SIZE-UP

OBJECTIVE Describe the three phases of size-up and their relationship to problem identification. Three Phases of Size-up Phase one: Preincident information Phase Two: Initial Size-up Module 2 Overview

OBJECTIVE Describe the factors that affect size-up. Risk/Benefit Evaluation Command Decisions Brief Initial Report Module 2 Overview

OBJECTIVE Given a simulated structural fire incident, demonstrate the ability to conduct an effective size-up, identify the problems presented, and communicate critical information as part of a concise size- up report Phase Three: Ongoing Size-Up Module 2 Overview

WHAT IS SIZE-UP?

THREE PHASES OF SIZE-UP

Three Phases of Size-up Phase One:Preincident information Phase Two:Initial Size-up Phase Three:Ongoing size-up

PHASE ONE: PREINCIDENT INFORMATION

Phase One: Preincident Information Size-up is more than what you see through the window when you arrive at the scene. A wealth of information available prior to alarm.

Size-Up Definition Preincident information includes factors known before the incident that may affect decisions or actions.

WHAT TYPES OF INFORMATION ARE AVAILABLE AND USEFUL BEFORE THE INCIDENT

Value of Preincident Information to the Incident Commander (IC) Understand what has happened. Identify problems. Predict what is going to happen. Understand resource needs.

Value of Preincident Information to the Incident Commander (IC) Development of strategy and tactics. Identify safety considerations.

IT’S HARD TO OBTAIN PREINCIDENT INFORMATION WHEN THE FLAMES ARE LICKING AT THE BOXES OF DYNAMITE.

Preplans Give the IC a jump start on understanding the situation and developing an action plan. Can help IC consider all the important factors when used at the scene.

Occupancy Information Occupancy type –Different problems –Impact on strategy and tactics

Occupancy Information Building Construction –Construction type –Impacts on fire behavior –Vertical openings versus compartmentalization

Occupancy Information Built-in protection –Sprinklers, standpipes, alarm systems, fire doors, etc. –Assist in controlling situation

Occupancy Information Building contents –Impacts on action plan

Occupancy Information Utility control –What utilities are present? –Where are controls located? –Positive effect on safety and incident control

Water Supply Most commonly use extinguishing agent. Location Availability Reliability Delivery system

Environmental Conditions Can lengthen response times. Can affect fire behavior. Can affect how long and how fast firefighters can work. Apparatus may freeze up or overheat.

Time of Day Traffic at peak times can delay response. Occupancy of buildings varies. Volunteer and combination departments may respond with fewer firefighters during business hours.

Departmental Resources Apparatus and equipment Personnel

Interagency/Private Sector Assistance Already there at many incidents. IC must know what resources are available prior to the incident. Many sources of assistance. Maximizes use of fire department resources.

PHASE TWO: INITIAL SIZE-UP

A rapid mental evaluation of various factors related to an emergency incident.

First Objective is to Identify Problem(s) Calmly assess conditions. First chance to get into proactive mode. Done prior to defining solutions. Potential hazards to firefighters

Use Preincident Information to Help With Initial Size-up Preplans Typical occupancy Other resources responding

Use Preincident Information to Help With Initial Size-up Water supply in area Special hazards or problems Environmental conditions Time of day

Dispatch information can give an indication of the extent of problems “Structure fire, 14 Railroad Street, Engines 1, 2, and 3, Truck 1 Respond” “Receiving multiple calls, reported persons trapped, etc….”

What should initial size-up include? What do I Have

What should initial size-up include? What do I Have Where is it going?

Be Pessimistic Murphy’s Law is always on the incident.

What should initial size-up include? What do I Have Where is it going? How do I control it?

WALLACE WAS HOT can be used for training on the factors that impact size-up.

Size-up Factors Water Apparatus/personnel Life Location/Extent Area Construction Exposures Weather Auxiliary appliances Special hazards Height Occupancy Time

Trying to remember all 13 factors at the incident can make your head hurt Not all factors are critical at every incident. Key-in on those factors that apply.

Large Group Activity 2.1 Initial Size-up information

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RISK/BENEFIT EVALUATION

Risk/Benefit Evaluation The IC needs to determine if risks taken are worth benefits gained. –Firefighting is not without risk. –Don’t risk firefighters’ lives to do body recovery. –Condition of building.

