STRUCTURAL COLLAPSE Flashcards
Structural collapse is a SINGLE COMMAND event and FDNY is IC
Structural collapse id defined as any incident where a building or portion of a building including walls, floors, ceilings, partitions, or structures such as bridges, scaffolds, signs , construction sites and banner have collapse for are IN DANGER OF COLLAPSING
SEARCH and RESCUE is FDNY core competency
-all city agencies , including PD and BUILDINGS DEPT. , operated under the direction of FDNY
- LIFE SAFETY operations in progress will not be disrupted or suspended beaus of the arrival or transition of command (CF: ICS)
- FIRST ARRIVIng FDNY fire officer has prime responsibilities for rescue activities at the incident site and should assume roles of IC….first arriving resources will initiate life safety operations .
-ALL agencies responding to an incident will assist as requested by the IC…personnel from other agencies will be under the control of their superior, who shall report to ICP (FDNY) for instructions
When the RESCUE and REMOVAL of all persons involved in the incident, and stabilization of all threats to public safety have been accomplished , the scene becomes the jurisdiction of DEPARTMENT OF BUILDINGS AND /OR NYS DEPT. OF LABOR (buildings under construction/demo)
IC will determine when an area is safe to permit personnel of other agencies, who will be coordinated by OEM into an area to being the process of reservation and recovery
At least ONE TOWER LADDER shall be special called to every MAJOR collapse if none was assigned on the initial alarm.
safety considerations:
- single most important consideration is SAFETY
- do not enter any danger zones except TO SAVE LIFE
- place apparatus outside potential collapse zone
- identify and immediately report any sign of structural defect that could lead to secondary collapse
- access control points established
- door , stairways, ladders, ramps, ditches and excavations should be made as secure as possible in the event a rapid escape from the site is required
Note: at all EXPLOSIONS and MAJOR COLLAPSES, SOC units shall ensure that immediate area is monitored for the presence of radiological /chemical agents
Initial rescue actions should concentrate on removing ABLE bodies (ambulatory ) and surface or lightly buried persons from immediate danger
Safety of personnel needs to be careful evaluated before attempting complicated rescues
it is critical for FIRST ARRIVING UNITS TO address STREET MANAGEMENT AND FIRE CONTROL
ONLY APPARATUS AUTHORIZED BY THE IC should be positioned on the street
-later arriving apparatus may only be used for their PERSONNEL , the apparatus should be parked away from the scened in a SECONDARY STAGING AREA
IF POSSIBLE , both FIRS AND SECOND ENGINES SHOULD TAKE SEPARATE HYDRANTS OUTSIDE THE BLOCK , EACH ON SEPARATE MAINS and prepare to supply landlines and large caliber Tower ladder stream
3rd and 4th engines should take similar positions at the REAR of the structure
-TWO of the 2nd alarm ENGINE COMPANIES should be used to seal off the ends of the street (chauffeurs of these units MUST REMAIN IN THE CAB, ALBE TO MOVE THE APPARATUS )
TOWER LADDERS should be placed in FRONT of the collapsed structure , outside of the COLLAPSE DANGER ZONE
initially , the first arriving TL should be the only unit in front of the building, unless there is specific need for additional units, subsequent TL’S should be positioned to reach and protect different exposure
- at incidents involving tall/long buildings, consider placing several units around the collapse , or using aerial ladders (100 feet )if needed
- aerial ladders kept AWAY from building in a SECONDARY STAGING AREA
- rescue companies and collapse units should be placed OUTSIDE the collapse danger zone but as closes as possible to the front of building
ambulances need to be VISIBLE from scene, but out of the way of rescue and firefighting operations
-first arriving ambulances need to be close to the scene to provide supplies for triage and initial treatment
-heavy equipment , such as cranes, front end loaders and dump trucks must also be assure site access
Engine company responsibilities ..
Highest priority to least priority :
1. extinguish active fire in the affected building and surrounding debris
2. PROTECT EXPOSURES
3. Extinguish burning vehicles within the vicinity of the collapse
4. at scenes with NO ACTIVE FIRE, stretch and charge precautionary 2 1/2” lines in sufficient number and length to cover the entire operation …in addition , a 3 1/2” line shall be stretched and charged to supply the first arriving tower ladder
5. at SUSPECTED terrorist events, 2 1/2” homeliness should be located between two apparatus or other substantial shielding , to protect personnel from secondary blasts set to injure emergency responders
Note: if flooding orrcur, shutting off the water remains and obtaining dewatering pumps will aid victims trapped in the lower areas
FIRST ARRIVING ENGINE COMPANY
WATER SUPPLY
Note: at time it may be necessary for first arriving engine to take position within the block for use of apparatus master stream for fire control or exposure protection
-coordinate operation with first arriving ladder company officer
-stretch a 2 1/2” handline to cover an entire site
-CONSIDER stretching a 3 1/2” line for TOWER LADDER
-REMAIN TOGETHER unless otherwise ordered by IC
SECOND ARRIVING ENGINE
- obtain briefing from IC and first arriving engine company officer
- ENSURE a 3 1/2” supply line is stretched to FIRST TOWER LADDER
- assist first engine with stretching initial landlines and TOWER LADDER SUPPLY
- remain together unless ordered by IC
- may perform CFRD DUTIES, IF NECESSARY
THIRD engine and subsequent engines.
under direction of IC, may perform any of following:
fire control
-additional lines
-augmenting water supply to first alarm units
-perform cfrd duties
-ASSISTING IN REMOVAL OF LIGHTLY BURIED VICTIMS
First arriving Ladder officer..
have option of splitting company into separate teams to cover more area
-pefrom HAZARD assessment AND CONTROL
-protect members from secondary collapse, mark with hazard tape, tie back or crib
-keep non essential members from entering the collapse zone
-REMOVE SURFACE VICTIMS
-remove LIGHTLY BURIED VICTIMS AND DELIVER TO CASUALTY COLLECTION POINT
-if possible, question survivors regarding the number, identify , location of other occupants prior to and after collapse
PERFORM Preliminary VOID SEARCH
-visually search accessible voids –DO NOT CUT, lift or removei load bearing members …call and listen
-as survivors are located/removed, members should note their description and location off use in victim tracking
victims directed/brought to CASUALTY COLLECTION POINT
2nd ARRIVING ladder officer..
- IMMEDIATELY being process of controlling , gas, electric and water service UTILITIES
- ENSURE dispatch notifies utility company crews
-assist with life safety if necessary, augment search and rescue efforts
majority priority is controlling the gas, electric , and water :
1. GAS-main building shut off or curb vavle
2. Electric-MAIN DISCONNECT
3. Water- main building shut off or cur valve
3rd and subsequent ladder companies
- search additional line of sigh void space or exposures
- assist with control of the utilities if needed
- perform debris removal as directed
- cut timbers for shoring as directed
- assist with victim removal
Tower Ladders..
- LCS
- Aid in rescuing
- transport heavy tools
- allow rescuers to TRAVERS UNSTABLE DEBRIS, survey the collapse, accessed remote areas, and act as a work platform for shoring , breaching
- provide close up observation and monitoring of the remaining structure for signs of secondary collapse