Fire on board a vessel

Include all incident actions

Incident information

Ensure a thorough brief is obtained from the vessel's master or their nominated representative
Identify number and last known position (LKP) of any occupants in need of rescue or assistance to evacuate
Use ships plan and on-board systems in liaison with the vessel’s personnel to confirm the location of the fire
Identify the presence and effectiveness of any on board or infrastructure fixed installations
Ascertain any prior and ongoing firefighting actions taken by on board teams
All incident information:
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
Confirm and communicate the involvement, number and severity of any casualties (persons or animals)
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Debrief crews that have withdrawn from a working area during an incident to gain operational intelligence
Maintain situational awareness and identify changes during the incident through active monitoring and regular briefings
Further incident information
- Access any operational or site specific risk information (SSRI) and confirm accuracy
- 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
- Consider using thermal imaging equipment for scanning when carrying out a scene survey
- Access any available information to identify the cargo (e.g. manifest, crew knowledge)
- Assess the impact of the infrastructure on the incident (waterways, docks)
- Investigate the scene looking for indicators of occupancy considering seating and standing capacities
- Identify the location of any available ship to shore connection
- All incident information:
- Identify best access route, rendezvous point (RVP) and marshalling area and communicate to all responders
- Consider requesting facilities for the welfare of crews deployed at protracted incidents
- 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

Resource information

Identify the resources currently available to take immediate action and request those likely to be needed to deliver a full incident plan
Request specialist resources, considering specialist firefighting teams, fire boats, water rescue teams or tugs
Consider requesting advice from tactical advisers and subject matter experts (e.g. HMCG, SOSREP)
Secure sufficient firefighting media to enable the fire to be fully extinguished
Confirm that required agencies have been requested or notified (e.g. Police, Ambulance, environmental agencies)
All incident information:
Request sufficient resources to implement initial actions, the incident plan and support contingency plan
Consider requesting the attendance of a competent person, subject matter expert or tactical adviser
Consider resources that may be available from neighbouring fire and rescue services and partner agencies
Inform and/or seek advice from environment agencies and/or sewage undertakers where necessary
Consider whether appliances, personnel, equipment and other resources can be released from the incident
Regularly update fire control on the availability status of appliances and other resources
Further resource information
- Identify best access route, rendezvous point (RVP) and marshalling area and communicate to all responders
- Secure sufficient firefighting media to enable the fire to be fully extinguished
- Develop and organise a water / media management strategy or nominate a water officer
- Consider requesting aerial or special appliances to reduce risk and demand on resources
- All incident information:
- Identify best access route, rendezvous point (RVP) and marshalling area and communicate to all responders
- Consider requesting facilities for the welfare of crews deployed at protracted incidents
- 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

