safety ops bulletins

Question 1

Safety Operations Bulletin No. 1 January, 2013 (New)

District of Columbia Fire and EMS Department Highway Incident Traffic Safety Procedures

Answer 1

Safety Operations Bulletin No. 1 January, 2013 (New)

District of Columbia Fire and EMS Department Highway Incident Traffic Safety Procedures

Question 2

Highway – Any roadway that has limited access and utilizes ramps for entry and exit and has a posted speed limit of 40 miles per hour or more.

Answer 2

Highway – Any roadway that has limited access and utilizes ramps for entry and exit and has a posted speed limit of 40 miles per hour or more.

Question 3

When responding together in queue, units will respond in single file. This will reduce the confusion to motorists already on the highway and allow them to yield to the emergency apparatus responding to the incident.

Answer 3

When responding together in queue, units will respond in single file. This will reduce the confusion to motorists already on the highway and allow them to yield to the emergency apparatus responding to the incident.

Question 4

Safety Operations Bulletin No. 4 May 2020

Atmospheric Monitoring at Structure Fires

Answer 4

Safety Operations Bulletin No. 4 May 2020

Atmospheric Monitoring at Structure Fires

Question 5

Atmospheric monitoring shall not be conducted until the fire has been extinguished, mechanical ventilation is in progress, the structure is free of visible smoke, and members involved in initial firefighting activities have been decontaminated.

Answer 5

Atmospheric monitoring shall not be conducted until the fire has been extinguished, mechanical ventilation is in progress, the structure is free of visible smoke, and members involved in initial firefighting activities have been decontaminated.

Question 6

Less than 4.7 ppm of Hydrogen Cyanide (HCN) is present;

2. 8.2 	Less than 35 ppm of Carbon Monoxide (CO) is present;  
2. 8.3 	The atmosphere must contain between 19% and 23.5% oxygen; and 
2. 8.4 	The atmosphere must contain less than 10% LEL of any combustible gas.

Answer 6

Less than 4.7 ppm of Hydrogen Cyanide (HCN) is present;

2. 8.2 	Less than 35 ppm of Carbon Monoxide (CO) is present;  
2. 8.3 	The atmosphere must contain between 19% and 23.5% oxygen; and 
2. 8.4 	The atmosphere must contain less than 10% LEL of any combustible gas.

Question 7

Safety Operations Bulletin No. 5 November 2019

ABANDONED BUILDING IDENTIFICATION AND EVALUATION PROGRAM

Answer 7

Safety Operations Bulletin No. 5 November 2019

ABANDONED BUILDING IDENTIFICATION AND EVALUATION PROGRAM

Question 8

Appendix A – Building Evaluation Guidelines

Company Officers should keep in mind that the purpose of the evaluation is to obtain basic information about an abandoned property. This information will be used in the decision making process regarding the hazard classification of a specific property. Information will be recorded on F&EMSD Form 177.

Answer 8

Appendix A – Building Evaluation Guidelines

Company Officers should keep in mind that the purpose of the evaluation is to obtain basic information about an abandoned property. This information will be used in the decision making process regarding the hazard classification of a specific property. Information will be recorded on F&EMSD Form 177. The

Question 9

. Personnel shall not enter the interior of vacant properties. The Company Officer is looking for obvious indications of problems involving the site, the building and/or its contents.

Answer 9

. Personnel shall not enter the interior of vacant properties. The Company Officer is looking for obvious indications of problems involving the site, the building and/or its contents.

Question 10

The objectives of the evaluation are:

1. To determine that the building is secure;
2. To identify obvious hazards requiring immediate corrective action;
3. To evaluate the fire growth potential of the building;
4. To evaluate the potential for structural collapse; and
5. To identify conditions that could be hazardous to personnel entering the building under emergency conditions (Fire, Police, EMS).

The evaluation consists of a walk around the outside of the building to determine the general layout, security, and condition of the structure. Other information, such as the type and status of utilities and signs of unauthorized entry shall be noted. Members shall not force entry or otherwise compromise the security of the structure.

