STATE OF SAN ANDREAS FIRE DEPARTMENT SIMPLIFIED FIREFIGHTER CURRICULUM |  |
Table of Contents
- Chapter I: Introduction & Radio Communication
- Chapter II: Personal Protective Equipment
- Chapter III: Engine Company Operations
- Chapter IV: Motor Vehicle Accidents
- Chapter V: Search and Rescue
Introduction
Every branch of the department of ours must serve the citizens with the highest level of competency and capability. We must offer them the best service and great firefighting knowledge for the most sufficient approach. I believe this guide, just like BLS one, will be helpful for our members and Volunteers to be maximally efficient on the field.
((( If anything is unclear, contact me and I'll explain to you anytime. You don't need to know EVERYTHING instantly, just learn it through practice, read it once or twice a week and use it in the roleplay. Hopefully this will slowly higher the standards of ours. )))
Radio Communication
TEN CODES
10-3 - Stop Transmitting[/highlight] (Command Staff Only)
10-4 - Understood.
10-7 - Out of service, unavailable for emergency calls.
10-8 - In service, available for emergency calls.
10-19 - Go to your station / Returning to the station.
10-20 - Report your location / My location is ______
10-22 - Disregard last assignment.
10-45 - What is the condition of the patient?
10-45A - Condition of the patient is good.
10-45B - Condition of the patient is serious.
10-45C - Condition of the patient is critical.
10-45D - Patient is deceased.
10-53 - Officer down.
10-55 - Coroner's case.
10-66 - Suspicious person, requiring assistance.
10-76 - Enroute to ______
10-84 - Estimated time of arrival (ETA).
10-97 - Arrived on scene.
C CODES
Code 1 - Acknowledge Call/Respond Over Radio.
Code 2 - Routine Call, No Lights or Siren.
Code 3 - Emergency Call, Lights and Siren.
Code 4 - No Further Assistance Needed.
Code 7 - Meal Break.
Code 8 - Fire Alarm.
Code 12 - False Alarm.
Code 14 - Resuming regular patrol, available for callouts.
Code 30 - Officer in danger, requires immediate assistance.
CALLSIGNS
Fire Truck: ENGINE
Ladder Truck: LADDER
Rancher: ROVER
Ambulance (EMS): FRU
Ambulance (FSR): BLS
Bike: BIRD
Helicopter: HAWK
Bus: MISU
Supervisory Officer: SENTINEL
Commanding Officer: OSCAR
Personal Protective Equipment
Each piece of your Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) or as we'll refer to it as "turnout gear" is crucial to providing both fire suppression and rescue services. The entire ensemble is designed to protect you from direct contact with flames, steam, smoke, and/or sharp edges. This equipment is provided to you for your personal protection and should never be neglected.
TURNOUT BOOTS & PANTS
When your gear is issued to you, you will need to place your boots inside of your pants. Once you step into your boots, pull your turnout pants up to your waist by the waist on the pants. At this point, you will clip the pants as well as press on the velcro at the groin, and then pull your suspenders over your shoulders. Your equipment is measured to you, ensuring a proper fit every time you put it on.
NOMEX HOOD
Your hood should go on second to ensure it's secured underneath your turnout jacket. The hood slides over your head and sits on your head once it's placed on properly. The hood is made of a material known as Nomex; a heat-resistant material that is perfect for firefighters as there's enough excess to cover your neck and ears.
TURNOUT JACKET
Your Turnout Jacket should be placed over your torso and worn as you would any other jacket or coat. Once it's on your body you'll then clip the four clips and press down on the velcro. This will protect your torso and arms from burns or cuts.
