200 series p 500-635 Flashcards
if tank water is not enough to fight a car fire what should be done
If the water carried on the responding apparatus will not be sufficient, early considerations must be given to additional water supply sources. A supply line or other engines/tenders may be required. Ladder companies may be used as an improvised standpipe at incidents on elevated freeways or parking garages
What hose line should be used for a car fire
The minimum size of hoseline is the 1-1/2” hand line
if the LPG tank has ignited in a car fire what should be done
If vapors escaping from the storage tank relief valve have ignited, allow the LPG/LNG to burn while protecting exposures and cooling the tank. Flow of gas through piping can be controlled by shutting off the valve at the storage tank or emergency shut-off valve
how far have Energy Absorbing Bumpers been known to travel when released from vehicle
Bumper assemblies have been known to travel 25 feet
how do we address combustible metals in a car fire
When these metals are burning, attempts to extinguish them with water will usually add to the intensity of the fire. Large quantities of water, however, will cool the metal below its ignition temperature. After some initial intensification, the fire should go out. Dry chemical extinguishers can also be effective
what hazards are associated with a tire fire
Exposure hazards associated with the smoke plume, water runoff, and soil include: • Volatile organic chemicals • Polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons • Carbon monoxide • Heavy metals
how is a tire fire dispatched
It is recommended that major tire fires be handled as hazardous materials incidents. The incident taker will obtain all available information from the caller to determine what’s on fire. A hazardous 2-1 will be dispatched if it is determined that a tire pile is on fire
what are the three stages of a tire fire
Incipient
• Free burning
• Smoldering
when is the incipient stage of a tire fire and how is it controlled
The incipient stage of a tire fire begins with a point of ignition. Once a tire has gained an open flame front, the heat of the fire is absorbed by the surrounding tire material. Immediately separating the burning tire from the rest of the pile and/or applying water and foam could eliminate the threat to the remaining tires
what is to be expected during the free burning stage of a tire fire
During the free burning stage, fire spreads quickly and there is a dramatic increase in smoke and heat. Use of water in this stage of a tire fire could increase the products of incomplete combustion like carbon monoxide and particulate matter. The cooled tires may continue to pyrolize, producing large quantities of oil
when does the smoldering phase begin in a tire fire and what are the hazards
A crust may form over the pile while internal temperatures reach about 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit. The smoldering stage has begun.Oil not consumed by the fire may leach into the soil, pool, and begin to flow under the pile. Heat from the fire could ignite the oil, resulting in a three-dimensional fire. Products of incomplete combustion continue to be a health hazard
Initial size-up at a tire fire must evaluate the emergency in terms of:
- Personnel safety
- Public health
- Environmental impact
- Threatened exposures
- Extent of fire
- Need for additional resources, including PIO
what needs to be deconned at a tire fire
The Incident Commander will establish a decontamination sector for all personnel leaving the fire area. All protective clothing, fire fighting equipment, and apparatus will need to be decontaminated as well
Areas of concern in a tire fire will include:
- Life safety
- Proximity of wild-lands
- Potential toxic run-off
- Bodies of water
- Smoke plume
- Wind direction/speed
Important tactical considerations in a tire fire should include:
• Life safety • Protecting exposures • Isolating burning tires • Use of heavy equipment • Overhead or underground utilities *Immediate evacuation of civilians at the incident scene is a high priority
What are the three options for fighting a tire fire
Burn it
Bury it
Drown it
What are the benefits to letting a tire fire burn
Letting a tire pile burn has its merits. Soil and water pollution may be drastically reduced when many of the products of combustion go up in smoke. The clean up costs can be reduced when compared to other options. Importantly, the fire service must manage and control the burn. Protecting exposures and separating tires from the burn area will continue to be a tactical priority
What are benefits to burying a tire fire
The decision to bury a tire pile also has merits. Sand, cement dust, quick lime, and crushed coral rock are all high in calcium content. Calcium scrubs sulfur from the emissions, creating calcium sulfate or gypsum. The “bury it strategy” could be employed in areas that have minimal water supply or in areas that are densely populated. The decision to bury a tire fire would take into consideration reducing toxic smoke for the sake of public health
What are the cons to burying a tire fire
Geological considerations play an important role in the bury it strategy. While the tire fire is entombed, fires can still pyrolize and push toxic oil into the soil and underground water sources. Burying a tire fire that is on top of clay soils may delay the oil from filtering to underground water supplies. To determine the release of pyrolitic oil, check down gradient from the pile for contamination
Drawbacks to the “drown it strategy” include
- An increase in the toxic air emissions as the fire is cooled causing the combustion process to slow down.
• An inordinate amount of water run-off combined with pyrolitic oil will be the result of trying to drown out a fire
*Handlines alone cannot reach the interior spaces of a tire fire
How is clean up of a tire done
Unlike traditional structural fires or wildland fires, clean-up on tire fires will, in all probability, be turned over to an appropriate environmental protection agency
What is the difference between a multi patient incident/ mass casualty/ and a disaster
a “multi-patient incident” is defined as any incident with fewer than 25 patients.
