
Building under construction or demolition
Applying National Operational Guidance to incident types. Identify the knowledge, control measures and actions needed to combat the hazards you face.
Applying National Operational Guidance to incident types. Identify the knowledge, control measures and actions needed to combat the hazards you face.
Consider using thermal imaging equipment for scanning when carrying out a scene survey
Establish the type and extent of structural work being undertaken and identify temporary supports
Establish the previous use of unoccupied, derelict or buildings awaiting demolition
Continually monitor and assess the fire development for signs and symptoms of escalation
Consider the presence of unofficial occupants (e.g. squatters, rough sleepers, drug users, youths)
Gather information from available sources to gain accurate situational awareness and understanding
Question the responsible person, other responders and witnesses to understand incident factors and history
Ensure that a scene survey is carried out at the earliest opportunity
Access any operational or site specific risk information (SSRI) and confirm accuracy
Debrief personnel that have withdrawn from a working area during an incident to gain operational intelligence and safety-related information
Maintain situational awareness and identify changes during the incident through active monitoring and regular briefings
Communicate the tactical withdrawal and emergency evacuation arrangements to all personnel
Consider potential causes of fire e.g. deliberate or accidental ignition and illegal activities
Identify the location of basements, chimneys, voids, ducting, cavities and concealed areas
Identify the presence and effectiveness of fixed installations and where appropriate, take control of their operation
Use local knowledge to aid navigation to an incident
Ensure that tracks and pathways are suitable for fire service vehicles
Consider the least damaging routes to incidents and where possible, stay on marked paths and tracks
Consider Step 1-2-3 Plus: Safety Triggers for Emergency Personnel
Access past, present and future weather information from sources such as the Met Office
Establish the availability of pre-arranged evacuation strategies and policies
Consider pollution prevention information contained within site specific risk plans
Seek advice from landowners and other bodies on susceptible areas of the environment
Review situational awareness following an emergency evacuation or tactical withdrawal
Request medical support at rescue incidents as soon as a need is identified
Request the attendance of the police and the utility supplier if illegal activity involving utility systems is identified or suspected
Request sufficient and appropriate additional resources
Consider requesting external specialist resources appropriate to the type, size and complexity of the incident
Confirm that required agencies have been requested or notified (e.g. Police, Ambulance, environmental agencies)
Consider requesting advice on structural integrity from local authority building control teams or USAR Tac Ad
Request sufficient and appropriate additional resources
Consider requesting appropriate specialist advice
Consider requesting specialist resources from own or neighbouring fire and rescue services, or partner agencies
Inform and/or seek advice from environment agencies and/or sewage undertakers where necessary
Consider whether operational resources can be released from the incident
Regularly update the fire control room on the availability status of operational resources
Carry out timely liaison with partner agencies on the establishment of reception centres
Identify the safest access route, rendezvous points (RVPs) and marshalling areas, and communicate to all responders and the fire control room
Consider requesting appropriate facilities for the welfare of personnel
Consider the availability of pollution control equipment and/or pollution containment facilities on site
Make use of specialist fire and rescue service or on-site environmental protection equipment
Consider the appointment of a HMA (or equivalent) to oversee environmental protection activities
Consider requesting advice on structural integrity from local authority building control teams or USAR Tac Ad
Ensure that Firefighting PPE is worn in accordance with service risk assessment, procedures and training
Look for signs of compartmentation or of fire stopping that has been damaged or removed
Use the appropriate extinguishing method, media, techniques and equipment
Provide early protection of external boundaries to prevent firespread, flame extension and thermal radiation
Identify any hazardous materials signage and other indicators as part of scene survey
Consider isolating the power supplies, considering the impact on any critical systems
Request the attendance of the police and the utility supplier if illegal activity involving utility systems is identified or suspected
Ensure that PPE is worn in accordance with service risk assessment for live utilities
Identify any sources of renewable energy generation such as photovoltaic panels or wind power
Deploy the minimum numbers of personnel and equipment required for the task when using scaffolding
Identify presence, type and integrity of any netting in liaison with responsible person
Consider the removal of sheeting or netting where it presents a risk to safe implementation of the incident plan
Implement work at height procedures when working on scaffolding
Consider the effects of wind and ventilation on smoke and fire gases when positioning firefighting personnel
Consider using tactical ventilation to improve conditions and maintain access and egress routes
Ensure that all personnel wear the type of RPE identified by service risk assessments, procedures and training
Consider the impact of smoke plume on downwind life risk, road users and other transport networks
Provide early protection of external boundaries to prevent firespread, flame extension and thermal radiation
Consider that rapid fire spread may occur at incomplete timber framed buildings
