Operational Method Statements

Question 1

Responsibilities of the Incident Controller:

Answer 1

Take control of all resources at fires/incidents.

Assume responsibility for the health, safety, and actions of all responding personnel at that fire/incident at all times.

Ensure all OICs of appliances report to the Incident Control Point for tasking.

Conduct an initial incident Size Up and continue throughout the incident.

Develop and implement an Incident Action Plan (IAP).

Implement an Incident Management System.

Establish Incident Emergency Management Teams. IEMT

Initiate Community Information/Warning messages as required.

Provide regular Situation Reports for FRV senior command.

Establish a Communications Plan

Manage and track resources.

Document/log pertinent incident information.

Transfer control where required.

Determine the cause of the fire, where possible

Assist in organising emergency accommodation for displaced persons where required.

Notify Local Government Area if concerned about potential for residents to remain in uninhabitable fire affected properties.

Conduct an appropriate After Action Review.

Question 2

Name two Actions for Establishing Incident Control Points:

Answer 2

Establish an Incident Control Point at every fire/incident. This is the responsibility of the OIC of the first arriving appliance.

Name each Incident Control Point and communicate the name to the Communications Centre.

Question 3

List your considerations for establishing a control point (OMS 001):

Answer 3

Establish an Incident Control Point at every fire/incident. This is the responsibility of the OIC of the first arriving appliance.

Name each Incident Control Point and communicate the name to the Communications Centre.

Establish an Incident Control Point, taking the following into consideration:

Ease of access

Prominence of location with a good overview of the incident

Ability to stage and deploy all arriving appliances and support agency personnel.

Safety from any incident hazards

Potential impediments to incident communications.

Ensure the Incident Controller wears a tabard.

Question 4

List 3 Examples of When Sectors Should be Established:

Answer 4

Establish incident sectors with appointed Sector Commanders at incidents where the scale and complexity is likely to limit the Incident Controller’s situational awareness, particularly where:

Operations are taking place in more than one location, or remotely from the Incident Control Point.

The span of control on the fireground exceeds 1:5.

Technical operations are taking place.

Question 5

Sector Commander roles and responsibilities:

Answer 5

Obtain a SMEACSQ briefing from the Operations Officer or Incident Controller.

Implement the section of the Incident Action Plan relevant to the sector, with consideration to RECEO and the Emergency Management Priorities published in the Victorian State Emergency Management Plan.

Brief all personnel allocated to the sector.

Allocate tasks to resources within the sector and maintain control of the resources.

Implement and monitor safety and welfare measures of all personnel within the sector.

Conduct regular Safe Person Approach, Dynamic Risk Assessments (SPADRA) and perform continual Size Up for the duration of the shift.

Provide regular strategic level Situation Reports through the chain of command.

Wear a tabard to identify the role.

Ensure the allocated crews work within the established Communications Plan and monitor the effectiveness of communications.

Work with the Safety Officer appointed to the sector.

Ensure Rapid Intervention Teams (RIT) are formed where required and located in a ready status at appropriate locations for the sector.

Coordinate activities with adjoining sectors.

Respond additional resources for the sector via the chain of command when necessary.

Report all accidents, injuries, hazards or near misses through the chain of command.

Resolve problems as they arise.

Participate in development of plans for the next operational period.

Maintain a log of all activities.

Question 6

Who Establishes the Creation and Location of Incident Sectors?

Answer 6

Incident Controller

Question 7

Incident Sectors – Actions – 6 General Requirements:

Answer 7

Establish incident sectors with appointed Sector Commanders at incidents where the scale and complexity is likely to limit the Incident Controller’s situational awareness.

Ensure the creation and location of incident sectors is only established under instruction from the Incident Controller.

Allocate appropriately ranked and experienced personnel to the role of Sector Commander where available.

Appoint a Safety Officer to all sectors where resources permit.

Ensure all crews and appliances report directly to the Sector Commander for tasking.

Consider conducting Atmospheric Monitoring at designated Sector Command Points.

Question 8

What are the 4 Sectors at an incident?

Answer 8

Sector 1,2,3,4

Question 9

List all of the High-Rise Sectors:

Answer 9

Fire Sector

Operations Point

Lobby Sector

Evacuation Sector

Question 10

Objectives of Incident Action Plan:

Answer 10

Include a statement of intent within incident objectives, adhering to the SMART principle:

Specific – Language and actions stated can be easily communicated and understood.

