Questions 226 - 250

Question 1

When conveying sensitive information on an open channel what should be considered as listed in SOGs? (SOG 2.2 Radio Discipline 2.8 Protect sensitive information p3)

Answer 1

2.8 Protect sensitive information
2.8.1 Don’t send sensitive information across an open channel. Many non FRNSW people monitor radio transmissions.
2.8.2 Messages containing details of injuries, fatalities or personal information should be sent by alternative means of communication such as a mobile phone, GRN private call facility, or face to face.
2.8.3 Be sensitive to the feelings of non-operational personnel or members of the public who may overhear messages. Ensure that outside speakers on appliances are turned off if sensitive information is being sent e.g. fatalities.

Question 2

According STP - Who must give consent for PIP inspections to be conducted on a premises? (STP#11 Building Inspections & Pre Incident Planning slide 19)

Answer 2

PIP inspections shall only be conducted with the consent of the building owner or occupier of the building and in accordance with FRNSW standing orders.

Question 3

According to Six Minute Intensive Training-Door entry - What are the door entry techniques that can be used with the Halligan tool?

Answer 3

1. Inward Adze Roll Technique
2. Fork Drive
3. Outward Adze (drive and steer)

Question 4

According to Six Minute Intensive Training-Door entry - What are the five steps to forcing a door?

Answer 4

1. SIZE UP – Assess how urgent the situation is. If it is not time critical consider passive ways of making entry – Through a window, wait for keys etc. Conduct 360 of premisses trying all windows and doors.
2. GAP – Usually starting with the Adze blade, work the tool between the door and door stop or door frame to create a workable gap. A second firefighter may be required with a sledge axe to strike Halligan tool to get a better start.
3. SET – With a gap established between the door and frame (a wedge may be required) manoeuvre tool to complete the forced entry. This could be the Adze or fork end of the tool depending on the situation.
4. FORCE – Final action to defeat the lock. Using the mechanical advantage leverage of the tool to complete the spread. Two fire fighters may be required for some doors.
5. CONTROL – Open the door in such a way so as not to have an adverse effect on the situation. Use Adze on Halligan tool to hook the back of the door to pull closed.

Question 5

According to Six Minute Intensive Training - During Firefighting Operations, what does fire attack crew never ignore?

Answer 5

 FIRE ATTACK crew never ignores a casualty, SEARCH & RESCUE crew never ignores a fire.

Question 6

According to Six Minute Intensive Training – Search and rescue during firefighting operations-The objective of a search is to confirm an ALL CLEAR, this is usually broken into what two components?

Answer 6

 PRIMARY SEARCH – rapid and systematic, usually carried out simultaneously with fire attack if fire conditions and crew response allow.
 SECONDARY SEARCH – thorough and methodical, undertaken to confirm casualtieshave not been missed. Often conducted once fire control has been achieved and at times can be done simultaneously with ventilation.

Question 7

According to SOGs - Describe the terms withdraw and abandon as used by the IC to indicate to crews the urgency required to move from offensive to a defensive strategy.

Answer 7

 WITHDRAW – indicates that firefighters have enough time to exit the structure or the position they are working in, with all equipment in a controlled manner.
 ABANDON – indicates that there is an immediate threat to firefighter lives and the firefighters must exit the structure or position they are working in immediately and only bring equipment with them if it will not compromise their safety, e.g. fire escalation or possible collapse.

Question 8

As stated in Six Minute Intensive Training – Search and rescue during firefighting operations - What signs would indicate it’s time to withdraw?

Answer 8

 Worsening fire/smoke conditions
 Signs of structural collapse
 Previously unknown hazards e.g. acetylene
 Emergency Radio Message signalling;
* Loss of PAR
* Change to a Defensive Strategy via an order from the IC to withdraw or abandon.

Question 9

According to Safety Bulletin 2023-03 TIC lanyard entanglement risk - If the TIC needs to be handed between members of firefighting or search and rescue teams what is the safest method to pass to the front firefighter?

Answer 9

 If the TIC needs to be handed between members of firefighting or search and rescue teams then it is safest to do so around the side of the body of the front firefighter and not over the shoulder.

Question 10

According to Six Minute Intensive Training, what is the purpose of placing an appliance in the fend off position?

Answer 10

 The FEND OFF position uses the appliances bulk and visibility to form a physical barrier protecting FRNSW personnel, other emergency services and patients from oncoming traffic.

Question 11

According to the SIMS worksheet - Warning gear is used to mark off incidents sites and warn the public that FRNSW operations are nearby. As listed on the worksheet list three forms of warning gear.

Answer 11

 “Hazard Ahead” sign
 Barrier and Hot Zone warning tape
 Witches Hats

Question 12

According to the SIMS Worksheet - All extinguishers are inspected and serviced by who and at what timeframes? (SIMS – Fire Extinguishers)

Answer 12

 All extinguishers are inspected and serviced by a competent person six monthly, annually and five yearly (AS 1851)

Question 13

According to STP - What removal technique provides a time efficient technique that removes an unconscious or decreased level of consciousness firefighter from their equipment providing access for assessment and further medical intervention? (STP 14 Search and Rescue during Firefighting Operations Slide 25)

Answer 13

 The Mayday Drag

Question 14

According to SOGs when responded to a Community First Responder incident and the patient refuses care. What should you do? (SOG 12.1 Community First Responder p2)

Answer 14

 8 Refusal of care
* If care is refused, observe the patient until the ambulance arrives.
* Assume an unconscious patient wants assistance.
* If a patient previously refusing treatment loses consciousness, treat them.

