TRANSITION TO COMPANY OFFICER Arlington Fire Department Officer Development September 2000
Definition of a Company Officer Supervises a single resource of the Fire Department Member of a Company who acts in the capacity of a Company Officer (CO)
Difficult Transition The Company Officer’s position is one of the most important in the organization. Promotion to Company Officer is worthy of acknowledgement.
Once responsible to perform the work; now must get work performed through others.
Preparation for promotion or appointment Mastery as a firefighter Officer development training program
THE COMPANY OFFICER’S RESPONSIBILITY FOR SAFETY
Firefighting is one of the most dangerous occupations in the United States
Key Safety Behaviors After ten years of research, Fire Chief Alan V. Brunacini of the Phoenix Fire Department, developed 25 key firefighter safety behaviors.
Think (Insert fire photo)
Drive Defensively (insert photo of fire truck accident
Drive Slower rather than faster (insert photo of fire truck rollover)
If you can’t see, STOP (insert photo of obstructed view)
Don’t run for a moving rig (insert photo of FF running for rig)
Always wear your seat belt (insert photo of seated, belted FF)
Wear full turnouts and SCBA (insert photo of FF w/turnouts near fire)
Attack with a sensible level of aggression
Always work within the organizational structure - NO FREELANCING (insert photo of Command giving assignment)
Keep your crew intact (insert photo of crew together)
Always have a communications link to the next organizational level Insert photo Command talking on radio
Don’t ever breathe smoke Insert photo of smoky area
Always have an escape route Insert photo of secondary exit
Never go beyond your air supply Insert photo of smoky house fire
Use a big enough and long enough hoseline
Evaluate the hazard - Know the risk you are taking
Follow Standard Incident Procedures
Vent early and vent often Insert photo of ventilation holes
Provide lights for the work area
If it’s too heavy, get help Photo of FF’s carrying heavy equipment
Always watch your incident position Photo of FF’s around fire involvement
Look and listen for signs of collapse
Rotate fatigued companies -- assist stressed companies
Pay attention ALL the time
Everybody takes care of everybody else
Large Group Activity 1.2 CREW SAFETY
Cover of Trapped Firefighter
Photo of too many FF’s on ladder and second floor porch area
THE COMPANY OFFICER’S RESPONSIBILITY FOR INCIDENT MANAGEMENT
Safe and Effective Incident Operations Require: That someone be in charge All resources must operate within the action plan Roles and responsibilities must be defined The tracking of all resources
Safe and Effective Incident Operations Require: Resources assigned to a tactic or task remain intact The Incident Commander must be able to communicate immediately
Individual Activity 1.3 Incident Management Assessment
THE COMPANY OFFICER’S RESPONSIBILITY FOR INCIDNET MANAGEMENT (contd)
The Company Officer’s Responsibility as Initial IC Size-up Identify strategy and select tactics Develop incident action plan Implement action plan Manage incident resources and coordinate overall emergency activities
Additional functional responsibilities of the IC include: Scene Safety Liaison with other agency representatives Dissemination of Incident information
Responsibilities When Functioning as CO Tactical size-up Maintain crew integrity Maintain an awareness of conditions Maintain immediate communications Operate to meet assigned tactics ALWAYS operate within the incident action plan
Responsibilities When Functioning as CO Operate within the established organizational structure Maintain ongoing supervision
What are the traits of an effective Incident Commander and Company Officer on emergency incidents
Summary Emergency operations responsibilities Key safety behaviors Incident management