SOGs Flashcards
Question 108. According to SOGs - A medical emergency access incident is an actual or probable situation where either the Police Rescue Coordinator or the Ambulance Service of NSW (ASNSW) Communication Centre Manager considers serious. What do they consider a person at risk of if access is not gained quickly?
A patient is at risk of further serious injury or death if medical assistance is not provided quickly.
Question 111. According to SOGs - Radio codes for automatic fire alarms (AFAs) are used by the Incident Commander (IC) to send an incident completed (Stop) message to FireCOM at the conclusion of an AFA-reported incident. When AFA call is to an actual fire – i.e., one which FRNSW has been alerted to by the activation of an AFA or manual call point. What is required to be reported to FireCOM?
Code 100 followed by a detailed message.
Question 112. According to SOGs - Safety is paramount at all bushfires. A safety briefing must be completed and communicated to firefighters. Firefighters should constantly review LACES. Describe each letter of the acronym LACES.
· Lookouts – Fire crews must LOOKOUT and ensure that they have a clear appreciation of current fire behaviour, location and size of the fire in relation to crew location.
· Awareness – Firefighters must be aware of what is happening around them, including: − the impact of changes in fire behaviour caused by variations to fuel, weather and topography − observation of smoke colour, direction and column − fireground and urban hazards including the potential for falling rocks and trees − hydration of themselves and others.
· Communications – All fire crews must maintain communication in accordance with the communications plan and ensure safety issues are discussed and addressed immediately.
· Escape Routes – At least two escape routes should be agreed and made known to all relevant personnel. The suitability of escape routes should be reviewed continually to ensure they remain effective.
· Safety Zones – Safety zones (refuge areas) should be identified and made known to all relevant firefighters. Firefighters need to consider escape time and safety zone size requirements, which may change as fire behaviour changes.
Question 113. According to SOGs-Fire danger ratings (FDR) give an indication of the consequences of a bushfire. The higher the fire danger, the more dangerous the conditions. List the ratings.
- Catastrophic
- Extreme
- High
- Moderate
- No rating
Question 114 According to SOGs when sending radio messages, to ensure they are easy to understand and hear. How should they be formulated
CAN Format (Conditions, Actions, Needs).
Question 117. Heat stress is the most common condition which affects firefighters. It all too frequently affects their welfare, but more importantly, it affects their judgement and competence in the field. All firefighters must be able to recognise the symptoms, name three symptoms as stated in SOGs.
- Dizziness
- Weakness
- Nausea
Question 118. According to SOGs - The status of a bushfire is the degree to which it is under control. What terminology is to be used in radio messages and sitreps to FireCOM?
- Going
- Being Controlled
- Contained
- Patrol
- Out
Question 119. According to SOGs - What acronym is used to assist ICs in remembering the factors which should be considered in an effective size-up
- B uilding
- E xposures
- L ocation of fire
- E xtinguishment
- A ssistance
Question 120. According to SOGs - Describe offensive and defensive firefighting strategies.
- Offensive – operating in close proximity to the hazards, or
- Defensive – operating away from the hazards
Question 121. As stated in SOGs - What does the Incident Action (IAP) usually describe?
The IAP describes, at any point in time, the risk assessment, strategy and objectives, incident structure, layout of the incident, and any other relevant information.
Question 122. As stated in SOGs - In the event of a major fire, the IC must establish an exclusion zone to protect personnel from the risk of windows, panels and debris that become dislodged by heat, wind pressure or water jets. Any external Control Point (e.g., Incident Control Vehicle) must be located outside this zone. How far will the exclusion zone extend?
The exclusion zone will extend:
- upwind, minimum 50 metres
- downwind, a minimum distance of twice the height of the
highest fire floor. (eg a fire on the 20th floor, allowing 3m per
floor, requires an exclusion zone of 120m).
Question 123. According to SOGs - At a high-rise structure fire, what are the actions of the first arriving Station Commander?
Station Commander becomes Sector Commander for the fire floor, establishes a Forward Control Point, and commences operations from the floor below the fire.