A “mass casualty incident” is defined as any incident involving 25 to 100 patients.
A “disaster” is defined as any incident involving more than 100 patients
The General Tactical objectives, for a large scale ems call listed in order of priority, are
- Remove endangered occupants and treat the injured.
- Stabilize the incident and provide for life safety.
- Ensure the functions of triage, extrication, treatment and transportation are established.
- Provide for the safety, accountability and welfare of rescue members and victims.
- Conserve property
the EMS Tactical objectives to be completed during any multipatient/mass casualty, disaster incident include:
- Completion of a “Triage Report”
2. Declaration of “All IMMEDIATES Transported
The initial actions of the first arriving officer on a major medical shall include:
- Give an on-scene report and assume command.
- Initiate triage.
- Perform a rapid hazard assessment and establish a safe zone to operate.
- Initiate traffic control and provide a safe work/treatment area.
- Provide for hazard protection (charged hand line, etc.).
- Call for additional resources.
- Radio a Triage Report to Alarm.
- Stabilize hazards and/or remove patients to a treatment area.
- Assign crew(s) specific task(s) to accomplish through early sectorization (triage, extrication, treatment, and transportation) or by geographic location (north, south, east, west).
- Initiate patient assessment and treatment functions.
- Coordinate patient transportation
When should the triage tags be used and why
Triage tags should be used any time there are three (3) or more IMMEDIATE patients or more than ten (10) patients. The use of triage system can greatly improve initial scene organization, and enhance its use during mass casualty incidents
The first arriving company officer at a multiple patient incident will assume Command and give an on scene report which will answer what questions . . .
What do I have? What action will I take? What resources do I need? The type of situation and the approximate number and condition of patients should be communicated to Alarm as soon as possible
How can command provide for extra safety measures for crews working on a major medical
This can be accomplished through proper defensive apparatus positioning, use of flashing lights and the placement of cones, and the use of charged hand-lines. Additional traffic control should be requested from law enforcement through Alarm
In large incidents, which units come into the scene as opposed to going to staging
The first and second arriving companies will go to the scene, as well as the first ladder, and first chief officer. All other companies will use Level I staging upon their arrival
Where should outside agencies respond to when they get on scene
All outside agencies responding to a medical incident should be sent to the Staging Area
The Incident Commander (IC) on a major medical is responsible for the strategic level of the command structure and should do what
- Determine the appropriate strategy
- Establish overall incident objectives
- Set priorities
- Develop an action plan, communicate plan.
- Obtain and assign resources.
- Initiate planning based on evaluating interventions and predicting outcomes
- Communicate specific objective to tactical level units
- Initiate a Unified Command with other agencies
What are the basic sectors of a major med
Most multiple-patient incidents need patient triage, extrication, treatment, and transportation. Because of potential vehicle congestion at the site, a staging sector for apparatus is also a major consideration during larger incidents
What is the purpose of the triage sector
The purpose of Triage Sector is to determine, in close coordination with Extrication, the location, number and condition of patients and whether triage should be performed before or after patients are extricated from the site..Triage Sector should also forward triage-tracking slips to Command
What is The purpose of Extrication Sector is
Extrication is responsible for assigning and supervising extrication teams, extricating and delivering patients to the treatment area, and notifying Command when all patients have been removed from impact area. MINOR patients who were directed earlier in the incident by triage teams to an Assembly Area will be assessed by Extrication and delivered to the treatment area if further medical care is warranted
What is the purpose and responsibilities of treatment sector
The purpose of Treatment Sector is to first determine whether patient treatment will occur “in place” or in a designated treatment area. Generally, a centralized treatment area is preferred because patient care and site operations are usually enhanced. Treatment Sector is responsible for assigning and supervising treatment teams, ensuring that all patients have been triaged, assessed and treated. The Treatment Sector officer should coordinate patient allocation with Transportation Sector and notify Command when all patients have been treated
What is the purpose and responsibilities of transportation sector
The purpose of Transportation Sector is to obtain all modes of transportation needed to take patients to the hospital(s). Transportation should determine, in conjunction with Command, the location of the staging area, rescue/ambulance loading area, and helicopter landing-zone. Transportation Sector is also responsible for determining hospital availability through Alarm, coordinating patient allocation with Treatment Sector, and supervising the movement of patients from the treatment area to the rescue/ambulance loading area or helicopter landing-zone. Transportation Sector should also determine hospital destination and notify hospitals of rescue/ambulance arrival (through Alarm). Transportation should also remove patient tracking slips from the triage tag prior to transport, notify Command when all IMMEDIATE patients have been transported (an EMS Tactical benchmark) and maintain an accounting of all patients
What is medical supply sector responsible for and when should it be established
Medical Supply Sector is responsible for the procurement, delivery and stockpiling of medical supplies needed at the scene. This sector should be established on 3rd Alarm Medical or greater incidents
What are responsibilities of triage sector
- Determine the location, number and condition of patients.