Answer 10

The objectives of the evaluation are:

1. To determine that the building is secure;
2. To identify obvious hazards requiring immediate corrective action;
3. To evaluate the fire growth potential of the building;
4. To evaluate the potential for structural collapse; and
5. To identify conditions that could be hazardous to personnel entering the building under emergency conditions (Fire, Police, EMS).

The evaluation consists of a walk around the outside of the building to determine the general layout, security, and condition of the structure. Other information, such as the type and status of utilities and signs of unauthorized entry shall be noted. Members shall not force entry or otherwise compromise the security of the structure.

Question 11

Building Security
Utilities

Determine the status of utilities connected to the building. Observe the status of utility meters and valves on the outside of the building during the exterior survey.

Answer 11

Building Security
Utilities

Determine the status of utilities connected to the building. Observe the status of utility meters and valves on the outside of the building during the exterior survey.

Question 12

Building Use

The original use of a structure provides the Company Officer with clues to potential hazards that may be present.

Answer 12

Building Use

The original use of a structure provides the Company Officer with clues to potential hazards that may be present.

Question 13

Building Construction

Building construction is a key component of the evaluation of a vacant or abandoned building. The primary objective of the Company Officer is to document the observable construction elements of the building.

Answer 13

Building Construction

Building construction is a key component of the evaluation of a vacant or abandoned building. The primary objective of the Company Officer is to document the observable construction elements of the building.

Question 14

Fire Protection Systems

Determine if there are fire detection, alarm, or suppression systems in the building and if it is likely they are operational. This portion of the evaluation relates to the availability of utilities and building services, such as electricity, water and heat in the case of automatic sprinklers.

Answer 14

Fire Protection Systems

Determine if there are fire detection, alarm, or suppression systems in the building and if it is likely they are operational. This portion of the evaluation relates to the availability of utilities and building services, such as electricity, water and heat in the case of automatic sprinklers.

Question 15

Fire Growth Potential

It is common to find unusual fuel packages in vacant and abandoned buildings, including large accumulations of debris or trash, furniture and mattresses used by unauthorized occupants

Answer 15

Fire Growth Potential

It is common to find unusual fuel packages in vacant and abandoned buildings, including large accumulations of debris or trash, furniture and mattresses used by unauthorized occupants

Question 16

Exposures

The Company Officer shall evaluate the threat to potential exposures should the building burn. This information can be used to evaluate the potential for a fire to extend to adjacent structures.

Answer 16

Exposures

The Company Officer shall evaluate the threat to potential exposures should the building burn. This information can be used to evaluate the potential for a fire to extend to adjacent structures.

Question 17

Hazardous Materials

Abandoned properties are sometimes used as a dumping spot for hazardous materials. Additionally, when a property is vacated, the owner or former occupants may leave behind potentially hazardous materials.

Answer 17

Hazardous Materials

Abandoned properties are sometimes used as a dumping spot for hazardous materials. Additionally, when a property is vacated, the owner or former occupants may leave behind potentially hazardous materials.

Question 18

1. Class 1 - No hazardous structural conditions found at time of rating.
2. Class 2 - Placard with a single diagonal line in the box indicates hazards exist to such a degree that interior operations may be conducted only after a full assessment of the structural stability and with extreme caution and approval of the Incident Commander.
3. Class 3 - Placard with an X in the box indicates entry may occur only for confirmed/obvious life rescue and only after a proper risk/benefit analysis and approval of the Incident Commander.

Answer 18

1. Class 1 - No hazardous structural conditions found at time of rating.
2. Class 2 - Placard with a single diagonal line in the box indicates hazards exist to such a degree that interior operations may be conducted only after a full assessment of the structural stability and with extreme caution and approval of the Incident Commander.
3. Class 3 - Placard with an X in the box indicates entry may occur only for confirmed/obvious life rescue and only after a proper risk/benefit analysis and approval of the Incident Commander.

