Collapse Flashcards
If possible, ___________________________________ engines should take separate hydrants outside the block, each on separate mains, and prepare to supply handlines and a large caliber tower ladder stream.
If possible, both first and second arriving engines should take separate hydrants outside the block, each on separate mains, and prepare to supply handlines and a large caliber tower ladder stream. The third and fourth engines should take similar positions at the rear of the structure.
___________________ should be used to seal off the ends of the street.
Two of the second alarm engine companies
First Arriving Tower Ladder
Additional Tower Ladders
Front of Collapse Building
Exposures, unless building is unusually large
Engine Company Responsibilities
In order of highest to least priority, first alarm engine companies are to:
Extinguish active fire in the affected building and surrounding debris.
Protect exposures.
Extinguish burning vehicles within the vicinity of the collapse.
At scenes where there is no active fire, stretch and charge precautionary 2½” lines in sufficient number and length to cover the entire operation. In addition, a 3½” line shall be stretched and charged to supply the first arriving tower ladder.
At a suspected terrorist event, 2½” hoselines should be located between two apparatus, or other substantial shielding, to protect personnel from secondary blasts set to injure emergency responders.
First Arriving Engine Company: Water Supply
Officer
x Supervise water supply activities / apparatus placement
Note: At times it may be necessary for the first arriving Engine to take a position within the block for use of the apparatus master stream for fire control or exposure protection. The Officer must ensure a continuous source of water supply for such purposes.
x Coordinate operations with first arriving ladder company officer.
x Stretch a 2½” handline of sufficient length to cover the entire site.
x Consider stretching 3½” line to supply a tower ladder.
First Arriving Engine Company Members
x Position and operate handlines as ordered.
x Members will remain together as a unit unless otherwise ordered by the IC.
Second Arriving Engine
Ensure a 3½” supply line is stretched to the first tower ladder.
Assist the first engine company with stretching initial handlines and tower ladder supply.
Members of the second engine company will remain together as a unit unless otherwise ordered by the IC.
If necessary, members of the second arriving engine company may perform CFR-D duties.
Third and Subsequent Arriving Engines
Under the direction of the IC, the third and any subsequent arriving engines will be utilized to perform the following:
x Fire Control.
x Stretching additional lines.
x Augmenting the water supply to first alarm units.
x Perform CFR-D duties.
x Assisting in the removal of lightly buried victims.
First Arriving Ladder Company
RECON
Note: Officers have the option of splitting the Company into separate teams to cover more area.
Perform Scene Survey
Perform Hazard Assessment and Control
o Protect members from secondary collapse; mark with hazard tape, tie backor crib.
o Keep nonessential members from entering the collapse zone.
Remove Surface Victims
o Remove lightly buried victims and deliver to a Casualty Collection Point (CCP).
o If possible, question survivors regarding the number, identity and location of other occupants prior to and after the collapse.
Perform Preliminary Void Search
As soon as conditions permit, begin searching areas where voids exist for possible survivors.
o Visually search accessible voids - DO NOT cut, lift or remove load bearing members. Call and listen.
o As survivors are located and removed, members should note their description and location for use in victim tracking.
Victims should be directed/brought to a CCP.
Second Arriving Ladder Company
The second ladder company to arrive shall immediately begin the process of controlling the gas, electric and water services.
Third and Subsequent Arriving Ladder Companies
x Search additional line-of-sight void spaces or exposures.
x Assist with control of the utilities if needed.
x Perform debris removal as directed.
x Cut timbers for shoring as directed.
x Assist with victim removal.
Street Coordination Manager
A company officer will be assigned as the Street Coordination Manager, with the following responsibilities:
o The early assignment of a street management coordinator will prevent needless congestion and repositioning of apparatus as an incident escalates.
o Establish contact with PD and EMS Officers for traffic flow.
o Ensure access/egress of essential vehicles.
o Position apparatus for most efficient use.
o Coordinate apparatus staging areas.
o Coordinate CCP with an EMS Officer.
The danger zone shall not be entered by anyone, including firefighters except to __________.
save a life
The following is the standard emergency signaling system used by all FEMA USAR Task Forces, and adopted by this Department. It may be sounded on a handheld aerosol can air horn, or on apparatus air horns.
Each Safety Officer and member monitoring a transit, as well as members positioned as lookouts for hazard monitoring, will be issued an air horn.
1 Long Blast (3 seconds) Cease Operations/All Quiet
3 short blasts (1 second each) Evacuate the area
1 long and 1 short blast Resume Operations
The five stages of a collapse rescue operation are:
- Reconnaissance
- Accounting for and removal of the surface victims
- Search of the voids
- Selected debris removal and tunneling
- General debris removal
Searching void spaces should be done immediately after the surface victims have been removed, or simultaneously if sufficient personnel are available.
Trapped victims should be provided a spare SCBA or the FAST-PAK.
Attach a search rope to the person to lead other rescuers directly to him.
