Skills

Fireground communication is vital for a successful and safe operation. Here's what firefighters need to know:

Clarity is Key:

• Plain Language: Avoid jargon and technical terms. Speak clearly and concisely. Everyone should understand the message.

• Think Before You Transmit: Don't clutter the airwaves with unnecessary chatter. Formulate your message before speaking.

• Chain of Command: Follow established protocols. Reports typically go from firefighter to officer, then to Incident Command (IC).

Conveying Information Effectively:

3-C Communication Model:

• Connect: Make sure you are on the right channel. Get the attention of who you want to talk to so they are listening before you state your message and the unit calling "Dispatch from Squad 503" (Hey you it's me). Once they acknowledge you were calling "Dispatch", go ahead with your report. 

Convey: Deliver your message clearly and concisely. "Squad is clear from the scene. All hazards have been mitigated. One patient refusal obtained AMA. Scene turned over to PD and enroute back to quaters, Available." 

• Confirm: Have the recipient repeat the message back for accuracy. "Dispatch acknowledges you are clear from the scene, hazards mitigated, patient refusal obtained, scene turned over to PD, returning to quarters, Lavailable."

CAN Report: 

Used for progress reports and initial scene size-up by the first arriving unit to paint a picture for everyone responding. They can help see how conditions have changed by the time they arrive. 

• Conditions: What you have. Smoke & heat conditions, Interior visibility, Problems encountered, Fuel loads, What’s burning, What’s not burning.

• Actions: What you are doing. Fire attack, Rescue mode, Investigating, Patient care, Starting extrication, Completing primary search, Fire under control.

• Needs: Additional resources required. More manpower, Tools, More water, Another hose line, Ventilation, No resources needed.

Examples:

"Engine 505 is arriving on scene. We have 2 vehicles on the side of the road. Appears minor in nature. All occupants appear to be out of the vehicle. Cancel all units but the Medic. We will be investigating."

"Tower 4 is on the second floor. Smoke is clearing up. Secondary search is complete with nothing found. We will be heading out."

"Medic 6 has 2 green, 1 yellow, and 1 red patient. We will be stabilizing the red patient if you can launch a helicopter and send us 2 more ambulances."

Progress Report (PARC): 

Given upon request by a supervisor or when a situation changes, the progress report is made by crews given a task. For structure fires, the progress report should follow the acronym PARC which stands for: 

• Par: Number of personnel operating in a crew. For example: "Par 3" or "Par 5." 

• Assignment: What has been accomplished regarding the assignment including location. Examples: 

"Continuing to search 2nd floor" or "Knocking down the fire on Charlie/Delta side from floor 1." 

• Resources: What is needed from the view of those operating on the interior. Example: "Need to get more air in 5 minutes"; or "Need a crew with hooks to open this ceiling." 

• Conditions: What are the heat, smoke and fire conditions at the crew's location. Example: "No measurable heat, zero visibility" or "tolerable but high heat, visibility from standing." 

Examples of progress reports: 

"Engine 501 to Command", "Command", "Engine 501 is par 4, completing utility control on floor 1, need another assignment, no heat or smoke in Alpha/Bravo corner." 

"Command to Engine 502", "Engine 502", "Progress report" "Engine 502 is par 3, moving hose to floor 2 from stairwell, ventilation of floor 2 needed, light smoke on floor 1, heavy on floor 2 with fire coming from bedroom on Charlie/Delta side." 

"Engine 503 to Command", "Command", "Engine 503 is par 4, continuing primary search of floor 2, nothing needed, no smoke or heat and no sign of fire." 

Mayday:

Used in a life-threatening situation or when you become disoriented in an IDLH environment. 

Some localities will stick to a CAN report because it is easiest to use when your only thinking about surviving. There is also a LUNAR Report (Location, Unit, Name, Air Left, Resources Needed) because it states your location first and provides crucial details during a Mayday. Examples:

"Mayday, Mayday, Mayday! I am lost on the second floor around the Bravo/Charley corner. I'm on Quint 10. M/FF Halligan. I have 3000 PSI left. I need RIT my crew to come find me or RIT to come in with a tag line. I will be trying to find a door or window."

"Mayday, Mayday, Mayday! I believe I fell through to the first floor and an trapped under some debris. Squad 2 Driver. FFPM Bougie. I have 3500 PSI. I need some prybars and I will be trying to self extricate.

Everyone's Role in a Mayday:

Distressed Firefighter: Stay calm, activate your distress button, and provide updates if possible.

Nearby Firefighters: Assist with location and attempt rescue if safe to do so.

Incident Commander (IC): Initiate a rescue plan, allocate resources, and maintain control of the scene.

Rescue Personnel: Respond immediately with specialized equipment and training.

All Other personnel: Switch to another tac channel to keep the mayday channel clear. It is best for everyone else to swap because the downed firefighter might not be able to. 

