Having access to resources not normally accessible by smaller departments without a huge budget... I was noting that there were some new things coming out from my department as a result of standardizing how all the fire departments in SoCal work together under unified commands using the mutual aid system. I've word smithed this to enable you to simply cut and paste this into your SOP's or SOG's. Why reinvent the wheel, right?
TCSS,
CBz
Identification and Management of Life Hazard Zones
PURPOSE
The purpose of this policy is to maximize the safety of firefighting personnel while operating at the scene of an emergency and provide
a means for the identification and notification of Life Hazards, and required
isolation measures. The policy and procedures established below are consistent
with and can be field referenced in the FIRESCOPE Field Operations Guide 420-1
“Procedures for the Identification and Management of Life Hazard Zones.”
POLICY
It shall be the policy of the [ Insert Fire Department Name Here ] to establish Life Hazard Zones whenever a Life Hazard is identified and implement the following procedures as appropriate.
DEFINITIONS
Life Hazard: The existence of a process or condition that would likely cause serious injury or death to exposed persons.
Life Hazard Zones: A system of barriers surrounding designated areas at the incident scene that is intended to stop fire personnel and other responders from entering a potentially life threatening, hazardous area.
Life Hazard Lookout: A qualified person located where they can safely observe a Life Hazard, monitor resources and personnel in the area,
and communicate with resources keeping them a safe distance away. The Lookout will
also isolate and deny entry to any responders or resources until the Life
Hazard is mitigated and the Incident Commander approves the release of the Life
Hazard Zone.
PROCEDURES
Incident Commanders are responsible for the safety of all incident personnel and may have to take action to protect personnel from life
threatening conditions that on-scene fire personnel and other responders do not
have the capabilities, tools, or training to immediately mitigate.
These actions may include:
The clearly identifiable method to assure that fire personnel and other responders do not enter Life Hazard Zones includes the use
of a minimum of three (3) horizontal strands of barrier tape that states “Do
Not Enter” or “Do Not Cross,” to prevent entry to the hazardous area. Three
horizontal strands of any fire line tape or flagging tape between one inch and
three inches with the words “Do Not Enter” or “Do Not Cross,” securely fixed to
stationary supports, and in sufficient locations to isolate the hazard, will
meet the requirement of identifying a Life Hazard Zone.
Whenever a Life Hazard is present, or an immediate threat to the health and safety of incident personnel is present at an incident, any
person who recognized the potential Life Hazard shall immediately contact the
Incident Commander using “Emergency Traffic” normal"">to make the situation known. Included in the emergency traffic
notification:
The Incident Commander shall request the appropriate resource or agency to respond to the incident to evaluate and mitigate the Life
Hazard (i.e., utility company, structural engineer, etc.) and assign a Lookout
or Assistant Safety Officer until the Life Hazard Zone(s) is established.
The Incident Commander shall assign a Life Hazard Lookout to prevent any incident personnel from entering the area until such time as the procedures below have been completed.
The Standard for identification of a Life Hazard Zone:
The Established Life Hazard Zone:
Remote Locations: In cases where the extent of the Life Hazard Zone is so large that is not practical to completely isolate the area,
such as on large incidents in remote locations, the following will be the
minimum standard for these situations:
Notification of Life Hazard(s) Prior to Arrival at Incidents: The following procedure shall be initiated for
each Life Hazard identified upon dispatch or while units are responding to
incidents, to ensure all personnel are made aware and acknowledge receipt of
the information.
Personnel shall not breach, alter, or remove any Life Hazard Zone identification measures until the hazard has been abated and approval granted by the Incident Commander.
All personnel have a personal responsibility to be aware of Life Hazards and make proper notifications when they are encountered at an incident.
Remember the slogan: Three stripes, you’re out!
CBz
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