
Railway or tram fire
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.
Provide relevant information to the fire control room when requesting proportionate control of the railway
Use location markers, grid references, landmarks and local knowledge on fixed structures to confirm and communicate exact location of the transport incident with fire control and other responders
Request advice and assistance from the responsible person regarding the most appropriate access for the rail infrastructure
Identify whether trains or trams are informed, run at caution, stopped or stopped and power off and isolated
Identify rail power systems and determine whether the line is electrified and involved in the incident
Ensure that a hazardous materials scene survey is carried out at the earliest opportunity
Ascertain the likely impact of people on emergency responders
Establish effective communications with other emergency services and relevant people as soon as possible
Approach the vicinity of the incident cautiously and at slow speed, to minimise the risk of collisions
Gather information from available sources to gain accurate situational awareness and understanding
Use situational awareness to anticipate the likely development of the incident and evaluate the potential consequences of a range of actions
Identify the number of casualties requiring medical attention and notify the fire control room
Validate and record information appropriately in support of situational awareness
Debrief personnel that have withdrawn from a working area during an incident to gain operational intelligence and safety-related information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
Access risk information including emergency plans held at stations, signal boxes and other locations
Identify any limited clearance areas and take notice of warning signs relating to the rail infrastructure
Identify and communicate the speed and type of line, for example single or multi-directional
Identify utilities installed adjacent to railway lines and assess the impact on the incident and the safety of personnel
Investigate the scene looking for indicators of occupancy considering seating and standing capacities
Identify the presence and effectiveness of any on board or infrastructure fixed installations
Identify the status of ventilation systems, pressurised escape areas and intervention/access shafts
Use local knowledge to aid navigation to an incident
ARCHIVED - Ensure that tracks and pathways are suitable for fire service vehicles
Consider using the least damaging routes to incidents and where suitable, use defined paths and tracks
Follow Recognise, Assess, React guidance when casualties display signs of exposure to CBRN materials
Use visual observation of the weather and available meteorological information about current and forecast conditions to inform risk assessments and the incident plan
Establish the availability of pre-arranged evacuation strategies and policies
Consider pollution prevention information contained in risk information
Seek advice from relevant parties to determine the most effective strategies and tactics to minimise the environmental impact of incidents on ecological and heritage assets
Provide all relevant information on a timely basis to the incident commander to support accurate situational awareness
Establish and maintain contact with the rail infrastructure controller or Rail Incident Officer (RIO)
Confirm with fire control that required specialist resources and specialist advice have been requested or notified, such as police, ambulance or environmental agencies
Consider requesting specialist resources to transport personnel and equipment
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
Request advice or assistance for containment from environmental agencies, hazardous materials advisers, sewerage undertakers or other appropriate organisations
Consider whether operational resources can be released from the incident
Regularly update the fire control room on the availability status of operational resources
Identify the safest access route, rendezvous points (RVPs) and marshalling areas, and communicate to all responders and the fire control room
Consider requesting specialist advice and resources for shoring
Develop and organise a water/media management strategy or nominate a water officer
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 and appropriate use of pollution control devices if permission can be obtained
ARCHIVED - Make use of specialist fire and rescue service or on-site environmental protection equipment
Consider deploying a hazardous materials adviser to monitor or manage environmental protection activities
Request further resources to establish the appropriate level of BA entry control
Identify the proportionate level of control over the railway
Brief crews that are moving around the rail infrastructure on Personal Track Safety guidelines
Consider trains may coast for considerable distances after power has been isolated
Establish a 3 metre exclusion zone until trains have been confirmed as stopped, power off and earthed
Seek assistance from the police or other relevant responder agency to secure a safe working area
Consider the impact of stations, tunnels, sidings, depots and other rolling stock on incident response
Identify and communicate trackside hazards (e.g. power, utilities, biological materials, undergrowth)
Keep feet clear of track points that may move without warning
Consider the impact of the transport infrastructure on safe access and egress routes for fire and rescue service vehicles
Ensure that Firefighting PPE is worn in accordance with service risk assessment, procedures and training
Use the appropriate extinguishing method, media, techniques and equipment
Identify the presence and effectiveness of fixed installations and where appropriate, take control of their operation
Use visual observation of the weather and available meteorological information about current and forecast conditions to inform risk assessments and the incident plan
Consider using fine sprays or foam blankets to minimise airborne particulates
Ensure that all personnel wear the type of RPE identified by service risk assessments, procedures and training
Obtain advice from the hazardous materials adviser (HMA) on the size of any downwind protection zone
Assess impact of tunnel on smoke travel and identify location and effectiveness of exhaust vents
Consider making electrical gloves available for personnel to use at incidents involving live electricity supply.