Question 19

Vacant Marker Hazard Identification Symbols
The following symbols shall be used to designate known hazards on the vacant building placard. They shall be placed directly to the left of the symbol on the marker or in the provided violation or concern section of the placard:

R/O—Roof open;
S/M—Stairs, steps, and landing missing; F/E—Avoid fire escapes; and H/F—Holes in floor.

Answer 19

Vacant Marker Hazard Identification Symbols
The following symbols shall be used to designate known hazards on the vacant building placard. They shall be placed directly to the left of the symbol on the marker or in the provided violation or concern section of the placard:

R/O—Roof open;
S/M—Stairs, steps, and landing missing; F/E—Avoid fire escapes; and H/F—Holes in floor.

Question 20

Safety Operations Bulletin No. 6 APRIL 2018

On Duty Injury Investigation and Documentation

Answer 20

Safety Operations Bulletin No. 6 APRIL 2018

On Duty Injury Investigation and Documentation

Question 21

The Order Book requires the on-duty company officer to notify the on-duty Safety Battalion Chief whenever an on duty employee is injured in or out of quarters. It also requires the Safety Battalion Chief to report to the scene/location of the incident “if the injury is significant, involves the use of equipment, PPE, or stems from a violation of Department policy”.

Answer 21

The Order Book requires the on-duty company officer to notify the on-duty Safety Battalion Chief whenever an on duty employee is injured in or out of quarters. It also requires the Safety Battalion Chief to report to the scene/location of the incident “if the injury is significant, involves the use of equipment, PPE, or stems from a violation of Department policy”.

Question 22

The company officer will still be required to complete an F&EMSD Form 44.4: Safety, and forward within 24 hours – the original to the Safety Office and copy to the Medical Services Officer.

Answer 22

The company officer will still be required to complete an F&EMSD Form 44.4: Safety, and forward within 24 hours – the original to the Safety Office and copy to the Medical Services Officer.

Question 23

Command Operations Bulletin No. 1 October 2020

Response to Civil Disturbances

Answer 23

Command Operations Bulletin No. 1 October 2020

Response to Civil Disturbances

Question 24

Staging
2.15 Units responding to the civil disturbance event shall stage a minimum of three blocks away in the line of approach or at a designated staging area.

2. 16 The location used for staging shall be out of the line of sight of the incident and shall have the ability to protect against a ballistic threat.
3. 17 The initial staging area for all units responding to the civil disturbance event shall be in the cold zone.

Answer 24

Staging
2.15 Units responding to the civil disturbance event shall stage a minimum of three blocks away in the line of approach or at a designated staging area.

2. 16 The location used for staging shall be out of the line of sight of the incident and shall have the ability to protect against a ballistic threat.
3. 17 The initial staging area for all units responding to the civil disturbance event shall be in the cold zone.

Question 25

Firehouses

2. 44 Facilities located in an area involved in or expected to be involved in civil unrest shall follow the Ready Alert Plan’s procedures.
3. 45 When abandoning firehouses for safety considerations:

2.45.1 Companies shall take all portable radios, battery chargers, cell phones, and cell phone chargers with them;

Answer 25

Firehouses

2. 44 Facilities located in an area involved in or expected to be involved in civil unrest shall follow the Ready Alert Plan’s procedures.
3. 45 When abandoning firehouses for safety considerations:

2.45.1 Companies shall take all portable radios, battery chargers, cell phones, and cell phone chargers with them;

Question 26

In extreme circumstances, shut down utilities to the station;
2.45.6 Personal vehicles shall be stored in locked parking areas, if available. If the station does not have secure parking, personal vehicles may be moved to the apparatus floor before leaving.

Answer 26

In extreme circumstances, shut down utilities to the station;
2.45.6 Personal vehicles shall be stored in locked parking areas, if available. If the station does not have secure parking, personal vehicles may be moved to the apparatus floor before leaving.