Incident Command / Control

Question 1

If using a lift during a high rise incident where should the lift be used up to?

Answer 1

Two floors below the fire floor

Question 2

If the location of the fire is unknown how will crews navigate the floors of the building?

Answer 2

Floor by floor via a protected staircase

Question 3

If a fire behaviour observer is needed, what information should they relay to BA teams?

Answer 3

(They should be positioned on the affected side of the building)
Whether the fire us ventilated externally
Whether the fire has broken out externally
If there is a risk of vertical fire spread
Wind speed and direction
Weather conditions
Likely impact on fire service operations

Question 4

What is the minimum requirement when establishing water supply?

Answer 4

Hydrant to pump and pump to rising main must be made with a minimum of twinned lines of 64mm hose

Question 5

What are consideration for lift use during an incident?

Answer 5

Can only be used after an assessment by the IC and if the lowest affected floor can be identified.
If the lift shaft in use is, or is likely to be compromised by smoke or water then use of that lift must cease immediately

Question 6

If an immediate entry into a fire compartment is necessary in order to conduct a rescue or prevent escalation of the incident (such as the isolation of cooker controls) this may be done by the initial crew but only when…

Answer 6

No additional entry control measures above that provided by PPE are required in order to carry out the action
Entry may only be made into the fire compartment where conditions within it can be accurately risk assessed.

Question 7

What hose should be used for the attack?

Answer 7

55mm

Question 8

What branch should be used for fire fighting in high rises?

Answer 8

Akron 4820

Question 9

Where is the bridgehead normally located?

Answer 9

2 floors below the fire floor

Question 10

What hose should be used for the safety jet?

Answer 10

64mm

Question 11

If signs and symptoms of a wind driven fire are observed either by the FBO or BA teams, what must be done?

Answer 11

BA teams MUST NOT attempt to make any entry to the fire floor. A transition from internal offensive attack to external defensive attack MUST BE made

Question 12

In a wind driven fire, once communicated that the compartment is now safe and fire under control an internal / transitional attack should be considered as part of the tactical plan. What must be in place before any entry to the fire compartment can be made?

Answer 12

A safety jet

Question 13

What are the 4 sectors of a high rise incident?

Answer 13

Lobby sector
Bridgehead
Fire sector
Search Sector

Question 14

What floors make up the fire sector?

Answer 14

The fire floor, bridgehead (normally two floors below the fire floor) and one floor above the fire floor.

Question 15

What must be considered before ventilation is undertaken (using PPV for example)

Answer 15

Effects on personnel and occupants has been assessed
Sufficient resources are in place to contain the fire if there is a need to override any built or engineered safety systems

(If the risk cannot be assessed or sufficient control measures implemented, ventilation should only be used undertaken in the post fire stage.

Question 16

A number of tall building in the West Midlands have sprinkler suppression systems, how long do these operate for?

Answer 16

30 mins for buildings under 45m
60 mins for buildings over 45m

Question 17

Describe the fire sector

Answer 17

This is an operational sector, the main area for fire fighting and rescue operations. It consists of the floors from the bridgehead to the fire, the floor/s directly involved in the fire, plus one floor above.

Question 18

Describe the bridgehead

Answer 18

Normally located two floors below the fire floor provided it is clear of smoke. It is a location rather than a sector on its own

Question 19

Describe the search sector

Answer 19

This is an operational sector located above the fire sector where search and rescue, ventilation and other operations take place

Question 20

Describe the lobby sector

Answer 20

This is a support sector and would cover the area of operations from the ground floor lobby to the bridge head

Question 21

What is the minimum rank for the Search Sector Commander?

Answer 21

Crew Commander

Question 22

What stations have the Godiva GP8/5 Portable pump?

Answer 22

Aston (A2)
Wolverhampton (E5)
Brierley Hill (D2)
Kings Norton (C5)
Foleshill (B5)

Question 23

If the Bridgehead is to moved to new location what needs to be considered?

Answer 23

BA teams must be notified
As relocation increases the travel distance for BA team, consideration must be given to the immediate withdrawal of teams (this must be balanced against the urgency of the tasks they are performing)
If BA teams are not to be withdrawn they must acknowledge the message of the new location, if they don’t ECO should request withdrawal of that team
All BA teams must be informed to ensure they monitor their air supply and take the new distance into consideration

Question 24

Where is the lobby sector is located?

Answer 24

From the ground floor up to and including the floor below the bridgehead

Question 25

If a fire is located on the 14th floor where would the bridgehead be located (if possible)

Answer 25

12th floor

Question 26

What does HVAC stand for?

Answer 26

Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning

Question 27

Whose responsibility is it to maintain supply of personnel and resources

Answer 27

Lobby Sector Commander

Question 28

What bar pressure should be given by the pump operator supplying a dry riser at tall building incidents?

Answer 28

10 bar

Question 29

WMFS has five Godiva GP8/5 portable pumps. Where are they located?

Answer 29

Aston (A2)
Foleshill (B5)
Kings Norton (C5)
Brierley Hill (D2)
Wolverhampton (E5)