1. GT FIRE CHIEFS JOINT OPERATING GUIDELINE 1.1 STRUCTURE FIRES

2. To ensure a standardized response to structure fires in Gloucester Township To ensure a standardized response to structure fires in Gloucester Township PURPOSE

3. BENEFITS Increased fireground safety and efficiency Increased fireground safety and efficiency Less radio traffic Less radio traffic Companies know their roles prior to arrival Companies know their roles prior to arrival Essential tasks covered on EVERY fire Essential tasks covered on EVERY fire Allows IC to focus on strategic issues Allows IC to focus on strategic issues Provides a training blueprint for companies to follow Provides a training blueprint for companies to follow

4. IMPLEMENTATION PLAN 1.Approval by Company Chiefs – Done 2.Approval by BOFC’s – Done 3.Training of Officers – Sept/Oct 2011 4.Training of Members – Nov/Dec 2011 -Volunteer and career staff 5.Projected Effective Date – January 1, 2012

5. POLICY To be followed by all companies responding to structure fires in Gloucester Township To be followed by all companies responding to structure fires in Gloucester Township Assignments are flexible and may be changed to address specific strategic and tactical needs, as well as staffing requirements Assignments are flexible and may be changed to address specific strategic and tactical needs, as well as staffing requirements Encourages the assignment of crews as companies to preserve crew integrity and accountability Encourages the assignment of crews as companies to preserve crew integrity and accountability

6. POLICY Company assignments will be based on resource type and order of arrival Company assignments will be based on resource type and order of arrival Quints will act as EITHER a Truck Company or an Engine Company Quints will act as EITHER a Truck Company or an Engine Company –Should be identified by host company’s box assignment –If not, needs to be designated by IC OR announced by quint on arrival (i.e. “Quint 85 is on location, performing first due engine duties). –Important to announce on radio to avoid confusion for other arriving companies Policy will avoid need for companies to ask for orders via radio. Policy will avoid need for companies to ask for orders via radio.

7. POLICY Identifies water supply as critical to firefighter safety for interior operations Identifies water supply as critical to firefighter safety for interior operations Places primary responsibility on first due engine to lay a supply line for confirmed working fires, absent extenuating circumstances Places primary responsibility on first due engine to lay a supply line for confirmed working fires, absent extenuating circumstances –Trapped occupant in need of immediate rescue –Apparatus access concerns Identifies following requirements for interior ops without an established supply line Identifies following requirements for interior ops without an established supply line –Booster tank level must be constantly monitored –No more than one 1 ¾” handline placed in service

8. POLICY Identifies first arriving unit as IC, responsible for initial size-up and an accurate radio report: Identifies first arriving unit as IC, responsible for initial size-up and an accurate radio report: Type of building Type of building Number of floors Number of floors Conditions evident Conditions evident Staging / Water Staging / Water Supply Instructions Supply Instructions Announce Firefighting Announce Firefighting Mode (Offensive, Mode (Offensive, Defensive, Transitional) Defensive, Transitional)

9. POLICY IC Responsibilities (cont’d): IC Responsibilities (cont’d): Establish command, assign divisions and groups as needed Establish command, assign divisions and groups as needed Conduct fireground operations with following priorities (in order): Conduct fireground operations with following priorities (in order): –Life Hazard (FF and civilian) –Incident Stabilization (fire control) –Property Conservation

10. POLICY MANDATES IC and all arriving companies to engage in continuous risk analysis and report critical safety observations to command. MANDATES IC and all arriving companies to engage in continuous risk analysis and report critical safety observations to command. Requires IC to include his/her risk analysis and feedback into an Incident Action Plan (IAP). Requires IC to include his/her risk analysis and feedback into an Incident Action Plan (IAP). Identifies SOME situations which may pose a significant safety risk: Identifies SOME situations which may pose a significant safety risk: –Fire attacking structural components –Fire on multiple floors –Obvious degradation of the structure –Imminent collapse hazards –Advanced basement fires

11. POLICY Safety Risks (cont’d): Safety Risks (cont’d): –Fire in void spaces (ceilings, walls, attic, floors) –Rapid fire growth –Building construction features Lightweight wood or steel truss Lightweight wood or steel truss Metal deck roofs Metal deck roofs –Obviously abandoned or derelict structures

12. POLICY SCBA: SCBA: –Required for all members operating in an IDLH –Use may be discontinued only by IC and only after: Fire is controlled Fire is controlled Structure is ventilated Structure is ventilated Air quality is verified Air quality is verified

13. POLICY Minimum Requirements for IDLH/Interior Ops: Minimum Requirements for IDLH/Interior Ops: –Crew size of at least 2 FFI / SCBA Qualified Firefighters –Full firefighting PPE –SCBA in use with operational PASS device –Personal lights –Minimum of 1 portable radio per crew. –Tools required for task assignment. –Assemble, or receive direction prior to entry with the IC, Operations or Division Officer to receive assignment, coordinate interior efforts, and provide accountability of members entering the structure. –Remain in visual or voice contact with crew members.

14. POLICY Requires compliance with two in / two out by requiring at least two firefighters to remain outside during initial operations for firefighter rescue. Requires compliance with two in / two out by requiring at least two firefighters to remain outside during initial operations for firefighter rescue. Calls for a dedicated FAST on working fires. Calls for a dedicated FAST on working fires.

