SOG's

Question 1

A driver in a road tunnel noticed smoke coming from the engine compartment of their car and immediately pulled into the emergency break down bay and called 000.
The Tunnel Control Centre closed the tunnel allowing attending fire crews access to extinguish the fire. Peak hour traffic is starting to build at the entrance to the tunnel and thick smoke is throughout. List the Smoke Management Systems found in road tunnels could assist in clearing the smoke?

Answer 1

Road tunnel smoke management systems may use:
* longitudinal ventilation (jet fans)
* ducted ventilation
* natural ventilation
* a combination of the above.

Question 2

According to SOGs -As an incident develops and crews become fatigued, they will need to be rested. Name and describe the two ways crews can be rested.

Answer 2

Level 1 & level 2 rehab

Question 3

According to SOGs - List and describe the three incident phases.

Answer 3

The level of risk that will be accepted is directly related to the incident phase. The incident phases are:
* Life at risk phase – where there are savable human lives. The incident is uncontrolled and requires rapid actions to control the risks to life.
* Expanding phase – where the incident is uncontrolled and likely to expand. It requires rapid actions to control risks to life and property.
* Contained phase – there are sufficient resources to contain the incident within the defined area. There is no life at risk, or life or property have already been lost.

Question 4

According to SOGs - When an LPG container is involved in fire, what area of the container is considered most crucial and a high priority area for cooling?

Answer 4

The application of water on containers is to be made at the point of flame contact.

Question 5

You are responded to a bushfire with four Fire Rescue NSW pumpers two RFS tankers and one inspector, according to SOGs what class is the fire?

Answer 5

Class 2

Question 6

According to the guideline support document for electricity SOGs - Electrical transformers in high density areas of cities maybe situated in underground vaults, if a fire occurs in one of these vaults, CO2 can be injected via a wall mounted or footpath CO2 connection box. What does the number on the connection box indicate?

Answer 6

The number of CO2 cylinders to be injected

Question 7

According to the guideline support document for electricity SOGs - What factors affect voltage gradient at wires down?

Answer 7

The voltage gradient varies depending on:
* Composition of the ground – eg concrete, road surface, soil
* Moisture content
* Voltage of the electrical source

Question 8

According to the guideline support document for electricity SOGs - Conductors allow electricity to easily pass through them. List five conductors.

Answer 8

Conductors allow electricity to easily pass through them. Examples are:
* Metals (eg copper, aluminium, steel) – including ladders, fences, guttering, roofing
* Human body
* Timber and trees
* Flame and dense smoke
* Vehicle tyres
* Some fire extinguishing mediums
* Wet or dirty rope
* Water – including hose lines

Question 9

According to the guideline support document for electricity SOGs - Name four measures to control the risks associated with electricity.

Answer 9

• Stay away from the hazard. Always regard it as live until you know otherwise.
• Assess the risks from at least 8 metres away from the hazard.
• If suspected to be electrically hazardous, establish an Exclusion Zone.
• Have the electricity company isolate power.
• When leaving the incident site, if possible, provide information to the owner or other responsible person on the hazards still present at the site and the control measures in place.

Question 10

According to SOGs - FRNSW has an interagency notification policy, list the reasons NSW Police are required to be notified.

Answer 10

• Possible terrorist incident
• Crime investigation
• Site, crowd, traffic and evacuation management
• Rescue incidents

Question 11

You are responded to fire in a Correctional facility, centre or complex operated by government agencies or private contractors. As stated in FRNSW SOGs on arrival what actions should be taken?

Answer 11

Identify and liaise with the Emergency Coordinator.
* While waiting to enter, start developing the IAP by accessing information – eg pre-incident plans, SOGs, and utilities.
* Where entry to the facility is delayed, nominate a staging area and advise FireCOM to inform responding resources. Remain in the staging area until met by the Emergency Coordinator. Notify FireCOM if entry is delayed.
Always remain outside facility on standby if it is unsafe to enter.
* At the main entry, access the Red Fire Emergency Plan Box containing the FRNSW pre-incident plan, safety data sheets folder, site plans, and Local Emergency Plans (LEPs) and brief crew about the facility.
* Prepare the appliance and secure equipment before entering the facility. List all equipment to be taken in.

Question 12

Whilst participating in a community event at the local oval and armed offender attack occurs. According to SOGs, what actions should you take?

Answer 12

Escape, hide and tell

Question 13

According to SOGs - There are many duties of the BA Control Operator, list five.