Measurable – Specific actions and timeframes are stated so progress and completion of the objective can be evaluated.

Achievable – Selected strategies and tactics are realistic considering resource availability and identified risks/hazards.

Relevant – Objective includes consideration of Size Up information, State Emergency Management Plan, and identified risks/hazards.

Time frame – Specific time anticipated to achieve objective.

Consider implementing recovery efforts during the response phase of an incident to enable possible early rehabilitation activities, business continuity, and lessen other community impacts.

Question 11

When En Route Consider the following for Size Up:

Answer 11

Any existing pre-plans or Site Specific Risk Information (e.g., flammable cladding, height of structure, hoarding, criminal activity, fuel load, dangerous animals)

Alarmed premises with keys held on station.

Any further information provided from the Communications Centre

Local knowledge

Current and forecast weather conditions.

Time of day

Potential community exposure and impacts

Potential infrastructure exposure and impacts

Consider issuing early Community Information/Warning

Fire Services jurisdiction

Potential water points

Columns of smoke and/or gas clouds.

Question 12

Ensure the following principles are included in Size Up:

Answer 12

Facts – What do you know that is affecting the incident, mitigation, and safety?

Probabilities – What is likely to happen, including potential for fire spread and risk to life?

Own situation – Do you have sufficient resources and capabilities? Should you respond more?

Decision – What is your objective for the incident?

Plan – How do you plan to resolve the incident, and what strategies and tactics will be applied?

Question 13

On-scene emergency services should liaise with any on-site representatives, occupants, technicians, or witnesses to gather what information:

Answer 13

Nature of premises/occupancy status

Risk to life and evacuation status

Fuel types and fuel loads

Potential exposures

Known hazards.

Access/egress paths

On-site intelligence (property plans, Emergency Information book/manifest).

Question 14

Utilise B-SAHF during Size Up at a structure fire:

Answer 14

Building – construction style/materials that impact fire behaviour.

Smoke – volume, velocity, density, and colour

Air track – inlets and outlets, what is the building ventilation profile?

Heat – blackening/crazing of windows, blistering of paintwork.

Flame – colour (yellow/red/blue), indicator of oxygen supply to fire

Question 15

121. Use the following format for all Strategic Level Situation Reports:

Answer 15

• Incident type and status
• Incident potential – risks to life and property
• Loss and damage
• Incident objective(s)
• Likely resource requirements and commitment
• Community warnings issued.

Question 16

122. Consider sending a Strategic Level Situation Report in the following circumstances:

Answer 16

• An emergency or priority situation such as Mayday or loss of PAR
• Upon request from the Communications Centre
• Changes to the IAP
• Significant community evacuations or impacts.

Question 17

123. Use the CAN format for all Tactical Level Situation Reports:

Answer 17

• Conditions – What are the current conditions of the incident/task?
• Actions – What actions are being implemented?
• Needs – What additional resources are required?

Question 18

124. Consider sending a Tactical Level Situation Report in the following circumstances:

Answer 18

• Upon request from the chain of command
• Periodically while undertaking a task
• New critical information is discovered.
• Assigned tasks are completed or unable to be completed.
• When further resources are required or no longer required.

Question 19

125. What is the difference between a Situational and Tactical SitRep?

Answer 19

• Strategic Level Situation Reports are to contain information relevant to the incident strategies and objective(s).
• Tactical Level Situation Reports are to only contain information relevant to an assigned task and must be kept brief.

Question 20

126. When to conduct a Personnel Accountability Report PAR?

Answer 20

• Receipt of a mayday message
• Use of emergency evacuation signal
• A change from offensive to defensive strategies
• Crews are failing to respond.

Question 21

127. Ensure a PAR is requested only by the following authorised personnel for their area of accountability:

Answer 21

• Incident Controller
• Operations Officer
• Safety Officer
• Sector Commander
• BA Entry Officer (BAEO

Question 22

128. What Actions Should be Conducted After Unaccounted for resources on Request of PAR?

Answer 22

• Continue to try and make contact with any unaccounted for appliances, resources, or personnel in the situation of a failed PAR.
• Send a nearby resource(s) to the last known location of any unaccounted for personnel to try and make contact.
• Issue a Mayday message if a resource remains unaccounted for.
• Utilise RIT to begin searching for unaccounted resources where appropriate.

