Captain’s Test Study Materials Flashcards
Accountability Location
Alpha side of structure and where passports will be tracked until IC #2 arrives
Aid Unit vs. Ambulance
Aid unit is a fire service provider, ambulance is a private provider
Assembly Area
Pre-arranged meeting locations for Strike Teams or Task Forces to assemble before responding as a group to an incident
Emergency Traffic
Emergency conditions that affect safety such as firefighter down, missing, trapped, serious change in conditions requiring abandonment of the building, change in fire conditions, change in strategy, or identification of a hazard.
Fire Zone
A group of fire departments that comprise a specific geographical area in the county. Ex: 1, 3 5.
Group
A subdivision established to divide the IMS into functional areas of operation, assembled to perform a specific function
Exclusion Zone
The control zone designated to exclude all unauthorized personnel, responders, and equipment.
HazMat Team
Technician level team capable of Level-A entry, minimum of 9 technicians
LCAAN
Location, conditions, actions, air, needs
Level 1 staging
Maintain apparatus in a position to re-deploy based on the needs of command. Don’t over commit.
Level 2 staging
Formal staging area run by a staging area manager. Specific location designated by command
Liaison officer
Point of contact for representatives of other governmental agencies, private entities, etc. Member of the command staff
MCI incident
A medical incident that overwhelms the EMS resources of the primary agency’s initial response
MCI vehicle
Capable of treating at least 50 patients
Priority traffic
Usually considered bad news, example: uncontrolled fire in a concealed space, victim found, high heat, unable to complete assignment
Recycle
Process of exiting the hazard area, changing air, gross decon, hydrate, and return to the holder of their passport
Roof report
Type of roof, conditions stable/unstable, fire/smoke conditions, heavy roof loads, condition of attic, blueprint of building, actions taken
Second line vs. back-up line
Second line is taken to adjoining areas of the structure or the floor above. Backup line protects the egress of crews operating on the interior of the structure
Strike team vs. Task force
Strike team is resources of the same kind and type that have an established number of personnel, common communications, and a leader. Task force is any combination of resources of different kinds and/or types assembled to support a specific mission or operational need.
Wall report
May coincide with the Roof report when evaluating concrete tilt-up walls.
Water tender (tanker)
Fire vehicle used to transport 1000+ gallons of water with a large tank, pump, supply hose, portable folding tank, and tools
ALS Strike Team
2 medics, 1 MSO. MSO is strike team leader.
MSO
Medical Services Officer, designated as Strike Team Leader
Dispatch center for Zone 1
NORCOM
Dispatch center for Zone 3
Valley Com
Dispatch center for Zone 5
Seattle Fire Department Fire Alarm Center (FAC)
Abandon
An immediate and rapid exit, take only the tools, equipment, and hose lines necessary to permit emergency egress.
Withdraw
A planned or orderly withdrawal/removal of FF from the structure. Exit as a team with all hose, tools, and equipment
When is the abandonment order given?
Imminent building collapse, immediate explosion hazard, water supply is lost to interior crews, or other reason deemed necessary to save lives. No abandonment tones activated.
Dispatch steps for abandonment procedure
- Transmit high/low abandonment tones on talk group
- Announce abandonment instructions from IC a total of 3 times
- Restrict traffic on affected talk groups to emergency traffic only
Driver role for abandonment
Initiate air horn for 5, then a 5 second pause, a total of 3 times
Order to withdraw instead of abandon
Only when no imminent risk to firefighters
Zone 3 Mayday script
Command E345, Mayday, mayday, mayday
Dispatcher role when Mayday received
Broadcast the Mayday information and restrict talk group to Emergency Traffic only
Non-acknowledged emergency transition or EMER button activation
Considered a mayday situation by the IC
What happens when the EMER button is activated?
Automatically switches the user to the EMER talkgroup to establish a dedicated channel for direct communication with the dispatcher regarding their emergency. It will transmit an audible emergency alert.
What if your radio is out of range of the 800 MHz system and you can’t transmit a Mayday?
User must use a Simplex channel (state-ops) for communication and the EMER button will not work.
