Monterey County Fire Operations Manual HIGH-RISE FIREFIGHTING GUIDELINES

Monterey County Fire Monterey County Fire Operations ManualOperations Manual

HIGH-RISE FIREFIGHTING HIGH-RISE FIREFIGHTING GUIDELINESGUIDELINES

High Rise Firefighting Guidelines -High Rise Firefighting Guidelines -ContentsContents

General Operating ProcedureGeneral Operating Procedure 1. Immediate Priorities1. Immediate Priorities 2. Life Safety Considerations2. Life Safety Considerations 3. Initial Attack3. Initial Attack 4. Water Supply4. Water Supply 5. Lobby Control5. Lobby Control 6. Staging6. Staging 7. Base7. Base 8. Command Priorities8. Command Priorities

Engine Company GuidelinesEngine Company Guidelines

First Arriving Company – Fire AttackFirst Arriving Company – Fire Attack Second Arriving Company – Water Second Arriving Company – Water

Supply / Fire Attack SupportSupply / Fire Attack Support Third Arriving Company – Lobby Third Arriving Company – Lobby

ControlControl Fourth Arriving Company – StagingFourth Arriving Company – Staging Fifth Arriving Company - BaseFifth Arriving Company - Base

Command PositionsCommand Positions

Incident CommanderIncident Commander Operations ChiefOperations Chief Plans ChiefPlans Chief Logistics ChiefLogistics Chief Safety OfficerSafety Officer Information OfficerInformation Officer

General Operating ProceduresGeneral Operating Procedures

Definition: Although various definitions have Definition: Although various definitions have been offered by many different sources, been offered by many different sources, the one which is most widely accepted the one which is most widely accepted defines a “high-rise building as being defines a “high-rise building as being seventy-five feet in height and designed seventy-five feet in height and designed for human occupancy. Priority of for human occupancy. Priority of assigning resources may vary depending assigning resources may vary depending upon the needs of the incident.upon the needs of the incident.

1.Immediate Priorities1.Immediate Priorities

The exterior of the building shields The exterior of the building shields the inside. Even with “nothing the inside. Even with “nothing showing” assume the possibility of a showing” assume the possibility of a concealed fire.concealed fire.

Initial arriving units should be Initial arriving units should be concerned with:concerned with:• Identifying fire floorIdentifying fire floor• Providing attack on fire floorProviding attack on fire floor

1. Immediate Priorities (cont.)1. Immediate Priorities (cont.)

Providing life safety for persons in Providing life safety for persons in dangerdanger

Water supply for initial attackWater supply for initial attack Establishing Lobby ControlEstablishing Lobby Control Determining ventilations needs on Determining ventilations needs on

fire floor and floor above firefire floor and floor above fire

2. Life Safety Considerations2. Life Safety Considerations

Includes an evaluation in each area Includes an evaluation in each area for tenability and need for for tenability and need for evacuation. Large numbers of evacuation. Large numbers of occupants may be involved.occupants may be involved.

The IC must direct the decision to The IC must direct the decision to remove occupants and the plan to remove occupants and the plan to relocate occupants must be part of relocate occupants must be part of the fire control strategy.the fire control strategy.

3. Initial Attack3. Initial Attack Should be at least two companiesShould be at least two companies Officer leading the attack should check the Officer leading the attack should check the

annunciator panel for verification, annunciator panel for verification, additional information, and best route to additional information, and best route to fire.fire.

When fire floor is identified, give report of When fire floor is identified, give report of conditions to IC.conditions to IC.

IC will establish fire floor as a Division IC will establish fire floor as a Division (Floor 6 Division)(Floor 6 Division)

Companies on fire floor will use their unit Companies on fire floor will use their unit identifiersidentifiers

3. Initial Attack (cont.)3. Initial Attack (cont.)

With multiple standpipes, fire floor With multiple standpipes, fire floor Division Supervisor advises IC where Division Supervisor advises IC where water is needed. IC will confirm water is needed. IC will confirm water is being pumped to the water is being pumped to the appropriate riser.appropriate riser.