Question 23

129. How do you as an OIC Maintain Personnel Accountability?

Answer 23

• Ensure Fast Cards are completed and accurately reflect appliance crews. This is the responsibility of the OIC of the appliance.
• Ensure all OICs of appliances report to the Incident Control Point for tasking upon arrival at an incident.
• Avoid splitting appliance crews where practicable. Appliances should be directed to complete a task as a unit where possible.
• Ensure personnel performing functional roles account for resources under their command.
• Maintain accountability when supervising a resource, team, or functional role. Ensure all radio calls to allocated call sign are answered, and immediately report any loss of personnel accountability as soon as possible.

Question 24

130. When should a Red Flag Warning be issued?

Answer 24

Consider a Red Flag Warning when a change in circumstances presents a significant risk to Safety or is predicted to present a significant risk to safety.
* Weather Conditions
* Fuel Conditions
* Incident/Fire Behaviour
* Potential hazardous atmosphere
* Equipment availability
* Communications issues/difficulties
* Access issues/difficulties
* Structural collapse
* LPG BLEVE or other possible explosion.

Question 25

131. Who can issue a Red Flag Warning?

Answer 25

* Sector Commander * Division Commander * Operations Officer * Incident Controller

Question 26

132. What must be done once a Red Flag Warning is received?

Answer 26

* Confirm the Red Flag Warning has been received. * Repeat the key points of the warning back to the sender to demonstrate understanding. * Notify all responding and support agency personnel of the Red Flag Warning under your supervision. * Obtain a confirmation from these personnel that they have received the warning.

Question 27

133. Convey Red Flag Warnings by any appropriate means, including

Answer 27

* Radio * Telephone * Written notice. * Verbal

Question 28

134. Document/log all details of the Red Flag Warning, including:

Answer 28

* Name of person who issued the Red Flag Warning * The time it was issued. * The information it contained. * How it was issued * Who it was issued to and who was informed (both up and down the chain of command) * The time acknowledgements were received from those you supervise.

Question 29

135. When to transmit a MAYDAY?

Answer 29

Transmit a mayday immediately when in a life-threatening situation, or when others are in a life-threatening situation.

Question 30

136. When should you not transmit a MAYDAY Message?

Answer 30

Mayday Messages should not be transmitted during training scenarios.

Question 31

137. How to transmit a MAYDAY?

Answer 31

* Mayday Mayday Mayday * Name of person transmitting or unit/call sign * Location * Situation Report / Assignment / Task * Resources / Assistance

Question 32

138. How to respond to a MAYDAY?

Answer 32

* Confirm the details by the caller. * Commit Resources to the intervention effort including any pre-determined RIT. * Establish a rescue sector (as determined by the IC) * Allocate appropriate radio channels to the intervention effort. * Issue a general message or a Red Flag Warning to the Fire/incident channels, of appropriate.

Question 33

139. Ensure the following is completed once the Mayday situation has been resolved:

Answer 33

* Notify Communications Centre * Notify all personnel on the fireground. * Ensure any Duress Alarms activated have been reset. * Resume prioritising the combating of the fire or incident.

Question 34

140. Why issue a Red, Red, Red Priority Signal?

Answer 34

To send an urgent message where extreme radio congestion exists, in order to gain priority access to Communications Centre and the fireground channel(s)

Question 35

141. Scenarios where a Red, Red, Red may be required include the following:

Answer 35

* A word back message requiring the escalation of an incident. * A general message communicating a significant fireground safety issue. * A Red Flag Warning.

Question 36

142. Detail when to transmit the Emergency Evacuation Signals:

Answer 36

* Imminent Structural collapse * Bushfire burn over. * Landslip * Uncontrolled release of gasses

Question 37

143. Activate an Emergency Evacuation Signal in the following sequence:

Answer 37

* Three short blasts, each for one second duration * Wait ten seconds and repeat. * Repeat this sequence until all persons are accounted for.