Risk information

Bodies of water
- Identify and communicate the presence of water or other liquids to all responders
- Ensure that personnel operate on the safe side of suitable existing or improvised guarding or barriers near water or other liquids
- Ensure personnel working around unstable ground are secured using work restraint or fall arrest systems
- Ensure that personnel wear suitable PPE and personal flotation devices when working near water or other liquids
Restricted access and egress
- Ensure there are alternative methods of emergency egress to a place of safety (e.g. off the vessel)
- Consider the impact of the infrastructure on safe access and egress routes
- Consult the vessel's plans and liaise with the vessel's crew regarding safe access and egress routes
- Consider the effect of rising and falling water level on access and egress arrangements
- Identify and communicate safe, planned routes to the scene of operations
- Define routes using physical barriers and clearly illuminate where there is reduced visibility
Fire and thermal radiation
- Position vehicles anticipating fire development, thermal radiation, collapse, smoke and other hazards
- Use the appropriate extinguishing method, media, techniques and equipment
- Put in place covering and/or safety jets according to identified risks
- Ensure that Firefighting PPE is worn in accordance with service risk assessment, procedures and training
Smoke and fire gases
- Access past, present and future weather information from sources such as the Met Office
- Consider using tactical ventilation to improve conditions and maintain access and egress routes
- Consider the impact of smoke plume on downwind life risk, road users and other transport networks
- Obtain advice from the hazardous materials adviser (HMA) on the size of any downwind protection zone
- Ensure that all personnel wear the type of RPE identified by service risk assessments, procedures and training
Flashover, backdraught and fire gas ignition
- Where backdraught conditions are suspected, apply media and ventilate before interior deployment
- Where flashover conditions are suspected, consider direct firefighting techniques
- Consider employing a combination of direct firefighting and gas cooling to control conditions
- Consider the isolation or containment of the fire compartment
- Brief crews to carry out self-protection, door entry and compartment firefighting techniques
Uncontrolled ventilation
- Manage the vessel's ventilation systems in conjunction with the vessel's personnel
- Monitor the effect of wind and ventilation on the fire development, smoke and fire gases
- Consider the flow path of smoke and fire gases and the potential for fire spread
- Put covering jets in place prior to the creation of exhaust vents, where possible
- Consider leaving unopened doors closed to prevent the unnecessary spread of smoke and fire gas
- Consider using appropriate ventilation techniques for any products of combustion
Military vessels
- Liaise with the officer of the day or contract manager on military vessels
- Identify whether munitions are present, and/or involved, at fires involving military vessels
- Be prepared to take formal responsibility for firefighting actions if requested and delegated
Hazardous materials
- Identify presence of hazardous materials on board (e.g. cylinders, illegal activities)
- Identify if the vessel is compliant with the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code
- Identify potential sources of biological contamination (e.g. waste from sanitary conveniences)
- Identify whether the incident should be reclassified as a hazardous materials response
Unstable vessel
- Establish contact with the vessel's officers and harbour officials on matters relating to stability
- Pass information to the vessel's officers on the amount of water that is being used in the sectors
- Drain down water from upper to lower decks and empty partially full compartments
- Consider using bilge or high volume pumps to assist with managing vessel stability
- Consider appointing a stability liaison officer and safety officers at fires involving vessels
- Check that all scuppers or freeing ports are free flowing and not blocked by debris
All incident information:
Working environment
- 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
- Establish and maintain safe means of access to and egress from scene of operations at all times
- 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 all personnel wear the level of PPE identified by service risk assessments, procedures and training
Weather conditions
- Monitor personnel for signs and symptoms of fatigue, dehydration, heat or cold stress
- Consider task rotation when personnel are carrying out manual handling tasks
- Consider relief and welfare arrangements to reduce the effects of stress and fatigue on themselves and others
- Instigate appropriate medical interventions if personnel show signs and symptoms of physiological stress
Noise
- Consider isolating sources of noise
- Keep the number of people exposed to the hazard at a minimum and reduce time of exposure through personnel rotation
- Ensure personnel wear appropriate hearing protectors
Heavy and bulky objects
- Consider using machinery or other equipment to assist with manual handling risk
- 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
Moving vehicles
- Be vigilant and co-operate with service procedures relating to vehicle movements
- Position appliances to fend-off vehicles and use warning signs, lights and cones
- Consider taking steps to minimise the risk of collisions
Animals
- Avoid, contain or control animals if necessary
- Request support with managing animals from owners, keepers, police, vets or welfare organisations
Hazardous materials
- Identify whether the incident should be reclassified as a hazardous materials response
- Remove unaffected chemicals from the hazard area if safe to do so
- Comply with service protocols when handling substances that are hazardous to health
- Ensure open wounds, cuts and grazes are covered by a waterproof dressing
- Comply with hygiene arrangements and do not eat, drink, smoke or vape
Body fluids
- Avoid contact with body fluids where possible
- Isolate or cover body fluids following casualty removal
- Wear body fluid gloves and cover broken skin with waterproof dressing
- Instigate decontamination procedures following exposure of personnel and equipment to body fluids
Distressing or traumatic scenes
- Minimise number of personnel exposed to traumatic scenes where possible
- Handover responsibility for traumatic incidents to an appropriate agency where the fire service does not have primacy
- Erect screens to restrict the view of traumatic scenes
Violence and aggression
- Consider adopting defensive tactics if people are displaying unpredictable, aggressive, violent or illegal behaviour
- Request police support at incidents involving violence and aggression towards crews

