Kent County Chiefs Association

Standard Operating Guidelines &

Standard Operating Procedures

Subject: Incident Command

SOG # 1-15

Approved

July 2020

Approved by: President Dan Menchy

Revised

I. POLICY:

The Kent County Chiefs Association adopted NIMS and ICS Procedures and this Policy and Guideline will standardize the key components and terminology required during all hazard multi-unit responses.

II. PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE:

To establish a standardized guideline for departments within Kent County to conduct command functions and components in compliance with NIMS. All Kent County Fire Company’s or Departments will follow this policy and guideline for all hazard incidents involving a Structure Response or any incident the Commander deems necessary. Definitions of terms utilized in this Policy/Guideline are included in Attachment F. There are 4 attachments included – A: ICS Command Checklist; B: Building Layout designations; C: Dispatch Incident Check List; D: Sample Commander Progress Report; E – Regional Cover Up Policy: F – Definitions

III. GUIDELINE:

1. Command Assignment – RE: Attachment A

1.1. The first fire company or department member or unit to arrive at the scene not involved

in task duties shall assume Command of the incident.

1.2. Command shall be designated by utilizing the District Company name (Millington

Command) or Company or Department Number (Command 3) or utilize the common

Place name (Kent Plaza Command), or the geographic location of the incident (Rock

Hall Ave. Command).

1.3. The initial Incident Commander shall remain in Command until Command is transferred

via radio announcement, or the incident is stabilized and terminated. A checklist is

provided in Attachment A.

1.4. An initial risk assessment will be performed and assessed to determine the mode of

operations – OFFENSIVE, DEFENSIVE, INVESTIGATING.

1.5. All unit officers’ will utilize their unit officer designation (Engine 4 Officer) until

designated as a branch/functional group/division position via Command. If a Chief

Officer has a designation (IE – Deputy Chief 5), they will utilize the unit officer

designation if they are riding the officer seat of that apparatus.

1.6. All incoming units will be assigned based on pre-arrival assignments and/ or by the IC,

and will report to the respective Division/Group Officer and maintain accountability

through that Command structure. IC will announce via radio the assignment of specific

functions, IE – “Assistant Chief 6 is assigned as Division 1”.

1.7. The initial unit arriving may need to pass command in order to achieve task duties. The

second arriving engine officer shall take Command until the arrival of a Command

Officer, or if no Command Officer is available.

1.8. The transfer of command shall normally take place after a face/face conversation, and the

officer being relieved should relay the following: Incident Conditions; Incident Action

Plan; Progress; Safety Items; Resources assigned; Needs for additional resources. The

Officer assuming Command shall announce via radio to Fireboard the transfer of

command upon completion of the briefing.

1.9. Termination of Command – Command shall be in effect until the release of all units.

Command may be relinquished to subordinates with the appropriate transfer procedures

as the situation is scaled down.

2. Initial Size Up/On Scene Reports

2.1. Initial unit will provide a size up and on scene report consisting of the address; the

number of floors; the type of structure; conditions upon arrival; initial actions and mode

of operation, if different. Example – Engine 7-2 on scene 123 Main Street, a 2 story

single family dwelling with smoke showing from Alpha side first story windows. Laying

out from hydrant at Main and Maple for an Offensive attack.

2.2. The Alpha Side of the structure shall be designated by a radio announcement if the

structure layout dictates, for example, if the Alpha Side is not the address side of the

structure or is a business/multi-family residential structure. Guides are provided in

Attachment B.

2.3. Command shall ensure that a Side Charlie Report, or a 360-degree report is completed.

This report shall include the visible fire/smoke conditions, the number of floors, the

appearance or absence of a basement, and the location of the basement access, if present.

2.4. The CAN Designation will be utilized to encompass the Division progress reports.

Conditions, Actions, Needs, – Describes the current conditions being presented, the

actions that the crew/unit/division is undertaking, and the resources or requests to the

Incident Commander for additional support.

3. Structure Designation/Exposures/Floor ID/Building Labeling – RE: Attachment B

3.1. Sides of the structure will begin with the address side being Alpha) unless designated per

Command or preplanning due to complex layout or a rail car, and work in a clockwise

direction with Bravo, the left side of the building when facing Side Alpha; Charlie, the

opposite side of Side Alpha, or rear of the building; and Delta, the right side of the

building when facing Side Alpha.

3.2. Divisions shall be designated by geographical areas per below and Attachment B.

3.3. Identification of attached exposures will utilize the designations of B1, B2, B3, B4; D1,

D2, D3, D4, etc. per the diagram in Attachment B. Identification of detached exposures

will also utilize B1, B2, etc. and Command shall announce whether exposures are

attached or not attached.

