Tactical Withdrawl, Emergency Evacuation and Firefighter Emergency (PN 496)

Question 1

What should the IC communicate to any other agencies working in the risk area? (2)

Answer 1

The evacuation signal

The Roll Call location

Question 2

How is Tactical Withdrawal defined in the note?

Answer 2

The removal of personnel from a specific area of potential danger in a safe and planned manner

Question 3

Who can implement a Tactical withdrawal?:
A) The IC
B) The Operations Commander 
C) The Sector Commander or
D) The Safety Officer

Answer 3

All of the above, in fact any firefighting personnel where unsafe conditions are detected, but the IC must be informed soon as possible.

Question 4

What 4 actions are listed in the note for the IC to take if a Tactical withdrawal is initiated?

Answer 4

1) Plan phased withdrawal with those at greatest risk withdrawn first
2) Brief Sector Commanders and crews on the plan
3) Remember that telemetry can be used to evacuate team or use Fireground radios
4) Send message to control outlining details of Tactical withdrawal

Question 5

An EMERGENCY EVACUATION is defined as ‘the immediate and controlled withdrawal of all personnel from the scene of operations to a place of safety’. Why would this be initiated?

Answer 5

Whenever unsafe conditions are detected which place personnel at an unacceptable risk when assessed against the benefits

Question 6

An Emergency Evacuation can be initiated by any Firefighter, though the IC must be informed as soon as possible, Emergency Evacuation will be initiated using which 4 actions listed in the note?

Answer 6

1) Repeated short blasts on the Acme Thunderer whistle
2) BA teams withdrawn using the telemetry ‘Evacuate All’ function
3) Use handheld radios to evacuate teams
4) Use handheld radio to transmit fireground message ordering Emergency Evacuation with pertinent information on the hazard

Question 7

Upon hearing the Emergency Evacuation signal personnel should repeat the signal and withdraw to a place of safety. If no roll call area has been designated where should this be?

Answer 7

The booking in point for the incident either the;
ICP or
CU

Question 8

When an Emergency Evacuation is initiated an Informative Message should be sent outlining the details. When should the next message be sent?

Answer 8

Once the Evacuation and Roll Call is complete

Question 9

What does FFE stand for?

Answer 9

Firefighter Emergency

Question 10

When should a FFE be declared?

Answer 10

When any person working under the control of LFB are:

1) Unaccounted for or/and
2) In need of rescue

Question 11

What must the IC do immediately if an FFE is declared?

Answer 11

Send the following message:

‘From ….. at ……… Firefighter Emergency Tactical Mode Oscar’

Question 12

How should the IC calculate the extra resources required in the event of an FFE?

Answer 12

They won’t there is a fixed PDA and the FFE is effectively resourced as a separate incident, therefore these appliances are not included in any subsequent messages from the incident or in the make up

Question 13

The PDA includes a further 19 vehicle movements, 18 of which are LFB. What are they?

Answer 13

6 Pumps (inc 3 PLs with StnO)
2 FRUs
1 Fire Investigation Unit
1 CU
1 Ambulance
Press Liaison Officer
Fire Safety Officer 
3 Station Commanders
Group Commander 
Deputy Assistant Commissioner 
Senior Accident Investigator

Question 14

Given the number of oncoming appliances what must the IC make arrangements for?

Answer 14

Marshalling

Question 15

What must the FFE informative message include? (5)

Answer 15

1) Description of the circumstances
2) Number of person unaccounted for/needing rescue
3) Detail of action being taken
4) Declaration of Incident size (in pumps not including FFE PDA)
5) Tactical Mode

Question 16

What additional attendance should the IC consider at a FFE where a rescue is needed? (2)

Answer 16

Specialist crews such as USAR

Associated Tactical Advisors

Question 17

Duty Assistant Commissioner, Duty Deputy Assistant Commissioner, C700 (Commissioners office), Directors staff officers, OoD, ORT, USAR Tac Advisor. Duty Radio Officer, Duty Press Officer, Counselling and Trauma Services

Who informs the above listed individuals when an FFE message is sent?

Answer 17

The London Operations Centre (LOC)

Question 18

Can the IC use the resources sent for the FFE to work at the original incident?

Answer 18

Yes, if they have diverted resources from the original incident to take immediate action to mitigate the FFE

Question 19

Will the mobilised DAC take over as IC?

Answer 19

Yes unless another DAC or AC has already taken charge in which case they will take charge of the FFE

Question 20

When should a Roll Call be carried out?

Answer 20

After the FFE message has been sent but it can be carried out at any time during an incident

Question 21

During the Roll Call all officers, including senior and other personnel, will attend the booking in point (ICP or CU) and retrieve their nominal roll board then report to the IC or nominated Roll Call officer.

How will the IC identify who is unaccounted for?

Answer 21

Any roll board that is not retrieved from the booking in point will identify who is unaccounted for. A separate roll call must also be completed for non LFB personnel

Question 22

Where must the outcome of the roll calls be recorded?

Answer 22

They must be included in an Informative Message