Answer 13

BACOs:
* Establish BA Control as close to the entry/exit point as possible.
* Check and enter all details on the BA Control Board.
* Ensure that BA team members are identified by a call sign determined by the incident communications plan.
* Calculate and monitor entry and exit times.
* Monitor all radio communications within the sector.
* When exit time is reached:
− Immediately contact the individual wearer or BA team leader.
− If unable to contact, notify their Commander.
− Activate the RIT immediately when required and notify the IC.
* Indicate to exiting BA crews the locations of the BA staging area and Rehabilitation Area.
* Provide updates to their Commander as required. A second radio transceiver may be required for communicating on the tactical channel.
* Ensure BA Control Boards clearly show when extended duration BA (EDBA) is in use. This is indicated by the red tag from the EDBA twin manifold being
attached to the wearer’s yellow tally on the board.
* Ensure BA Control Boards clearly show when aerial appliance operators are wearing BA.
* Ensure BA Control Boards clearly show when extension facemasks are in use:
− With air trolley BA (ATBA).
− On aerial appliances.
− With auxiliary facemask from another BA set.
− With an extension airline from a standalone BA set.

Question 14

According to SOGs - What can P2 particle masks be used to protect against?

Answer 14

Use P2 masks to protect against:
* Known low concentrations of inert dust, such as those produced when cutting metal or wood.
* Concrete, stone and masonry cutting operations where the work piece can be kept wet.
* The particles, but not the gases such as CO, in bushfire smoke.
* Contamination by body fluids.

Question 15

According to SOGs - At any incident, the Incident Commander will consider the incident phase and the risk that may be accepted. List and describe the incident the life at risk phase.

Answer 15

Life at risk phase, where there are savable human lives. The incident is uncontrolled and requires rapid actions to control the risks to lives. A higher level of risk may be acceptable.

Question 16

According to SOGs -You respond to a building fire and the contaminated run-off/pollutant is impacting a canal that runs into a creek. Which agencies are you required to notify?

Question 17

According to SOGs - What are the three basic principles for communication at incidents?

Answer 17

The three basic principles for communication at incidents are:
(a) to use the principles of ICS and ensure an effective span of control;
(b) to establish a flow of information at all levels of the incident, without overwhelming the IC or ComCen with superfluous data; and
(c) to ensure the safety of firefighters by using effective communication.

Question 18

According to SOGs - Emergency Response Teams have varying levels of skills, equipment, and training. Depending on the hazards involved, the IC must determine, from Pre-Incident Planning and discussion with the Emergency Response Team Leader, their role at an incident. Name three activities Emergency Response Team can participate in.

Answer 18

• Specialist advice to the IC relating to hazards, industrial processes and installed fire systems.
• Operation of valves and other industrial processes.
• Fire attack under the control of NSWFB officers.

Question 19

SOGs describe how to de-escalate an incident. What is de-escalation?

Answer 19

De-escalation is the scaling back of FRNSW involvement at an incident. Both the strategic and tactical levels scale back and delegated functions are handed back to the IC. The IC determines that the incident has been
contained and that resources can be released.

Question 20

According to SOGs - The Emergency Control Organisation may consist of people identified by coloured helmets, hats, caps, vests, or tabards. Name the members and the identifying colour.

Answer 20

Chief warden, Deputy chief warden, Communications officer - White
Floor warden, Area wardens - Yellow
Wardens - Red
First aid officer - White cross on a green background

Question 21

You are completing a pre-incident plan for an occupancy located within your station area. Your priorities are confirming correct keys and swipe cards, along with updating information for the MDT. The SO directs you to inspect the Fire Control Room. According to the SOGs, What features are included in a Fire Control Room?

Answer 21

• a fire isolated room with a 2-hour fire rating and separate ventilation
• two exit points, to the front of the building and directly into a fire exit
• Fire Indicator Panel
• Fire Fan Control Panel
• Master Emergency Control Panel
• controls for fire pumps
• Security Alarm and Control Panels
• telephone (direct line outside)
• whiteboard, corkboard and plan table
• Tactical Fire Plans (maps and schematics).

Question 22

You are attending an incident at a large cold storage facility. Your SO has directed you to cut into an Insulated Sandwich Panel (ISP). Prior to cutting the ISP, you conduct a risk assessment. According to the SOGs, list the important issues to consider?