Question 38

144. How may the Emergency Evacuation Signal warning be given:

Answer 38

* Appliance/vehicle horn * Air horn * Evacuation Signal Unit (ESU) * Whistle * Loud hailer * PA system on appliance

Question 39

145. Complete the following Actions immediately upon hearing an Emergency Evacuation Signal:

Answer 39

* Ensure all other crew members are aware of the signal. * Report to immediate supervisor * Evacuate to a safe area.

Question 40

146. Requirement to Wear Breathing Apparatus:

Answer 40

* Don BA in a state of readiness at any alarm of fire, unless directed otherwise by the IC after completing a Size Up. * Put on facemask and activate the BA when a Safe Person Approach, Dynamic Risk Assessment (DRA) identifies that a confirmed or potential hazardous atmosphere may exist. o Do not wait for an order from the Incident Controller to don and activate BA where it is obvious that a hazardous atmosphere exists. * Ensure BA remains donned and activated at all times when a hazardous atmosphere exists. Only the IC/SC/OO can determine when BA is no longer required. o Ensure P2 masks are not worn in situations where BA should be worn. Note: P2 masks only provide particulate protection (e.g., hazardous fibres such as asbestos).

Question 41

147. Breathing Apparatus crews entering the hazardous atmosphere (Hot Zone) should Consider:

Answer 41

* Ensure BA is donned correctly. * Do not commence initial entry into a hazardous atmosphere with a cylinder pressure less than 250 bar. * Work in teams of at least two, where appropriate. * Select the designated fireground channel on portable radios. * Deposit BA tally tags at BA entry prior to entering a potential or confirmed hazardous atmosphere. * Check time out/low-air periodically. * Exit the fireground accompanied by at least one other member of the team when the cylinder pressure gauge of the BA reaches a pre-determined level, or the cylinder low-air warning signal operates. * Proceed towards the sound of a full alarm or distress signal. Rendering assistance is to take precedence over the work at hand. Communicate the situation to IC/SC/OO. * Withdraw immediately upon the operation of the evacuation alarm. * Report to BA Entry and collect tally tags upon exiting the fire/incident. * Report to BA Service (if one is in operation) after collecting BA tally tags from the BA Entry. * Do not re-enter a hazardous atmosphere with a cylinder pressure of less than 200 bar unless a Safe Person Approach, Dynamic Risk Assessment (DRA) has been completed, and it has been deemed acceptable.

Question 42

148. BA Stage 1 - Incident Controller Responsibilities and Actions:

Answer 42

* Implement BA Stage 1 where it is necessary to use BA and monitor BA wearers at the incident, where the following circumstances exist: o BA operations are limited and not complex. o The incident requires no more than one BA Entry Point o BA guidelines are not required. * Ensure accountability of BA teams is managed through the use of a BA Control Board. * Consider the following when establishing BA Stage 1 operations: o Allocate BA Teams, call signs and fireground channels, ensuring personnel are working in teams of at least two where appropriate. o Avoid splitting appliance crews when establishing BA Teams wherever possible. This will assist in maintaining personnel accountability. o Allocate call signs in line with appliance numbers (e.g., “Pumper 22 BA Team”). o Ensure BA Teams are operating on the assigned fireground channel. o Advise the Communications Centre that “BA Stage 1 is in operation”. This can also be completed within the wordback. o Establish a BA Entry Point as soon as possible and delegate the role of BA Entry Officer (BAEO) once resources become available. Until delegated, the IC is accountable for all BA operations. * Establish a Rapid Intervention Team * Establish a DEBRiS Zone based on a Safe Person Approach, Dynamic Risk Assessment (DRA), taking into consideration the incident alarm level, extent of the contamination, and/or number of personnel to be processed.

Question 43

149. BA Stage 1 - BA Entry Officer (BAEO) Responsibilities and Actions:

Answer 43

* Record the following on the BA Control Board: o Names of personnel operating within the hazardous atmosphere (Hot Zone) o BA Team call sign(s) and location. o Low air and time of whistle o Allocated fireground channel(s). * Track locations of BA Teams and record on BA Stage 1 Control Board. Consider utilising a mud map to assist with location accountability. * Ensure all personnel exiting the hazardous atmosphere retrieve BA tally and proceed through DEBRiS, where established.

