Incident Command
The FireRescue1 incident command resource page offers in-depth information about incident command principles, crew and resource deployment, best practices related to incident action plans and size-ups, training for specialized fireground teams, plus the latest news about incidents involving command issues.
Effective incident command requires decisiveness, adaptability and a commitment to both operational outcomes and personnel well-being
What new incident commanders should and shouldn’t do before, during and after their first fire
Chicago firefighters and city leaders are raising alarms over new guidelines requiring four-person engine crews to delay entry unless victims are visibly trapped
The large, toxic blaze sent 10 to the hospital, prompting the chief to err on the side of caution
Firefighter who broke department protocol by responding directly to the scene says he wasn’t responding as a firefighter but as a civilian
It is important to know the state’s rules on when property can be commandeered and to remember that those rules can be challenged in court
Overhaul can be a time when the diligent safety practices of a fire attack become lax, which opens the door for injury
Opposition party calls for fast investigation, ruling party says it will conduct a full, careful investigation
This line-of-duty death provides few easy answers that will work for every fire department in every situation
Lack of apparatus safety training and communication problems contributed to firefighter death
Investigators say if a staffed hoseline had been present, level of risk would have been significantly lowered
Difficult as it may be, staying calm in the face of irate civilians is part of the job
Knowing where to park the fire truck on scene will make the fire attack more effective and keep the rig out of harm’s way
Not creating a culture where everyone is encouraged to share observations has deadly consequences on the fireground
Fire service instructor Rich Gasaway outlined at FRI 5 mistakes that lead to injury and death and their solutions
Fire department leaders need to be involved early and deeply with special event planning
Building’s layout made it difficult for firefighters as many rooms were divided, creating maze of passageways
Accolades aside, the fire chief knows mistakes were made at the fire
incident commanders spend nearly every waking hour huddled around big maps, looking at computer screens or glued to radio
Asst. Chief: ‘We all got 10 years of experience in two weeks’
Firefighters allegedly ignored command procedures, kept other crews away from hot spots, used incompatible radio frequencies
Fire Capt. Chris Villarreal: ‘We never thought we would lose anyone, let alone 9 people’
Perform the 360-degree size up in layers to avoid missing important information
Many of 184,000 commuters who use BART line stranded; 100-foot high flames destroyed senior housing complex, damaged tracks
Firefighter Starkey carried his dog and his son’s cat to safety before fire reached his trailer but lost everything else
This will be the first independent review of how the fire service performed after the 2011 earthquake
Continual size up and adherence to safe practices are key to successful roof operations
Leave enough room to conduct operations and remove tools needed on the fire scene
Each situation will determine how and when these attack tactics are applied
Making the link from laboratory to fireground is essential for civilian and firefighter safety
The SC tragedy reminds us that there are no easy answers to securing fire equipment on scene