Command Commandment 4
(Perform a Thorough /Ongoing Size-up)
Incident Command Priorities for Police and Fire (Part 4 of 10)
This 10 part series takes inspiration from Sacramento Metro Fire Battalion Chief Anthony Kastros’ teaching of his “10 Commandments of Command” and applies those principles to complex emergency situations beyond that of a structure fire. Each of Kastros’ commandments are adapted to present an emergency where both police and fire must engage in activity at the same time, in the same place.
The Flames started slow at first. All he had was hairspray to improve the ignition. After four hours of negotiations with the police, he made the decision that there was nothing else to live for. “This is the only way I will get my message across.” As the growing fire begins to show itself to the police officers outside, both of the police and fire commanders in the unified command post knew that had to make some decisive changes immediately. Luckily, both of these departments had continuously prepared for just such a complexity.
Police and fire departments face an increasing challenge in the emergencies presented to them today. Events like an active shooter or even a drug overdose force both police and fire department officials to immediately engage in activity to ensure life safety. It is then, where the emergency requires that both police and fire engage immediately — in the same place, at the same time — that raises this incident to the level of a complex emergency. Both commanders are facing just such a problem as the house before them goes up in flames with a person inside.
Do a thorough and ongoing size-up
Kastros argues that there are three distinct phases to a size-up, and they start well before the incident:
Phase 1: The day before
Both police and fire commanders for this incident began their size-up of the environment the day before they even came on shift. “Weather, staffing, training, holidays, traffic patterns, and a host of other factors can be processed before you get to work.” If it is a Holiday for example, the likelihood of SWAT and fire executive staff being readily available will be highly unlikely. Both commanders will thus take this into account and call for their assistance earlier than they would if it were a Tuesday afternoon.
Phase 2: The day of the shift
Incorporating the tried and true practice of the aviation industry, both police and fire departments have instituted mandatory “pre-flight” briefings between them prior to every shift. These short briefings allow both departments to get together formally, once a shift. This insures they build relationships and ascertain what challenges are possible and how they will be dealt with. As a result, when the two commanders arrive to this incident, they have already met, and have a sound appreciation of what each expects from the other.
Phase 3: On the Scene
Continuing the size-up, both commanders must now actively assess the problems at hand. This can be addressed through the use of Lloyd Layman’s size-up acronym of FPODP. Both commanders use the components of FPODP to tackle the complex problem of an armed suspect who needs to be extricated from the house. They quickly put their heads together and size up the situation :
Facts: “What are the Facts For Sure?”
-Armed, unstable suspect
-Growing house fire
Probabilities: “What can you forecast?”
-Suspect is still alive and will not want to come out without a fight.
-The fire will spread to other structures if not contained quickly
Own Situation: “What is Your Current Resource Level”
-SWAT is just Arriving
-Public Information Officers are en route
-A structure fire response has been called for
Decision: “Your strategic decision — Offensive, Defensive, or Combination?”
-Offensive; attempting to save the life of the suspect and stopping the fire are of preeminent concern.
Plan of Operation: “Initial Tactics”
-Tear Gas Assault Team (Assault Group Supervisor)
-Two hose teams protected by ballistic shields (Fire Attack Group Supervisor)
-Police officers in SCBA’s to Follow fire attack and take suspect into custody. (Takedown Group Supervisor)
With this initial approach in play, the unified command team will look for benchmarks of progress: all-the-while, continuing the size-up. The three phases of size-up — day before, day of, and on scene — ensure collaboration between multiple agencies with the highest regard for life safety, incident stabilization and property conservation. RFS
About Me
I am a Firefighter, Paramedic, Lieutentant, and OEM Coordinator with the City of Aurora, CO. I see the passion of all emergency responders in this industry and seek to cultivate it to take our response to the next level. Join me in this team effort.
Other Works
Join me:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Ryanfspack