3.4. Floor Identification will follow the standard format of the Grade Level floor of the Alpha

side being designated as Division 1, with the additional stories following sequential

designation as Division 2, 3, etc. and Attic, then Roof; Floors below grade will be

deemed as Basement, Subbasement 1, Subbasement 2, etc.; or as deemed by the Incident

Commander if there is a complex flooring layout provided by the Side Charlie report

or per pre-planning.

3.5. Groups shall be designated for functional assignments, IE – Ventilation, Search and

rescue, Extrication, EMS, Rehab, Hazmat, De-con, Triage, Treatment, Transport, etc.

3.6. Split Level designation – Homes that are split level, for example, those that have a garage

and living space at ground level, this level will be referred to as Division 1; and

bedrooms on 2^nd story will be Division 2; and dining/kitchen and living areas on the Split

Level, or between the two floors, will be referred to as the Split-Level Division. See

Attachment B.

4. Communications

4.1. All communications by responding company’s or departments/agencies are to be

channeled through Command unless otherwise designated by Command

4.2. The report of smoke and/or fire showing by an on-scene fire, ems, or police unit, consider

the Working Fire Dispatch or Additional Alarms or Task Force or Strike Teams.

4.3. Working Fire Dispatch or Additional Alarms or Task Force or Strike Teams

• Working Fire Dispatch – 2 Engine, 1 Tanker (non-hydrant area), 1 Rescue (with cascade system), 1 Ambulance and 1 County Paramedic

• Each Alarm will consist of 4 Engines, 3 Tankers (non-hydrant area), 2 Trucks, 1 Rescue, 1 Ambulance and 1 County Paramedic (if available)

• Ambulance Strike Team – 5 Ambulances

• Brush Strike Team – 5 Brush Trucks

• Brush Task Force – 3 Brush Trucks, 1 Engine, 1 Tanker

• Engine Strike Team – 5 Engines

• Tanker Strike Team – 5 Tankers

• Tanker Task Force – 4 Tankers and 1 Engine

• RIT Task Force – 1 Engine, 1 Rescue, 1 Ambulance

4.4. The terms that will be utilized to designate structure types are as follows: Single Family

Dwelling – single and separate residential dwelling; For Multi-Family Dwellings – Use

the following: Townhouse, Row house, Apartment Building with enclosed or open

stairway, and attached/unattached exposures. Do not utilize the term “Garden Style

Apartments” as this term has multiple meanings to describe the layout of the buildings

and the layout of the 1^st Floor Apartments.

4.5. Fire Marshall, and Utilities are not automatic by dispatch; therefore, those requests have

to be communicated to Kent with the specific agency name and priority level. Also See

4.8 for 10-minute mark prompt.

4.6. Staging units that are not immediately needed at the incident or add 1 Staging is one

block away or the closest hydrant, and Level 2 Staging is a pre-designated parking area or

a large parking area for multiple resources that is typically not in the line of sight of the

incident. The first unit Officer in Staging shall assume Staging Area Manager. “Engine

2 Officer to Command, I am assuming Staging”

4.7. Incident Commander Progress reports: At the 10-minute mark an Operational mode

assessment will be provided via radio announcement. At the 20-minute interval there will

be a progress report and accountability check, as same at 40- and 60-minute mark. See

Attachment D - Sample progress report attachment.

4.8. Using the Dispatch Incident Check List, see Attachment C, at 8 to 10 minutes into the

emergency, Kent shall contact 1^st Due District apparatus responding or the Incident

Commander they are __ minutes into your alarm, advise them what is responding, if the

box is complete or what apparatus has not made the responded and what their staffing is.

At 10 minutes from first unit arrival, Kent shall contact the Incident Commander and

advise them they are __ minutes into your alarm and state – “Are you ready for a

resource listing (or rundown)?” The Incident Commander may reply with “Standby”.

“Not needed”, or “Go ahead, ready to copy”. When the IC is ready, Kent will then

provide the listing of On Scene Units, followed by Units that are En-route to the incident,

advise the staffing, ask if they need utilities companies (electric, gas, etc.), ask if they

need the State Fire Marshal. At 20 minutes from dispatch, Kent Shall contact the

Incident Commander and ask if they would like regional cover ups (see

Attachment E), ask it the need state or county roads for road closures and ask if they need

MSP or County Sheriff’s Department. At 20 minutes from first unit arrival, Kent shall

contact the Incident Commander and advise them they are 20 minutes for the first unit

arrival and its time for the first 20-minute PAR Check

4.9. Accountability – The definition per our current operating policy is that Level 1 is that the

tags remain with the unit as collected by the Officer of the unit. Level 2 is that the tags

are brought to the Incident Command Post and an Accountability Board is established.