Question 44

150. BA Stage 2 - Incident Controller responsibilities and actions:

Answer 44

Implement BA Stage 2 operations when a greater level of control is required to manage and monitor the safety of BA wearers in complex BA operations. * Delegate the role of BA Control Officer (BACO) when enough resources are available on scene. * Establish the appropriate number of BA Entry Points and allocate call signs for each (e.g., BA Entry Sector 1). * Ensure the appropriate Emergency Evacuation Signal device is established. * Establish additional Rapid Intervention Teams to support each BA Entry Point, as required. * Establish the appropriate number of BA Service Areas as per DEBRiS. * Ensure a sufficient supply of BA equipment is provided to the incident by responding the appropriate resources to support this capability. * Utilise personal or main guidelines in extreme conditions where practicable.

Question 45

151. List your Actions with regards to High Rise Strategies and Tactics:

Answer 45

* Site Appliance and Conduct Initial Size Up * Determine Initial Fire Attack and Evacuation Strategy * Establish a Command Structure * Secure Firefighting Lifts * Establish Communication Plans * Conduct Initial Reconnaissance or Fire Attack * Implement High Rise Water Plan * Establish an Operations Point * Establish a Lobby Sector and Implement Fireground Accountability Process * Determine Firefighter Welfare/Rotation Strategy * Establish a Safety Plan * Establish Safety Cordons * Assess the Effectiveness of Aerial Appliances when Attacking External Fires with Suspected or Known Combustible Cladding * Conduct Post Fire Salvage

Question 46

152. When Siting your Appliance for High Rise Response Consider:

Answer 46

* Site first arriving appliance in an appropriate position near the main entrance or known Fire Control Room (FCR) location and establish Incident Control Point (ICP). * Consider early assignment of an appliance to the boosting point for the building. * Consider the following when siting additional appliances: o Location of additional crews for tasking o Access for aerial and other specialist appliances o Protection from falling debris. o Staging arrangements in place. * Conduct and maintain a visual check for external fire spread. o Attempt to prevent vertical spread of any external fire observed immediately, using appliance monitors or hose lines if possible. * Liaise with Building Representative and occupants, where available, to determine the following: o Number of occupants, their location and evacuation status o Access and egress o Fuel loads and contents (e.g., combustible cladding) o Onsite intelligence (e.g., tactical fire diagrams) o Status of installed building systems o Isolation points for utility services o Air handling systems * Check automated fire control systems (e.g., FIP, EWIS) to confirm location of fire. * Ensure an initial evacuation has commenced of the fire floor, two floors above the fire floor, and one floor below the fire floor.

Question 47

153. Ensure the IRT Carries the Following items in order to minimise any delay on fire attack:

Answer 47

* One high rise pack, and an additional High Rise Pack should be considered to ensure sufficient hose (60m) for coverage, or the addition of a second line. * Individual personal radios * Breathing Apparatus equipment including individual BA sets, personal atmospheric monitoring equipment, and Stage 1 BA control board * Forcible entry equipment * Thermal Imaging Camera.

Question 48

154. When combating a High rise fire where should you establish the Operations Point?

Answer 48

Establish an Operations Point (OP) if the fire is not able to be mitigated by the IRT. The OP should be established two floors below the lowest reported fire floor and an Operations Officer should be appointed to coordinate mitigation activities from the OP.

Question 49

155. Consider a full evacuation when any of the following situations are observed:

Answer 49

* Internal breach of compartmentation * External fire on building with known combustible cladding * Any external fire spread beyond two floors. * Failure of installed sprinkler or hydrant system * Uncontrolled self-evacuation of large numbers of people

Question 50

156. Ensure lift operator is equipped with the following equipment:

Answer 50

* Lift access keys * Full structure fire PPC * Breathing Apparatus (not required to be ‘on air’) * Personal radio * Dry powder extinguisher * Forcible entry equipment.

Question 51

157. Assess the effectiveness of aerial appliances when attacking external fires with suspected or known combustible cladding:

Answer 51

* Consider the following when a fire is in range of appliance monitors or aerial appliances. o Consider the use of appliance monitors early in the incident to prevent vertical fire spread. o Establish external firefighting sectors as required. o Respond ULP and aerial appliances. o Consider responding Hose Layer Pod if water supply is inadequate. * Consider the following when a fire is outside of the range of appliance monitors or aerial appliances: o Utilise installed boosters to maintain volume to both sprinkler and hydrant systems. o Consider deploying crews above the fire to attempt to stop the vertical spread. o Conduct a Safe Person Approach, Dynamic Risk Assessment (SPADRA) prior to deploying firefighters above the fire floor and assign Safety Officers. o Consider utilising hose lines from balconies of surrounding buildings if within close proximity. * Consider deploying crews floor by floor to complete extinguishment. * Check structural integrity of glass panels and/or balconies that have been exposed to heat prior to crews working close to these areas. Cordon off the area/s if concerns exist.