Consider cordon size due to thermal radiation produced by incomplete timber framed buildings
Consider that the structural integrity of incomplete timber framed buildings may fail rapidly
Tactical ventilation may accelerate fire growth and spread where timber framed buildings are incomplete
Assess and continuously monitor the buildings for signs of failing structural integrity, external and internal
Consider the effects of the fire’s duration and intensity and firefighting activity on structural elements or structural frames
Evaluate and monitor the potential footprint of collapse and debris
Identify bodies of water, unstable ground and risks of falling from height in working environment
Consider the effect of weather conditions and time of day on the working environment
Ensure that all personnel are briefed on the current hazards, risks, control measures and tactical mode
Implement measures to maintain access and egress during the incident
Establish, identify and communicate safe traffic routes, establish clear zones and equipment points
Provide lighting to illuminate hazards to personnel in poorly lit environments
Ensure that personnel have access to the appropriate PPE
Consider task rotation when personnel are carrying out manual handling tasks
Manage their working environment and workload to mitigate the effects of stress and fatigue, and to optimise their personal resilience
Consider using machinery or other equipment to assist with manual handling
Request additional or specialist resources to assist with manual handling tasks
Consider the task, individual capabilities, load and environment (TILE) when carrying out risk assessments for manual handling
Ensure personnel adopt the provided safe system of manual handling
Comply with service protocols when handling substances that are hazardous to health
Ensure personnel cover open wounds, cuts and grazes with a waterproof dressing prior to operational activity
Comply with hygiene arrangements and do not eat, drink, smoke or vape
Restrict the access of persons to premises or a place if they reasonably believe an emergency to have occurred
Request a water undertaker to provide a supply and pressure of water greater than otherwise available
Consider applying operational discretion where the benefit of taking unusual, unorthodox or innovative action justifies the risk
Return to operational procedures when the objective has been achieved
Enter into an agreement to secure the use of water under the control of a person
Why? | Expectations? | Benefit vs Risk? |
Maintain the safety of all personnel, other responders and the public
Save life and reduce harm
Extinguish the fire and eliminate all ignition sources
Maintain the safety of all personnel, other responders and the public
Save life and reduce harm
Minimise the impact of the incident and fire service actions on any identified environmental risk
Minimise the impact of the incident and fire service actions on any identified environmental risk
Consider the JESIP principles at all incidents involving multi-agency operations
Consider taking action to prevent a serious escalation of the incident
Carry out any rescues or lifesaving actions
Develop and communicate a firefighting plan and ventilation strategy to all personnel
Consider taking action to prevent a serious escalation of the incident
Establish appropriate emergency arrangements for releasing personnel from cable entanglement
Carry out a dynamic risk assessment, identify hazards, evaluate risk and implement safe systems of work
Declare the tactical mode and communicate to personnel at the incident ground and in the fire control room
Carry out and formally record analytical risk assessments at suitable intervals
Establish emergency arrangements appropriate to the type, size and complexity of the incident
Develop and communicate an incident plan to relevant personnel, including the fire control room
Consider moving physical evidence to a safe place, away from the effects of the fire or firefighting
Ensure that good scene preservation and practices are adopted at all stages of an incident
Identify all possible ignition sources and eliminate them as far as is possible
Apply the firefighter safety maxim and safe person principles at incidents
Identify and communicate the hazard area and establish a safe working area as soon as is practicable
Use situational awareness to anticipate the likely development of the incident and evaluate the potential consequences of a range of actions
Develop and communicate an incident plan to relevant personnel, including the fire control room
Regularly review and update incident plan in response to active monitoring of the situation against expected outcomes
Review the tactical mode following active monitoring and briefings with sector commanders
Periodically review the analytical risk assessment using situational awareness from active monitoring
Apply the joint decision model process to ensure effective joint decision-making at multi-agency incident
Identify the need to evacuate and develop a strategy in liaison with partner agencies
Establish an appropriate muster point and communicate its location to all personnel, and other responders if present
Secure the scene to ensure evidence is preserved for internal and external investigations
Carry out an environmental risk assessment and monitor the impact of tactics on the identified risk
Consider the need for damage control and salvage operations
Consider the appropriate speed of intervention to limit fire development
Select appropriate firefighting equipment (e.g. extinguisher, hose reel, main jet, cutting extinguisher)
Select appropriate firefighting media (e.g. water, foam, dry powder, CO2)
Gain access to premises causing minimal damage considering the urgency of the situation
Establish and resource a casualty care point
Determine whether people should be advised to evacuate, shelter in place or 'stay put'
When evacuation is necessary, identify the number of people affected and develop a plan
Consider creating a firebreak to prevent firespread, considering the time required to implement
