Chp 4 Positioning Flashcards
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Ongoing evaluation of influential factors at the scene
Determines the most advantageous position for the attack pumper
Positioning for fire attack
If fire, place is safe position that offers the best tactical advantage
Pull past the front of bld if investigating
Consider best access point for people and gear
Stay with the apparatus
Safe position with tactical advantage, exit
Position for rescue
Life safety is 1st priority
If rescue is indicated position for deployment of ground ladders or aerial
Position for exposures
Position so fire streams can be deployed
Remember apparatus can be an exposure
Position for water supply
If limited access (long driveway) lay your own supply line
Remember not to block other app with supply lines
Position for method of attack
If handlines or portable monitors position close to the building
If deck gun, close enough to hit, but out of collapse
Position for hoseline deployment
Self explanatory
Position for wind direction
Upwind whenever possible
Otherwise eng needs SCBA and app might become an expsoure
Position for terrain
Park on hard surfaces
Uphill of hazmat or flammables
Downhill of wildland fires
Position for roadway response
Safe from the incident
Protect personnel from traffic
Block lanes plus an extra for safety
Position for structural collapse
Caused by extensive fire or bld in poor condition
1.5x bld height
Corners if possible
Position for preincident planning
Old or poorly maintained bld are higher risk
Reinforcement rods, bulging walls, exterior cracks, falling bricks
Position for utility lines
Fire or weather may make them fall on the app if directly overhead
Position for falling debris
Especially high rise bld
If working in 200’ of bld need protection from falling debris
Position to support aerial
Don’t block aerial access
If bld <5 floors, aerial is outside of pumper
If bld is >5 floors, aerial is inside the pumper
Position to support FDC
Position as close to water source
Position for drafting
Locations accessible from a hard surface
Short distance for hoses
Limit lift
Position for supply from a hydrant
LDH is preferable
Usually 100’ sections
Place close to the curb to not block the whole street
Place on correct side for LDH intake
Stop a little short puts a curve in that reduces kinks
Add a counterclockwise twist to LDH before connecting to hydrant
Dual pumping
A strong hydrant supplies two pumpers
Connect pumpers intake to intake
Second pumper receives excess water not pumped by 1st pumper
Park in close proximity, both are fire attack
Tandem pumping
Short relay to bump pressure
Connect pumpers outtake to intake
When more pressure is needed
Should be 300’ close to each other
Make sure you don’t exceed hose pressure ability
Position wildland for structure protection
Back into place from last known turnaround point
Off roadway to avoid blocking it
Clear nearby brush
On leeward side
Close doors and windows
Avoid power lines, large trees, gas tanks
Position wildland for wildland firefighting
Start at anchor point: natural or manmade barrier that prevents fire spread or flanking of fire (road, lake, black)
Same considerations as structure
Charge a protection line, park and chock wheels
Don’t drive along train tracks
Save a portion of the tank for crew protection
Staging
Level I: any multi company response
First arriving of each type go directly to the scene
All others stand a block away (last intersection)
Level II: Large scale, sent to a remote location
First unit becomes staging manager
Hazmat response
Observe windspeed and directions
Approach from upwind and uphill
Do not drive directly to the scene
Hot, warm and cold zone
Hot zone
Exposed to gases, vaports, dust or runoff from hazmat
Requires PPE and technicians
Warm zone
Limited access zone
Safe to enter briefly without PPE
Provide support to hot zone and to decontaminate personnel and equipment
Cold zone
Safe area outside of warm zone
No PPE required
IC and staging and triage treatment here
Operating near tracks
Never park on or close to tracks
Cross only at designated spots
Park on same side as incident to avoid laying hose across tracks or try to deploy underneath
Notify rail company
EMS
Leave room for the ambo
Try to park off the road with lights off
