Fire in a waste site

Include all incident actions

Incident information

Obtain a site manifest and any Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) documentation
Identify number and last known position (LKP) of any occupants in need of rescue or assistance to evacuate
Consider using a range of thermal imaging resources such as aerial appliances, drones and helicopters
Identify any hazardous materials signage and other indicators as part of scene survey
Identify utilities, including renewable energy supplies and locate isolation points
Identify operation and effectiveness of fixed installations and pollution prevention measures
Continually monitor and assess the fire development for signs and symptoms of escalation
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Debrief crews that have withdrawn from a working area during an incident to gain operational intelligence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 and review any onsite environmental and fire prevention and mitigation plans
- Identify the quantity, type and density of stacked materials
- All incident information:
- Use local knowledge, topography and map reading skills 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
- Ascertain 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

Resource information

Request sufficient resources to implement initial actions, the incident plan and support contingency plan
Consider requesting specialist appliances and resources to reduce risk and demand on deployed resources
Secure sufficient firefighting media to enable the fire to be fully extinguished
Consider the use of on-site vehicles operated by competent people as part of the incident plan
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
- Consider using a range of thermal imaging resources such as aerial appliances, drones and helicopters
- 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
- Position vehicles anticipating fire development, thermal radiation, collapse, smoke and other hazards

Risk information

Working environment
- Consider the impact of fire water run off on compacted materials and ground conditions
- Consider the use of aerial or reach appliances to avoid crews working on unstable ground
- Establish and communicate cordons and hazard areas around unstable stack and falling materials
- Ensure that personnel expected to work at night review the area during daylight hours where possible
- Provide lighting to illuminate hazards to personnel in poorly lit environments
Difficult access and egress
- Identify security features that may compromise safe access to and egress from the scene of operations
- Identify and communicate routes avoiding unsuitable and hazardous areas
- Prevent all personnel from walking across stacked waste
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
- Consider removing waste and plant from site or relocating it to a safe area
- Assess the potential for thermal radiation damage and fire spread on buildings and surrounding areas
- Identify any risk of running or pooling fuel fires
- Consider the potential for undetected subsurface firespread creating hidden voids
- 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 the effects of wind and ventilation on smoke and fire gases when positioning firefighting personnel
- Consider the impact of smoke plume on downwind life risk, road users and other transport networks
- Ensure that all personnel wear the type of RPE identified by service risk assessments, procedures and training
- Consider requesting an air quality cell
Machinery and vehicle movements
- Consider Isolating power supplies to on-site machinery
- Ensure only competent persons use or operate site machinery
- Consider requesting that on-site vehicle movements are controlled, restricted or stopped
- Ensure high visibility clothing is worn where compatible with other PPE
Live utilities
- Isolate utilities that may impact fire development and secure against reconnection
- Consider isolation of electricity supply to mitigate the risk of electrocution
- Identify any sources of renewable energy generation such as photovoltaic panels or wind power
- Ensure that Firefighting PPE is worn in accordance with service risk assessment, procedures and training
Hazardous materials
- Approach hazardous material incidents at slow speed from upwind and higher-level ground where possible
- Identify any hazardous materials signage and other indicators as part of scene survey
- Carry out testing and monitoring of the atmosphere and use the results to inform the incident plan
- Comply with hygiene arrangements and do not eat, drink, smoke or vape
- Identify whether the incident should be reclassified as a hazardous materials response
Fire water run-off
- Consider seeking specialist advice from a HMA on remedial action for spillages and fire water run off
- Consider diverting water to holding areas or sacrificial areas that will not affect firefighting operations
- Consider the possible recirculation of fire water run-off, to reduce water used
- Request advice from appropriate environmental protection agencies
- Attempt to control pollution using a Source – Pathway - Receptor model
- Consider the impact of fire water run off on compacted materials and ground conditions
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

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
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
Further powers, policies and procedures
- All incident information:
- Close a highway, stop and regulate traffic:
  - if a road traffic accident has occurred
  - for the purpose of rescuing people or protecting them from serious harm
  - 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
- Consider applying operational discretion where outcomes would justify unusual, unorthodox or innovative action
- Outcomes which would justify applying operational discretion include:
  - Saving human life
  - Taking decisive action to prevent an incident escalating
  - Incidents where taking no action may lead others to put themselves in danger
- Return to operational procedures when the objective has been achieved
- 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

Why?