Question 124. According to SOGs - Twin bore tunnels, where traffic flows occur in separate tunnels, the tunnels are usually separated by 4-hour fire-resisting construction. Crossover passages between the tunnels are usually how many metres apart?
120m
Question 125. According to SOGs - List the roles of FRNSW at incidents involving bomb threats or detonations?
- Support NSW Police Force or the Australian Defence Force (ADF) by protecting life and property from the effects of fires or hazardous materials that may occur.
- Act as the lead agency in urban search and rescue (USAR) operations, if required.
- If requested, assist NSW Ambulance.
Question 126. According to SOGs - When referring to storage facilities describe- * Bulk * Flatbed storage * Ventilated * Sealed
- (BULK) more than 4 tonnes (net), or more than 4 cubic metres of a substance, not in individual packages.
- (FLATBED) a single level building or other structure designed for the storage of solids in bulk of more than 40 tonnes.
- (VENTILATED) containers open to the atmosphere, including silos with explosion vents that have activated
- (SEALED) a grain container is sealed during fumigation and semi sealed at other times – includes semi-sealed and oxygen limiting containers.
Question 127. According to SOGs - Standards Australia refers to Breathing Apparatus (BA) as supplied air respirators. Fire and Rescue NSW uses positive pressure supplied air respirators to provide the highest level of protection. Name and describe them.
- Self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA).
- Extended duration breathing apparatus (EDBA): An SCBA set in twin cylinder configuration which allows firefighters to work for approximately twice the time as single cylinder SCBA.
- Airline respirator: An extension facemask with an airline supplied from a source of compressed air
Question 128. According to SOGs - Decontamination is the process of removing contaminants from people and equipment to prevent further injury and reduce the spread of the contaminant. What are the three ways decontamination can be implemented.
- Standard decontamination is implemented where there is no life at risk.
- Emergency decontamination is implemented where there is a life at risk (a person is rescued from the Hot Zone), or an immediate response is required due to an accidental contamination.
- Mass decontamination is implemented in an unexpected and dangerous situation which must be dealt with immediately where a group of people are contaminated.
Question 129. According to SOGs When dealing with radiological incidents, the first priority is to minimise the exposure to radiation while rendering the incident safe. What are the main considerations for protecting people at radiological incidents?
- Time – minimise the duration of exposure.
- Distance – maximise the distance from the radiological source.
- Shielding – maximise shielding between the radiological source and people.
Question 130. According to SOGs - What are three types of radiation.
- Alpha
- Beta
- Gamma and X-Ray
Question 131. According to SOGs - Materials that contain asbestos are known as asbestos containing materials (ACM). If asbestos is encountered at an incident, as far as practical, employ dust suppression tactics and leave ACM in situ. Provide three examples of dust suppression tactics.
- Minimise disturbance – ie restrict salvage and overhaul work.
- Keep it lightly dampened down with fog spray.
- Apply a bonding agent such as a foam blanket or coloured PVA/water mix.
- Bag into marked asbestos containment bags.
- Wrap or cover with salvage plastic sheeting.
Question 139. According to SOGs - What is the unit of measurement for external radiation?
Sievert
Question 140. According to SOGs - The risk of developing asbestos related disease depends on many factors. List three factors.
- Concentration of exposure
- Duration of exposure
- Fibre characteristics
- Other exposures
Question 141. List and define the three zone systems as outlined in SOGs Scene Security
- Hot Zone - where no personnel enter until a DRA determines appropriate actions and level of PPE.
- Warm Zone – where Fire and Rescue NSW conducts its operations.
- Cold Zone – where the Incident Control Point and support agencies are located and where the Police implement overall site control.
Question 142. According to SOGs - Operators of aged care facilities have emergency plans, which include a staged evacuation plan. List the stage numbers including the stage FRNSW would likely be involved.
- Stage 1
- Stage 2 (FRNSW Involvement)
- Stage 3
Question 143. According to SOGs - During bushfire operations safeguarding strategy is not fire suppression but can be used when defensive operations are not safe. Describe the actions taken in this strategy.