Fire ground benchmarks accounted over the radio to dispatcher
Establishment of Command/Command Post Declaration of Strategy Establishment of Standby or RIC Transfer of Command Establishment of staging area Water on the fire Fire under control Tapped fire Loss stopped Initiation of interior FF operations Primary search/nothing found Secondary search/nothing found "All clear" after secondary searches
4 Incident Priorities
Life safety
Incident stabilization
Property conservation
Environmental conservation
7 terms used as a guide to achieve incident priorities
RECEOVS Rescue Exposures Confinement Extinguishment Overhaul Ventilation Salvage
What is a progress report?
A term used as the standard to request critical fireground information from any company working at an emergency incident.
Progress report format
LCAAN Location Conditions Actions Air (percent remaining) Needs
How are levels below ground identified?
Floor 01, or Basement 1, etc.
When to consider using Branches?
Incident has two or more distinctly different operations and/or geographical locations (Ex: fire, medical, Hazmat, law enforcement)
Which talk groups must the IC monitor?
Primary tactical talk group, Direct Mode “State Ops”, Emergency channel, Second tactical talk group if needed, command/logistics channel if needed
What is a Hot Wash of the incident?
Debrief the incident and prepare for the next operational phase
What does a demobilization plan entail?
Decon of personnel, Rehab, order of unit release, release of move-up units
When must rehab be used?
Following the use of a 30 or 45 minute SCBA bottle or 40 minutes of hard work without an SCBA
Normal vital signs required to be released back to duty:
GCS 15 HR 55-110 BP Systolic <160 and/or Diastolic <100 O2 Sat >92% CO <5% Temp 98.6 to 100.6 No symptoms
How long must FF remain in rehab if normal vital signs are not met?
At least 10 minutes
Recommended water intake for dehydration on a fire
1 liter per hour
What is a “Rehab Capable” unit?
Equipped to establish a Rehab area for up to 40 personnel for up to 2 hours
What is the pressure of a natural gas line on the consumer side of the meter?
1/4 to 2 psi
What is the pressure of a natural gas line on the supply side of the meter?
35 psi or greater
Natural gas vapor density
Low, will rise in air. Beneficial in exterior but must be considered when interior or near a structure.
Natural gas leak areas to check
Ceiling areas, void spaces in dropped ceilings, elevator shafts, upper floors, stairwells.
What is concerning about an underground natural gas release/leak?
The Mercaptan may be scrubbed out and an odor may not be detectable.
Natural gas is composed of mainly what?
94% methane
Flammability range of natural gas
3-15% gas to air mixture
Vapor density of natural gas
0.6 (40% lighter than air and will rise)
What is mercaptan?
An odorant that is added before natural has reaches the consumer which contains sulfur that creates a distinct rotten egg odor detectable at extremely low levels
Minor natural gas leak
Involves a broken gas line or known leak with a diameter less than 2”, or may describe a leak in a residential structure
Major natural gas leak
Involves a broken gas line with a diameter of 2” or greater, or may describe a leak in a commercial or multifamily structure
Combustible gas indicator (aka “4 gas” or “5 gas” detector) will recognize which 4 things?
FOCH Flammable range Oxygen deficiency Carbon monoxide Hydrogen sulfide
When will the gas indicator alarm?
10% of LEL
Hot zone of natural gas leak
20% LEL or odor
Action zone of natural gas leak
Up to 50% LEL
How to mitigate a natural gas leak
Do not extinguish unless protecting life, must eliminate at the source
Small/medium/large natural gas leak
< 2” residential with 1/4 psi
< 2” commercial/multi-family with 2 psi
>2” with 35 psi+
Initial actions on natural gas leak
Stop 300 feet away and establish isolation perimeter.
Gather info from responsible party.
Report number of structures, proximity to structure.
Request appropriate resources (PSE, HazMat, etc.)
Obtain a water supply and assign units to stage for hose deployment
What do carbon monoxide readings result from?
Incomplete combustion
Where to shut natural gas off?
