NOTE: IF YOU DO NOT HAVE THIS POLICY IN PLACE, DO NOT RE-INVENT THE WHEEL. ADAPT THIS TO YOUR OWN NEEDS, CHANGE NAMES WHERE APPROPRIATE AND USE THIS TO TRAIN YOUR PERSONNEL... CB

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 department name here) Fire Department 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:

• Immediate notification of personnel

• Notification for ongoing or long-term Life Hazards

• Methods to isolate and clearly identify the Life Hazard with three strands of barrier tape

• Assignment of Lookouts or Assistant Safety Officers when needed

• Identification methods for remote or large area Life Hazards

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” to make the situation known. Included in the emergency traffic notification:

• Type/nature of the hazardous condition (i.e., downed electrical wires, imminent building collapse, etc.)

• Specific location

• Resource needs

• Any immediate exposure needs or issues

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:

o Deploy barrier tape in the following manner to prevent entry and identify the Life Hazard Zone. The optimal tape would be (3” optimal, 1” minimum width) red and white striped or chevron barrier tape that states “Life hazard – Do Not Enter,” however, existing Fire or Police perimeter tape that includes the words “Do Not Enter” or “Do Not Cross” will meet this standard.

o The tape shall be configured in three horizontal strands approximately 18 to 24 inches apart and securely fixed to stationary supports to establish the Life Hazard Zone. The Life Hazard Zone barrier shall be of sufficient size to provide complete isolation, distance and protection from the hazard, and supports shall be capable of supporting the barrier tape throughout the incident.

o The use of illumination is recommended to enhance nighttime visibility to further identify the Life Hazard Zone. Examples include orange cones with a flashing strobe light on the ground, or glow sticks securely attached to the barrier tape.

The Established Life Hazard Zone:

o The three horizontal strand configuration of red and white striped or chevron barrier tape shall only be used for Life Hazard identification. When incident personnel see the three-strand configuration or barrier tape, it shall be recognized as the standard for isolating a Life Hazard and incident personnel shall not enter the Life Hazard Zone.

o Ensure the Life Hazard Zone measures provide visibility to approaching personnel to prevent entry into the area throughout the duration of the incident.

o Maintain the Life Hazard Zone for the duration of the incident or hazard. Approval from the IC is required prior to the removal of the Life Hazard Zone barriers.

o The Life Hazard Zone identification measures are intended to provide a visual cue to all incident personnel. Life Hazard Lookouts(s) or Assistant Safety Officers shall be considered to ensure a physical barrier between personnel and the Life Hazard Zone through effective communications and notifications.

o The Incident Commander shall be responsible for ensuring that all incident personnel are notified of the Life Hazard Zone. This may be accomplished through any approved method such as face-to-face, emergency traffic radio messages or the Incident Action Plan.

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:

o The Incident Commander must approve the use of these minimum standards for each Life Hazard:

o The Incident Commander shall assign a Life Hazard Lookout at appropriate access points to prevent any incident personnel from entering the area until such time as the procedures below have been completed.

o Three horizontal stripes of red and white Life Hazard tape or barrier tape (as described above) will be affixed to two vertical uprights at appropriate locations along the access route to the Life Hazard Zone. A description of the hazard, location of the hazard, and distance from the Life Hazard barrier tape to the hazard shall be attached at each location.

o All personnel working in the area or Division shall be notified of the Life Hazard immediately. Incident personnel may be notified through the routine briefings, emergency traffic radio messages, the Incident Action Plan, and the Incident Map.

o The location(s) of the Life Hazard(s) and Placard(s) shall be marked on the incident map using standardized symbols. The symbol to mark the Life Hazard Zone on the incident map is a red octagon (stop sign) with three white horizontal lines with a description of the hazard noted underneath.

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.

o If Dispatch is made aware of a Life Hazard before units are dispatched, the Life Hazard announcement shall be included in the initial dispatch and Dispatch shall conduct a roll call of all responding units to confirm receipt of the Life Hazard. If Dispatch is made aware of a Life Hazard after units are dispatched, but prior to the arrival of units, the Life Hazard announcement shall be announced and Dispatch shall conduct a roll call of all responding units to confirm receipt of the Life Hazard. If Dispatch is made aware of a Life Hazard after an Incident Command has been established, the Life Hazard announcement shall be directed to the Incident Commander.

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!