PN 496 - Tactical withdrawal, emergency evac and firefighter emergency Flashcards
Tactical Withdrawal
Tactical withdrawal is…(definition)
The removal of personnel from a specific area of potential danger in a safe and planned manner
Tactical Withdrawal
Who can initiate a tactical withdrawal?
Normally implemented by:
- IC
- Ops Commander
- Sector Commander
- Sfatey Officer
Where unsafe conditions are detected which necessitate a tactical withdrawal and it’s not practicable to pass the info via the command structure, any firefighting personnel may initiate the procedure but the IC must be informed.
Tactical Withdrawal
What 4 things will the IC do when a tactical withdrawal is initiated?
- Plan and initiate the phased withdrawal of crews, ensuring those in the area of greatest risk are withdrawn first. This may require other crews to maintain safe egress routes until all personnel have withdrawn.
- Brief all sector commanders and relevant crews of the plan.
- Remember that BA team(s) can be evacuated by the telemetry ECB’s ‘selective evacuation’ procedure or by handheld fireground radio if deemed more appropriate.
- Send an Informative Message to Brigade Control outlining details of the tactical withdrawal.
Emergency Evacuation
- What is an emergency evacuation?
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When is it initiated?
An emergency evacuation is the immediate and controlled withdrawal of all personnel from the
scene of operations to a place of safety.
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An emergency evacuation will be initiated whenever unsafe conditions are detected which place
personnel at an unacceptable risk when assessed against the benefits of being within this
location.
Emergency Evacuation
- What is an emergency evacuation?
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3.2 When is it initiated?
An emergency evacuation is the immediate and controlled withdrawal of all personnel from the
scene of operations to a place of safety.
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An emergency evacuation will be initiated whenever unsafe conditions are detected which place
personnel at an unacceptable risk when assessed against the benefits of being within this
location.
Emergency Evacuation
3.3 - Who can initiate an emergency evacuation?
(Same as TW)
An emergency evacuation will normally be implemented by the IC, Operations Commander,
Sector Commander or Safety Officer. In circumstances where unsafe conditions are detected which necessitate an emergency evacuation and it is not practicable to pass the information via
the command structure, any firefighting personnel may initiate the procedure but the IC must be
informed as soon as possible.
Emergency Evacuation
3.4 - Emergency evacuation will be initiated using the following actions:
(4)
Emergency evacuation wi• Repeated short blasts on the Acme Thunderer whistle.
• BA teams evacuated via the telemetry entry control board ‘evacuate all’ function.
• It is important to remember that teams can also be evacuated by radio if it is deemed more
appropriate.
• A priority message is also to be transmitted to all crews ( including BA teams) via fire ground radios ordering an emergency evacuation. This message may include important safety
information and consideration should be given to inform all BA teams of important information before evacuation if possible. If it is not possible to inform a BA team(s) of the need to evacuate, the IC having regard to the risk to personnel, will commit a BA emergency team to investigate and ensure that the evacuation signal continues to be sounded in the area of the BA team’s entry point.
Emergency Evacuation
3.5 - Upon hearing the evacuation signal personnel will, if possible…
(3)
• Repeat the signal.
• Withdraw from the scene of operations to a place of safety.
• Assemble at the booking-in point, i.e. Initial Command Pump (ICP) or Command Unit (CU)
unless directed otherwise.
Emergency Evacuation
3.6 - The IC will send an informative message to Brigade Control outlining details of the emergency
evacuation.
During the evacuation, what will the tac mode be?
As crews will still be within the hazard area during the evacuation the tactical mode
will be ‘Offensive’ until all personnel are removed from the identified hazard area.
Emergency Evacuation
3.7 - What would follow an Emergency Evacuation?
An emergency evacuation will be followed by a roll call. Following roll call the IC will, after
carrying out a DRA, re-commit crews to sectors where it is considered safe to continue
operations.
Emergency Evacuation
3.8 - Once the evacuation is complete and a roll call has been carried out….
….a further informative message
should be sent to Brigade Control.
Firefighter emergency (FFE)
4.1 - When would a Firefighter Emergency be initiated?
This term will apply whenever Fire Service personnel, or personnel working under the control of
the LFB, are unaccounted for and/or in need of rescue. Whenever it is established or there is
strong evidence to suggest that one or more firefighters or personnel working under the control
of the LFB are unaccounted for and/or in need of rescue the IC will immediately send the
Firefighter Emergency message.
Firefighter emergency (FFE)
4.1 - Once an FFE is initiated what message will the IC send?
‘From SM Young at (address of incident), Firefighter Emergency, Tactical Mode
Oscar.
Firefighter emergency (FFE)
4.3 The IC should consider [what] for all resources mobilised as part of the FFE
attendance.
marshalling arrangements
Firefighter emergency (FFE)
4.4 - As soon as possible after sending a FFE message, an informative message is to be sent stating:
• Description of the circumstances.
• Number of persons unaccounted for and/or in need of rescue.
• Details of action being taken e.g. Emergency Evacuation, Tactical Withdrawal or BA crews
searching.
• Declaration of the size of the incident i.e. the total number of pumping appliances attending
the incident (not including those dispatched specifically for the Firefighter Emergency).
• Tactical mode – as it is likely crews will still be within the hazard area during the FFE the
tactical mode will be ‘Offensive’ until all personnel are removed from the identified hazard
area.