Initial attack companies will ascend Initial attack companies will ascend stairs with SCBA’s, hose packs, and stairs with SCBA’s, hose packs, and basic forcible entry tools.basic forcible entry tools.

4. Water Supply4. Water Supply

Second arriving engine company Second arriving engine company supplies water to standpipe system.supplies water to standpipe system.

Use additional engine companies if Use additional engine companies if multiple standpipes are needed.multiple standpipes are needed.

Once water supply is established, Once water supply is established, Officer and FF can assist with fire Officer and FF can assist with fire attack or IRIC.attack or IRIC.

IRIC will be located between Staging IRIC will be located between Staging and the fire floor.and the fire floor.

5. Lobby Control5. Lobby Control

Lobby Control established by third Lobby Control established by third arriving engine company.arriving engine company.

Lobby Control accounts for:Lobby Control accounts for:• All personnel and their assignmentsAll personnel and their assignments• Elevator UseElevator Use• Stairwell AccessStairwell Access• Lobby SecurityLobby Security• Air Handling SystemsAir Handling Systems• Smoke Exhaust Systems Smoke Exhaust Systems

6. Staging6. Staging

Staging established by fourth arriving Staging established by fourth arriving engine company.engine company.

Located two floors below fire floor with Located two floors below fire floor with convenient access to fire operations.convenient access to fire operations.

Resource area for equipment and Resource area for equipment and personnel to support fire attack.personnel to support fire attack.

All spare equipment, SCBA’s, hose, etc. All spare equipment, SCBA’s, hose, etc. located in staging.located in staging.

Firefighter Rehab located in Staging Firefighter Rehab located in Staging

7. Base7. Base

Base established by fifth arriving engine Base established by fifth arriving engine company.company.

Located at least 200’ from building in open Located at least 200’ from building in open area suitable for the movement and area suitable for the movement and storage of apparatus and equipment.storage of apparatus and equipment.

Base location is identified by using a Base location is identified by using a geographic identifier. Usually same as geographic identifier. Usually same as Incident Identifier (“Embassy Suites Base”) Incident Identifier (“Embassy Suites Base”)

8. Command Priorities8. Command Priorities Once operations have started, the IC should focus Once operations have started, the IC should focus

on:on:• Providing a continuous water supplyProviding a continuous water supply• Sufficient engines to pump standpipesSufficient engines to pump standpipes• Providing for IRIC and RIC Providing for IRIC and RIC • Assigning a crew to check above fire floor and obtaining Assigning a crew to check above fire floor and obtaining

an accurate report of conditions above fire flooran accurate report of conditions above fire floor• Calling for additional resources as neededCalling for additional resources as needed• Five additional engine companies and two Chief Officers Five additional engine companies and two Chief Officers

are needed for a confirmed fire inside the buildingare needed for a confirmed fire inside the building• Additional ten engines and three Chief Officers for any Additional ten engines and three Chief Officers for any

working fireworking fire

8. Command Priorities (cont.)8. Command Priorities (cont.)

• Establishing an additional support Establishing an additional support system that includes:system that includes:

StagingStaging RehabRehab Increased Lobby ControlIncreased Lobby Control Stairwell SupportStairwell Support BaseBase Expansion of the Incident Command SystemExpansion of the Incident Command System

8. Command Priorities (cont.)8. Command Priorities (cont.)

• Establishing ventilation groupsEstablishing ventilation groups Provide positive pressure ventilation to the Provide positive pressure ventilation to the

attack stairwell as soon as possibleattack stairwell as soon as possible Additional stairwells may also require Additional stairwells may also require

positive pressure ventilationpositive pressure ventilation

ENGINE COMPANY ENGINE COMPANY OPERATIONSOPERATIONS

1. First Arriving Company – Fire Attack1. First Arriving Company – Fire Attack

Strip the following equipment from the Strip the following equipment from the apparatus:apparatus:• Breathing ApparatusBreathing Apparatus• Forcible Entry ToolsForcible Entry Tools• High-Rise Hose Packs & (2) gated wyeHigh-Rise Hose Packs & (2) gated wye• Portable RadiosPortable Radios• Tools for Propping Open DoorsTools for Propping Open Doors• Thermal Imaging CameraThermal Imaging Camera• Cell PhoneCell Phone• Ceiling PullerCeiling Puller• Key for Knox BoxKey for Knox Box

