TFRD Procedures & Guides

_{Last Modified: 09/27/2024 09:58}

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Purpose

This policy is to define the ability and preferred process to pass command when the officer’s involvement in the operation will have a significant impact on Life Safety at an incident. Nothing in this procedure is meant to preclude firefighters from performing emergency rescue activities before an entire team can be assembled.

For more on Passing Command see C-57 Incident Command.

Policy/Procedure

Less than four members on the first arriving unit

If a Medic Unit, Rescue Squad, Truck or three-person engine is the first to arrive at a working structure fire, they will make an initial scene size-up via radio and conduct a 360 survey. Once the 360 survey is complete they shall, via radio, update the size up and make assignments based on the information gathered. They will then announce they will be “Passing Command” to the next due four-person Engine.

The officer on the next arriving Engine will assume command and all of the responsibilities that are associated with it. They will get a report from the first arriving rig and do their own 360. All additional fire apparatus will stage until given an assignment. The fire scene will then be handled as we have done for all previous working fires.

It is imperative that the officer responding with a three-person engine announce that fact over the radio to Fire Dispatch. For Example, “Engine 23 is OK to 5100 Monroe Street, be advised we are responding with a three-person engine.”

Fast Attack

When the first arriving officer feels the need to pass Command to join their crew because their assistance is critical to affect a positive outcome in that moment. This must apply to Life Safety issues only, not for property preservation.

If the first arriving officer believes their direct involvement will have a significant impact on Life Safety, they will make an initial scene size-up via radio, state they will be initiating “Fast Attack” and make some initial assignments based on the information gathered along with their course of action. They will then announce they will be “Passing Command.”

The same format as above, the officer on the next arriving Engine will assume command and all of the responsibilities that are associated with it. They will do their own 360 and get a sense of the first arriving rigs actions. All additional fire apparatus will stage until given an assignment to support the Life Safety endeavor and begin extinguishment. The fire scene will then be handled as we have done for all previous working fires.

For more on Fireground Tactics, see Emergency Procedure C-119 Fireground Tactics

VEIS

The general rule is that there should be no delay in fire suppression efforts. It is ideal to get water on the main body of fire as quickly as possible.

But if upon arrival there is a line of sight rescue to someone in fatal danger or a ‘reliable witness’ reports of victims trapped and the first on scene officer’s participation will make a difference, an initial report shall be given, then the officer will state an attempt at VEIS is being made and that they are “Passing Command.”

As before, the officer on the next arriving Engine will assume command and all of the responsibilities that are associated with it. They will do their own 360 and get a sense of the first arriving rigs actions. All additional fire apparatus will stage until given an assignment to support the Life Safety endeavor and begin extinguishment. The fire scene will then be handled as we have done for all previous working fires.

For more on VEIS, see Emergency Procedure C-102 VEIS

Keep in mind, in the instances of “Fast Attack” and “VEIS,” passing command delays establishing strong Command and Management of the fire to an oncoming officer who may not be there yet. Use of this tactic must be rare and only in extremis cases.

NOTE: As stated in C-57 Incident Command in Section 7.B

A member who passes Command shall submit a Communication through channels to the Chief of the Department explaining the rationale for passing Command.

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