- warn – tailored to the current situation and locality
- move – support, assist and move, particularly vulnerable people to a safer location
- protect – when moving to a safe location is impossible provide protection in whatever form necessary.
Question 144. According to SOGs - At a high-rise structure fire, what area provides a safe location with building communications, control equipment and plans?
Fire Control Room
Question 145. SOGs state - In some cases, mostly at larger structures and complexes it may not be appropriate to turn off power to the entire structure. List three of these structures or complexes.
- Industrial complexes
- High-rise buildings
- Health care facilities
Question 116. According to SOGs - To minimise the risk of heat related illness, what is the minimum level of PPE that should be worn at a bushfire.
Level 2
Question 155. According to SOGs - When using a hydrant booster, the IC will instruct the pump operator to run the hydrant booster system in one of three modes. List and describe all three.
- Stand by mode—connect hose but do not charge it (SOG 4.11),
- Activation mode—pressurise the hydrant system. (SOG 4.11)
- Deactivation mode
Question 160. You respond to a building that has a dry riser system. In accordance with SOGs, if you identify one of these systems what should you be aware of?
Dry risers are hydrant systems that are not charged with water, relying on the NSWFB to charge them from street hydrants.
Question 161. During a bushfire, a helicopter is carrying out hot refuelling operations to prepare for ongoing water bombing operations. According to SOGs, a designated Fire Protection Crew should follow what procedures?
- Wear full PPE
- Do not become involved in refuelling or fire protection with extinguishers at the refuelling point.
- Locate the appliance uphill, upwind, and at least 50 metres from the landing site, fuel pumps and fuel storage areas, and any incident on the airbase.
- Stand by with lines of hose charged, foam eductor attached and Class B foam ready to be inducted.
- Prevent water or foam streams from hitting the moving rotors.
Question 171. According to SOGs, as the Incident Commander, you may choose a fast attack command position. What does fast attack enable the IC to do?
- More fully size up the incident.
- Directly supervise the crew.
- Assist the crew with task level work if needed.
- Take advantage of the limited window of opportunity available while the incident is in its early stages
Question 180. According to SOGs, if co2 is used to extinguish a fire in an underground vault substation what is the minimum time it needs to be kept sealed within the vault?
20 minutes
Question 181. According to SOGs, what is the definition of decontamination?
Decontamination is the process of removing contaminants from people, clothing and equipment to prevent exposure to a contaminant and minimise spread of the contaminant. Equipment includes vehicles.
Question 182. During a bushfire, your sector contains an area where trees and grass are alight under high voltage power lines. According to SOGs, what are the safe working distances and what firefighting activities can you perform?
- 25 metres
- Do not engage in firefighting underneath power lines
- Wait for the fire to burn clear of the cleared areas beneath the power lines before commencing mop-up.
- Only approach within 25 metres of the power lines to mop up grass fires.
- Only knock down low (less than 2 metres high) isolated flames, spots or smouldering logs that are not producing a convection column or heavy smoke plume
Question 184. A BA team reports to a Breathing Apparatus Control Operator (BACO) two floors below the fire floor at a high-rise structure fire. They provide their BA tallies to the BACO and proceed to the fire floor but remain in the fire stairs for ten minutes before donning BA and beginning firefighting tasks. Ten minutes after that the BACO is trying to contact the Sector Commander urgently stating that they are running low on air when they are not. According to SOGs, what went wrong?
The BA team did not notify the BACO when they donned their facemask to begin using their air supply
Question 185. According to SOGs, there are five members of a decontamination team. Name all members.
- Decontamination Officer
- Wash Operator
- Wash Assistant
- Disrobe Assistant
- Pump Operator
Question 187. You are in charge of firefighters providing fire protection during helicopter refuelling. You instruct them to wear full PPE. According to SOGs, what full PPE will they wear?
- Full structural firefighting ensemble, including helmet and gloves
- flash hood
- SCBA
- ear plugs.
Question 189. According to SOGs- Bushfire classes are determined by the level of resources committed to the fire, and its potential impact on the community, economy, essential infrastructure, and not its size. Describe a Class 3 bushfire?