Answer 22

• if there is sufficient time and resources available.
• leaked refrigerant gas which may be pocketed behind panels or in ducting
• electrical wiring or refrigerant gas pipes that may be located behind the panels
• the potential to generate sparks that could ignite flammable refrigerant gas or ESP panel cores
• Weakening of the structure when multiple panels are cut.
• An increase in fire activity due to the introduction of air;

Question 23

You are attending a 3rd Alarm structure fire and note the current incident commander is being overwhelmed by radio messages. According to SOGs, following span of control rules, what is the optimal amount an individual resources you should communicate with?

Answer 23

an individual should only have 5 people reporting to them (optimal is 1:5 ratio), but this can vary between 1:3 to 1:7, depending upon the activity, geography, or nature of the incident.

Question 24

It is the responsibility of the Incident Commander (IC) to ensure that in general, each tactical priority has been addressed, according to the SOGs, involving structure fires the IC should consider how many sides of the fire?

Answer 24

seven sides of the fire: front, rear, both sides, top, bottom and inside.

Question 25

On arrival at an incident, you observe the EWIS is operating. Upon closer inspection you note it has defects. According to the SOGs, what actions should you take?

Answer 25

If any defects are noted, advise the NSWFB Fire Safety Division to have the matter investigated. Do not initiate any action yourself.

Question 26

An MVA has occurred between a truck and two cars requiring the attendance of a rescue unit, the MVA has occurred on the M5 Motorway in the GSA. There are multiple emergency services within NSW that are responsible for rescue incidents. According to SOGs, who determines which emergency service will send a rescue unit to this rescue incident?

Answer 26

NSW Police will determine which emergency service will send a Rescue unit to rescue incidents.

Question 27

Fumigation is a process of applying a pesticide chemical to a sealed area for a period, generally to treat insects or other vermin. The pesticide is applied in gas form (or a state that produces a gas) to the area. According to SOGs if a firefighter is exposed to chemicals at a fumigation what actions need to be taken on arrival back at station?

Answer 27

1. Have the firefighter shower and dress in clean clothing.
2. Record the exposure in the Occurrence Book and in the eAIRS report.
3. Ensure that Notification of Injury, Illness, Exposure or Near-Miss (NIIENM) form is completed.

Question 28

According to SOGs - FRNSW priorities guide the strategy and incident action plan (IAP) for the incident. What are our priorities at an incident?

Answer 28

• The first priority is the safety of firefighters.
• The second priority is protecting savable lives.
• The third priority is protecting savable property and the environment.
  Resources should not be committed to save what is already lost.

Question 29

According to SOGs - A medical emergency access incident is an actual or probable situation where either the Police Rescue Coordinator or the Ambulance Service of NSW (ASNSW) Communication Centre Manager considers serious. What do they consider a person at risk of if access is not gained quickly?

Answer 29

a patient is at risk of further serious injury or death if medical assistance is not provided quickly,

Question 30

According to SOGs - Radio codes for automatic fire alarms (AFAs) are used by the Incident Commander (IC) to send an incident completed (Stop) message to FireCOM at the conclusion of an AFA-reported incident. When AFA call is to an actual fire – i.e., one which FRNSW has been alerted to by the activation of an AFA or manual call point. What is required to be reported to FireCOM?

Answer 30

Use code 100 where an AFA call is to an actual fire – ie one which FRNSW has been alerted to by the activation of an AFA or manual call point.
The IC must ensure that a detailed message is sent with the 100 code. The code is passed to eAIRS, but, on return to station, the eAIRS report needs to be updated to reflect the nature of the incident.

Question 31

According to SOGs - Safety is paramount at all bushfires. A safety briefing must be completed and communicated to firefighters. Firefighters should constantly review LACES. Describe each letter of the acronym LACES.

Answer 31

• Lookouts – Fire crews must LOOKOUT and ensure that they have a clear appreciation of current fire behaviour, location and size of the fire in relation to crew location.
• Awareness – Firefighters must be aware of what is happening around them, including:
  − the impact of changes in fire behaviour caused by variations to fuel, weather and topography
  − observation of smoke colour, direction and column
  − fireground and urban hazards including the potential for falling rocks and trees
  − hydration of themselves and others.
• Communications – All fire crews must maintain communication in accordance with the communications plan and ensure safety issues are discussed and addressed immediately.
• Escape Routes – At least two escape routes should be agreed and made known to all relevant personnel. The suitability of escape routes should be reviewed continually to ensure they remain effective.
• Safety Zones – Safety zones (refuge areas) should be identified and made known to all relevant firefighters. Firefighters need to consider escape time and safety zone size requirements, which may change as fire behaviour changes.

