Size-up and Damage Assessment Key Points in the morning session: ◘Use Size-up and Damage Assessment for CORE Team safety ◘Seven steps of Size-up ◘How to perform basic structural damage assessment ◘CORE response is based on level of damage ◘Damage Assessment and Status Card forms 0

Scene Safety & Size-up CORE team safety is Rule #1. Size-up o is used by all CORE teams o is a continual process o promotes team safety Size-up the situation before initiating action and on an on-going basis. 1 Firefighter discusses Size-up

Size-up Process 1. Gather facts. –What happened? –What are the hazards? –How many people are injured? –Are special tools or equipment needed? 2 Atascadero 2004 heavy damage

Size-up Process 2. Assess the scene. –Is the scene safe? 3. Identify your resources. –Who is on your team? –Are they CORE trained? –Do you have personal protective equipment? –Do you have needed supplies? –Do you need more help? 3 Woman checking for hazards

Size-up Process 5. Develop a plan. –Assign people to do what needs to be done, first, second and third. –Remember, the plan may change Establish your priorities. –What needs to be done first? Second? Third? CORE team

Size-up Process 6. Conduct operations. –Suppress small fires –Secure utilities –Provide medical treatment –Perform light search & rescue 5 CORE team doing cribbing

Size-up Process 6 7. Evaluate your progress. –Monitor your operations. –Are you accomplishing the task? SIZE-UP IS A CONTINOUS DATA GATHERING PROCESS

Damage Assessment TWO Damage Assessment is used in TWO ways: 1. Damage assessment is part of the Size-up Size-up done by every CORE team. 2. Damage Assessment is also used by the Neighborhood Incident Commander to understand the neighborhood situation. 7

Performing Damage Assessment Damage Assessment Team The Damage Assessment Team: - Provides a quick damage overview to the Neighborhood Incident Commander - Does superficial damage assessment (street view) - Uses the Damage Assessment Form.. 8

Performing Damage Assessment Damage Assessment Team Go at a walking pace Look for signs of damage & injuries Record on the Damage Assessment Form 9 Stop only To save a human life To mitigate an imminent threat Team assesses damage

Performing Damage Assessment CORE Team Size-Up Size-up requires detailed damage assessment before initiating CORE team action 10 Northridge 1994 soft story collapse

Performing Damage Assessment CORE Team Size-Up Check all six sides! 11 Top: Top: electrical wires, falling debris, damaged chimney or roof Bottom: Bottom: water, debris, injured people, cracks, and liquefaction Four sides: Four sides: signs of structural damage, cracking around doors or foundation, vertical and horizontal lines

Signs of Structural Damage Horizontal lines Horizontal linesuneven, shifted, sagging Foundation Foundationnot level, split, shifted Vertical lines Vertical linesslanted, off set, bowed Entry ways Entry wayssidewalk broken or uneven Large Exterior Cracks Building separation Building separationgaps between buildings Liquefaction Liquefactionseepage near base, pooling Ground effects Ground effectsfissures, sink holes, landslides 12

Signs of Structural Damage Horizontal lines uneven, shifted, sagging Vertical lines slanted, off set, bowed CORE Citywide Exercise Skills Workshop13 Northridge 1994 heavy damage

Signs of Structural Damage Foundation not level, split, shifted Vertical lines slanted, off set, bowed CORE Citywide Exercise Skills Workshop14 Northridge 1994 cripple wall failure

Signs of Structural Damage Large Exterior Cracks Foundation not level, split, shifted CORE Citywide Exercise Skills Workshop15 Northridge 1994 heavy damage off foundation

Signs of Structural Damage Liquefaction- seepage near base, pooling Ground effects - fissures, sink holes, landslides CORE Citywide Exercise Skills Workshop16 New Zealand 2011 liquefaction, sink hole and sewage leak

Damage Classification Three levels of damage: LightModerateHeavy Light Moderate Heavy Use the more cautious assessment Light = OK to enter Moderate = Hurry in & out Heavy = N EVER ENTER 17 Northridge 1994

Damage Classification Light Damage Indicators Superficial damage Broken windows Fallen or cracked plaster Minor damage to contents 18 Cracked window glass Calexico April 2010 Cracked plaster

Damage Classification Light Damage LightDamage Response Light Damage Response Size-up! Secure utilities (if needed) Locate, triage, and prioritize removal of victims Document actions on a Status Card 19 CORE members carry an injured person

Damage Classification Moderate Damage Indicators More obvious damage Exterior decorative work damaged Large amounts of cracking Not leaning, attached to foundation Significant damage to contents 20 Northridge 1994 Kitchen contents Northridge 1994 porch roof separation

Damage Classification Moderate Damage ModerateDamage Response Moderate Damage Response Size-up! Secure utilities (if needed) Before entering – where are victims? Get in & get out quickly Document your actions on a Status Card 21 CORE members assist an injured person

Damage Classification Heavy Damage Indicators Extensive general damage Partial or total structural collapse Buildings tilting or off their foundations Buildings that are obviously structurally unsafe 22 Northridge 1994 First floor collapse Northridge 1994

Damage Classification Heavy Damage Response Size-up! NEVER NEVER enter a heavily damaged building for any reason. Secure perimeter. Shut off utilities, if it is safe to do so. Document your actions on a Status Card 23 Atascadero 2004 heavy damage

Damage Assessment Form CORE Citywide Exercise Skills Workshop24 Enter data Do not enter “No” or “zero”

Status Card CORE Citywide Exercise Skills Workshop25 Tear card in half

Summary Size-up is a continuous data gathering process. Necessary for safety. Superficial damage assessment is done by the Damage Assessment Team. Detailed damage assessment is part of Size-up. CORE response is based on the level of damage. Use the Damage Assessment and Status Report forms. 26