Powers, policies and procedures

All incident information:
Consider the legal exemptions in relation to environmental protection i.e.
- A discharge is made in an emergency to avoid danger to human health
- All reasonably practicable steps were taken to minimise pollution
- The relevant environment agency is informed of the incident as soon as possible
Enter premises or a place, by force if necessary, without the consent of the owner or occupier of the premises:
- if they reasonably believe an emergency to have occurred
- if they reasonably believe a fire to have broken out or to be about to break out
- for the purpose of extinguishing or preventing the fire or protecting life or property
- NB Does not apply to Crown property (including ministry of defence) and diplomatic or consular premises
- NB The Master of the ship (or delegated officer) of a merchant vessel must give permission to board
Restrict the access of persons to premises or a place if they reasonably believe an emergency to have occurred
Enter premises or a place, by force if necessary, without the consent of the owner or occupier of the premises:
- if they reasonably believe an emergency to have occurred
- if they reasonably believe a fire to have broken out or to be about to break out
- for the purpose of extinguishing or preventing the fire or protecting life or property
- NB Does not apply to Crown property (including ministry of defence) and diplomatic or consular premises
- NB The Master of the ship (or delegated officer) of a merchant vessel must give permission to board

Why?

Expectations?

Benefit vs Risk?

Objectives

Maintain the safety of all personnel, other responders and the public
Save life and reduce harm
Prevent escalation, contain and extinguish the fire considering all ignition sources
All incident information:
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
Promote community recovery and restore normal operations
Further objectives
- Promote community recovery and restore normal operations
- Minimise the impact of the incident and fire service actions on any identified environmental risk
- Secure the scene to ensure evidence is preserved for internal and external investigations

Tactical priorities

Establish a safe working environment for fire crews and other responders
Confirm that fire and rescue service assistance is required and ask for permission to board the vessel
Develop an intervention strategy appropriate to current situational awareness and predicted fire development
Carry out any rescues or lifesaving actions
All incident information:
Carry out a dynamic risk assessment, identify hazards, evaluate risk and implement safe systems of work
Declare the tactical mode and communicate to all personnel and fire control
Instigate the completion of an analytical risk assessment and record significant findings
Establish emergency arrangements appropriate to the size and complexity of the incident
Further tactical priorities
- Protect surrounding environment and infrastructure from thermal radiation and fire spread
- All incident information:
- Apply the firefighter safety maxim and safe person principles at operational incidents
- Identify and communicate the hazard area and establish a safe working area as soon as is practicable
- Anticipate the likely development of the incident and evaluate the potential consequences of a range of actions
- Develop and communicate an incident plan considering contingencies arrangements
- Consider the competence of individuals and teams when allocating tasks
- 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
- Use the Joint Decision Model to co-ordinate an effective response at multi-agency incidents
- Identify the need to evacuate and develop a strategy in liaison with partner agencies
- Communicate emergency evacuation signal and muster point arrangements to all personnel
- 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
- Secure the scene to ensure evidence is preserved for internal and external investigations

Operational tactics

When evacuation is necessary, identify the number of people affected and develop a plan
Consider the appropriate speed of intervention to limit fire development
Select an appropriate firefighting method (i.e. cooling, smothering, starving, interrupting)
Select appropriate firefighting media (e.g. water, foam, dry powder, CO₂)
Select an appropriate firefighting technique (e.g. direct firefighting, firebreaks, controlled burn)
Select appropriate firefighting equipment (e.g. extinguisher, hose reel, main jet, cutting extinguisher)
Consider compartment boundary cooling, starvation or flooding as a strategy
Carry out an analytical risk assessment to support the decision to re-open sealed fire compartments
All incident information:
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
Further operational tactics
- Consider cutting away to access the seat of the fire, hidden voids and compartments
- All incident information:
- Consider the potential effects of incident development when positioning appliances
- Identify the number of casualties requiring medical attention and instigate a triage process
- Instigate and communicate hygiene arrangements, facilities and consider decontamination
- Implement an appropriate protection plan when an identified nature conservation site is at risk
- Create and resource a suitable casualty care point, evacuate unaffected people to a place of safety