SELF CONTAINED BREATHING APPARATUS (SCBA)
Your SCBA is an extremely important piece of equipment for you to use. The SCBA consists of the harness and cylinder. The harness has all of the necessary equipment for reducing the pressure in the cylinder to come out of your regulator at a SIGNIFICANTLY reduced pressure, but more importantly your integrated PASS device. The PASS device is a pneumatic based piece of equipment that turns on once the harness assembly has air in the system and continues to operate until the assembly is drained of air, or the batteries die. Your PASS can be set off in two manners:
- Passively - Should you stop moving for more than 30 seconds your PASS device will go through two stages before reaching its third and final stage known as "FULL ALARM." To disable this alarm, you'll need to deactivate it via the command console.
- Manually - Should you need to manually activate your PASS device you can do so on the command console via the RED button. To disable this alarm, you'll need to deactivate it via the command console.
HELMET
Your helmet is worn on your head, on top of your hood. The purpose of this piece of equipment is to protect you from falling debris as well as hot water. Our department issues firefighters with a composite traditional firefighting helmet of either the EV1 or Ben 2 Lowrider, whichever you prefer.
GLOVES
The last piece of equipment to go on will be your gloves. Your gloves are designed to protect you from steam/heat burns as well as smoldering materials that may be touched during fire attack or overhaul operations. Your gloves limit your dexterity significantly hence why they are to go on last.
Engine Company Operations
Your role as an engine company is dependent primarily on in what order you arrive on the scene. Any firefighter on the scene can put water on the fire, but being able to do it methodically, properly, and efficiently is what separates a firefighter from a good firefighter. Engine companies by definition as the companies responsible for carrying the hose and water to the scene. These crews are trained and disciplined in stretching hose lines, interior firefighting, nozzle discipline, and extinguishment.
As the 1st engine company on the scene of a fire, you're responsible for putting the "first line" in place to begin extinguishment. Forcible entry if necessary can be achieved by the engine company as it will facilitate the job of the engine company; extinguishment. The most consistent and important thing to happen at any fire scene regardless of if it's down the street, across the river, or the 100th of your career - A hose line is always placed in operation for the purpose of extinguishing the fire. No other hose lines should be put in operation until the first hose line is placed in service and operational.
As the 2nd engine company on the scene of a fire, you're responsible for establishing a water supply to the 1st engine company. Whether it be a forward lay, or reverse lay unless the driver of the 1st engine company says he has water supply covered you will be responsible for making that connection from the hydrant to the 1st engine company's intake.
METHODS OF FIRE ATTACK
There are three methods of fire attack which will all be explained below in as much detail as possible. In order to understand these methods of fire attack and why they're used, you must understand the "fire triangle". The fire triangle consists of three parts:
If you can take away one side of this triangle, you will extinguish a fire. Whether it's cooling the fire, using foam to eliminate oxygen, or removing/cutting off the fuel source.
There are three types of attacks:
- Direct Method (Offensive Attack): This method of fire attack involves direct application of water on the burning fuel to cool it below its ignition temperature. Most commonly in order to achieve this method of attack will result in going inside of the structure as you will rarely be able to do so from the exterior. The direct method of fire attack should only be completed via a solid stream (smoothbore) or straight stream (fog nozzle);
- Indirect Method (Defensive Attack): Your indirect method of fire attack will take priority when your scene is not safe enough and/or structure unstable enough to safely and efficiently perform a direct method of fire attack. In order for this method to be the preferred one, the fire must be very well developed since fires in the early stages are best suppressed using the direct method of fire attack. Deck
- Gun/Elevated Master Stream operations are encouraged during this method of fire attack; and
Combination Method (Transitional Attack): In a fire that is reaching majority and/or full development it may be best to "reset" the fire by starting off a Defensive Attack and once enough fire has been knocked down 'sweeping up' the remains via a direct method of attack. This method of fire attack is encouraged when there's a heavy amount of fire, yet the structure is still stable enough to enter despite fire load.
Your hose line is your lifeline inside of a burning structure, without adequate water to put out a fire you'll never be able to put out a fire. In order to ensure that you have enough water to extinguish a fire, you'll need to secure an adequate water source to supplement your water usage. Water supplies occur in two forms:
- Static (hydrants, etc.); and
- Variable (dump tanks, etc.).
