BY CRAIG H. SHELLEY
At the 2003 Fire Department Instructors Con- ference, much discussion took place among presenters and participants regarding firefighter injuries and deaths. One presenter highlighted the fact that the fire service in the United Kingdom (U.K.) has very few firefighter deaths compared with the United States fire service. I am sure that one reason is the sheer size of the United States compared with that of the U.K., but are there other factors?
Having been fortunate to work internationally with former members of the U.K. fire service and also attend the Fire Service College at Moreton-in-Marsh, England, I have been exposed to and worked with the U.K.’s breathing apparatus (BA) command and control procedures. These procedures are comprehensive and strictly adhered to. Do these procedures enhance the safety of the U.K.’s fire service personnel? I believe they do. An overview of these procedures is presented here for evaluation by and discussion among members of the U.S. fire service.
 (1) Breathing Apparatus Control Board. (Photos by author.) |
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 (2) Tally inserted in BA Control Board. |
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 (3) BA Control Board showing close-up of timer and duration tables. |
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 (4) Tally as an integral part of the PASS device. Removing the tally with the attached blue clip arms the PASS device. |
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THE U.K.’S BA COMMAND AND CONTROL PROCEDURES
The U.K.’s BA command and control procedures are guided by Technical Bulletin 1/1997, Breathing Apparatus Command and Control Procedures,1 which states the following as its objectives:
- To ensure the safety of firefighters and the effective use of breathing apparatus during training and operations.
- To meet the varying demands of incidents.
- To acknowledge the resources available to the officer in charge.
The U.K. approach to the use of BA employs considerable management and control of firefighter activity. On arrival at the scene, the fire officer assesses the risk and available resources to apply the appropriate level of control procedures. Whenever BA is used, a control procedure is in place.
The use of entry control points (ECPs) is given particular attention in the U.K. system. The ECPs are the focal points for the effective management of incidents where BA is used and the safe control of access to and egress from the risk area. ECP locations are based on the following guidelines:
- size of the risk area;
- location of the access points to the risk area;
- the number of levels or floors involved;
- the wind direction;
- the physical limitations of the site, in particular the obstruction to firefighting and effective control that can exist if the site is divided by major roads, railways, rivers, or other physical barriers; and
- the likely development [escalation] of the incident.
Only the minimum number of ECPs needed to deal effectively with the incident are established. They are not established at multiple points of entrance unless the entrances are so widely separated that using one entry point would be impractical.
The BA Tally
The underlying foundation of this system is the use of the BA tally. This is a plastic oblong tag that has the following information on one side:
- the name of the fire brigade (department),
- the fire station,
- identification number of the BA set,
- the name of the wearer, and
- the cylinder pressure.
These tallies are attached to the BA or to the Personal Alert Safety System (PASS).
At small or limited incidents (Stage I), where no more than two ECPs are used and the total number of BA wearers within the risk area does not exceed 10, the incident commander (IC) appoints an entry control officer (ECO) to establish an ECP.
The ECO wears a black- and yellow-checked BA control tabard (vest) for rapid identification. This vest is carried in a pouch attached to the entry control board (ECB). The ECO receives all BA tallies, enters the “time in” on the tally, and places the tally in the slot on the ECB.
Using a clock on the ECB, the earliest “time of whistle” is entered next to each entry team’s tallies. The time of whistle is calculated using a duration table (mounted on the ECB), the cylinder pressure at entry, and the time of entry. When the BA wearers leave the risk area, the appropriate tally is returned to the BA user.
Some tallies are an integral part of the PASS device so that when the tally is removed from the PASS and given to the ECO, it arms the PASS. At the ECB, there are tallies a rescue team (rapid intervention team) can use to temporarily deactivate a sounding PASS of a downed firefighter. These tallies do not allow for total deactivation—they only reset the PASS to alleviate unnecessary noise during the rescue.
When immediate entry to a risk area is needed on arrival at the scene, the tally system is still used before establishing an ECP and ECO. The immediate entry must be for exceptional circumstances only and may be used only when no more than two BA wearers are in the risk area. In addition, the following must be applicable:
- It is immediately clear that persons are at great risk, in need of rescue, and within view or known to be within a short distance of the entry point or
- The dangerous escalation of the incident can be prevented by immediate and limited action.
The entry personnel will place their tallies in a smaller rapid deployment ECB that records the time by triggering a stopwatch or stopping a clock attached to this rapid deployment ECB. I have seen this rapid deployment ECB integrated into a standard ECB by having two slots painted red and incorporating an automatic trigger device to activate a stopwatch. As soon as practical, standard BA control procedures replace rapid deployment procedures.
At advanced/large-scale incidents, a Stage II control procedure is implemented when one or more of the following apply:
- The scale of operations is likely to be protracted or demand greater control and supervision than that provided for in Stage I procedures.
- More than two ECPs are needed.
- More than 10 BA wearers are committed into the risk area at one time.
- Branch guide lines are used.2
During Stage II, an ECO is required to supervise each ECP. More than one ECO may be at each ECP. An additional ECO should be designated for each group of 10 BA wearers when more than 10 BA wearers enter the risk area at an ECP. When resources permit, a firefighter is assigned to assist the ECO, especially when several BA teams are being monitored at the same time.
 (5) Members of a supertanker crew use a BA Control Board at a recent training activity. |
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When there is more than one Stage II ECP or the number of BA wearers is large, an additional control is established to coordinate BA requirements. This control is known as the “BA Main Control” and is set up to monitor access and communicate with all Stage II ECPs and the IC. This position acts as a staging officer for BA wearers so that relief can be sent to each ECP.