Question 52

158. Who should you liaise with when rehousing or a prolonged evacuation from High Rise is required?

Answer 52

MERC

Question 53

Consider implementing the following DEBRiS sectors:

Answer 53

* Decontamination of personnel * Entry and exit of Hot Zones * Breathing Apparatus (BA) service areas * Rehabilitation of personnel * Incident accountability of all personnel (this is not a sector but provides systematic accountability) * Staging Area (vehicles and personnel). Consider responding additional resources to perform these functional roles and enable efficient control, as the number of DEBRiS sectors increase within the DEBRiS Base of Operations.

Question 54

160. Nominate a location for the DEBRiS Base of Operations and sectors, and consider the following:

Answer 54

* Atmospheric monitoring * Current and forecast weather conditions. * Access to potable water for clean up. * Access to natural shelter * Lighting * Access for oncoming appliances * Adjacency to the warm zone * Wind, terrain, and water run off. * Logical placement of sectors * Placement of other agencies * Access to facilities to aid in implementing DEBRiS process (e.g., toilets, potable water, shelter).

Question 55

161. DEBRiS Officer Responsibilities:

Answer 55

* Establish and oversee DEBRiS appropriate to the requirements of the incident. * Record the allocation of DEBRiS roles within the DEBRiS Base of Operations and report these to the Incident Controller. * Ensure the DEBRiS Officer is of SSO or higher rank at 3rd alarm fire and Hazmat incidents, where available. * Ensure equipment in allocated DEBRiS Kit is used to assist in delineation of DEBRiS sectors.

Question 56

162. Appoint a Staging Officer (minimum of SSO rank for 3rd Alarm incidents, where available) to oversee the following:

Answer 56

Establish a Staging sector at a strategic location. * Maintain control over the DEBRiS staging area. * Ensure rest and refreshment facilities are available. * Ensure an appropriate number of Rapid Intervention Teams are available to be deployed to the Hot Zone. * Log the location of the Staging sector with the Incident Controller. * Liaise with Sector Commanders as per available personnel.

Question 57

163. Conduct a Size Up and consider the potential for asbestos to be present at any incident. At structures, particular attention should be paid to the following:

Answer 57

* Buildings constructed before 2004. * Flat or corrugated sheet * Lagging on water pipes, particularly in boiler rooms * Insulation of older water pipes, domestic heaters, and stoves * Ceiling insulations.

Question 58

164. In relation to asbestos at fires/incidents, you should keep material ……

Answer 58

Minimise disturbance, wet it down to ensure it remains damp and intact.

Question 59

165. Requirements for establishing Rapid Intervention Teams for Incident Controllers:

Answer 59

* Establish a RIT whenever BA crews are operating internally or in hazardous conditions and a thorough Size Up indicates the incident poses a risk to crews. * Ensure an appropriate number of RIT(s) are formed and ready for deployment at any fire or incident where this role has been deemed necessary. * Replace RIT as a matter of urgency where RIT has been used for BA operations.

Question 60

166. Equipment required for RIT:

Answer 60

* Ladders * TIC * Charged Hose Line * Lighting * Portable Radios * Forcible Entry Tools

Question 61

167. When to deploy a RIT?

Answer 61

* Call of distress – Mayday * BA full alarm activation * Loss of accountability identified by PAR. * Any other situation requiring rapid intervention.

Question 62

168. Duties of the RIT (Team Leader):

Answer 62

* Ensure RIT team have received briefing. * Conduct Size Up – Consider BSAHF, Access/Egress Locations, Location of BA Crews * Work with Sector Commander, Safety Officer, and BA Entry * Use forcible entry tools to soften building for emergency access. * Lead the RIT using TIC to assist navigation. * Provide sit reps to the IC once deployed.