A major bushfire or fires where an appointment is made or is imminent under the provisions of Section 44 of the Rural Fires Act 1997.
Question 192. You respond to a High-Rise building. According to SOGs, High Rise buildings are generally described by what characteristics?
High-rise buildings are generally described as being more than 25 metres high or having more than 10 levels.
Question 197. According to SOGs, Describe the term “All Clear.”
Search and rescue have been completed and the Incident Controller is satisfied that all occupants have been accounted for.
Question 198. According to the SOGs, on arrival at a high-rise structure fire, the Hazmat Officer will become the BA Commander and perform what duties?
- Establish a main BA Control Area, on street level
- provide reserve BA cylinders for servicing and regenerating EDBA and SCBA
- manage contaminated water run-off
- monitor smoke plumes.
Question 204. You are responded to a report of an unknown odour at an abandoned petrol station. You inform your crew to prepare a 4-head gas detector for use on arrival. According to SOGs, what four items of information can the detector tell you?
- oxygen levels
- flammable gas and vapours
- Carbon Monoxide
- Hydrogen Sulphide.
Question 205. Insulated Sandwich Panels (ISPs), especially those with Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) cores can create an extremely hazardous environment for firefighters and may force adoption of a defensive strategy from an early stage. According to SOGs, what are the reasons for this?
- EPS melts and flows like a liquid. It is highly flammable, inducing rapid fire spread, which is undetectable with thermal imaging cameras (due to the insulating properties of the panels) and can spread to areas remote from the fire origin.
- Panel delamination, where the hot metal panel skins bow and open up, rapidly increases the rate of fire spread, which heats the ceiling void, creates secondary pool fires from melted EPS, and causes panels to collapse (Figure 2).
- There is an increased risk of flashover and backdraught.
- Large volumes of toxic, thick, black, acrid smoke are produced.
- Sudden, loss of structural integrity may cause substantial building collapse.
Question 207. According to SOGs, when responding into a Rural Fire District, when are you required to send a Code 6?
- Immediately it becomes apparent to the Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of an FRNSW appliance that they have received a call to an incident located within a Rural Fire District, or
- With the Code 1 (responding) message if it is known at the time of the call that the incident is in a Rural Fire District
Question 210. In accordance with SOGs, when developing objectives, strategies and tactics what should be considered?
- the response time for requested support;
- the requirements for relief crews and refreshments; and
- whether a change of shift might be necessary.
Question 214. According to SOGs - During the de-escalation of an incident, at what stage is command terminated?
Command is only terminated when the last resource leaves the incident
Question 217. According to SOGs - A major goal for the IC is to develop an Incident Action Plan for the incident. What is an incident action plan?
The IAP is developed to manage the incident. The IAP describes, at any point in time, the risk assessment, strategy and objectives, incident structure, layout of the incident, and any other relevant information.
Question 218. According to SOGs - What are the terms used in an initial radio report, to indicate the size of a structure at a fire incident.
- Small – One hose lay can cover the entire structure.
- Medium – One hose lay can cover 75% of the structure.
- Large – One hose lay will cover 50% of the structure.
- Very large – One hose lay will cover 25% of the structure.
- Mega – One hose lay will cover 10% of the structure
Question 219. As stated in SOGs - Example -Initial radio report - The initial radio report (IRR) is sent by the first arriving officer to FireCOM. It time-stamps command, confirms and identifies the IC, and records initial details about the incident. It should be in Conditions, Actions, Needs (CAN) format and should include-
- Confirmation of address.
- Conditions: Brief description of the incident; obvious critical factors including hazards.
- Actions: Initial incident action plan (IAP); assumption of command and naming of incident; strategy.
- Needs: Increase of alarm level as per the Alarm Response Protocol (ARP), or, in areas where this does not operate, request for particular resources as per local arrangements (FireCOM will confirm the availability of requested resources).
Question 226. When conveying sensitive information on an open channel what should be considered as listed in SOGs?
- Messages containing details of injuries, fatalities or personal information should be sent by alternative means of communication such as mobile phone, GRN private call facility, or face-to-face.
- 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 233. 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.