If IC judges it is worth risk, for how long? Construction Resources Needed fire flow

Selecting Operational Mode Offensive Defensive Transitional

Offensive mode indicates IC chooses to make an aggressive interior attack Resources available to meet incident demands. Risk to firefighters worth the benefits gained.

Defensive mode indicates IC determines no entry will be made. Loss of building probable. Risk/benefit evaluation indicates risks too great. Not enough resources. Usually a master stream operation. Protect exposures. Keep personnel out of collapse zone and out of danger.

Selecting Operational Mode Transitional mode is when forces at the scene are switching from one operational mode to another.

Examples No entry made (defensive) until additional resources arrive, then attack fire (offensive). Confine fire (offensive) until rescue can be accomplished, then protect exposures (defensive) if resources not sufficient.

Resource Evaluation Do you have enough resources? Do you have the right resources?

Committing Resource Must have a chance for success. Assigned based on order of priorities. Must be coordinated.

Large Group Activity 2.2 Risk/Benefit Analysis

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COMMAND DECISIONS

The first -arriving officer must determine their initial role: Command Combat Combative Commander

Command CO chooses to command the incident rather than engage in the tactical activities. Incident needs immediate coordination Sufficient resources on-scene or responding Combat role will not have a significant impact on the incident.

Combat Exercised by the CO when: –Their presence will have a positive impact on the operation at hand. –Command is passed Responsibility cannot be delegated.

Combat Commander Exercised by the CO when: –Their presence will have an immediate impact and transfer of command is not reasonable. –Fast moving fire –Additional resources may have long response times.

Combat Commander As soon as possible, command should be transferred to an officer who is not involved in the fire attack.

BRIEF INITIAL REPORT

Brief Initial Report First-arriving officer should paint a vivid word picture of conditions.

What do I have? Building description and occupancy type Description of conditions

Large Group Activity 2.32 Brief Initial Report -- “What do I Have?”

Dividing the Incident Manageable geographic segments to facilitate effective communication. Designate specific areas in and outside the building.

An example … ABCD Sectoring system STRUCTURE DIVISION A DIVISION B DIVISION C DIVISION D

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Suggested Answers 2-story, 40’ x 80’, townhouse, Fire and smoke showing from Side A, 1st floor Smoke showing 2nd floor, Side A

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What am I doing? Actions being taken

What do I need? Instructions to other responding resources. Request for additional resources.

Who is in Command? Designate who has command. Designate command by incident name. Eliminates confusion during simultaneous alarms.

Good Size-up Report Alerts Others Responders adjust their thinking. Anticipate actions they need to take. Indication of scope of problem.

PHASE THREE: ONGOING SIZE-UP

Size-up Needs to be Ongoing Doesn’t stop with on-scene report. Increase knowledge of current conditions. Potential problems Effectiveness of tactical operations.

Situation Status: Ongoing Analysis of the Progress of the Incident What has happened? What is happening? What is going to happen?

Situation Status: Ongoing Analysis of the Progress of the Incident Determine if current plan is working. Identify changes or modifications that may need to be made to action plan.

Resource status: analysis of effectiveness of current resources and identification of needed or anticipated resources Assigned resources. Uncommitted resources. Responding resources. Anticipated resource needs.

Knowledge of resource status requires ongoing tracking of tactical activity of all resources operating at the incident.

Responsibility for Ongoing Flow of Information The IC needs to have as much information as possible. If IC is responsible for safety of personnel and management of the action plan, then information is critical.

Those responsible for carrying out action plan need to keep IC updated when: Assignment is completed. Assignment cannot be completed. Additional resources are needed. Resources can be released.

Those responsible for carrying out action plan need to keep IC updated when: Conditions have changed. Problems identified. Emergency conditions.

If IC doesn’t get regular updates -- demand them. All personnel should understand IC’s need to have the best information possible.

Size-up and problem identification is the THINKING phase of the command sequence.

Summary Three phases of size-up. Preincident information. Initial size-up. Ongoing size-up

Summary Preincident information can help the IC. Identify what has happened. Understand what is happening. Anticipate what is going to happen.

Summary Initial Size-up answers. What do I have? Where is it going? How do I control it?

Summary Important considerations that are a part of an initial size-up. Risk/Benefit analysis Resource evaluation Determination of operational mode.

Summary Ongoing size-up is important to the IC. Protects safety of personnel. Ensures action plan addresses problem. Helps IC anticipate changes. Everyone is responsible for the ongoing flow of information.