Fire & EMS General Order Notes – Street Alarms and Single-Family Dwelling Fires

Key Concepts & Terminology

• Incident Command System (ICS)
  • Structured approach that assigns clear operational roles (e.g., IC, Tactical Command, Division/Group Supervisors).
  • Ensures span-of-control, coordinated radio traffic, and accountability.
• Tactical Command vs. Strategic IC
  • First-arriving company officer often assumes “Tactical Command” (task-level leadership) until a higher-ranking officer takes “Incident Command (IC)” (strategic oversight).
• 360° Report ("Three-Sixty")
  • Complete walk-around of the structure to identify hazards, fire location, and victim potential.
  • Must be verbally acknowledged; if unable to complete, this limitation is communicated over the radio.
• CAN Report
  • Stands for Conditions, Actions, Needs; used to keep IC informed.
• Operational Modes
  • Offensive – interior fire attack.
  • Defensive – exterior operations to protect exposures when interior is untenable.
  • Investigating – no clear fire located; companies searching for problem.
• Flow Path & Ventilation Control
  • Managing doors, windows, roof openings to limit fresh air to the fire until hose line is ready.
  • Reduces flashover/backdraft risk.
• FDC (Fire Department Connection)
  • Siamese inlet supplying standpipe/sprinkler systems; must be charged early when present.
• RIC / RIG (Rapid Intervention Crew / Group)
  • Dedicated crew staged for immediate fire-fighter rescue; 4th-Due Engine becomes RIC, supplemented by special service.
• Water Supply Terminology
  • Primary Water Supply – usually forward lay from 1st-Due Engine.
  • Secondary Water Supply – independent line (often reverse lay) established by 3rd-Due Engine.
  • Use municipal (WSSC) sources whenever the primary is a private system.
• Attack Line Standard
  • Minimum flow for interior hand line: $\ge 150\ \text{gpm}$.

Street Alarms (Attachment A – 06-01A)

1st Due Engine

• Declare water source over radio ASAP.
• Position on Side Alpha (front) while leaving aerial-ladder access.
• Connect/charge FDC or delegate to next engine.
• Provide:
  • Arrival/on-scene size-up.
  • 360° Report.
  • Operational mode, entry point, hose size.
• Direct other units (go in or stage).
• Control flow paths; coordinate ventilation with truck.
• Issue initial Tactical Command and ongoing CAN reports.
• Deploy interior line (≥ $150\ \text{gpm}$) to confine/knock fire.
• Assign placement for the 2nd Engine’s line.

2nd Due Engine

• Default action = Level-1 Stage unless ordered in.
• Priority task list:
  1. Secure/augment 1st Engine’s water.
  • If 1st Engine laid its own line, consider reverse lay to secondary hydrant (do not disrupt future secondary water supply).
  1. Complete 360° if first-in could not.
  2. Assist with 1st Engine’s hand line.
  3. Stretch back-up line (≥ $150\ \text{gpm}$) from the first rig.
  4. Support FDC as needed.

1st Due Truck

• Spot on Side Alpha; leave room for Engine.
• Priority rescue of obvious victims.
• “LLV” package: Ladders – Lights – Ventilation plus utility control (gas/electric).
• Primary search of fire area; officer becomes Fire-Floor Division Supervisor.

Search Company (when dispatched as dedicated unit)

• Stage (Level-1) until assigned; Officer = Search Group Supervisor.
• Search order:
  1. Fire floor (outside fire room).
  2. Floor above.
  3. Top floor.
  4. Work downward to fire floor.
  5. Exposures (start with most threatened).
• Provide location updates when changing floors; request extra resources for large buildings.
• If a tower ladder, consider spotting for elevated access but leave aerial platform access for 1st/2nd Trucks.

Single-Family Dwelling Fires (Attachment B – 06-01B)

1st Due Engine

• Same core duties as Street Alarm plus:
  • Verbalize entry point if a basement fire is indicated.
  • Perform obvious rescues if truck delayed.
• Initial line (≥ $150\ \text{gpm}$) through the identified entry; manage flow path.

2nd Due Engine (priority sequence)

1. Complete primary water.
2. Finish 360° if necessary.
3. Support initial line.
4. Stretch back-up line (≥ $150\ \text{gpm}$) unless reassigned.

