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“Tactical Safety: SOPs, Standard Operating Positions”..
By thehousewatch | October 26, 2009
“Examining the process of firefighting to see if there is a better and safer way to operate”
Tactical Safety – SOP’s Standard Operating Positions
By: Ray McCormack
Photo by thehousewatch.com
All sports teams and business organizations use positional models to streamline command chains, improve task accountability and deliver successful and efficient results to a challenge. The fire service is no different. The positions are there for all of us to see. The operational plan can be specific or general depending upon the level of pre-operational research that went into plan development. However, many departments suffer from: weak command chains, low task accountability monitoring, and questionable successes. Why is that?
When we examine positional modeling on the fireground, we often see fluid models that vary at the whim of commanders. These commanders themselves may have only temporary discretionary powers but their decisions often live on throughout the firefight despite additional resources or solutions. Some department still do not subscribe to operational guidelines or a more organized/standardized approach to company functions/tasks and positional firefighting. Is there a reason why some make up their operational chains at every fire? Is there a benefit to increasing the demand on the IC, or temporary IC, as to placement/roles of arriving companies? How efficient are we when we must await routine commands to get a water supply initiated or stretch an attack line. All that extraneous radio traffic leads to is increased opportunities for misinterpretation or missed communication; and does not enable a more comprehensive and better managed fireground.
Guidelines and procedures that are standardized help us to comprehend the fire situation quicker and with improved focus. A more defined focus for the IC, company officer and firefighter increases tactical safety. Having positions and known plays that are understood by all attending; and implemented without prodding, makes the fireground more efficient and safer. Clearly defined positions do not handcuff the IC or company officers; rather it frees them from having to deal with the mundane.
Firegrounds are all different and at the same time identical. The mission is to extinguish the fire. When companies are dispatched, either their arrival placement is understood or assigned. Companies may arrive out of sequence or may be from different departments or areas. This does not dismantle positional standards. Operational positions should be disseminated and understood no matter who is responding on the first alarm. Standard operating positions makes for great accountability as tasks are pre-assigned and the potential for a misinterpretation of roles and tasks is virtually eliminated; plus, we know who to seek out if something was overlooked as opposed to just dealing with the either the excuse of “I didn’t know it was my job,” to the IC forgetting to assign a specific task.
Modeling positional standards doesn’t mean all objectives are written in stone, however, there are basic features to the game plan that should occur enough times that they form a standard of operation. It doesn’t matter what model you choose as long as your choice makes sense and it works for your response area. These positional assignments allow for smooth transitions in command as well because the tactical objective are known, and filled following a standard of operations. We know that supply was handled, search was assigned, and an attack group was formed; and all have operated in an organized fashion. We don’t always know the script the fire is following but we should be aware of our own.
When it comes to the company level we generally follow a model of a designated leader/officer in charge of several firefighters. The span of control is tight which should maximize effectiveness, integrity and safety. The officer will be the link to the next higher level of command, usually the IC or sector. Teams or companies are assigned areas of responsibility and control the fire with extinguishment, search, and support tasks such as: ventilation, RIT, and back up. Each group will have several team members to tackle the tasks inherent at every fire.
- We have company officers whose job it is to lead a group of firefighters.
- We have pump operators whose job it is to get and maintain water supply for extinguishment operations.
- We have a nozzle firefighter and other firefighters assisting the hoseline advance
- We have a search and rescue group
- We have an IC, Sector Officers and Safety
We comply with national standards and track our companies and our people; keeping a close eye on progress made or lost, so that the players can be rearranged and tasks shifted from the original plan if needed. To arrive at a fire and do it from scratch does not show much in the way of leadership. We should have plans and SOP’s in place so that when we arrive on scene things get done in a timely fashion and done safely.
Next Tactical Safety – Understanding Aggressive Interior Attack
Topics: Training and Development | 3 Comments »
October 28th, 2009 at 1:47 pm
great article and interesting.
i have always thought that SOP meant:standard operating procedures…
October 30th, 2009 at 12:12 pm
Sam Hittle says:
Our new Chief came in tonight talking about your new post. Here are a few of our favorite parts:
“All that extraneous radio traffic leads to is increased opportunities for misinterpretation or missed communication”
“To arrive at a fire and do it from scratch does not show much in the way of leadership”
As usual, well done.
November 4th, 2009 at 10:04 am
Interesting article. I’m especially interested in how to handle/assign standard riding positions in volunteer departments. I could have anywhere from 3 to 6 on the engine depending on day, time of day, etc, etc. We’d like to have a standard plan for who does what (and granted with limited staffing some jobs are going to have to wait for more resources). Thoughts/comments appreciated.