Question 32

According to SOGs-Fire danger ratings (FDR) give an indication of the consequences of a bushfire. The higher the fire danger, the more dangerous the conditions. List the ratings.

Answer 32

Catastrophic
* Uncontrollable extremely fast and intense, spot fires 20 km.
* No structure is guaranteed safe, lives may be lost
Extreme
* Uncontrollable, very fast and intense, spot fires 6 km.
* Only prepared houses offer safety; house and life loss possible.
High
* Difficult to control, spot fires 2 km.
* Housing may come under increased threat.
Moderate
* Controllable, spot fires very close and less likely.
* Prepared houses offer good safety.
No rating
* Fires easily controllable, spot fires very unlikely

Question 33

According to SOGs when sending radio messages, to ensure they are easy to understand and hear. How should they be formulated?

Answer 33

The order model is used whenever information is passed. Radio messages must follow the CAN format

Question 34

According to SOGs - There are three strategies used during bushfires operations. Name and describe them.

Answer 34

Offensive strategy
FRNSW initiates offensive operations at bushfires. The factors that determine the success of an offensive operation are the location and size of the attack and support. The first priority is the safety of firefighters. Crews must have the ability to mobilise quickly. Situate FRNSW vehicles, unlocked, with doors and windows
closed, and keys in the ignition to leave quickly, if necessary.
Defensive Strategy
The first-priority in defensive operations is safety and all crews must always be accounted for. Focus of effort is concentrated on property protection or structural triage.
Safeguarding strategy
When offensive or defensive strategies are no longer viable with intense fires under the worst conditions, the actions during safeguarding strategy, while not fire suppression, warns, escorts (moves) and protects community members to ensure their safety.

Question 35

According to SOGs - To minimise the risk of heat related illness, what is the minimum level of PPE that should be worn at a bushfire.

Answer 35

To minimise the risk of heat-related illness, level 2 PPE must be worn (at a minimum) unless a higher risk is present.

Question 36

Heat stress is the most common condition which affects firefighters. It all too frequently affects their welfare, but more importantly, it affects their judgement and competence in the field. All firefighters must be able to recognise the symptoms, name three symptoms as stated in SOGs.

Answer 36

Dizziness, Weakness and Nausea

Question 37

According to SOGs - The status of a bushfire is the degree to which it is under control. What terminology is to be used in radio messages and sitreps to FireCOM?

Answer 37

Going
The fire is spreading on one or more flanks, and effective control strategies are not in place for the entire perimeter.
Being Controlled
Effective strategies are in operation or planned for the entire perimeter.
Contained
The entire perimeter is behind identifiable control lines. Mop up and patrol have started.
Patrol
Firefighting resources are only required for patrol purposes and major reignition is unlikely.
Out
The fire is totally blacked out and can be removed from the list of current fires

Question 38

According to SOGs - Describe offensive and defensive firefighting strategies.

Answer 38

• Offensive – operating in close proximity to the hazards, or
• Defensive – operating away from the hazards.

Question 39

As stated in SOGs - What does the Incident Action (IAP) usually describe?

Answer 39

The IAP describes, at any point in time, the risk assessment, strategy and objectives, incident structure, layout of the incident, and any other relevant information.

Question 40

According to SOGs - At a high-rise structure fire, what are the actions of the first arriving Station Commander?

Answer 40

The first Station Commander becomes the Sector Commander for the fire floor, establishes a Forward Control Point and commences fire operations from the
floor below the fire.

Question 41

According to SOGs - Twin bore tunnels, where traffic flows occur in separate tunnels, the tunnels are usually separated by 4-hour fire-resisting construction. Crossover passages between the tunnels are usually how many metres apart?

Answer 41

120m apart and may be pressurised

Question 42

According to SOGs - List the roles of FRNSW at incidents involving bomb threats or detonations?

Answer 42

• Support NSW Police Force or the Australian Defence Force (ADF) by protecting life and property from the effects of fires or hazardous materials
  that may occur.
• Act as the lead agency in urban search and rescue (USAR) operations, if required.
• If requested, assist NSW Ambulance.
  The FRNSW Commander is responsible for the safety of all FRNSW personnel at the incident.
  A bomb incident area will be treated as a crime scene and care must be taken to preserve potentially important forensic evidence.