Communication

Ensure communication systems are effective in subsurface and tunnel environments
Conduct regular communication checks to ensure equipment continues to function
Implement fallback procedures should there be a failure in the communications equipment
All incident information:
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
Further communication
- Ensure that all personnel are fully briefed on the current hazards, risks, control measures and tactical mode
- Establish communication with remote tactical advisers, subject matter experts and specialist resources
- Establish effective communications with other emergency services and relevant people as soon as possible
- All incident information:
- Identify best access route, rendezvous point (RVP) and marshalling area and communicate to all responders
- Communicate any change in the tactical mode of a sector of the incident to all personnel
- 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
- Ensure all personnel are aware of the incident command structure and communication strategy
- Establish a media liaison point and brief a nominated media liaison officer
- Use plain English to communicate information where a lack of common understanding exists
- Regularly pass information to fire control regarding incident progress
- Communicate emergency evacuation signal and muster point arrangements to all personnel
- 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
- Establish a media liaison point and brief a nominated media liaison officer

Control

Communicate emergency evacuation signal and muster point arrangements to all personnel
Ensure that inner and outer cordons are established, identified and communicated
Control access to the inner cordon using methods proportionate to the size and complexity of the incident
Establish appropriate boarding control procedures for any personnel required to go on board a vessel
All incident information:
Establish an incident command structure appropriate to the likely size and complexity of the incident
Ensure that appropriate inner and outer cordons are established, identified and communicated following an assessment of risk to crews, other agencies and the public
Control access to the inner cordon using methods proportionate to the 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
Further control
- Commit only minimum number of essential personnel to hazard area
- Consider establishing a forward control point
- All incident information:
- Be prepared to adopt a leadership role at multi-agency incidents
- Establish a scene access control point to log all persons 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 competencies
- Keep contemporaneous records and/or decision logs to capture key events, critical decisions and rationale
- Instigate a safety sector at large or complex incidents under the control of a safety sector commander
- Implement exclusion zones where intolerable risks to safety are identified
- Request the police to establish a traffic cordon where necessary
- Request an air exclusion zone through the appropriate authority if required
- Maintain effective command and control in an emergency situation and review incident priorities, tactics and resources
- Carry out a roll call of fire service and all other personnel at the scene following an emergency evacuation
- Communicate the tactical withdrawal and emergency evacuation arrangements to all personnel

Incident closure and handover

Ensure that hazards and risk controls are identified when handing over safety to the responsible person
Instigate and co-operate with post incident investigations where necessary
All incident information:
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 and risk controls are identified when handing over safety to the responsible person
Take measures to secure premises where no responsible person can be identified
Conduct a structured debrief at a level appropriate to the size of the incident
Consider community recovery protocols and arrange appropriate assistance prior to leaving the incident
Further incident closure and handover
- All incident information:
- Consider whether appliances, personnel, equipment and other resources can be released from the incident
- Conduct an inventory check and ensure equipment receives appropriate after use inspection and testing
- 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
- Conduct a structured debrief at a level appropriate to the size of the incident
- Record and share significant findings from incident debriefs
- 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 post incident health surveillance and monitoring
- Consider decontamination of personnel, PPE and equipment prior to redeployment

Additional information

All incident information:
Firefighter Safety Maxim

"At every incident, the greater the potential benefit of fire and rescue actions, the greater the risk that is accepted by commanders and firefighters. Activities that present a high risk to safety are limited to those that have the potential to save life or to prevent rapid and significant escalation of the incident."

Decision Control Process

Joint Decision Model
A standard type of abbreviated informative message should also be considered as an early first impression of the incident, such as:
- Type of vessel
- Name of vessel
- Tonnage of vessel
- Location of vessel (e.g. berthing point, jetty number, dry dock etc.)
- Cargo on board
- Location and extent of fire hazard
- Summary of resources in use including ships systems/crews

Fire on board a vessel

Incident information

Further incident information

Resource information

Further resource information

Risk information

Bodies of water

Restricted access and egress

Fire and thermal radiation

Smoke and fire gases

Flashover, backdraught and fire gas ignition

Uncontrolled ventilation

Military vessels

Hazardous materials

Unstable vessel

Working environment

Weather conditions

Noise

Heavy and bulky objects

Moving vehicles

Animals

Hazardous materials

Body fluids

Distressing or traumatic scenes

Violence and aggression

Powers, policies and procedures

Objectives

Further objectives

Tactical priorities

Further tactical priorities

Operational tactics

Further operational tactics

Communication

Further communication

Control

Further control

Incident closure and handover

Further incident closure and handover

Additional information