Lowest acceptable risk - at the meter or appliance, never in the street (PSE only)
Ignition sources on a natural gas incident
Light switches, flashlights, elevators, cell phones, PPV fan
Confined space definition
A space large enough that a person can enter and perform assigned work, with limited or restricted means for entry or exit, not designed for continuous human occupancy
Rescue Group Supervisor responsibility
Responsible for direct supervision of the rescue team operations
Rescue unit
A response unit staffed with a minimum of 2 tech level trained persons in rope, confined space, trench, structural collapse, and machinery rescue
Technical Safety Officer responsibility
Monitor safety within the hazard zone
What is KC Call?
Hailing/Announcement channel, not to be used as a tactical channel
Who is the primary monitoring agent for radio systems in King County?
Seattle Fire FAC. NORCOM is secondary.
What is an Electronic Serial Number (ESN)?
A unique electronic identification number embedded by the manufacturer in an 800 MHz portable radio.
Primary passport
White, kept with team leader
Back-up passport
Red, stored visibly on the officer’s side of the apparatus
Reserve passport
Green, used for multiple alarm shift changes and temporary replacement for lost passports
BR designator
Brush
CDT designator
Cadet
CFR designator
Crash Fire Rescue
CMT designator
Community Medical Technician
I designator
Inspector/investigator
MAR designator
Marine
MCU designator
Mobile Command Unit
MSA designator
Medical Services Administrator
SUP designator
Support Unit
UAS designator
Unmanned Aircraft System (drone)
UT designator
Utility Unit
When must the CO turn the driver’s name tag right side up on the passport?
When all members of the unit enter the hazard zone
Which buildings are of the highest concern for structural collapse?
Un-reinforced masonry (URM) and concrete tilt-up buildings, both very common in the Puget Sound region
Structural Collapse “Pyramid of Life”
50% injured but not trapped (spontaneous rescue)
30% non-structural entrapment (light rescue)
15% voice space, non-structural (medium rescue)
5% emtombed (heavy rescue)
King County Zone 1 location
North and east King County
King County Zone 3 location
South King County
What disciplines are Zone 3 Rescue Technicians certified in?
Structural collapse, confined space, high angle rope rescue, swift water rescue with dive capability, trench rescue
EOC
Emergency Operations Center
ECC
Emergency Coordination Center
CBRNE
Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, Explosive
2x2 square with no markings on a structure
Safe to enter
2x2 square with a single slash on a structure
Structure is significantly damaged but limited entry is possible after bracing, shoring, or eliminating falling hazards
2x2 square with an X on a structure
Structure is not safe, DO NOT ENTER
Arrow marking on a structure
Points to the entry point
HM on a structure
Indicates the presence of hazardous materials
When marking a search, what does the left quadrant of the X indicate?
Search team identifier
Time and date of entry
When marking a search, what does the top quadrant of the X indicate?
Time and date of exit
When marking a search, what does the right quadrant of the X indicate?
Any hazards found
When marking a search, what does the bottom quadrant of the X indicate?
Number of live and deceased victims still inside the structure. A small “x” is placed if there are no victims
When marking a search, what does the box below the X contain?
Multiple floors, specific information of search activities
Interior Search Markings
When you enter, a large single slash. After search, a second large slash to form an "X". Team and time information are not placed on interior search markings. List hazards (right) and victims (bottom)
Victim Marking initial
Large V (2x2) near the location of any potential victim. Mark name of search team in the top part of the V
When a victim is confirmed to be alive, how do you indicate it?
Circle the V, and use an arrow pointing towards the victim
When a victim is confirmed to be dead, how do you indicate it?
A horizontal line through the middle of the V. Mark total number of victims below the V.
After all victims have been removed, how do you indicate it?