Question 43

According to SOGs - When referring to storage facilities describe-
* Bulk
* Flatbed storage
* Ventilated
* Sealed

Answer 43

bulk - more than 4 tonnes (net), or more than 4 cubic metres of a substance, not in individual packages.
flatbed storage - a single level building or other structure designed for the storage of solids in bulk of more than 40 tonnes.
ventilated - containers open to the atmosphere, including silos with explosion vents that have activated
sealed - a grain container is sealed during fumigation and semi sealed at other times – includes semi-sealed and oxygen limiting containers.

Question 44

According to SOGs - Standards Australia refers to Breathing Apparatus (BA) as supplied air respirators. Fire and Rescue NSW uses positive pressure supplied air respirators to provide the highest level of protection. Name and describe them.

Answer 44

• Self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA).
• Extended duration breathing apparatus (EDBA): An SCBA set in twin cylinder configuration which allows firefighters to work for approximately twice the time
  as single cylinder SCBA.
• Airline respirator: An extension facemask with an airline supplied from a source of compressed air. These sources include:
  − Air trolley breathing apparatus (ATBA): A mobile trolley with compressed air cylinders, a valve assembly and an airline connected to an extension facemask.
  − An independent SCBA set.
  − SCBA worn by a firefighter: An extension facemask and airline worn by a second person which is attached to the auxiliary connection of an SCBA or EDBA set worn by a firefighter.

Question 45

According to SOGs - Decontamination is the process of removing contaminants from people and equipment to prevent further injury and reduce the spread of the contaminant. What are the three ways decontamination can be implemented.

Answer 45

Standard decontamination - is implemented where there is no life at risk.

Emergency decontamination - is implemented where there is a life at risk (a person is rescued from the Hot Zone), or an immediate response is required due to an accidental contamination.

Mass decontamination - is implemented in an unexpected and dangerous situation which must be dealt with immediately where a group of people are
contaminated.

Question 46

According to SOGs When dealing with radiological incidents, the first priority is to minimise the exposure to radiation while rendering the incident safe. What are the main considerations for protecting people at radiological incidents?

Answer 46

Time – minimise the duration of exposure.
Distance – maximise the distance from the radiological source.
Shielding – maximise shielding between the radiological source and people.

Question 47

According to SOGs - What are three types of radiation.

Answer 47

Alpha
Beta
Gamma
X-ray
Neutrons

Question 48

According to SOGs - Materials that contain asbestos are known as asbestos containing materials (ACM). If asbestos is encountered at an incident, as far as practical, employ dust suppression tactics and leave ACM in situ. Provide three examples of dust suppression tactics.

Answer 48

• Minimise disturbance – ie restrict salvage and overhaul work.
• Keep it lightly dampened down with fog spray.
• Apply a bonding agent such as a foam blanket or coloured PVA/water mix.
• Bag into marked asbestos containment bags.
• Wrap or cover with salvage plastic sheeting.

Question 49

Materials that contain asbestos are known as asbestos containing materials (ACM). There are generally two categories of ACM name and describe them.

Answer 49

Friable asbestos – any asbestos containing material is powder form, or that can be crumbled, pulverised, or
reduced to powder by hand pressure when dry – eg loose-fill insulation, pipe lagging, fire-damaged asbestos containing material.
Non-friable asbestos – any asbestos containing material that is not friable, including materials containing asbestos fibres reinforced with a bonding compound – eg fibre cement sheeting, corrugated fibre cement, electrical switchboards.

Question 50

According to SOGs - What is the unit of measurement for external radiation?

Answer 50

sievert (Sv)

The sievert is a large unit. Radiation dose equivalents are more commonly
expressed in terms of:
* millisievert (mSv), one thousandth of a sievert.
* microsievert (μSv), one millionth of a sievert.

Question 51

According to SOGs - The risk of developing asbestos related disease depends on many factors. List three factors.

Answer 51

• Concentration of exposure: Greater quantities of inhaled fibres will increase the likelihood of developing disease.
• Duration of exposure: The longer the duration you are exposed, the greater the likelihood of developing disease.
• Fibre characteristics: The type of fibres inhaled have an effect on the likelihood of developing disease. Shorter, straight fibres are more likely to be breathed deeper into the lungs.
• Other exposures: Exposure to other hazardous materials may compound the likelihood of developing disease. For instance, people who have smoked have a much greater likelihood of developing an asbestos-related
  disease.

Question 52

List and define the three zone systems as outlined in SOGs Scene Security.