- Determine, in close coordination with Extrication Sector, if triage will be performed in place or at the entrance to the treatment area. 3. Determine resources.
- Assign and supervise triage teams.
- Ensure that patient triage is based on S.T.A.R.T., that life-saving emergency medical care is provided as needed, and that patients are accounted for and tagged appropriately.
- Ensure safety and accountability of all assigned members.
- Provide frequent progress reports to Command.
- Coordinate activities with other sectors.
- When triage is complete, provide Command with a “Triage Report.”
- Forward triage tracking slips to Command.
- Terminate triage activities and inform Command that members are available for reassignment
How many patients can the initial company triage
The Triage Sector Officer should wear a sector vest for identification purposes. At smaller incidents, up to 10 patients, triage may be handled by the first arriving company officer and his/her crew. At larger incidents, more than 10 patients, the first arriving company officer should assume Command and assign Triage to the next arriving fire company
What triage report system do we use, and where are tags delivered
Triage should be completed using the “Arizona Triage System.” includes the number of patients and their classification These red fanny packs are located on all fire apparatus. Once the triage crew(s) has tagged and labeled all patients, they should forward their tracking slips to the Triage officer
What does the START triage stand for
Simple Triage and Rapid Transport (S.T.A.R.T.) system
What triage report system do we use, and where are tags delivered
Triage should be completed using the “Arizona Triage System.” These red fanny packs are located on all fire apparatus. Once the triage crew(s) has tagged and labeled all patients, they should forward their tracking slips to the Triage officer
What does the START triage stand for
Simple Triage and Rapid Transport (S.T.A.R.T.) system
What is the extrication sector responsible for
The Extrication Sector is responsible for removing and delivering patients to a treatment area. The Extrication Sector will provide any patient treatment that is necessary prior to disentanglement
What are the 9 responsibilities of extrication sector
- Determine the location, number and condition of all patients (coordinate with Triage).
- Determine if triage will be performed in place or at the entrance to the treatment area (see “Triage Sector”).
- Determine resources.
- Assign and supervise extrication teams.
- Extricate and deliver patients to the treatment area(s) or to a casualty collection point.
- Provide frequent progress reports to Command.
- Ensure safety and accountability of all patients and assigned members.
- Coordinate activities with other Sectors.
- Notify Command when all patients have been removed and that companies are available for reassignment, “All clear in Extrication Sector
What is treatment sector responsible for
Treatment Sector is responsible for establishing a treatment area to provide stabilization and continuing care of patients until they can be transported to a medical facility
What are the duties of treatment sector
- Identify whether patient treatment will occur “in place” or in a designated treatment area. Coordinate with Triage and Extrication Sector Officers.
- Determine resources.
- Identify and establish a large treatment area. If incident is large, establish separate “IMMEDIATE” and “DELAYED” treatment areas. 4. Assign and supervise treatment teams.
- Ensure that all patients have been triaged, assessed and re-triaged as needed.
- Aggressive treatment and rapid packaging of patients.
- Provide frequent progress report to Command.
- Ensure safety and accountability of all patients and assigned members.
- Verify transportation priorities with Transportation Sector.
- Coordinate with other sectors.
- Notify Command when all patients have been moved from the treatment area
What resources should be given per patient in treatment sector
The goal will be to assign one ALS or BLS company and one ambulance to each patient, resources permitting
During a major incident what are the resources allowed for each patient in treatment sector
During major incidents, one company per four (4) patients should be the initial objective (one Rescue/ambulance per patient). As resources permit
Which med incidents do medical supply sectors get used
A Medical Supply Sector will automatically occur on all 3rd Alarm-Medical incidents. This sector should be established near the treatment area (“Medical Supply Sector
What are transportation sector responsibilities Transportation Sector Officer.
- Determine/request resources.
- Determine (with Command) the Rescue/ambulance loading area and helicopter landing zone, as needed.
- Determine hospital availability status by contacting Alarm.
- Coordinate patient allocation and destination with Treatment Sector.
- Aggressively supervise the movement of patients from the treatment area to the ambulance loading area or helicopter landing zone.
- Maintain an accounting of all patients and patient destinations. • Provide progress reports, allocations, ETA’s, to receiving hospitals
How many ambulances should transportation sector keep in loading area
They should have two ground ambulances in the loading area at all times. These ambulances should have a separate entry and exit point into the loading area to eliminate the need to back ambulances
What is to be written on transportation tracking slips and where are they kept
Prior to transport, the Transportation Sector Officer (or designee) will remove a transportation tracking slip from each triage tag and write in the transport unit and hospital destination on the slip. These tracking slips are kept by Transportation to maintain an accounting of all patients leaving the scene. They can also be verified by Command, who has the initial triage tracking slips
The components of the Mesa Fire Department Infection Control Program include
: • The Infection Control Plan
• Risk management assessment
• Training, work practices and engineering controls
• Health and fitness maintenance programs
• Exposure management procedures
• Infection Control Officer responsibilities and duties