Request the use of short-circuiting (SCD) or earthing devices – to be used only by qualified personnel
Identify the presence and status of any Battery Electric Multiple Units
Establish a 3 metre exclusion zone until trains have been confirmed as stopped, power off and earthed
Consider additional risks presented by steam trains (Extreme temperatures, high pressure steam)
Request isolation of live power systems (infrastructure and on-board)
Identify and communicate hazards relating to pressurised systems to all responders
Identify materials and systems used within a vehicle and communicate to all emergency responders
Identify the design and construction of the mode of transport, and the most appropriate tools for gaining access to it
Assess the weight of the object, its stability and its impact on the mode of transport and any casualties
Consider removing or stabilising vehicle contents if they are likely to hamper operations
Approach the vicinity of the incident cautiously and at slow speed, to minimise the risk of collisions
Ensure that appropriate inner and outer cordons are established and communicated following an assessment of risk to all people present
Identify and communicate any diesel, grease, asbestos, detonators and track welding powder
Identify potential sources of biological contamination (e.g. waste from sanitary conveniences)
Identify any hazardous materials signage and other indicators as part of scene survey
Identify and communicate the presence of water or other liquids to all responders
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
Request sufficient lighting of an appropriate type for working in reduced visibility
Communicate PPE requirements to relevant personnel and ensure they have access to the appropriate PPE
Consider the impact of weather when determining the safest access routes
Use visual observation of the weather and available meteorological information about current and forecast conditions to inform risk assessments and the incident plan
Request additional meteorological information if this could benefit the delivery of operational tactics or improve the health and safety of members of the public, personnel and other emergency responders
Manage their working environment and workload to mitigate the effects of stress and fatigue, and to optimise their personal resilience
Avoid working in open areas, at height, near tall structures or on, in or near water where there is a risk of lightning strike
Provide personnel with the means to prevent and manage heat illness
Request medical advice if heat illness is suspected
Provide personnel with the means to prevent and manage hypothermia
Request medical assistance if hypothermia is suspected
Consider isolating sources of noise
Keep the number of people exposed to the hazard at a minimum and reduce time of exposure through task rotation
Ensure personnel wear appropriate hearing protectors
Consider using alternative methods of communication in noisy environments
Consider implementing appropriate methods to activate the emergency evacuation or tactical withdrawal of responders in noisy environments
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
Attempt to contain the release or spill of a hazardous material using a Source – Pathway - Receptor model
Consider options to contain or disperse the spread of toxic materials in consultation with a hazardous materials adviser (HMA)
Ensure personnel cover open wounds, cuts and grazes with a waterproof dressing prior to operational activity
Implement appropriate hygiene or decontamination procedures
Ensure that personnel refrain from eating, drinking, smoking or vaping prior to completing hygiene or decontamination procedures
Identify potential sources of infectious diseases
Ensure personnel cover open wounds, cuts and grazes with a waterproof dressing prior to operational activity
Determine if any personnel have existing health conditions that could be impacted by exposure to infectious diseases
Request sufficient resources to enable hygiene or decontamination procedures to be implemented
Implement appropriate hygiene or decontamination procedures
Ensure that personnel refrain from eating, drinking, smoking or vaping prior to completing hygiene or decontamination procedures
Consider adopting defensive tactics if people are displaying unpredictable, aggressive, violent or illegal behaviour
Request police assistance to control members of the public, including crowds
Ensure personnel avoid confrontation if there is a risk of violence or aggression
Maintain situational awareness with regard to the behaviour and movement of members of the public gathered at the scene
Request police assistance for dealing with unpredictable, aggressive, violent or illegal behaviour
Enter a premises or place, by force if necessary, without the consent of its owner, for the purposes of extinguishing fire, protecting life or property, excluding Crown property, ministry of defence, diplomatic or consular premises
Restrict the access of persons to premises or a place if they reasonably believe an emergency to have occurred
Why? | Expectations? | Benefit vs Risk? |
Extinguish the fire and eliminate all ignition sources
Maintain the safety of all personnel, other responders and the public
Save life and reduce harm
Secure the scene to ensure evidence is preserved for internal and external investigations
Use appropriate methods and equipment to contain polluting materials to minimise their impact on the environment
Consider the JESIP principles at all incidents involving multi-agency operations
Do what they reasonably believe is necessary to prevent escalation or extinguish fire, for the purpose of protecting life or property
Consider taking action to prevent a serious escalation of the incident
Consider the appropriate speed of intervention to limit fire development
Select appropriate firefighting media (e.g. water, foam, dry powder, CO2)
When evacuation is necessary, identify the number of people affected and develop a plan
Establish and resource a casualty care point if required
Gain access to rail vehicles via doors, corridor connectors, and windows, or create an opening
Identify the number of casualties requiring medical attention and notify the fire control room
Carry out or assist with triage of casualties
Record the outcome of the triage and discreetly communicate this information to medical responders and the fire control room
Implement appropriate hygiene or decontamination procedures
ARCHIVED - Implement an appropriate protection plan when an identified nature conservation site is at risk
Consider establishing a forward control point
Establish and maintain an incident ground communication plan considering other agencies and remote resources
Establish and maintain contact with the rail infrastructure controller or Rail Incident Officer (RIO)
Brief crews that are moving around the rail infrastructure on Personal Track Safety guidelines
ARCHIVED - Ensure communication systems are effective in subsurface and tunnel environments
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
Establish communication between BA wearers, the person monitoring BA wearers and the incident commander during rapid deployment of breathing apparatus
Ensure appropriate and resilient methods of communication with BA-related personnel are maintained
Inform the fire control room about deployment of BA wearers, teams and guidelines
Ensure all BA wearers are briefed and debriefed
Ensure personnel, at the incident and in the fire control room, are kept informed about the structure of the incident
Exchange information about the incident with fire control rooms in a timely way
Establish an appropriate muster point and communicate its location to all personnel, and other responders if present
ARCHIVED - 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
Commit only minimum number of essential personnel to hazard area
Communicate the tactical withdrawal and emergency evacuation arrangements to all personnel
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
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
Ensure briefs and debriefs to BA wearers are adequately recorded
Log and record all relevant BA-related command and control information and decisions
Carry out a full brief and debrief of BA wearers and record as soon as possible
Consider establishing a forward control point
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
Inform the responsible person when fire and rescue service activities are completed and all personnel are at a place of safety
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
Record all relevant incident information in an appropriate format
Record and share significant findings from incident debriefs
Participate in reviews of operational policies and procedures following the application of operational discretion
Consider whether existing information held about premises or locations should be reviewed, or whether there is a need to add a new premises or locations into future pre-planning
Collate and secure records from the incident and witness statements
ARCHIVED - 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
Consider decontamination of personnel, PPE and equipment prior to redeployment