Lack of incident command.
Having been on the job for a few short years, ive worked for now 3 career fire departments (and dont plan on adding any more). With these 3 departments ive also worked alongside several other departments through the means of mutual aid, Some were bigger and some were smaller, but all of them did fireground command different. Why?
The department i currently work for has an excellent command structure and have revamped their system emphasizing the crucial need for an experienced, trained, and dedicated Incident commander. Previously i have been on fires where there was no command at all, and some where the word "command" was thrown around so loosely well just say there wasnt.
Now obviously every place has their reasons as to why a designated commander isnt utilized, mostly the reason boils down to manpower. Something many places are dealing with. But with this being the number two killer wouldnt we want to focus a little more attention on it?
Now i by no means am qualified to be an incident commander, im just writing what i see and what i know. i am finding this part difficult to compose because of my current position.
I cannot sit here and tell you how to be an effective commander, i can however layout some basic command information and the benefits thereof, in hopes that you can take it to somewhere that struggles with the belief that "we arent big enough to use command" or "we dont run enough fires for that".
If your department utilizes command then by all means refer to departmental SOGs.
Below is an excerpt (with adjustments) from an SOG draft i composed for a previous department:
If we hope to reduce the number of firefighter LODD’s on the fireground, we must command fires in a way that evolves around all five of the NIOSH 5 factors.
Every fire deserves our respect, and each fire presents unique challenges. That being said, we must have a consistent and systematic way to approach these fires if we hope to consistently run an effective incident. That’s the reason SOG’s are so important and the lack of SOGs or not following them is number 5 on the NIOSH list. With that being said, no system will replace astute fire officers who know their job.
-Responsibilities of IC
Upon arrival of the first commanding officer, command will be established, this will be known as Initial command, if the officer decides or is forced to remain in a command mode for the duration of the incident, he know becomes Continuing command.
The responsibilities of initial command will be:
- Assume an effective command position.
- Transmit a brief initial radio report.
- Rapidly evaluate situation (size-up).
- Develop a plan of attack.
- Assign units as required.
The responsibilities of continuing command will be:
- Provide continuing overall command and progress reports for the duration or until relieved by a ranking officer.
- Assign Sectors if necessary and manpower allows
- Review and evaluate attack efforts and revise plan of attack as needed.
- Requests and assign additional unit as necessary.
- Maintain crew member accountability.
- Return companies to service and terminate "command"
Now breaking down those two types of command further we have three other types of command generally established by the first arriving officer:
-Types of command modes
Nothing showing mode
This is a situation where upon arrival, no immediate actions are required to mitigate a situation. In this situation the first arriving officer will call command but will make entry to investigate the situation while reducing response and staging incoming units. This sometimes is referred to as investigative mode.
Fast attack mode
In situations, which would require immediate action to stabilize an incident or to save viable life, such as occupied residences or businesses, the company officer may have to decide how to commit his company and be involved. When a fast interior attack is critical to life safety, he may take advantage of his portable radio to manage his crew from either interior (dependant on the situation), or be a very mobile and engaged command. This mode should not last more than a few minutes and should end with one of the following:
- The situation is stabilized
- Command is passed off to the next arriving officer
- Situation is not quickly stabilized and the officer must retreat to a normal command position.
Command mode
Situations that require designated initial command immediately. Such situations that by virtue of the size of the fire, the complexity/potential of the occupancy, or the possibility of extension require strong, direct, and overall command from the outside. In such cases, the officer will initially assume a Command position and maintain that position until he is relieved by another ranking officer.
-Benefits of a designated IC
-It improves accountability. The number three killer of fire fighters on scene is lack of accountability. The main way accountability will be improved is by having someone literally accounting for all personnel. The easiest way to maintain this, once IC is established is by utilizing PAR (personnel accountability report). This basic system allows command to keep a log of who is where on what assignment and allows for an accurate and rapid implementation of a RIT team if a MAYDAY was transmitted. PAR roll calls may be transmitted at any of the following times:
- Any report of a missing or trapped fire fighter
- Any time a Mayday is called
- Any change from offensive to defensive
- Any sudden hazardous event at the incident, i.e: flashover, backdraft, structural collapse, etc.
- At every 30 minutes of elapsed time
- At a report of fire under control
- Any time an “Abandon” order is given.
- Any time Command feels it is necessary
A company specific PAR should also be given any time a company is performing a specific operation. For example:
Command, Engine 1
Engine 1, go ahead
Command, Engine 1 entering A side of structure on fire attack with 3.
Engine 1, 10-4, entering with 3
This short transmission allows the officer of the crew on fire attack to relay his location and assignment to command. Benefiting the crew in the sense of this gives command an opportunity to confirm or deny this task, it benefits command by allowing him the knowledge that there is currently an engine crew inside on attack, and it benefits all other crew members by allowing them the knowledge and location of that crew so they can better coordinate with the attack team.
Another basic method of staying in contact while maintaining radio discipline and keeping transmissions brief is utilizing the CAN methodology (Conditions, actions, needs). This simple transmission can relay to command all the vital points he may be bothering interior crews with and let him know maybe what his next step will be. An example may be:
“Command, interior attack”
“Interior, go ahead”
“Command we are advancing to the fire room, we are offensive, we have heavy smoke and heat, we need ventilation near the C-D corner, air is 3500, Par with 3.”
This report tells the IC what he needs to hear and accomplished the following:
- The officer is still comfortable with his chosen strategy, offensive fire attack.
- The crew has not attained its objective but is making progress
- Conditions are not ideal; the crew needs ventilation assistance
- Air supply is adequate to continue the operation
- All members who entered with the fire attack crew are accounted for (based on commands knowledge of fireground accountability of his crews)
-It improves communications. The number four killer on scene is inadequate or a lack of communications. This goes hand in hand with accountability and its hard to differentiate which one is more vital than the other.
Communications with the IC will allow him or her to have a better understanding of areas that are unseen from their field of view. And allows precision deployment of crews incoming or on standby needing assignments. If interior is unable to communicate heavy smoke conditions and the structure is not self venting then IC is unable to properly assign a vent team at the proper time and location.
“A well communicated attack is a well coordinated attack.
A well coordinated attack is a well communicated attack.”
-It improves safety. This goes without saying. The entire purpose of implementing SOG’s and an IC is to improve life safety. However a specifically designated IC improves safety by having a pair of eyes and ears to stand back from the incident and view it in its entirety. An interior crew can not see the spalling of exterior concrete, or may not hear the creaks and cracks of an imminent collapse. While it’s true the engineers should be able to notice such situations they are tied up with their obvious tasks of supplying water to and from the trucks, and it is quite possible for one to overlook such factors when performing these duties.
If you arent familiar, then dive into your departmental SOGs or even better pick your captains or chiefs brain. Learn what you can, no matter your rank. Good leadership starts now.
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