IV. Attachments:

A – Command Checklist (courtesy of Loflin)

B – Building Layout Designations

C – Kent Dispatch Incident Check List

D – Sample Progress Report

E – Regional Cover Up Policy

F - Definitions

Betterton Volunteer Fire Company, Inc.

Chief Daniel Menchey

Chestertown Volunteer Fire Company, Inc.

Chief John Darling

Community Volunteer Fire Company of Millington, Inc.

Chief Richard McIntyre

Galena Volunteer Fire Company, Inc.

Chief Christopher A. Powell

Kennedyville Volunteer Fire Department, Inc.

Chief James L. Price, Jr.

Kent & Queen Anne’s Rescue Squad, Inc.

Chief Allan Schauber

Rock Hall Volunteer Fire Company, Inc.

Chief Troy White

Kent County Emergency Service Board

Chair Charlene Perry

ATTACHMENT A:

INCIDENT COMMANDER’S CHECKLIST

INITIAL SIZE-UP (ANNOUNCE STRATEGY)

∙ Nothing showing/investigating.

∙ Offensive: fire location and attack mode.

–Support sprinkler/standpipe system.

–Pre incident plan.

–Size-up: brief description of situation; declaration of strategy; visual safety concerns.

additional resources needed.

–Announce command by street, building, or landmark on dispatch and tactical channels.

∙ Marginal: based on risk assessment and life hazard.

∙ Defensive: personnel accountability report and safety zone.

∙ FIRST 10 MINUTES

–Description of structure (height, width, floors, construction).

–Mode and what are in operation (hose lines, ventilation, search and rescue).

INITIAL RISK ASSESSMENT

∙ Risk a lot.

∙ Risk a little.

∙ Risk nothing.

COMMAND STRUCTURE

∙ Strategic level: overall direction of the incident.

∙ Tactical level: assign operational objectives.

∙ Task level: specific assignments for companies.

INCIDENT ACTION PLAN (IAP)

∙ Offensive:

–initial rapid intervention crew.

–rapid intervention crew.

INCIDENT ACTION PLAN (IAP) (cont.)

∙ Water Supply: always.

∙ A line/lines above the fire: always.

∙ Check the attic: always (horizontal or vertical extension).

∙ Ventilation.

∙ RIC: at least four to six with an officer, multiple RICS form rescue group.

∙ Primary search, secondary search, fire control.

∙ Communications.

∙ Benchmarks: continuous risk assessment and personnel accountability report at least every 10

minutes.

∙ Consider defensive after 20 minutes, if no progress.

STANDARD GEOGRAPHIC AND FUNCTIONAL DESIGNATIONS

∙ Sides: A (facing command), B, C, D.

∙ Exposures: properties that are threatened.

∙ Divisions: operations in a defined geographical area, such as roof, interior (e.g., Roof

Division, Interior Division, Division B, Division 6).

∙ Groups: organizational level responsible for functional assignments, (e.g., ventilation, search

and rescue, extrication, medical).

SAFETY

∙ Protective clothing and equipment.

∙ Personnel accountability report.

∙ Continuous risk management.

∙ Rapid intervention crews.

INCIDENT ACTION PLAN (IAP) (cont.)

∙ Safety zones.

∙ Rehab.

ELAPSED TIME (MINUTES)

10-minute increments up to 100 and 20-minute increments thereafter. This is a reminder to provide a report every 10 minutes to dispatch and to remember the personnel accountability report. (IE – 10-minute timer)

10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 120 140 160 ...

Reference: MURREY E. LOFLIN has been a member of the fire service since 1979, having served with the Beckley (WV) Fire Department and the Virginia Beach (VA) Fire Department, where he served from 1983 to 2006 as a firefighter/EMT, a health and safety officer, a captain, a company officer, and a battalion chief. Loflin is the director of fire training for West Virginia and the director of the State Fire Academy in Weston, West Virginia

ATTACHMENT C:

KENT DISPTACH INCIDENT CHECK LIST

• 8 to 10 MINUTES INTO THE EMERGENCY

• Advise Command that they are ____ minutes into your alarm.

• Advise Command if the box is complete or what apparatus has not made the response

• Advise Command what the staffing is.

• 10 MINUTES FROM THE FIRST UNIT ARRIVAL ON SCENE

• Advise Command that they are ____ minutes into your alarm

• Advise Command if the box is complete or what apparatus has not made the response

• Advise Command what the staffing is.

