OMS 019 - BA Use at Fires or Incidents Flashcards
*23/24 exam
OMS 019 - BA Use at Fires or Incidents
BA Stage 1 - Incident Controller Responsibilities and Actions
Implement BA Stage 1 where it is necessary to use BA and monitor BA wearers at the incident, where the following circumstances exist:
- BA operations are limited and not complex
- The incident requires no more than one BA Entry Point
- BA guidelines are not required
Ensure accountability of BA teams is managed through the use a BA Control Board
Consider the following when establishing BA Stage 1 operations:
- Allocate BA Teams, call signs and fireground channels, ensuring personnel are working in teams of at least two where appropriate
- Avoid splitting appliance crews when establishing BA Teams wherever possible. This will assist in maintaining personnel accountability
- Allocate call signs in line with appliance numbers (Pumper 22, BA Team)
- Ensure BA Teams are operating on the assigned fireground channel
- Advise the CommCen that “BA Stage 1 is in operation”. This can also be completed within the wordback.
- Establish a BA Entry Point as soon as possible and delegate the role of BA Entry Officer once resources become available. Until delegated, the IC is accountable for all BA operations.
Establish a RIT
Establish a DeBris Zone based on a SPADRA, taking into consideration the incident alarm level, extent of the contamination, and/or number of personnel to be processed.
*23/24 exam
OMS 019 - BA Use at Fires or Incidents
BA Stage 2 - Incident Controller Responsibilities and Actions
- Implement BA Stage 2 operations when a greater level of control is required to manage and monitor the safety of BA wearers in complex BA operations.
- Delegate the role of BA Control Officer when enough resources are available on scene
- Establish the appropriate number of BA Entry Points and allocate call signs for each (BA Entry Sector 1)
- Ensure the appropriate Emergency Evacuation Signal device is established
- Establish additional RITs to support each BA Entry Point, as required
- Establish the appropriate number of BA Service Areas as per DEBRiS
- Ensure a sufficient supply of BA equipment is provided to the incident by responding the appropriate resources to support this capability
- Utilise personal or main guidelines in extreme conditions where practicable
OMS 019 - BA Use at Fires or Incidents
Preparation for BA Stage 1 - Tally Tags
- Place BA Tally Tags from the 2 BAs located in the rear seat of a primary appliance in the top two slots of the appliance BA Stage 1 Control Board. This will allow for immediate deployment of a BA crew first on scene.
- Ensure all other tally tags remain attached to BA sets
note Further oncoming crews are to ensure the tally tags placed in their Control Boards are collected and are available in preparation to deposit at BA entry point
OMS 019 - BA Use at Fires or Incidents
Requirement to wear BA
- Don BA in a state of readiness at any alarm of fire, unless directed otherwise by the IC after completing a Size Up
- Put on facemask and activate the BA when a SPADRA identifies that a confirmed or potential hazardous atmosphere may exist
*Do not wait for an order from the IC to don and activate BA where it is obvious that a hazardous atmosphere exists - Ensure BA remains donned and activated at all times when a hazardous atmosphere exists. Only the IC/SC/OO can determine when BA is no longer required.
- Ensure P2 masks are not worn in situations when BA should be worn
note P2 masks only provide particulate protection (eg. hazardous fibres such as asbestos)
OMS 019 - BA Use at Fires or Incidents
BA crews entering the hot zone
- Ensure BA is donned correctly
- Do not commence initial entry into a hazardous atmosphere with a cylinder pressure less than 250 bar
- Work in teams of at least two where appropriate
- Select the designated fireground channel on portable radios
- Deposit BA tally tags at BA entry prior to entering a potential or confirmed hazardous atmosphere
- Check time out/low-air periodically
- Exit the fireground accompanied by at least one other member of the team when the cylinder pressure gauge of the BA reaches a pre-determined level, or the cylinder low-air warning signal operates.
- Proceed towards the sound of a full alarm or distress signal. Rendering assistance is to take precedence over the work at hand. Communicate the situation to IC/SC/OO
- Withdraw immediately upon the operation of the evacuation alarm
- Report to BA Entry and collect tally tags upon exiting the fire/incident
- Report to BA Service (if one is in operation) after collecting BA Tally Tags from the BA Entry
- Do not re-enter a hazardous atmosphere with a cylinder pressure of less than 200 bar unless a SPADRA has been completed, and it has been deemed acceptable
OMS 019 - BA Use at Fires or Incidents
BA Stage 1 - BA Entry Officer (BAEO) responsibilities and actions
Record the following on the BA Control Board:
- Names of personnel operating within the hazardous atmosphere
- BA Team call sign and location
- Low air and time of whistle
- Allocated fireground channel
Track locations of BA Teams and record on BA Stage 1 Control Board. Consider utilising a mud map to assist with location accountability
Ensure all personnel exiting the hazardous atmosphere retrieve BA tally and proceed through debris where established
OMS 019 - BA Use at Fires or Incidents
BA Stage 2 - BA Entry Officer (BAEO) responsibilities and actions
- Don BA Entry tabard
- Establish a BA Entry Point in a safe, prominent location within a safe atmosphere
- Consider utilising barrier tape or natural features to funnel crews through BA entry
- Use the BA Stage 2 tally board
- Conduct an initial PAR for all personnel currently operating in the hazardous atmosphere to establish status and cylinder pressure, ensuring accountability for all crew members’ tally tags
- Track locations of BA Teams. Consider utilising a mud map to assist with location accountability
- Check low air and time out periodically, communicating with BA teams where appropriate
- Report to the IC/SC/OO when crews are nearing low air and time of whistle point
- Inform Decontamination Sector Commander when BA teams are approaching for decontamination
- Issue BA tally tags to BA teams leaving the hot zone
- Send periodic reports to the BACO indicating the number of BA in use and personnel requirements
OMS 019 - BA Use at Fires or Incidents
BA Stage 2 - BA Control Officer (BACO) responsibilities and actions
- Don BA Officer tabard
- Supervise BA service. Entry Points and all BA requirements
- Designate an Emergency Evacuation Signal device
- Liaise with BA Entry and BA Service to determine resourcing requirements
- Liaise with the IC/SC/OO regarding BA operations and send periodic reports to the IMT
OMS 019 - BA Use at Fires or Incidents
Returning BA sets to commission
- Attempt to reinstate all BA resources via the BA Service area prior to leaving the scene of an incident
- Notify CommCen when an appliance is out of commission due to having no BA capability, where appliance BA resources are unable to be reinstated
- Notify CommCen immediately that the appliance is no longer out of commission once the appliance BA capability is restored
- Transport BA cylinders only within allocated BA cylinder stowage areas on appliances
- Transport BA cylinders in approved BA carry case in general purpose vehicle. Do not transport cylinders within the passenger areas of general purpose vehicles