15. POLICY For fires that will not be readily controlled, the IC should designate the incident as an “All Hands” fire. SOME examples would be: For fires that will not be readily controlled, the IC should designate the incident as an “All Hands” fire. SOME examples would be: –Multiple rooms involved –Numerous hand lines required

16. POLICY ResourceSingle Family DwellingApartmentCommercial Building 1 st EngineLay Supply Line Attack Line to Fire Division A Lay Supply Line Attack Line to Fire Division A Lay Supply Line Attack Line to Fire Division A 2 nd EngineHook up or Pump 1 st Hydrant, Back up line from 1 st Engine Pump 1 st Hydrant, Back Up line from 1 st Engine 3 rd Engine2 nd Hydrant Standby Manpower Division A Lay 2 nd Supply Line Attack Line to 1 st Exposure Lay 2 nd Supply Line Attack Line to 1 st Exposure 4 th Engine2 nd Hydrant, Stand FastPump 2 nd Hydrant Attack Line to 2 nd Exposure Pump 2 nd Hydrant Attack Line to 2 nd Exposure 1 st TruckDivision A – FE, Search, Vent Fire Floor, Ladders Division A – FE, Search fire apartment, vent fire apartment, ladders Division A – FE, search, locates fire, check ceilings. 2 nd TruckDivision C – Roof Operations, Ladders Division C – Roof Operations, Ladders, FE 2 nd entry / egress 3 rd TruckStand FastFloor Above FireAs Required 1 st Rescue / Squad As directed by the IC 1 st ChiefDivision A 2 nd ChiefDivision C 3rd ChiefCommand Post

17. END RESULT IC needs only identify number of resources placed in service. If 4 and 2 are used, automatically provides: Four attack lines Four attack lines Two supply lines Two supply lines Truck functions Truck functions –Forced entry –Search –Ventilation –Ladders

18. POLICY Encourages company assignments based on resource type: Encourages company assignments based on resource type: –Engines for fire attack –Trucks / rescues for search, ventilation, interior assistance of engine company Tasks SHOULD NOT be delayed if specific resource has not arrived Tasks SHOULD NOT be delayed if specific resource has not arrived –i.e. An engine may be assigned to perform truck function

19. POLICY Requires fireground lighting when necessary to identify hazards and increase firefighter safety Requires fireground lighting when necessary to identify hazards and increase firefighter safety –Trapped occupants –Structural features / damage –Power lines

20. POLICY Requires NIMS compliant identification of building sides: Requires NIMS compliant identification of building sides: –Division A (ALPHA) - Front of the fire building (side of the building where the main entrance to building is located, and where IC is located.) Proceeding clockwise, structures and properties are identified in order. –Division B, (BRAVO) - Next side clockwise –Division C, (CHARLIE) - Rear of the building: –Division D. (DELTA) - Next side clockwise

21. POLICY Requires NIMS compliant identification of interior areas: Requires NIMS compliant identification of interior areas: –Ground floor - Division 1, –2nd floor - Division 2, etc..., –Any floors fully below ground floors should be designated as “Basement Division". –Multiple below ground floors should be designated as "Basement 1, Basement 2” from ground floor down. –The roof of the building will be identified as Roof Division.

22. POLICY Exposure Identification: Exposure Identification: –Same letter designation as fire building side –Followed by a number as move away from main fire occupancy. i.e: –First exposure to B side would be “Exposure B” –Next exposure would be “Exposure B-1”, then B-2, etc.

23. EXPOSURE LABELING FIRE UNIT Exposure B Exposure DD1

24. POLICY Emergency Evacuation: Emergency Evacuation: –All personnel in or on the structure will immediately exit –Report to respective Division/Group Officer –Division/Group Officer advises IC if they have PAR

25. POLICY PASS Devices: PASS Devices: –All necessary precautions must be taken to avoid accidental activation –Accidentally activated PASS must be promptly reset Activated PASS: Activated PASS: –Immediately attempt to locate the source –Report activation to Interior Division or Group Supervisor for coordination of search –Interior Division immediately notifies IC –IC to activate FAST unless activated PASS is quickly determined to be accidental

26. POLICY Salvage and Loss Control: Salvage and Loss Control: –Undertaken as soon as staffing and fireground conditions permit –Encourages prompt ventilation of fire building and placement of salvage covers before beginning overhaul and wetdown to limit property damage. Secondary Search: Secondary Search: –Should be performed after fire control and confinement –Report results to IC Fire Investigation Fire Investigation –Should be conducted for all structure fires in accordance with district protocols

27. POLICY Building Security: Building Security: –Must be maintained at all times during suppression operations –Unauthorized persons in the building should be monitored and reported to the IC –IC will coordinate building security with the police. –IC will coordinate with police and building representative to ensure proper security of the property prior to departing. Board Up Service: Board Up Service: –Offered to the property owner –If property owner refuses, IC should consult with police and fire marshal to ensure state and local codes are explained and enforced.

28. CONCLUSION Township Chief Officers believe this OG will greatly enhance our fireground safety and efficiency Township Chief Officers believe this OG will greatly enhance our fireground safety and efficiency Will require the cooperation and commitment of all officers and members to be successful Will require the cooperation and commitment of all officers and members to be successful We thank you for your commitment to the residents of this township and look forward to working together in the future. We thank you for your commitment to the residents of this township and look forward to working together in the future.