined as an adjustment to change. Stress can affect a firefighters health and ability to function.


• Physical, Environmental, Psychological• Physical - Physical exertion

• Environmental - Weather

• Psychological – Job Related

» Sound of alerting system» Interruption of meals and sleep» Potential dangers at the scene


• Stressors not Exclusive to Firefighting– Poor work relationships– Poor work atmospheres– Lack of promotions– Lack of support or recognition by

superiors– Difficult work roles

Firefighter Health and SafetyFirefighter Health and Safety• Psychological Stress - Company officers are

responsible for recognizing when one of their firefighters may be suffering from the effects of stress. Some signs that may indicate stress;

• Irritability

• Emotional Instability

• Inability to concentrate

• Fatigue

• Insomnia

• Loss of Appetite


• Common Methods of Stress Reduction• Getting Rest

• Exercise Regularly

• Eating a Balanced Diet

• Taking a Vacation

• Taking Quiet Times

• Laughing

• Relaxing or Slowing Down

Firefighter and Health SafetyFirefighter and Health Safety

• Critical Incident Stress - Result of a particularly traumatic or disturbing incident.

Some examples that may cause critical incident stress;

• Multiple Casualties• Gruesome Injuries• Firefighter Injury or Death• The death of a victim because of a failed

search• A fatality despite extraordinary efforts


• Symptoms of CIS• Denial of situation

• Anger

• Doubts about personal ability

• Anxiety

• Frustration

• Sense of Hopelessness


• Critical Incident Stress Debriefing - Group sessions with a trained debriefer in which company members are encouraged to talk about the incident and their feelings about it.


• Wellness Programs - Designed to help maintain the occupational health of a fire department’s most important resource - its personnel. Programs should include a means of monitoring the personnel and maintaining records on firefighters health and fitness.


• Medical Program

• Physical Fitness Program

• Member Assistance Program– Assists members with problems resulting

from stress, substance abuse, and personal matters

incident scene communications effective incident communications - critically important if emergency...

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