A dump tank operation involves tankers dumping their water into these portable "pools/tanks" and an engine company drafting water out of these pools and pumping it either to another apparatus or to hose lines. The other option is to discharge your water from your tank directly to another apparatus.
Motor Vehicle Accidents
Motor vehicle accidents are the most common accidents around the state of San Andreas and most of them are quickly solved due to the nonexistence of victims but the Fire Department members must be prepared and ready to act in case of a more serious situation that can harm the human's life.
To make it easily remembered and to create a stable and efficient way of acting we've decided to "breakdown" the situations in multiple steps that apply to every occurrence to make sure the applied techniques are safe and useful for the accidents.
Step 1 - Evaluation/Reconnaissance
Step 2 - Place and Vehicle Stabilization
Step 3 - Access to the victim
Step 4 - Creation of an extraction route
Step 5 - EMS Treatment
Step 6 - De-briefing and Training
Step 1 - Evaluation/Reconnaissance:
The recon begins when we receive the 911 call which may tell us the number of vehicles involved in the accident, number of victims, the location among other useful details. After choosing the appropriate vehicles and members to dispatch the team leader(TL) must proceed to split tasks between the firefighters so they all know their role at the scene.
After the arrival of the FD to the accident, the information given by the 911 call must be verified and the TL should re-think the course of action and the necessity for more vehicles, manpower or other department's intervention.
Step 2 - Place and Vehicle Stabilization:
To maintain the victims and the team safe it is mandatory that every movable object or victims get stabilized by the team to prevent more harm. The victims' vehicles should be stable so the firefighters and EMTs can move around without giving the chance for it to move, change position or even fall on extreme situations. The same principle should be applied to objects that are broken or in the risk of falling/crashing on the work area creating another accident and victims. Wooden blocks, steps, ropes, among other tools can be found on the firetruck's compartments to help these tasks.
Step 3 - Access to the victim:
The priority in these scenarios must always be the victim and the team's safety that's why quick access to the victim must be created so the EMS team can work meanwhile the FD members start applying the room-creation techniques to remove the victim properly and safely. Bashing the glass that's further away from the victim is a good solution as long as it has enough room for the EMT to slide in and get next to the victim to start giving out the possible medical care under such circumstances. It is important that the paramedic tests out the door's locks pull the handbrake, turn off the ignition and attempt to open the hood for the colleagues outside to be able to reach the battery cables and cut those to prevent any airbag activation.
The resulting victims of these accidents can be distinguished by the following types:
Type 0 - Mechanical - Victim is stuck inside the vehicle due to damages resulted from the crash, the victim's health isn't harmed.
Type 1 - Physical I - Victim can't leave the vehicle due to its injuries.
Type 2 - Physical II - Victim has some vehicle part in-contact with its body(i.e steering wheel against the chest, some car part perforating the victim).
Step 4 and 5 - Creation of an extraction route / EMS Treatment:
With the Emergency Medical Technician inside the vehicle and assisting the victim, the firefighters have now a time-span to start applying techniques to remove the victim from the small place it's trapped too. There are hundreds of techniques but the most frequent and advisable to use are:
Door burst(hinges/lock)
Door removal
Trunk removal
Roof removal
After the victim is free and ready to be pulled outside it should be settled in the backboard without any sudden movements and always guaranteeing the alignment between the forehead, belly-button, and knees - with this we assure that the neck, back, and legs are aligned. With the help of all the elements, the backboard should be pulled out and rested on the ambulance stretcher (or helicopter depending on the location) for the victim's transport to the hospital to begin.
Step 6 - De-briefing and Training:
From the lowest to the highest rank every member should share his input and view from all the maneuvers performed to signal out mistakes and attempt to bring a solution to them. These comments must be logged to re-create the scene in future training to avoid the same mistakes and probably apply new techniques or courses of action to similar situations.