Instigate and communicate hygiene arrangements, facilities and consider decontamination
Implement an appropriate protection plan when an identified nature conservation site is at risk
Consider using fixed, aerial appliance mounted or portable monitors to release personnel and minimise risk
Establish and maintain communication with responsible person on site
Inform all personnel and other responders which utilities have been isolated and if any remain operative
Establish and maintain an incident ground communication plan considering other agencies and remote resources
Ensure that all personnel are briefed on the current hazards, risks, control measures and tactical mode
Communicate the incident situation to other responders via fire control using the M\ETHANE message protocol
Provide a structured brief when handing over and taking over command
Communicate findings of analytical risk assessment to all personnel and other agencies
Inform all personnel of known or likely areas of interest for fire or criminal investigation, so that these can be avoided
Identify the safest access route, rendezvous points (RVPs) and marshalling areas, and communicate to all responders and the fire control room
Communicate any change in the tactical mode of a sector of the incident to personnel at the incident ground and in the fire control room
Communicate objectives, priorities and tactics to be adopted in resolving the incident
Deliver clear, concise and timely briefings to crews, command support functions and other agencies
Regularly pass information to fire control regarding incident progress
Establish an appropriate muster point and communicate its location to all personnel, and other responders if present
Ensure that all appropriate environmental agencies are informed of the incident when required
Use the most effective methods for communicating with people who are either directly or indirectly involved in the incident
Identify any fixed installations and consider effectiveness
Ensure that appropriate inner and outer cordons are established and communicated following an assessment of risk to all people present
Implement exclusion zones if intolerable risks to safety are identified
Consider appointing an external safety officer to monitor structural stability
Form their command structure in accordance with the priorities and demands of an incident
Ensure that appropriate inner and outer cordons are established and communicated following an assessment of risk to all people present
Control access to the inner cordon using methods proportionate to the type, size and complexity of the incident
Appoint competent safety officers to monitor specific hazards or activities
Instigate a tactical withdrawal of personnel when the mode changes from offensive to defensive
Collate and secure records from the incident and witness statements
Be prepared to adopt a leadership role at multi-agency incidents
Establish a scene access control point to log all people operating within the inner cordon when appropriate
Consider the use of command support systems and equipment where required
Monitor the performance of personnel and where necessary modify plans to available competences
Record the details of the transfer of command; this should be done at the incident ground and in the fire control room
Instigate a safety sector at large or complex incidents under the control of a safety sector commander
Implement exclusion zones if intolerable risks to safety are identified
Request police assistance to establish a traffic cordon or air exclusion zone if necessary
Request an air exclusion zone through the appropriate authority if required
Maintain effective command and control in an emergency situation
Carry out a roll call of personnel at the scene following an emergency evacuation of responders
Record and time stamp the decision to isolate utilities in the analytical risk assessment and decision log
Hand over responsibility for removed items and security of premises to the responsible person or the police
Instigate and co-operate with post incident investigations where necessary
Ensure that effective supervision of operational activity is maintained until the conclusion of the incident
Instigate and co-operate with post incident investigations where necessary
Ensure that hazards, potential hazards and control measures are identified when handing over responsibility for health and safety to the responsible person
Consider taking appropriate steps to secure premises or vehicles after access or entry has been gained by force
Secure the scene to ensure evidence is preserved for internal and external investigations
Avoid movement of dials, valves and controls or record original position for investigation purposes
Access and secure CCTV footage for subsequent investigations and debriefs
Record statements from relevant people as soon as practicable
Notify investigators if crews have recently attended other incidents where cross contamination may have happened
Consider whether operational resources can be released from the incident
Conduct an inventory check and record any defects or deficiencies
Consider decontamination of personnel, PPE and equipment prior to redeployment
Consider the condition and serviceability of PPE when assessing operational readiness for redeployment
Secure the scene to ensure evidence is preserved for internal and external investigations
Gather relevant information for the incident recording system
When appropriate instigate a review of existing guidance following the use of operational discretion
Ensure differences in information are resolved and systems updated following the closure of an incident
Compile and secure all incident command paperwork (e.g. analytical risk assessment and decision logs)
Ensure that waste products created by the fire and rescue service are disposed of legally and responsibly
Follow service protocols for reporting concerns about the mental or physical well-being of themselves or other individuals
Delegate collection of physical evidence to a police crime scene investigator or fire service investigator