Answer 52

Three Zone System
* Hot Zone – where no personnel enter until a DRA determines appropriate actions and level of PPE.
* Warm Zone – where Fire and Rescue NSW conducts its operations.
* Cold Zone – where the Incident Control Point and support agencies are located and where the Police
implement overall site control.

Question 53

According to SOGs - Operators of aged care facilities have emergency plans, which include a staged evacuation plan. List the stage numbers including the stage FRNSW would likely be involved.

Answer 53

Stage 1
Stage 2 - (FRNSW are likely to be involved from
this stage)
Stage 3

Question 54

According to SOGs - During bushfire operations safeguarding strategy is not fire suppression but can be used when defensive operations are not safe. Describe the actions taken in this strategy.

Answer 54

 warns
 escorts (moves)
 protects community members to ensure their safety.

Question 55

According to SOGs - At a high-rise structure fire, what area provides a safe location with building communications, control equipment and plans?

Answer 55

The fire control room

Question 56

SOGs state - In some cases, mostly at larger structures and complexes it may not be appropriate to turn off power to the entire structure. List three of these structures or complexes.

Answer 56

• Industrial complexes
• High-rise buildings
• Health care facilities

Question 57

According to SOGs - When using a hydrant booster, the IC will instruct the pump operator to run the hydrant booster system in one of three modes. List all three.

Answer 57

Standby mode
Activation mode
Deactivation mode

Question 58

According to SOGs, as the Incident Commander, you may choose a fast attack command position. What does fast attack enable the IC to do?

Answer 58

Fast attack
enables the IC to:
* More fully size up the incident.
* Directly supervise the crew.
* Assist the crew with task level work if needed.
* Take advantage of the limited window of opportunity available while the incident is in its early stages.

Question 59

According to SOGs, if co2 is used to extinguish a fire in an underground vault substation what is the minimum time it needs to be kept sealed within the vault?

Answer 59

Upon discharge of the gas, keep the vault closed and openings sealed for at least 20 minutes.

Question 60

According to SOGs, what is the definition of decontamination?

Answer 60

Decontamination is the process of removing contaminants from people and equipment to prevent further injury and reduce the spread of the contaminant

Question 61

During a bushfire, your sector contains an area where trees and grass are alight under high voltage power lines. According to SOGs, what are the safe working distances and what firefighting activities can you perform?

Answer 61

• Do not engage in firefighting under high voltage power lines.
• Keep people and vehicles a minimum of 25 metres clear of a fire burning under or near power lines.
  Mopping up
  During mopping-up operations near high voltage power lines:
• Wait for the fire to burn clear of the cleared areas beneath the power lines before commencing mop-up.
• Only approach within 25 metres of the power lines to mop up grass fires.
• Only knock down low (less than 2 metres high) isolated flames, spots or smouldering logs that are not producing a convection column or heavy
  smoke plume. In such cases:
  − Never direct the hose stream into the power line.
  − Never direct the hose stream into a smoke plume that is near (ie less than 25 metres) or reaching power lines. Keep stream no higher than a person’s head.
  − Never direct the hose stream at a burning bush or tree (more than head height) in a power line easement

Question 62

A BA team reports to a Breathing Apparatus Control Operator (BACO) two floors below the fire floor at a high-rise structure fire. They provide their BA tallies to the BACO and proceed to the fire floor but remain in the fire stairs for ten minutes before donning BA and beginning firefighting tasks.
Ten minutes after that the BACO is trying to contact the Sector Commander urgently stating that they are running low on air when they are not. According to SOGs, what went wrong?

Answer 62

The BA wearer didn’t notify the BACO when they donned the mask and began using their air supply

Question 63

According to SOGs, there are five members of a decontamination team. Name all members.

Answer 63

Decontamination officer
Wash operator
wash assistant
disrobe assistant
pump operator

Question 64

You are in charge of firefighters providing fire protection during helicopter refuelling. You instruct them to wear full PPE. According to SOGs, what full PPE will they wear?

Answer 64

• Full structural firefighting ensemble, including helmet and gloves
• Flash hood
• SCBA
• Ear plugs – which provide sufficient protection at 50 metres

Question 65

According to SOGs- Bushfire classes are determined by the level of resources committed to the fire, and its potential impact on the community, economy, essential infrastructure, and not its size. Describe a Class 3 bushfire?

Answer 65

A major bushfire or fires where an appointment is made or is imminent under the provisions of Section 44 of the Rural Fires Act 1997

Question 66

You respond to a High-Rise building. According to SOGs, High Rise buildings are generally described by what characteristics?