Emergency Traffic:

For any other emergency that does not require a mayday, announce you have Emergency Traffic. When doing so, all other units should clear the air so the message can be transmitted.

By following these guidelines, firefighters can ensure clear, concise, and critical information is relayed on the fireground, keeping everyone informed and safe.

Responding to fire alarm activations is a core responsibility of firefighters, and there's a lot to know. Here's a breakdown of key things firefighters should understand:

Types of Alarms:

• Pull Station: Manually activated by occupants, indicating a perceived fire. Requires immediate response.

• Automatic Detectors: Activated by smoke, heat, or other factors. Understand different types (ionization, photoelectric, etc.) and their sensitivities.

• Waterflow Alarms: Triggered by water flow in sprinkler systems, suggesting a fire or broken sprinkler head.

• Malfunction: Caused by faulty equipment or environmental factors like dust or steam. Requires assessment to determine if it's a true emergency.

Response Procedures:

• Initial Information: Gather details before arriving: type of alarm, location, number of activated zones, and any additional information displayed.

• Don PPE: Always wear full protective gear including SCBA.

• Scene Size-up: Assess for visible fire, smoke, unusual odors, or evacuation needs.

• Locate Source: Identify the alarm's origin and potential fire causes.

• Evacuation or Attack: Prioritize evacuation if necessary. If safe, proceed with firefighting tactics based on the situation.

• Communication: Communicate effectively with dispatch and colleagues, sharing information and requesting additional resources if needed.

• Investigation: Determine the cause of the alarm and document everything.

Important Considerations:

• False Alarms: Be prepared for non-fire causes like cooking smoke or system malfunctions. Don't dismiss them entirely, investigate cautiously.

• Multiple Alarms: Multiple activations often indicate a real fire, treat them seriously.

• Hazardous Materials: Be aware of potential hazards like chemicals or flammable materials at the scene.

• Building Structure: Understand the building's layout, construction materials, and potential collapse risks.

• Weather Conditions: Consider wind and temperature for fire spread or sprinkler heads freezing.

• Communication: Maintain clear communication with the crew and incident command regarding actions, findings, and needs. Confirm with dispatch if the alarm company had a full reset.

Additional Resources:

• National Fire Protection Association (NFPA): Provides standards, training, and educational resources on fire alarms and response.

• Preplans: Each department has specific procedures for responding to alarms. Do your preplans and familiarize yourself with them thoroughly.

• Manufacturer manuals: Understand the operation and limitations of specific fire alarm systems encountered and how to silence/reset them. 

Every situation is unique and requires careful assessment and adaptation. By maintaining knowledge, vigilance, and clear communication, firefighters can effectively respond to fire alarm activations and prioritize the safety of everyone involved.

While firefighters are not expected to be experts in chemistry, there are some key things to know about explosive limits and gas weights relevant to responding to smoke detector alarms:

Explosive Limits:

• What they are: The explosive limit of a gas or vapor is the range of concentrations in the air where it can ignite and cause an explosion. Knowing the explosive limits of common flammable gasses helps firefighters assess the risk of explosion at a scene.

• Important flammable gasses:

-Natural gas: 5-15%

-Propane: 2-10%

-Gasoline: 1.4-7.6%

-Hydrogen: 4-75%

-Carbon monoxide: 12.5-74%

• Application in firefighting: This knowledge helps firefighters understand the potential severity of a gas leak situation. If the gas concentration is below its lower explosive limit (LEL), there's no explosion risk. However, it's crucial to remember that even low concentrations can still pose health hazards like suffocation or poisoning.

Gas Weights:

• Density and buoyancy: Most common flammable gasses are lighter than air, meaning they will rise and accumulate in higher areas. This knowledge helps firefighters locate gas leaks and prioritize ventilation strategies.

• Important gas weights:

-Natural gas: 0.6 times denser than air (lighter)

-Propane: 1.5 times denser than air (heavier)

-Gasoline vapors: 3-4 times denser than air (heavier)

-Hydrogen: 0.07 times denser than air (much lighter)

-Carbon monoxide: 0.97 times denser than air (slightly lighter)

• Application in firefighting: Understanding gas weight helps firefighters determine the spread and potential accumulation of gas within a structure. For example, firefighters might prioritize venting the roof for lighter gasses like natural gas but focus on lower levels for heavier ones like propane.

Additional Considerations:

Explosive limits and gas weights are influenced by temperature and pressure. These factors should be considered when evaluating a scene.

Firefighters rely on gas detection instruments to accurately measure gas concentrations and ensure safety.

Firefighters should prioritize evacuation and scene ventilation before attempting to locate the source of the gas leak.

Always follow department protocols and safety guidelines when responding to smoke detector alarms or suspected gas leaks.