1. First Arriving Company- Fire Attack (cont.)1. First Arriving Company- Fire Attack (cont.)

Make entry and proceed to fire control Make entry and proceed to fire control roomroom

Obtain information on nature of Obtain information on nature of emergencyemergency

Prior to leaving Lobby, ensure the Prior to leaving Lobby, ensure the following has occurred:following has occurred:• Determine what is on the panelDetermine what is on the panel• Obtained appropriate keysObtained appropriate keys• All elevators are down and locked All elevators are down and locked • HVAC system is shut offHVAC system is shut off• Fire phone is obtainedFire phone is obtained• Provided an initial report of conditionsProvided an initial report of conditions

1. First Arriving Company – Fire Attack (cont.)1. First Arriving Company – Fire Attack (cont.)

If fire is confirmed, pass command and If fire is confirmed, pass command and begin fire and rescue operationsbegin fire and rescue operations

Proceed to fire floor via a safe routeProceed to fire floor via a safe route Provide report of conditions on each floor Provide report of conditions on each floor

during ascentduring ascent* * Do not use elevator for investigating Do not use elevator for investigating a a firefire

Establish Staging two floors below fire Establish Staging two floors below fire floor if suitablefloor if suitable

1. First Arriving Company – Fire Attack (cont.)1. First Arriving Company – Fire Attack (cont.)

Locate fire, check for vertical extension, Locate fire, check for vertical extension, initiate fire attack & rescue and give the initiate fire attack & rescue and give the following size-up:following size-up:• What is burningWhat is burning• Are occupants endangeredAre occupants endangered• Immediate resource needsImmediate resource needs• Floor conditionsFloor conditions• Best route for resources to stagingBest route for resources to staging• Condition of floor above fire floorCondition of floor above fire floor

2. Second Arriving Engine Company – Water 2. Second Arriving Engine Company – Water Supply / Fire Attack SupportSupply / Fire Attack Support

Establish a continuous water supplyEstablish a continuous water supply Complete water supply hook-up to Complete water supply hook-up to

appropriate standpipe(s)appropriate standpipe(s) Officer and FF establish IRIC two Officer and FF establish IRIC two

floors below fire floor if not needed to floors below fire floor if not needed to support water supply operationsupport water supply operation


Strip the apparatus of the following Strip the apparatus of the following equipment:equipment:• Breathing apparatusBreathing apparatus• Forcible entry toolsForcible entry tools• High-rise hose packs (2) and gated wyeHigh-rise hose packs (2) and gated wye• Portable RadiosPortable Radios• Tools for propping open doorsTools for propping open doors• Cell phoneCell phone• RIC Bag if establishing IRICRIC Bag if establishing IRIC


If assigned, proceed via a safe route If assigned, proceed via a safe route to fire floor to assist with fire to fire floor to assist with fire suppression and rescue operationssuppression and rescue operations

3. Third Arriving Engine Company – Lobby Control3. Third Arriving Engine Company – Lobby Control

Strip the following equipment from Strip the following equipment from the apparatus:the apparatus:• Breathing apparatusBreathing apparatus• High-rise hose packs (2) and gated wyeHigh-rise hose packs (2) and gated wye• Portable radiosPortable radios• Extra air bottlesExtra air bottles• Key for the Knox BoxKey for the Knox Box

3. Third Arriving Engine Company – Lobby 3. Third Arriving Engine Company – Lobby Control (cont.)Control (cont.)

Proceed to lobby area or designated Proceed to lobby area or designated point of entrypoint of entry

Obtain fire alarm information from Obtain fire alarm information from panel or fire control roompanel or fire control room