Paint an X through the confirmed victim symbol
DMAT
Disaster Medical Assistance Team
MCI definition
The presence of multiple patients at an incident affects the treatment decisions of individual patients
Golden Hour rule
Victims of trauma need to have surgery within one hour of the injury to maximize survivability
Purpose of a transportation corridor
Facilitate rapid patient transport
MCI triage
Sick/Not Sick
Sick: red
Not sick: yellow or green
ACF (MCI plan)
Alternate Care Facility: serves to expand the capacity of a hospital in order to accommodate or care for patients when an incident overwhelms local hospital capacity
Base (MCI plan)
Designated parking area for apparatus that are assigned a task
White flagged patient
Decontaminated/clean
DMCC (MCI plan)
Disaster Medical Control Center (Harborview will be primary DMCC for King. County. Overlake Hospital is backup)
Extraction
The process of removing patients from the hot zone into the treatment and transport areas
ABC Field Triage
An algorithm which allows for the rapid triage of patients. Awake, Breathing, and Circulation
RPM Triage
A form of triage which evaluates a patients status based on Respirations, Pulse, and Mentation
START Triage
An acronym for Simple Triage and Rapid Treatment, a method to effectively and efficiently evaluate all of the victims during an MCI
MCI unit
A mobile unit which contains large quantities of medical supplies that can be dispatched to an MCI and treat 50 or more patients
Medical responsibilities on an MCI
Triage, Extraction, Treatment, Transportation, Green Patient Area, Medical Staging, Morgue Team
4 main EMS dispatch center in King County
Norcom (Zone 1)
Valley Com (Zone 3)
Seattle Fire Alarm Center (Zone 5)
Port of Seattle (Seatac Airport)
MCI IRR and size-up to include:
Unit, location, basic impression, hazards, cause if known, patient estimate, command designator and command post location.
MCI Follow-up report to include:
Transportation corridor, initial actions and assignments, base and staging locations
Recon (MCI plan)
A rapid reconnaissance of the entire MCI site to establish the scale and scope of the incident. Speed over specificity.
Two separate staging areas on an MCI
One for personnel/equipment immediately available for use.
Separate ambulance staging area established for apparatus that will be used to transport patients (personnel not to leave their vehicles)
Transportation corridor
Must be established early and clearly
Exact entry point, exit point, direction of flow must all be determined and communicated
Treatment area managed by:
A senior ALS member
FTS (MCI plan)
Field Treatment Site: can be as simple as extended use of the treatment areas at the incident or as complex as transporting patients to an ACF opened to EMS.
MIRF’s on an MCI
Individual MIRFs are not required during an MCI. No permission is required to “cease efforts”
First arriving Medic unit on an MCI
Assign to role of Treatment and Transport.
MSO assignment on an MCI
Medical Group Supervisor
BLS Units on MCI for 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 Patient MCI
5, 8, 12, 16, 18 AEL
Medic Units on MCI for 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 Patient MCI
2, 3, 4, 4 +1 strike team, 4 +2 strike team
AMB units on MCI for 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 Patient MCI
5, 10, 15, 20 +1 bus, 25 +2 bus
Chiefs on MCI for 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 Patient MCI
1, 2, 3, 3, 4
Active Shooter Incident
An event in which one or more people use deadly force on others and continue to do so while having access to additional victims
Area Cleared (scenes of violence)
Indication by LE that an area has been tentatively swept but still requires force protection. Likely in the warm zone.
Area Secured (scenes of violence)
Indication by LE that an area has been swept and secured and does not require force protection. Likely in the cold zone.
Casualty Collection Point (scenes of violence)
A secure area designated for the temporary gathering, triage, medical treatment of casualties during an MCI
Concealment (scenes of violence)
A barrier that prevents a provider from being seen but that offers no ballistic protection
Contact Teams (scenes of violence)
Teams of LE whose responsibility is to find and neutralize the threat
Cover (scenes of violence)
A barrier that offers some ballistic protection
Evacuation Area (scenes of violence)
Area where EMS can safely treat and transport patients that does not require LE presence for safety issues
Force Protection (scenes of violence)
The escorting of Fire/EMS by armed LE in and out of a warm zone
Rescue Task Force (scenes of violence)
Multidisciplinary (LE and Fire/EMS) task force designed to enable entry of Fire/EMS into the warm zone escorted by LE to extract patients
Safety Corridor (scenes of violence)
Access path to and from patient locations in the Indirect Threat (warm zone) to the Evacuation Area (cold zone)
STAM (scenes of violence)
Staging Area Manager, responsible for all activities within the staging area.
Indirect Threat (Warm) Zone (scenes of violence)
Area with potential hostile threat to persons but threat is not direct and immediate. Area of operation for the Rescue Task Force
Direct Threat (Hot) Zone (scenes of violence)
Area where there is a direct and immediate threat to people.