3rd Due Engine

• Establish Secondary Water Supply; announce source.
  • If primary used private hydrant, secondary must be public WSSC hydrant.
• Typically operate on Side Charlie (rear) or opposite side of 1st Engine.
• Deliver updated Charlie Report; confirm no basement fire beneath crews.
• Stretch line (≥ $150\ \text{gpm}$) via Side Charlie to floor above or attic as ordered.

4th Due Engine – RIC

1. Ensure water for 3rd Engine.
2. Create RIC staging near 1st Engine entry:
   • Uncharged hose sufficient to cover structure.
   • Obtain RIC pack (air supply, search rope, irons) from 1st Truck.
3. Exterior assessment; note egress obstacles.
4. Officer does face-to-face with IC; becomes RIC/RIG Supervisor.
5. Monitor radio for MAYDAY; deploy immediately when ordered.

1st Due Truck (Sides Alpha/Bravo)

• Same LLV/utility/search roles as Street Alarm.
• Officer = Fire-Floor Division.

2nd Due Truck (Sides Charlie/Delta)

• Ladder throws and ventilation to rear/Delta.
• Officer = Floor-Above Division Supervisor.
• Provide roof report if ordered.
• Secure utilities if not already handled.

Search Company (re-stated for dwellings)

• Identical search order & communications requirements as Street Alarm.

Medical & Safety Support Functions (Attachment B/C)

Working Fire Dispatch Engine (additional engine on WFD upgrade)

• Park uncommitted; crew reports to IC for tasks (e.g., manpower pool, additional line, exposure check).

Working Fire Dispatch Special Service

• Collect RIC equipment; integrate with 4th Engine forming RIG.

BLS Ambulance (Basic Life Support)

• Park clear for egress; bring aid bag, $O_2$, AED, backboard, stretcher to Side Alpha.
• Assist in occupant accountability; assigned to EMS Group & Rehab.

ALS Unit (Advanced Life Support)

• Similar parking/equipment deployment; becomes part of EMS Group/Rehab.

EMS Duty Officer (EMSDO)

• Usually EMS Group Supervisor then Rehab Supervisor.
• Provides CAN reports to IC.

Safety Officer

• Incident Safety Officer responsibilities:
  • Global scene size-up, risk evaluation, monitor air quality.
  • Draft safety plan, enforce PPE / SCBA compliance.
  • Ready to take forward position (incl. RIC oversight).

Rehab Unit

• Park clear of incoming traffic.
• Notify IC when rehab station is operational.

Tankers & Water-Supply Units

• Respond/position as directed by IC (critical in rural or non-hydrant areas).

Practical, Ethical & Real-World Implications

• Life Safety Hierarchy: Firefighter safety → Civilian rescue → Property conservation. RIC assignment underscores organizational commitment to internal life safety.
• Water Redundancy: Secondary supply ensures uninterrupted flow during line failure—critical in large, wind-driven, or high-heat fires.
• Vent-Enter-Isolate-Search (VEIS) may be performed by truck/search companies when obvious rescues present; emphasizes coordinated ventilation control to avoid worsening interior conditions.
• Flow Path Management is an ethical obligation; uncontrolled venting can place both civilians and fire-fighters at risk of rapid fire growth.
• Communication Discipline: Mandatory radio traffic (water source, 360°, CAN) supports situational awareness and accountability, reducing chance of freelancing.
• Rehab & Medical Readiness: NFPA 1584 compliance demands on-scene rehab; integration of BLS/ALS ensures both civilians and responders receive timely medical care.

Quick Reference Sequence (Single-Family Dwelling Example)

1. 1st Engine – size-up, line, water.
2. 1st Truck – search/vent/LLV.
3. 2nd Engine – water support → back-up line.
4. 2nd Truck – opposite side, floor above, roof report.
5. 3rd Engine – secondary water → Charlie line/attic.
6. 4th Engine – RIC setup.
7. Working Fire Dispatch units – augment manpower, RIG, medical, rehab.

Follow this order unless IC assigns otherwise; deviations must be announced to maintain common operating picture.