Fort Blackmore VFD

S.O.G.’s

Chapter 7

Fire Ground Operations

Duties and Qualifications of the Incident Commander and Safety Officer

Revised August, 2007

Chapter 7: Fire Ground Ops

Fire Ground Operations

Fire Ground Operations are many and varied. It is the intention of this Chapter to outline how the Fort Blackmore VFD firefighters should attack fire on the Fire Ground, responding to a structure fire. While safety is Number One, it is not the intention of this SOG to list, rank, and describe all the operations of the firefighter on the Fire Ground, responding to a structure fire and performing his/her tasks. Some "common sense" is required. This SOG will try to give priority to what needs to be done and what should be done on the fire ground as the firefighter responds to a structure fire.

Firefighter Responsibilities on the Fire Ground

When an alarm is received by the fire department, the volunteer firefighter should try to respond as quickly and as safely as possible. The firefighter responding to a fire is covered in Chapter 5 of this SOG, i.e., she/he should not speed or break any motor vehicle laws while responding; should drive the speed limit, or a slightly faster speed if possible; and should not EXPECT other drivers to give the right of way simply because she/he is responding to an emergency, etc. It is better to arrive alive and live to fight fire another day. If the other trucks have already rolled, you may respond to the scene by yourself in your POV. Important points for firefighters on the fire ground are emphasized below:

Do not break any laws to arrive at the fire hall or the scene

Come to the fire hall before reporting to the scene, unless you have permission to carry your own PPE’s in your vehicle [you may have a longer distance to travel to get to the hall while responding, and it may be necessary to pack your own PPE’s]

You may report directly to the scene if the fire scene is very close to you at the time of the emergency call; contact the First Due Unit to tell them you are on the way to the scene. Once you arrive on scene, contact Central Dispatch and tell her the disposition of the fire

If the fire can be controlled by Fort Blackmore VFD, tell Central Dispatch. If you, as the first arriving firefighter, feel that more emergency personnel are required, contact Central. Ask for mutual aid.

If the fire has been controlled or knocked down, or it is no longer an emergency, tell Central Dispatch and all Responding Units to "BACK IT DOWN". This is a phrase used to tell all Units to drop down from 10-33 Traffic and proceed at a normal speed.

The Incident Commander is the highest ranking Fire Department Officer on the scene at the time of the arrival of an Engine, Pumper, Tanker, or Brush Truck.

When the Chief arrives on scene, he/she will become Incident Commander. The Chief, is he/she so chooses, may designate an Incident Commander

Report to the Incident Commander in full PPE, if possible: helmet, coat, trousers, gloves, hood, eye protection [and hearing protection if available]. Wear your PPE: Personal Protective Equipment. This saves injuries.

Maintain contact with the Incident Commander [IC]. Communicate with Central through the IC.

Allow the IC to communicate with Central Dispatch.

Use your IC Tag as directed by your Chief Officer or IC

The IC will assign you a duty. Comply with his/her orders. Man you station until called upon to do other duties. Do not leave your assigned station without permission.

Do not smoke or horseplay on the fire ground, unless you have permission from the IC. A careless cigarette could be fatal. Horseplay leads to unnecessary injuries.

Lay hose, man nozzles, do Entry, ventilate, establish a water supply, do rescue, do overhaul, do salvage, etc., as directed by your Incident Commander.

If you have been qualified and adequately trained to Department Standards by your Training Officer to do Entry, suit up in SCBA and be on standby waiting for orders. Do not do Interior without a Buddy. Stay with your Buddy. Listen to your Officer while doing Interior.

Stay at your post until relieved or until the scene is secured by the IC.

Be trained. Do not assume you know everything about the fire ground. Do not assume that the other firefighters around you know about the fire ground. Know your job; do your job.

Watch for downed power lines. Tell the IC of any hazards you spot. Tell other firefighters of the dangers you encounter.

Always step off apparatus correctly. Jumping off a fire vehicle onto a Fire Ground may cause injury.

Stepping from a grounded fire vehicle to a fire ground may cause severe electric shock. Check for any downed electrical wires close to you before disembarking from the fire apparatus.

Watch for imminent wall or roof collapse; signal the pumper operator or IC if you suspect a wall or roof collapse will occur.