The main control officer also establishes emergency teams (RITs), consisting of a minimum of two firefighters for each 10 BA wearers. Where possible, one of these emergency teams is equal to the number of personnel in the largest BA team committed.3
As can be seen, the U.K. fire service’s approach to BA use, accountability, and firefighter safety is stringent. It may seem complex, but, once practiced, it is simple to use. Recently, a large supertanker fleet adopted this system for use by its crews during emergencies aboard their ships. Personnel were trained on this system in less than a few hours and successfully used it in drills during a week of shore-based firefighting training.
The U.K. system has many similarities to the many variations of accountability systems used in the United States. It is important to note that this system is standard throughout the U.K. How many times do we talk about standardizing U.S. fire service policies, procedures, and equipment? How many firefighter injuries and deaths have been the result of incompatibility among departments, communications, equipment, and policies? If used correctly, the U.K. system has the ability and potential to save firefighters’ lives.
Endnotes
1. United Kingdom, The Home Office. Technical Bulletin 1/1997, Breathing Apparatus Command and Control Procedures. (London: HMFSI, 1997).
2. The term “guide line” defines the special line used as a main guide line for initial search and to indicate a route between an ECP and the scene of operations, or, alternatively, as a branch guide line, where it is necessary to traverse or search deeply off a main guide line.
3. For example, if a four-person engine company is the largest unit operating within the structure, one of the emergency teams should be comprised of at least four persons.
Additional References
BA Command and Control Procedures, Breathing Apparatus Instructor’s Course. Moreton-in-Marsh: The Fire Service College, 1999.
Young, P., “The UK approach to firefighter safety in structure fires,” Fire Engineers Journal, Nov. 2001, 47-48.
CRAIG H. SHELLEY, EFO, CFO, MIFireE, is a fire protection advisor to a large oil company operating in the Middle East. He has a master’s degree in executive fire service leadership and is a graduate of the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer program. Previously, he served as chief of the City of Rutland, Vermont, and as a chief with the Special Operations Command, Fire Department of New York. He served as a task force leader with FEMA’s NY TF-1 USAR team during its response to the Oklahoma City Bombing and other deployments.
UNITED KINGDOM GUIDE LINE PROCEDURES
Guide lines are beneficial when advancing into areas that have limited visibility. Many techniques are taught in the United States, and individual fire departments have their own standard operating procedures (SOPs). Richard Kolomay and Robert Hoff state in their book Firefighter Rescue and Survival (see references at end of this sidebar) that “not unlike the thermal imaging camera, the personal search rope is another tool for safety.” They also believe that a personal rope should not get you in farther but should allow you to get in and out safely.
The United Kingdom (U.K.) fire service has adopted SOPs for the use of guide lines. These SOPs state that guide lines are to be used only on the instruction of the officer-in-charge and where no other practical or appropriate means are available for tracing the way out of a risk area.
To reduce confusion when using guide lines, the U.K. ensures that the guide lines are identifiable by touch. Two tabs, six inches apart, are fitted at eight-foot intervals along the length of the line. A knotted tab (consisting of two separate knots with an overall length of two inches) indicates the exit route and is always on the “exit side” of the plain tab (unknotted and five inches—see Figure 1).
The guide line container is secured to the leader of the team who is laying the guide line. The other end is secured to a substantial object outside the risk area. The line is under the control of the entry control officer (ECO) at the entry location. The officer also ensures that a guide line tally is fitted to the rope. The main guide line tally is a disc three inches in diameter and marked with an “A” or a “B” on each side (see Figure 2). These tallies have a fitting that allows it to be attached to the ring of the snap hook at the entry end of the guide line. This control is established before the team enters the risk area. The ECO ensures that the first tab out of the container is the “two-knot tab.” At sufficient intervals, the guide line is tied off to substantial objects along the route.
When a branch guide line (see main article) is established off the main guide line, branch guide line tallies are used. They are small rectangular tallies that have holes (up to four) drilled in them to signify the guide line number—one hole for branch guide line one, two holes for branch guide line two, and so on. One is attached to the ring of the snap hook at the end of a branch guide line. Branch guide lines are used where the distance of the area of search is greater than the length of one personal line (four feet). A maximum of four branch lines can be established at an Entry Control Point (ECP). The ECO attaches the branch guide line tally and records the user before the branch guide line is taken into the risk area. The branch guide lines are secured to the main guide lines when searching off the main guide line.
Personal lines are four feet long and are used by BA wearers to attach themselves to each other or a guide line. One personal line can be used to extend a search from the guide line. When a guide line is being laid, all members of the team, other than the team leader, should attach themselves to the team member in front of them or the guide line using the personal line. Branch or personal lines are not permitted to be joined together to extend their length, but main guide lines can be extended by joining another guide line to the first one.
 Based on illustration courtesy of Diktron Limited, England. |
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During emergency withdrawal from an area, the guide line container is left in place, preferably secured to a substantial object, and the team retreats using the guide line for direction. If the team has to leave before an objective is met, the same procedure is used. The line is left in place for use by the next team.
 Based on illustration courtesy of Diktron Limited, England. |
The use of guide lines will undoubtedly save lives. Procedures must be established and firefighters must practice techniques for using such guide lines before entry with guide lines is allowed.
I hope these procedures will give insight to departments that may not have known about the use of guide lines for these purposes. All procedures developed are intended to make our job safer; guide lines become another tool to be used for this objective.
References
The Home Office Technical Bulletin 1/1997, “Breathing Apparatus Command and Control Procedures.” (London: HMFSI, 1997.)
Kolomay, R. and R. Hoff. Firefighter Rescue and Survival. (Tulsa, Oklahoma: PennWell, 2003), 121.