Answer 66

High-rise buildings are generally described as being more than 25 metres high or having more than 10 levels.

Question 67

According to SOGs, Describe the term “All Clear.”

Answer 67

all clear indicates that primary and secondary searches have been completed – ie primary all clear and secondary all clear – for a compartment, location, or the entire structure, at a fire or hazmat incident. This confirms to the IC that firefighters have checked for occupants in those locations and none have been located.

Question 68

You are the Incident Commander at a large factory fire. There are 8 pumps code 3 at the incident. According to SOGs, list two combinations could you allocate these pumps to achieve three-deep deployment?

Question 69

Insulated Sandwich Panels (ISPs), especially those with Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) cores can create an extremely hazardous environment for firefighters and may force adoption of a defensive strategy from an early stage.
According to SOGs, what are the reasons for this?

Answer 69

1. EPS melts and flows like a liquid. It is highly flammable, inducing rapid fire spread, which is undetectable with thermal imaging cameras (due to the
   insulating properties of the panels) and can spread to areas remote from the fire origin.
2. Panel delamination, where the hot metal panel skins bow and open up, rapidly increases the rate of fire spread, which heats the ceiling void, creates secondary
   pool fires from melted EPS, and causes panels to collapse
3. There is an increased risk of flashover and backdraught.
4. Large volumes of toxic, thick, black, acrid smoke are produced.
5. Sudden, loss of structural integrity may cause substantial building collapse.

Question 70

According to SOGs, when responding into a Rural Fire District, when are you required to send a Code 6?

Answer 70

• Immediately it becomes apparent to the Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of an FRNSW appliance that they have received a call to an incident located within a Rural Fire District, or
  − With the Code 1 (responding) message if it is known at the time of the call that the incident is in a Rural Fire District.

Question 71

In accordance with SOGs, when developing objectives, strategies and tactics what should be considered?

Answer 71

• the response time for requested support
• the requirements for relief crews and refreshments
• whether a change of shift might be necessary

Question 72

According to SOGs - During the de-escalation of an incident, at what stage is command terminated?

Answer 72

Command is only terminated when the last FRNSW resource leaves the incident.

Question 73

What are principles of situational evaluation in incident management?

Answer 73

The Incident Commander (IC) must identify a set of critical factors – ie elements that, if not dealt with rapidly, could cause expansion of the incident or a threat to firefighters or others – and process them into an incident action plan (IAP).
* The IC can only deal with 3-7 critical factors at any one time. If there are more than this, consider expanding the incident structure so that delegation can occur.
* Collecting and evaluating information may start before arriving on scene.
* Once on scene, further information is collected and rapidly evaluated via an initial size up from the vehicle. Whenever possible, the IC should collect additional information via a 360 degree size up.
* Critical factors must be communicated to FireCOM.
* The IC should continually collect information during the incident from commanders and other external sources such as onsite experts, Bureau of Meteorology, and other agencies.
* Critical factors may change rapidly as the incident evolves. The IAP must be modified as critical factors change.
* The IC’s initial size up and decision-making about critical factors may need to be rapid. Once the incident is contained, the IC should take a more deliberate approach.
* Situation evaluation only ends when command is terminated.
* Anyone at the incident may collect information regarding critical factors. These need to be communicated to the IC. Critical safety concerns can be
addressed immediately if required, before informing the IC.

Question 74

According to SOGs - A major goal for the IC is to develop an Incident Action Plan for the incident. What is an incident action plan?

Answer 74

An Incident Action Plan (IAP) describes, at any point in time, the risk assessment, strategy and objectives, incident structure, incident layout, and other relevant information. It is used to manage the incident.

Question 75

According to SOGs - What are the terms used in an initial radio report, to indicate the size of a structure at a fire incident.

Answer 75

Small (Hose lay 100% structure)
Medium (Hose lay 75% structure)
Large (Hose lay 50% structure)
Very large (Hose lay 25% structure)
Mega (Hose lay 10% structure)

Question 76

As stated in SOGs - Example -Initial radio report - The initial radio report (IRR) is sent by the first arriving officer to FireCOM. It time-stamps command, confirms and identifies the IC, and records initial details about the incident. It should be in Conditions, Actions, Needs (CAN) format and should include? -

Answer 76

• Confirmation of address.
• Conditions: Brief description of the incident; obvious critical factors including hazards.
• Actions: Initial incident action plan (IAP); assumption of command and naming of incident; strategy.
• Needs: Increase of alarm level as per the Alarm Response Protocol (ARP), or, in areas where this does not operate, request for particular resources as
  per local arrangements

Question 77

When conveying sensitive information on an open channel what should be considered as listed in SOGs?

