SOP #45: Rapid Damage Assessment

Question 1

What is rapid damage assessment also know as?

Answer 1

Windshield survey

Question 2

What is rapid damage assessment?

Answer 2

function conducted in the wake of a natural disaster such as a tornado, hurricane or earthquake as soon as conditions become safe to operate

Question 3

Why is a rapid damage assessment conducted?

Answer 3

survey in the aftermath of a disaster to quickly assess the impact on the community.
identify areas that in most need of assistance

Question 4

Where is the information of the rapid damage assessment forwarded to?

Answer 4

district headquarters
fire alarm
and EOC (Emergency Operations Center) at PEMA

Question 5

How are windshield survey/damage assessment routes organized?

Answer 5

Pre-fire assessment district typically companies first due district

Question 6

What are of particular concerns when performing rapid damage assessment?

Answer 6

• Class 1 or Class 2 hazards
• any critical infrastructure

Question 7

What is considered critical infastructure?

Answer 7

• main roads + highways
• public utility facilities + equip.
• bridges + overpasses
• but not limited to just these

Question 8

What are the objectives of the damage assessment?

Answer 8

• overall impact on community
• priority of resources
• est. objectives current/future operational period
• do we need outside resources

Question 9

Who establishes the routes for damage assessment?

Answer 9

Captain of each company

Question 10

When performing damage assessment what should be assessed first (1st)?

Answer 10

• Class 1 or Class 2
• critical infrastructure
• any area prone to flooding

Question 11

What are the four (4) specific concerns when conducting damage assessment?

Answer 11

• Access
• Flooding
• Structural Damage
• Infrastructure + other related hazards

Question 12

What is rapid damage assessment comparable with and why?

Answer 12

Primary search
- it is quick “ triage of impacted area”

Question 13

When performing rapid damage assessment units should perform them?

Answer 13

as quickly as possible

Question 14

When performing rapid damage assessment companies shall only stop when?

Answer 14

there is an obvious need for intervention to save a life or to mitigate a significate hazard.

Question 15

When are damage assessment reports completed?

Answer 15

Only for areas that have sustained damage.

Question 16

What should be done when major damage or hazards are identified during damage assessment?

Answer 16

reported immediately via radio, to the district chief or damage assessment group leader

Question 17

When damage assessment are completed, companies are to bring completed forms to?

Answer 17

• district headquarters to be faxed to fire alarm
• Area Command
• EOC (emergency operations center

Question 18

On what orders shall the damage assessment be done?

Answer 18

• orders of COD or designee for anticipated events
• orders of DAC for unanticipated events (i.e. tornado/explosion)

Question 19

Who shall radio reports of major damage for anticipate events be reported to?

Answer 19

• District chief or area command (if activated) on channel assigned by fire alarm

Question 20

Should an incident occur w/o warning, who shall be appointed to act as Damage Assessment Group Leader and by whom?

Answer 20

chief officer by DAC

Question 21

The ______ officer should be located _____ from impacted area; and should be if available?

Answer 21

chief; remote; Captain or Chief of communication

Question 22

For anticipated disasters, officer in command of each company shall contact?

Answer 22

All Class 1 + 2 hazard occupancies in their district
- 24 hours in advance, and make sure emergency plan is activated
- inquire if they need assistance from FD or city

Question 23

What shall be done when conditions are deemed safe for operations?

Answer 23

officer in command of each company shall report
- status of the station (personnel injuries)
- damage to the station
- status of utilities
- are stations and companies able to remain in service

Question 24

Station status report shall be completed by all stations + forwarded to?

Answer 24

district chief upon completion of the Damage Assessment Survey

Question 25

What are materials needed for a damage assessment?

Answer 25

• Pre-fire assessment chart
• district map
• initial damage assessment form

Question 26

When performing rapid damage assessment, when will companies stop?

Answer 26

only for immediate life threatening injuries or rapidly spreading fires

Question 27

How is the damage assessment and access scored?

Answer 27

from zero (0) to three (3)
0 = no damage
3 = major damage

Question 28

Where must a record of the condition of all target hazards be retain after damage assessment?

Answer 28

at the company quarters

Question 29

How will damage levels be scored?

Answer 29

Access from 0-3
flooding from 0 - 3
structural damage from 0 - 3
infrastructure from 0-3
- score of 3-4 = minor
- score of 5-7 = significant
- score 8 or above = major

Question 30

When shall the damage assessment package be checked?

Answer 30

Captain shall check it on 1st of June each year

Question 31

What items will be contained in damage assessment package?

Answer 31

1. SOP
2. Pre-fire assessment chart
3. district map
4. Adequate number of assessment forms