• Ask Command if they need the electric company.

• Ask Command if they need the State Fire Marshall.

• 20 MINUTES INTO THE EMERGENCY

• Ask Command if they would like regional cover ups

• Ask Command if they need state or county roads for road closures.

• Ask Command if they need MDE (Haz-Mat incidents)

• Ask Command if they need MSP of Sheriff Department.

• 20 MINUTES FROM THE FIRST UNIT ARRIVAL ON SCENE

• Advise Command that they are 20 minutes from the first unit arrival

• Advise Command of 20-minute PAR Check

• USEFUL INFORMATION

• Notify Command of any forthcoming weather problems.

• Contact another source of medic evacuation If MSP is not available.

• Contact next due ALS if Kent County is not available.

• Ask Command if he/she wants the MASS CASUALTY PLAN implemented if four of more patients are reported.

ATTACHMENT D:

TWENTY MINUTE PROGRESS REPORT

________________ Command to Kent

At ________________ _____ _____(address)

We are using _____________(all units, 2 & 1, 1st alarm)

For (fire, smoke, investigation) on the #_________ floor of a

____- Story, ____________(building type/occupancy)

Primary search is ______________(in progress/negative)

We have ______ lines in service and

_________________ (Horizontal/vertical) ventilation is underway.

The fire situation is _________(advancing/doubtful/under control)

Exposure A is ______________ (Street, occupied/vacant, similar)

Exposure B is _________________ (Occupied / Lot / similar)

Exposure C is ________ (rear yard, parking lot, one-story garage)

Exposure D is ___________ (Side lot, similar, attached structure)

PAR Check is ______________(underway, complete with results)

We will be holding units for ________________ (estimated time).

ATTACHMENT E:

REGIONAL COVER UP POLICY

When a cover up is required for single station department, Kent will automatically dispatch what the officer from that company or department request.

When a cover up is required for a multi-stationed department, Kent will automatically dispatch an Engine or Rescue Engine or Squad to the district main station, a Ladder or Tower or Quint to a secondary district station and a Tanker or Engine Tanker will be dispatched and assigned to a separate department at the discretion of the Dispatch Supervisor.

These units will be available and expected to respond on alarms in all surrounding districts as well as the home district as appropriate for the response, thus eliminating each station who responded to the alarm to have a cover assignment.

A station will not be provided a cover assignment when no units have responded from that station.

Kent will advise any unit requesting a cover assignment for their station that the “Cover Assignment Policy” has been implemented

ATTACHMENT F:

DEFINITIONS

Accountability - The current status of all Firefighters and Officers location and tasks while

operating on scene of any one incident

ALS – Advanced Life Support Unit

Back-up line - A secondary hose line used to back up primary hose line with equal or greater

GPM

Basement/Cellar - A basement or cellar is one or more floors of a building that are either

completely or partially below the ground floor.

BLS – Basic Life Support Ambulance

Command - A single qualified Firefighter and/or Officer assuming responsibility of the overall

operation at any single incident.

Command Post – Any assigned area or pre-designated unit as location of Command and

Support Staff.

Commercial Structure– A non-residential structure designated and utilized as a business,

storage or office.

Division/Group Supervisor - reports to the Operations Section Chief (OPS) (or Incident

Commander). The Supervisor is responsible for the

implementation of the assigned portion of the Incident Action Plan

(IAP), assignment of resources within the Division/Group, and

reporting on the progress of control operations and status of

resources within the Division/Group location.

Due - The sequence status of a unit arriving on scene of any one incident.

EMS – Emergency Medical Services

Engine - An Engine or Rescue Engine or Engine Tanker or Squad or Quint capable of, and

designated for fire suppression and/or water supply, equipped with adequate pump,

hose, & SCBA Firefighters

Evacuation – The mandatory physical removal of all occupants and/or manpower from a

building or area as determined by command.

ATTACHMENT F:

DEFINITIONS (cont.)

Forward Lay – The act of deploying supply line from the hydrant to the 1st due engine.

Head to Head - The act of the 1st due engine stopping short of the fire building when the ladder

is expected from the opposite direction, in which case the 1st due engine and

ladder will be front bumper to front bumper or “head to head”.

High Rise - Any structure taller than the fire departments tallest ladder.

Laying a Line – The act of deploying a supply line from an engine to or from a hydrant.

Multi Family Dwelling (MFD) - A residential dwelling designed for multiple families under

one roof

Obvious Rescues – Any visible person in immediate danger of injury or death.