Obtain elevator / stairwell keysObtain elevator / stairwell keys Establish check-in / check-out Establish check-in / check-out

procedureprocedure Take control of elevatorsTake control of elevators


Call all elevators to lobby and lock them Call all elevators to lobby and lock them outout

Do not allow elevator use unless approved Do not allow elevator use unless approved by Operations or ICby Operations or IC

If personnel use the elevators, they will If personnel use the elevators, they will have the following:have the following:• Breathing apparatusBreathing apparatus• Portable fire extinguisherPortable fire extinguisher• Portable radioPortable radio• Forcible entry toolsForcible entry tools• Elevator control keyElevator control key


Manage stairwell accessManage stairwell access• Locate ground floor stairwell openingsLocate ground floor stairwell openings• Verify from Fire Attack the safest stairwell for Verify from Fire Attack the safest stairwell for

use to Staginguse to Staging• Control entry and exit of stairwell Control entry and exit of stairwell • Provide the following information for persons Provide the following information for persons

using the stairwell:using the stairwell: Reported location of fireReported location of fire Status of elevatorsStatus of elevators Specific route to staging including stairwellSpecific route to staging including stairwell Additional important informationAdditional important information


Control HVAC and smoke exhaust Control HVAC and smoke exhaust systemssystems

Shut down HVAC systemShut down HVAC system Make sure smoke exhaust system is Make sure smoke exhaust system is

operatingoperating Make contact with the Building Make contact with the Building

Manager / EngineerManager / Engineer

4. Fourth Arriving Engine Company - Staging4. Fourth Arriving Engine Company - Staging

Strip the following equipment from Strip the following equipment from the apparatusthe apparatus• Breathing apparatusBreathing apparatus• Forcible entry toolsForcible entry tools• Portable RadiosPortable Radios• Extra air bottlesExtra air bottles• Medical Aid KitMedical Aid Kit

4. Fourth Arriving Engine Company – Staging 4. Fourth Arriving Engine Company – Staging (cont.)(cont.)

Obtain “Staging” high-rise kit provided by Obtain “Staging” high-rise kit provided by requesting agencyrequesting agency

Determine location of Staging from Determine location of Staging from Operations or IC. Operations or IC.

Two floors below fire floor if possibleTwo floors below fire floor if possible In large room or area next to stairwellIn large room or area next to stairwell Obtain from Operations or IC the amount Obtain from Operations or IC the amount

of resources to remain in Stagingof resources to remain in Staging Use elevators only if approved by Use elevators only if approved by

Operations or the ICOperations or the IC


Divide Staging area and identify the Divide Staging area and identify the following areas:following areas:• Reserve personnelReserve personnel• RehabilitationRehabilitation• Reserve equipmentReserve equipment• Full air bottlesFull air bottles• Empty air bottlesEmpty air bottles


Maintain record of companies and Maintain record of companies and equipment in Stagingequipment in Staging

Check-in procedures for Staging Check-in procedures for Staging include:include:• Check-in timeCheck-in time• Company number and agencyCompany number and agency• Officer in ChargeOfficer in Charge• Number of company membersNumber of company members• Equipment brought to StagingEquipment brought to Staging


Check-out procedures for companies Check-out procedures for companies assigned or released include:assigned or released include:• Check-out timeCheck-out time• Company number and agencyCompany number and agency• Officer in chargeOfficer in charge• Number of company membersNumber of company members• Division or group assignment / or Division or group assignment / or

releaserelease• Equipment taken out of StagingEquipment taken out of Staging

5. Fifth Arriving Engine Company - Base5. Fifth Arriving Engine Company - Base

Contact IC to verify location of BaseContact IC to verify location of Base Use geographic identifierUse geographic identifier At least 200’ from buildingAt least 200’ from building Not to interfere with Command Post Not to interfere with Command Post

operationsoperations Report location to County CommunicationsReport location to County Communications Establish a security perimeter around BaseEstablish a security perimeter around Base Coordinate with law enforcement agencies Coordinate with law enforcement agencies

to secure Base and establish an to secure Base and establish an unrestricted path to Lobby or point of unrestricted path to Lobby or point of entryentry