Question 15

According to Recommended practice - To ensure visibility, firefighters must always wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) when working on roadways. List the PPE that can be used. (Recommended Practice – Wearing Uniforms and PPE 6.3 Working on or near roadways p45)

Answer 15

 Whenever working on or near roadways, firefighters must wear a high visibility torso garment and high visibility trousers.
* Structural firefighting coat
* Multi-purpose coat
* High visibility vest
* High visibility raincoat
* Duty wear trousers
* Structural firefighting trousers

Question 16

According to SOGs - Occasionally, FRNSW personnel may have to prepare a helicopter landing site. List the points to be considered when doing this. (SOG 15.2 Special Appliances and Equipment p8)

Answer 16

 Position the landing site in an area 30m x 30m minimum, on solid, level ground away from powerlines or wires, and clear of trees or similar obstacles.
 Place a firefighter at each corner of the landing site and cordon off to prevent unauthorised entry. Do not use tape or loose materials.
 Clear all loose debris from the area, e.g. paper bags, cigarette cartons, aluminium cans etc, and secure all FRNSW equipment near the landing site.
 In dry, dusty conditions, consider wetting the landing area to maintain visibility during landings and take off.
 During NIGHT LANDINGS – place a strobe light and 2 vehicles with beacons flashing facing in to the wind and facing inwards at 45 degrees to the approach line with headlights on. Turn strobe light off once helicopter has identified or flown over the landing site.

Question 17

According to SOGs - Structure Fires in Rural Fire Districts- Where FRNSW is requested to assist the NSW RFS at a structure fire in a rural Fire District who will be the Incident Controller? (SOG 1.11 Incident Control System Guideline 11 Joint Operations – NSW RFS p1)

Answer 17

1. 11.4 Structure Fires in Rural Fire Districts
   * 11.4.1 Where the NSWFB is requested to assist the NSW RFS at a structure fire in a rural Fire District, the senior officer from the NSW RFS present at the fire will be the Incident Controller.

Question 18

According to Recommended practice, list four safety precautions when using extension ladders.

Answer 18

1. Max number of persons permitted on ladder at any time is 2.
2. Exercise care when ascending or descending.
3. Firefighters climbing the ladder must ensure they have 3 points of contact on the ladder. A point of contact is either a hand holding a rung or foot firmly placed on a rung.
4. A firefighter must always foot the ladder by standing on the anti-slip feet and holding either the rungs or the handles when anybody is on the ladder.

Question 19

According to SOGs - When must Level 1 or Level 2 Rehabilitation be considered? (SOG 18.3 Incident Ground Rehabilitation p1)

Answer 19

 LEVEL 1 REHAB
* Recommended for small incidents, not requiring the response of a specialist incident ground rehab capability.
* Level 1 Rehab uses equipment carried on front line firefighting appliances.
* Generally, the IC manages Level 1 Rehab.
 LEVEL 2 REHAB
* Long duration incidents.
* Circumstances where crew rotation is limited.
* Hot and dry OR cold and wet conditions.
* Where working conditions are arduous.
* Where BA usage and rotation is high, or
* Where conditions are such that specialist incident ground rehab capabilities are required.
* Generally, the IC appoints a dedicated Rehabilitation Officer.

Question 20

According to SOGs - What two items do FRNSW use that lays out safe working practices to manage the safety of firefighters at incidents? (SOG 1.9 Incident Safety – Guideline Support Document p8)

Answer 20

 FRNSW manages the safety or firefighters at incidents by providing training and doctrine that lays out safe working practices.

Question 21

According to SOGs - There are many aspects to ensuring safety at an incident, from the IC implementing the correct strategy, down to the firefighters wearing the right PPE for their assigned tasks. Incident safety can therefore be described in terms of what three levels? (SOG 1.9 Incident Safety Guideline Support Document p9)

Answer 21

 Task (Firefighters involved in specific tasks, hazards, and risks in the immediate work area, 10-degree focus.)
 Tactical (Commanders supervising tasks, greater operational perspective, bigger picture hazards, 180-degree focus, e.g. sector commanders.)
 Strategic (The IC and delegated roles under them, 360 degree perspective, IC implements systems to maintain safety across the incident, e.g. incident management system, comms plan.)

Question 22

Describe the term Short Term Exposure Limit (STEL).

Answer 22

 The short-term exposure limit (STEL) is the maximum concentration of a substance to which a worker may be exposed for no more than 15 minutes, 4 times a day over an 8 hour day with 60 minutes between exposures.

Question 23

According to SOGs - What safety related worksheet is used as method of documenting hazards or risks and control measures at an incident? (SOG 1.9 Incident Safety – How to manage risk at incidents p21)

Answer 23

 Incident Safety Worksheet