Answer 77

• Don’t send sensitive information across an open channel. Many non-NSWFB people monitor radio transmissions.
• Messages containing details of injuries, fatalities or personal information should be sent by alternative means of communication such as mobile phone, GRN private call facility or face-to-face.
• Be sensitive to the feelings of non-operational personnel or members of the public who may overhear messages. Ensure that outside speakers on appliances are turned off if sensitive information is being sent e.g. fatalities.

Question 78

According to SOGs - Describe the terms withdraw and abandon as used by the IC to indicate to crews the urgency required to move from offensive to a defensive strategy.

Answer 78

• Withdraw – this indicates that firefighters have enough time to exit the structure or the position they are working in, with all their equipment, in a controlled manner. It is usually given by the IC in response to a tactical CAN report. An example of a message given to a Sector Commander or crew could be: Sector Commander Bravo we are changing strategy to defensive for the entire structure withdraw all crews and report PARS on exit. If there is more than one sector then this would be conveyed to all sectors.
• Abandon – this indicates that there is an immediate threat to firefighter lives and the firefighters must exit the structure or position they are working in immediately and only bring equipment with them if it will not compromise their safety. This could be that a fire has rapidly escalated, wall collapse is imminent, or a trench is about to collapse. An example of a message is: All sectors roof collapse imminent we are going to a defensive strategy abandon your positions and report if you do not have a PAR. The term abandon should be the exception rather than the rule.

Question 79

According to SOGs when responded to a Community First Responder incident and the patient refuses care. What should you do?

Answer 79

If care is refused, observe the patient until the ambulance arrives.
Assume an unconscious patient wants assistance.
If a patient previously refusing treatment loses consciousness, treat them.

Question 80

According to SOGs - Occasionally, FRNSW personnel may have to prepare a helicopter landing site. List the points to be considered when doing this.

Answer 80

• position the landing site in an area 30 m x 30 m minimum, on solid, level ground away from power lines or wires, and clear of trees or similar obstacles
• mark the corners of the landing site by placing a firefighter at each corner and cordon off to prevent unauthorised entry. Do not use tape or loose materials
• clear all loose debris from the area, e.g.
  paper bags, cigarette cartons, aluminium cans etc, and secure all NSWFB equipment near the landing site
• in dry, dusty conditions, the landing site may require wetting down to maintain visibility during landing and take off.
  During night landings, place a strobe light and two vehicles with beacons flashing facing into the wind and facing inwards at 45° to the approach line with their headlights on. Ensure that the strobe light is turned off once the helicopter has identified or flown over the
  landing site.

Question 81

According to SOGs - Structure Fires in Rural Fire Districts- Where FRNSW is requested to assist the NSW RFS at a structure fire in a rural Fire District who will be the Incident Controller?

Answer 81

the senior officer from the NSW RFS present at the fire will be the Incident Controller

Question 82

According to SOGs - When must Level 1 or Level 2 Rehabilitation be considered?

Answer 82

• Level 1 Rehab – recommended for small incidents not requiring the response of a specialist incident ground rehabilitation capability. Level 1 Rehab uses
  equipment carried on front line firefighting appliances. Generally, the Incident
  Controller (IC) manages Level 1 Rehab.
• Level 2 Rehab – recommended for:
  − long duration incidents
  − in circumstances where crew rotation is limited
  − hot and dry, or cold and wet, conditions
  − where working conditions are arduous
  − where breathing apparatus usage and rotation is high, or
  − where conditions are such that specialist incident ground rehabilitation
  capabilities are required.
  Generally, the IC appoints a dedicated Rehabilitation Officer for these incidents

Question 83

According to SOGs - What two items do FRNSW use that lays out safe working practices to manage the safety of firefighters at incidents?

Answer 83

FRNSW manages the safety of firefighters at incidents by providing training and doctrine that lays out safe working practices.

Question 84

According to SOGs - There are many aspects to ensuring safety at an incident, from the IC implementing the correct strategy, down to the firefighters wearing the right PPE for their assigned tasks. Incident safety can therefore be described in terms of what three levels?

Answer 84

Task, tactical and strategic

Question 85

According to SOGs - What safety related worksheet is used as method of documenting hazards or risks and control measures at an incident?

Answer 85

Incident safety worksheet