5. Fifth Arriving Engine Company – Base (cont.)5. Fifth Arriving Engine Company – Base (cont.)

Establish a check-in / check-out Establish a check-in / check-out procedure for arriving resourcesprocedure for arriving resources• Base arrival timeBase arrival time• Company number and agencyCompany number and agency• Officer in chargeOfficer in charge• Number of company membersNumber of company members• Type of equipmentType of equipment• Assignment given when leaving BaseAssignment given when leaving Base

5. Fifth Arriving Engine Company – Base (cont.)5. Fifth Arriving Engine Company – Base (cont.)

Park apparatus in an orderly fashionPark apparatus in an orderly fashion Advise IC of resources in BaseAdvise IC of resources in Base Coordinate smooth flow of personnel and Coordinate smooth flow of personnel and

equipment from Base to Lobby or point of entryequipment from Base to Lobby or point of entry Establish an equipment pool and locate in a Establish an equipment pool and locate in a

secure areasecure area Consider a traffic flow that will facilitate unloading Consider a traffic flow that will facilitate unloading

of equipment and transportation to Lobbyof equipment and transportation to Lobby Obtain Base high-rise kit from requesting agencyObtain Base high-rise kit from requesting agency

Command PositionsCommand Positions

1. Incident Commander1. Incident Commander

Responsible for management of all Responsible for management of all incident operationsincident operations

Plans and directs the overall strategy Plans and directs the overall strategy of the incidentof the incident

Establishes the organizational Establishes the organizational objectives necessary to manage the objectives necessary to manage the incidentincident

2. Operations Chief2. Operations Chief

Manages all suppression and rescue Manages all suppression and rescue activitiesactivities

Consults with IC on overall strategy and Consults with IC on overall strategy and tactical objectivestactical objectives

Assigns and supervises Fire Attack, Assigns and supervises Fire Attack, Staging, and Division & Group SupervisorsStaging, and Division & Group Supervisors

Normally operates from a location above Normally operates from a location above ground near the fire suppression activitiesground near the fire suppression activities

3. Plans Chief3. Plans Chief

Assists the IC in planning the overall Assists the IC in planning the overall strategy for containment of the strategy for containment of the incidentincident

Supervises and coordinates the Supervises and coordinates the activities of Situation Status and activities of Situation Status and Resource StatusResource Status

4. Logistics Chief4. Logistics Chief

Supervises and coordinates the Supervises and coordinates the activities of Lobby, Base, Stairwell activities of Lobby, Base, Stairwell Support, Water Supply, Support, Water Supply, Communications, and Medical UnitCommunications, and Medical Unit

Location of Logistics Section Chief Location of Logistics Section Chief will be determined by the needs of will be determined by the needs of the incidentthe incident

5. Safety Officer5. Safety Officer

Identifies and mitigates hazardous Identifies and mitigates hazardous situationssituations

Informs the IC in matters affecting Informs the IC in matters affecting personnel safetypersonnel safety

Investigates accidents that occur Investigates accidents that occur during the incidentduring the incident

6. Information Officer6. Information Officer

Provides liaison between the media Provides liaison between the media and the Incident Commanderand the Incident Commander

Consults with the Command Staff Consults with the Command Staff regarding any constraints on the regarding any constraints on the release of information and prepares release of information and prepares media information releasesmedia information releases

High Rise Firefighting GuidelinesHigh Rise Firefighting Guidelines

Monterey County Fire Monterey County Fire Operations Manual – High Rise Operations Manual – High Rise Firefighting GuidelinesFirefighting Guidelines

Power Point Presentation Power Point Presentation created November 27, 2009created November 27, 2009

Prepared by Dan Gearhart, Prepared by Dan Gearhart, Division ChiefDivision Chief

Documents

Monterey County Fire Operations Manual HIGH-RISE FIREFIGHTING GUIDELINES