Question 63

169. Duties of the RIT (Personnel):

Answer 63

* Ensure PPC is appropriate to the incident risk. * Each team member has portable radio. * Each team member has a TIC. * Source other equipment as indicated by RIT Leader * Identify other water sources as a contingency. * Continuously Size up the scene to determine change in the incident. * Monitor fireground radio channel. * Ensure RIT members are aware of their assigned call sign and allocated Fireground channel.

Question 64

170. The Evacuation Sector Commander must Maintain communications with the Stairwell Safety Officer to:

Answer 64

* Gain intelligence from firefighting crews operating in the evacuation sector. * Ensure smooth movement of evacuees via the stairwells. * Ensure safety of egress for evacuees. * Ensure safety of access for firefighting crews.

Question 65

171. The Evacuation Sector Commander must Liaise with the Lobby Sector Commander to assist with the following:

Answer 65

* Use of the building’s lifts for evacuating mobility impaired occupants. * The flow of firefighting personnel and evacuees up and down the structure. * The management of the building’s main entrance for access/egress.

Question 66

172. Stairwell Safety Officer must:

Answer 66

* Report on the progress of evacuation * Monitor temperature inside stairwells * Look out for presence of smoke in stairwells * Monitor levels of fire gases

Question 67

173. When working with Aircraft what are the Incident Controller Responsibilities?

Answer 67

* Assume responsibility for control and coordination of all aircraft allocated to the incident. * Ensure all ground crews are aware of aircraft operating in the area. * Close any paths, walking tracks or roads into the area and evacuate people from the area. * Consider available water sources for the aircraft. * Determine if there are other aircraft in the area and manage appropriately (e.g., RPAS). * Ensure aircraft are allocated in line with incident priorities. * Provide an initial Situation Report to the Communications Centre for initial inbound aircraft. * Ensure the Communications Centre notifies the pilot(s) of the fireground channel in use. * Consider requesting an Air Attack Supervisor (AAS) or other aviation specialist/s to assist in aircraft management. * Appoint an Operations Officer to coordinate aircraft operations and to act as a contact point. * Adhere to Interagency Aviation Operating Procedure SO 4.07 – Firebombing Operation by only authorising firebombing operations without the direct supervision of an Air Attack Supervisor (AAS) in the following circumstances: o Implement a safety plan. o Ensure ground crews work with air crews to achieve the incident objective(s). o Ensure aircraft are released from operations when they are no longer required.

Question 68

174. What are the actions if caught in an aircraft bombing zone OMS 033?

Answer 68

* Place hand tools well clear of you. * Secure helmet. * Shelter in or under a vehicle if possible. * Crouch down in a clear area and hold helmet firmly down on head. * Watch out for falling branches and trees after the drop. * Be careful of slippery ground after the drop. * Wash with clean cold water if hit with foam or retardant and seek medical advice if contaminated.

Question 69

175. Tasking an Aircraft – OMS 33:

Answer 69

* Asset protection * Slowing the rate of fire spread * Containing spot fires * Direct suppression * Any other relevant tasking

Question 70

176. Establishing an Incident Communications Plan – Incident Controller Responsibilities:

Answer 70

* Establish a communications plan for all incidents. o Utilise the dispatch channel to communicate with the Communications Centre on the allocated channel for incident response and incident control. o Determine the level of fireground communications required based on the scale of the incident and request additional radio channels where necessary:  Fireground Communications – to be used for firefighting and incident mitigation operations.  Command Communications – to be used for command level incident management.  Manage small incidents utilising fireground communications only.  Manage large and complex incidents with a combination of fireground and command communications. * Ensure personnel are not required to monitor more than two radios at any one time. * Ensure all on-scene FRV personnel are briefed regarding the communications plan. * Document the communications plan in any written IAP. * Expand and evolve the communications plan as the incident escalates to alleviate safety issues around excessive radio traffic and improve incident manageability. o Task the Planning Officer with communications planning where available. o Ensure any changes to the communications plan throughout the incident are communicated to all on scene personnel and updated in any IAP. * Encourage and enforce radio discipline. * Refer to Section 5 for examples of communications plans, noting that these plans are flexible and scalable, and should be tailored to each specific incident. * Consider request for operational support from FRV Communications Technicians where incident communications black spots are experienced. o Consider utilising a local channel where communication problems occur with allocated fireground channels.