Expectations?

Benefit vs Risk?

Objectives

Maintain the safety of all personnel, other responders and the public
Prevent escalation, contain and extinguish the fire considering all ignition sources
Minimise the impact of the incident and fire service actions on any identified environmental risk
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
- All incident information:
- Consider the JESIP principles at all incidents involving multi-agency operations
- Consider taking action to prevent a serious escalation of the incident
- Protect Critical National Infrastructure and/or local critical infrastructure
- Secure the scene to ensure evidence is preserved for internal and external investigations

Tactical priorities

Develop and communicate a firefighting plan and ventilation strategy to all personnel
Develop tactical plan in consultation with relevant agencies (e.g. public health, environmental agencies)
Determine whether people should be advised to evacuate, shelter in place or 'stay put'
Put safety jets in place to protect firefighting teams and maintain safe access and egress
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
- Develop and communicate an incident plan considering contingencies arrangements
- 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

Operational tactics

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)
Assess the fuel type, weather conditions, resources and time required to create an effective firebreak
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
- Monitor the effect of the media on the fire to ensure that the anticipated outcome is achieved
- Consider using fixed, aerial appliance mounted or portable monitors to release personnel and minimise risk
- 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

Communication

Ensure that crews are briefed on all firefighting activities and provide regular updates on progress
Implement a safe system of work and communication channels for the use of onsite vehicles
Use the most effective methods for communicating with people who are either directly or indirectly involved in the incident
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
- Inform all personnel of known or likely areas of interest for fire or criminal investigation
- Establish a media liaison point and brief a nominated media liaison officer
- 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

Control

Ensure that appropriate inner and outer cordons are established, identified and communicated following an assessment of risk to crews, other agencies and the public
Appoint competent safety officers to monitor specific hazards or activities
Record all access and egress into and out of the inner cordon, for fire and rescue service personnel and other agencies
Liaise with the site operator about on-site plant, how it is used and who can use it
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 information
- Record and time stamp the decision to isolate utilities in the analytical risk assessment and decision log
- Collate and secure records from the incident and witness statements to inform future investigations
- 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

Incident closure and handover

Identify the area of origin and investigate possible causes of the fire considering criminal acts
Instigate and co-operate with post incident investigations where necessary
Hand over responsibility for removed items and security of premises to the responsible person or the police
Consider decontamination of personnel, PPE and equipment prior to redeployment
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
- Follow service protocols for post incident health surveillance and monitoring
- Secure the scene to ensure evidence is preserved for internal and external investigations
- Record statements from relevant people as soon as practicable to assist in the investigation process
- Delegate collection of physical evidence to a police crime scene investigator or fire service investigator
- All incident information:
- Hand over responsibility for removed items and security of premises to the responsible person or the police
- Carry out fire investigations at a level appropriate to the scale of the incident
- Identify the area of origin and investigate possible causes of the fire considering criminal acts
- Monitor and review the potential impact on public health with the assistance of the public health agency

Fire in a waste site

Incident information

Further incident information

Resource information

Further resource information

Risk information

Working environment

Difficult access and egress

Fire and thermal radiation

Smoke and fire gases

Machinery and vehicle movements

Live utilities

Hazardous materials

Fire water run-off

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

Further powers, policies and procedures

Objectives

Further objectives

Tactical priorities

Further tactical priorities

Operational tactics

Further operational tactics

Communication

Further communication

Control

Further control information

Incident closure and handover

Further incident closure and handover

Additional information