5024 - Overhaul Safety And Post-fire Operations

Question 1

Who shall be responsible for maintaining this document?

Answer 1

The Administrative Battalion Chief for Safety

Question 2

Who shall be responsible for:

1. Ensuring that fires are overhauled in accordance with the guidelines set forth in this document
2. Ensuring that prior to overhaul any potential crime scene is preserved and investigated by the agency having jurisdiction
3. Ensuring that personnel, equipment and patients are decontaminated in accordance with the guidelines set forth in this document
4. Scheduling post-fire incidents as necessary
5. Posting fire watches as necessary
6. Releasing fire property to a responsible party upon conclusion of TFD operations
7. Documenting release of fire property in accordance with the guidelines set forth in this document

Answer 2

The Incident Commander

Question 3

Who shall be responsible for:

1. Ensuring a safety survey is conducted prior to beginning overhaul operations
2. Informing TFD personnel of hazards found during the safety survey
3. Ensuring TFD personnel are wearing full protective clothing and equipment during overhaul in accordance with the guidelines set forth in this document
4. Ensuring hazards are barricaded, marked and/or monitored in accordance with the guidelines set forth in this document
5. Ensuring that Battalion Chief vehicles maintain a supply of Tyvek coveralls in accordance with the guidelines set forth in this document

Answer 3

The Incident Safety Officer

Question 4

Who shall be responsible for:

1. Identifying and handling materials likely to contain asbestos in accordance with the guidelines set forth in this document
2. Ensuring that members of his/her crew are wearing full protective clothing and equipment during overhaul in accordance with the guidelines set forth in this document
3. Ensuring that personnel and equipment are decontaminated in accordance with the guidelines set forth in this document
4. Ensuring that buildings are secured in accordance with the guidelines set forth in this document
5. Conducting post incident inspections as assigned

Answer 4

TFD Company Officers

Question 5

What are The main objectives of post-fire operations?

Answer 5

a. Seek out and extinguish any remaining fire
b. Prevent additional damage
c. Protect property from further loss
d. Stabilize the scene to protect firefighters
e. Secure the scene for investigation
f. Ensure the health and safety of firefighters and property occupants
g. Secure the structure

Question 6

The primary emphasis during all post-fire operations shall be what?

Answer 6

ensuring the safety of TFD personnel.

Question 7

TFD personnel shall wear full protective clothing and self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) under the following conditions:

Answer 7

a. While engaged in overhaul
b. While removing debris to prevent re-ignition during post-fire operations
c. Where there is the possibility of asbestos contamination
d. When harmful airborne particulate and/or gases are present

Question 8

TFD apparatus shall carry a supply of Tyvek coveralls as follows:

Answer 8

a. Fireboat - 5
b. Medic units - 3 each
c. Battalion Chief vehicles - 10 each

Question 9

The last Incident Commander (IC) to leave the incident scene shall ensure what?

Answer 9

the fire is completely extinguished.

Question 10

(ISO) Who shall:

a. Inform TFD personnel of hazards observed during the survey
b. Ensure that hazardous conditions or areas found during the survey are either corrected by qualified personnel or barricaded or marked off with fire line tape
c. Ensure that downed electrical wires are marked off and monitored by qualified personnel in accordance with TFD Policy 5028

Answer 10

The Incident Safety Officer

Question 11

TFD personnel engaged in overhaul shall be alert for and report the following conditions to the IC:

Answer 11

a. Structural deficiencies
b. Fire extension
c. Hidden fires
d. Materials likely to contain asbestos

Question 12

The preservation of evidence shall outweigh any desire for immediate removal of debris and/or complete extinguishment of a fire.
True or false?

Answer 12

True.

a. In some cases, it may be necessary to monitor spot fires until a TFD Fire Investigator arrives on scene

Question 13

TFD personnel shall minimize disruption to the fire scene, especially those involving ________________ , until Fire Investigators have gathered proper evidence.

Answer 13

injuries or fatalities

a. When possible, cover evidence with tarps to avoid contamination from insulation, drywall and/or other materials

Question 14

Overhaul activities include thoroughly searching the fire scene to detect and extinguish hidden fires or “hot spots” to prevent rekindling. What is the exception?

Answer 14

The exceptions are buildings or structures where overhaul is limited to defensive operations

Question 15

TFD personnel shall check the following as part of overhaul operations:

Answer 15

a. Floor, wall and ceiling areas that show evidence of extensive fire damage
b. Heating and air conditioning vents and registers
c. Around light fixtures and electrical outlets
d. Construction voids
e. Under debris
f. Plenum spaces
g. Soffits
h. Pipe chases

Question 16

Property owners and/or occupants may be allowed to remove personal possessions and valuables, if:

Answer 16

a. The removal can be done safely
b. The items are not considered evidence
c. They have a TFD escort

Question 17

To protect the structure and its contents from further loss after fire suppression personnel leave the scene, TFD personnel shall:

Answer 17

a. Use plywood sheeting and/or rolled plastic to cover roof ventilation holes and broken windows
b. Board up doors and/or windows as necessary

Question 18

To ensure the safety of all individuals who may visit the incident scene, TFD personnel shall:

Answer 18

a. Remove glass shards from window frames before installing covers and prior to leaving the incident scene
b. Identify hazards that cannot be removed or stabilized with barricades and/or fire line tape

Question 19

Officers assigned to fire watch shall verify and/or ensure that:

Answer 19

a. A water source has been identified and is available
b. Apparatus is positioned to provide good visibility of and access to the structure
c. A 360 survey of the structure is conducted on a regular basis
d. Personnel remain alert for evidence of rekindle
e. Assistance is requested if needed

Question 20

The last IC on the fire scene shall:

Answer 20

a. Release property to a responsible party if such an individual(s) can be located
b. Explain to the responsible party that the fire has been extinguished to the extent possible, but that burned structures are inherently unstable and should be monitored for further signs of damage or fire
i. Direct responsible party to call 9-1-1 if additional assistance is needed
c. Document in IRS the name of the responsible party and that the precautionary instructions noted above were given to that individual

2. If no responsible party can be located, the IC shall document that fact in IRS.