On-Deck Staging - is the forward positioning of the crew of a unit, located just outside the

immediate hazard zone and safely distanced from the entrance of a tactical

position. On-deck crews are "ready for duty and next in turn", and their

readiness and immediate availability is critical to being able to provide

quick relief and facilitating effective air management strategy for interior

crews. The most likely assignments given to on-deck companies are to

provide immediate relief for crews operating in the hazard zone, to reinforce

crews operating within the hazard zone, to reinforce a deployment of the

designated Rapid Intervention Crew, or for a new assignment within the

hazard zone. On-Deck crews will be supervised either by a division or group

supervisor (if assigned) or their company officer. Once assigned, crews shall

remain on-deck until given another assignment by their supervisor or IC.

Own hydrant - Term used to identify that an arriving Engine is no more than 50 feet from

hydrant and will direct connect to hydrant.

Primary Line – An initial hose line of adequate GPM deployed for direct fire suppression.

Primary Search – A mandatory initial search for all possible non-visible victims that can be

removed before life threatening conditions may occur. It takes place quickly.

RIT (Rapid Intervention Team) – A crew with equipment dedicated solely to search and

rescue of other firefighters in distress.

ATTACHMENT F:

DEFINITIONS (cont.)

Regional Cover Up - Policy to take a regional approach to providing cover assignments, moving

an Engine or Rescue Engine or Squad and Ladder or Tower or Quint, and

Tanker or Engine Tanker with multiple units committed at an incident.

Rehab – The act and/or designated area for Firefighter re-hydration and/or medical evaluation.

Reverse Lay – The act of deploying supply line from the 1st due engine or fire scene back to

hydrant.

Special Service - A Rescue or Rescue Engine or Squad or Ladder or Tower or Quint designated

to support the Engines and perform Ventilation, Force entry and searching

laddering and other support activities. This unit is equipped with adequate

tools, ladders, and SCBA Firefighters

Safety Officer - Any single qualified Firefighter and /or Officer pre-designated or assigned by

Command to oversee and enforce overall safety of Firefighters, Officers, and

Civilians on or near any one incident.

Secondary Line - A secondary hose line used as an additional line for fire load and/or extension

control with equal or greater GPM of the primary line to either work with

primary line or directed to another location

Secondary Search – A mandatory follow up search that is deliberate and slow to make sure all

victims have been found. This is done when the fire is controlled.

Secondary Water Supply – A determined auxiliary hydrant or water source other than the

initial establish supply.

Single Family Dwelling (SFD) – A residential dwelling designed for one family under one roof.

Size Up - An initial evaluation and report of pre-existing and developing factors which may

affect initial and continued tactics and safety.

Split Foyer (SFD) - The split foyer-style house, a stalwart of 1970s design, typically features a

front entryway that is between floors and faces a short staircase leading up

to a main living level and another going down to a finished lower level that

has plenty of natural light.

ATTACHMENT F:

DEFINITIONS (cont.)

Split Lay – The act of the 1st due engine laying in at a specified location absent of a hydrant

with the 2nd due engine completing the lay from the specified point to the hydrant.

Split Level (SFD) - Single family dwelling that are split level, for example, those that have a

garage and living space at ground level, this level will be referred to as

Division 1; and bedrooms on 2^nd story will be Division 2; and dining/kitchen

and living areas on the Split Level, or between the two floors, will be

referred to as the Split-Level Division. See Attachment B.

Staging – The act of units and/or manpower standing by for assignment from Command or as a

pool of resources.

Strike Team - Multiple units, often five in number, of the same resource category that have an

assigned strike team leader.

Supply Line – A 3” or larger diameter hose utilized to feed water to an operating engine or

aerial from a hydrant or other engine.

Support Staff - Any designated Firefighters and /or Officers utilized to assist Command with

overall operations tasks at any one incident.

Tanker – A Tanker or Engine Tanker designated to supply the scene with water or shuttle water to the scene.

Task Force – Any combination of single resource, but typically two to five, assembled to meet a

specific tactical need.

Townhouse - is defined as a house attached to any number of other townhouses (three or more),

each of which may have multiple floors, commonly side by side each with their

own separate entrances.

Upgrade - Conditions of smoke or fire are reported, that the dispatch will consist of ALS, BLS,

RIT and Fire Marshal.

Unit – Any single Fire or EMS vehicle.

Unit Officer - A single qualified Firefighter and/or Officer assuming full crew responsibility of

any one unit

*Additional hand lines that are used as primary attack lines will be labeled as such and back up lines etc. i.e. 2^nd hand line, 3^rd attack line etc.

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