Search and Rescue
Throughout a firefighter's career, there will be thousands of calls to structural fires - the most dangerous of all missions that are known to firefighting. The main focus of the firefighter is it's own, his colleagues' and, victims' safety. The Search and Rescue(S&R) is probably the most important module to be taught to any rookie and can only be perfected by gathering practice to it. There are multiple techniques and ways to make the mission easier and to retrieve the victims faster but there are enormous factors that can change our mind in a split second starting from collapsing building parts, new fire sources or even explosions.
When the team arrives at the scene the highest rank must take the responsibility of evaluating the scenario and making its mind considering the risks that can and cannot be taken(refer to leadership manuals).
Entering and Searching
After the strategy is set and a search and rescue mission is ordered the firefighters should equip their SCBA equipment and masks to be prepared to enter the hostile environment that consists of a mix of smoke, flames, toxic substances, etc. Before entering the building the team must be cautious with the approach to the entrance, this should be done by crouching down and opening the door slowly to avoid the intake of oxygen from the outside that might fuel the fire to escalate to higher proportions, after the team is inside the door must be shut. Upon entering it's important to decide which way to start the search, this decision needs to be taken quickly judging by the fire spreading: always start with the side with more flames because if there are any alive victims their time is ticking away quickly due to the hot and toxic atmosphere that is felt. The search is a sensible task but it must be performed as quickly as possible in order to reach the most rooms possible and to rescue any victims that are found along the way, always have in mind that the firefighter should always be in contact with an immovable object, when possible, to prevent any orientation loss.
The team must remain compact and always in communication to make sure every single angle is covered and searched, every furniture must be checked below because it's an usual "safe place" for children making them rush there in case of danger - searching closets, areas under the windows and beds is mandatory. After a room has been cleared the door should be marked by some kind of rope, mark, etc that may prevent any future teams from re-checking it resulting in a crucial time spending that might have been used to cover un-checked areas. After the whole building is checked and the team is sure no member or victim is left behind they should head outside to start fighting the flames. At this time any person left inside will eventually "boil" due to the high temperature and addition of water making it impossible to resist, the water will also make the temperature to lower and, because of that, the smoke will lower making it even more impossible to have any sort of field-of-view inside the building.
Rescue
At any point, a victim may be found and it's crucial that it is removed from that area as quickly as possible but there are always risk factors that should be taken into account before deciding what's the most appropriate method to choose from:
Is there any door leading outside near?
Is there any window nearby?
Is the way back the fastest and safest?
Removing a victim must be done quickly since there's no time for any kind of first-aid, immobilization to prevent spine damage, so the focus here should be the fastest way out using the less human resources possible to make sure you won't jeopardize the search mission. Please bear in mind that you should never leave a team-member inside by himself. If it's a team of two then the two firefighters should extract the victim and go back in as soon as possible to the place where the victim was found and continue the search ahead.
Fire Sources
During the search it is most likely you'll find dozens of fire sources but it's important to keep them lighted to have some visibility inside the building that is being searched. If the flames are close to any explosive/toxic material or victim you must put them out, keep in mind that a sofa on fire will take around 20 liters of water to put out so don't go ahead wasting three extinguishers in it that you might need for an electrical fire source later on.
Fire extinguishers should be used on appliances and electrical fires but with caution because the powder inside these extinguishers will most likely ruin whatever it sets on due to its chemicals.
After all, victims are rescued and extracted it must be decided whether the fight will be dealt with from the inside or outside of the building, both can be done at the same time as long as the water doesn't interfere with the mission taking place.
Venting
Considering the wind at scene the Fire Department must create venting possibilities to remove the smoke from the interior of a building - opening some windows, cutting a hole in the roof, using a ventilator among other methods that must be quickly decided to make the fire easier to fight and to grant a better visibility inside aiding the whole Search and Rescue mission.
Everything written here is a mix of Morais's and Gregory's Curriculum.