- Withdraw – this indicates that firefighters have enough time to exit the structure or the position they are working in, with all their equipment, in a controlled manner. It is usually given by the IC in response to a tactical CAN report. An example of a message given to a Sector Commander or crew could be: Sector Commander Bravo we are changing strategy to defensive for the entire structure withdraw all crews and report PARS on exit. If there is more than one sector then this would be conveyed to all sectors.
- Abandon – this 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. This could be that a fire has rapidly escalated, wall collapse is imminent, or a trench is about to collapse. An example of a message is: All sectors roof collapse imminent we are going to a defensive strategy abandon your positions and report if you do not have a PAR. The term abandon should be the exception rather than the rule.
Question 240. According to SOGs when responded to a Community First Responder incident and the patient refuses care. What should you do?
- 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 241. According to SOGs - To ensure the safety of crews working on roads, list the actions that should be taken when positioning the vehicle and defining the workspace.
- place and orient the advanced warning sign on the footpath where it is clearly visible to road users at a distance twice the prescribed speed limit in metres from the start of the work area to a maximum of 140 m, or at the next intersection
- position the vehicle safely and turn on the emergency beacons and hazard warning lights to warn approaching traffic
- ensure that a line of traffic cones is placed from the warning sign to the vehicle, spaced evenly to provide a safe work area
- if necessary, appoint spotters to monitor traffic. NOTE If traffic conditions become dangerous, move to safety immediately.
Question 243. According to SOGs - Occasionally, FRNSW personnel may have to prepare a helicopter landing site. List the points to be considered when doing this.
- position the landing site in an area 30 m x 30 m minimum, on solid, level ground away from power lines or wires, and clear of trees or similar obstacles
- mark the corners of the landing site by placing a firefighter at each corner 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 NSWFB equipment near the landing site
- in dry, dusty conditions, the landing site may require wetting down to maintain visibility during landing and take off.
- During night landings, place a strobe light and two vehicles with beacons flashing facing into the wind and facing inwards at 45° to the approach line with their headlights on. Ensure that the strobe light is turned off once the helicopter has identified or flown over the landing site.
Question 244. 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?
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 246. According to SOGs - When must Level 1 or Level 2 Rehabilitation be considered?
- Level 1 Rehab – recommended for small incidents not requiring the response of a specialist incident ground rehabilitation capability. Level 1 Rehab uses equipment carried on front line firefighting appliances. Generally, the Incident Controller (IC) manages Level 1 Rehab.
- Level 2 Rehab – recommended for: − long duration incidents − in circumstances where crew rotation is limited − hot and dry, or cold and wet, conditions − where working conditions are arduous − where breathing apparatus usage and rotation is high, or − where conditions are such that specialist incident ground rehabilitation capabilities are required.
Question 247. According to SOGs - What two items do FRNSW use that lays out safe working practices to manage the safety of firefighters at incidents?
- Training
- Doctrine
Question 248. 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?
- Task
- Tactical
- Strategic
Question 250. According to SOGs - What safety related worksheet is used as method of documenting hazards or risks and control measures at an incident?
Incident Safety Worksheet
Question 1. According to STP - What are the 3 Golden rules to follow when applying foam?
- Do not begin to apply foam unless you have enough to extinguish the fire or cover the fuel spill
- Point branch away from fire until good finished foam is being produced
- You cannot mix different foam concentrates
Question 2. According to STP - List 3 hazards/considerations when using CAFS at a structure fire.
- CAFS hose lines have a build up of pressure when the branch is closed, this causes a larger jet reaction than a standard hose
- Slug flow – When the proportion of foam, air and water is wrong. It will cause the finished foam to “shudder” or “pulsate” as it is exiting the branch
- Does not contain enough water for internal attack
Question 3. According to STP - List 5 actions to take when combatting a natural gas leak with no fire involved.
- Structural PPE and SCBA
- Evacuate all persons from the immediate area
- Remove all sources of ignition
- Respond Gas company
- Only use intrinsically safe equipment
- Dampen ground around the site of the gas release to prevent static electricity
- Keep protection line in place using fog
- If possible, crimp line to stop release of gas