October/November 2005 Volume 14 Issue 1
Introduction:
It is important that fire departments spend the effort required to develop and utilize Pre-Incident Plans. A Plan can be truly invaluable when it comes to managing everything from structures to high hazard incident areas including intersections or rail crossings. An essential part of the firefighters arsenal, a Pre-Incident Plan not only provides responding units with visual information about an area and its elements, but a Plan can also indicate best response routes, identify hazards to occupants, the public and responders. A Pre-Incident Plan eliminates the guesswork and allows for informed decisions to be made in order to control the situation as quickly and as efficiently as possible.
An ongoing Pre-Incident Planning program must be an integral part of the departmental training and prevention schedule.
The following lesson plan outlines one process for developing and utilizing Pre-Incident Plans. This model can be adjusted to fit your departmental needs and circumstances.
Key Points and Terms |
Student Learning Activity |
References and Resources |
Trainer/Facilitator Activity |
| Purpose of Pre-Planning protect life protect property identify building conditions identify exposures identify special hazards determine possible fire attacks plan public relations assist the IC |
take notes participate in discussions ask questions small group activity or brainstorming |
Additional information on Pre-Incident Planning can be found in Essentials of Fire Fighting 4th Ed. (IFSTA); Fire Fighters Handbook (Thomson); Fundamentals of Fire Fighter Skills (NFPA) Ontario Fire College Company Officer 401 course |
lead discussions encourage participation record key information (e.g. flip chart/ board). leading questions Learning Step A
(15 minutes) |
| Building Selection For Pre-Incident Planning
size |
take notes participate in discussions ask questions |
Additional information on Pre-Incident Planning can be found in Essentials of Fire Fighting 4th Ed. (IFSTA); Fire Fighters Handbook(Thomson); Fundamentals of Fire Fighter Skills (NFPA) Ontario Fire College Company Officer 401 course |
lead discussions encourage participation explain how each of the factors in column 1
help to determine which buildings are to be pre-planned |
| Building Construction Type I Type II Type III Type IV Type V |
take notes participate in discussions ask questions provide input relate life stories if applicable |
Additional information on Pre-Incident Planning can be found in Essentials of Fire Fighting 4th Ed. (IFSTA); Fire Fighters Handbook(Thomson); Fundamentals of Fire Fighter Skills (NFPA) Ontario Fire College Company Officer 401 course |
NFPA 1001:3-3. 11 a for all construction types
|
| Building Features Affecting Life Safety and Fire Spread mode of construction age contents fire walls fire separations closures fire stops venting fire dampers shafts HVAC system fire protection systems fire detection systems occupancy type |
take notes participate in discussions ask questions provide input brainstorm to identify features |
Additional information on Pre-Incident Planning can be found in Essentials of Fire Fighting 4th Ed. (IFSTA); Fire Fighters Handbook(Thomson); Fundamentals of Fire Fighter Skills (NFPA) Ontario Fire College Company Officer 401 course |
list on flipchart/board etc. |
| Information to be included on a Pre-Incident Plan
See Ontario Firefighter Curriculum, Component One, Section 20 for a detailed list |
take notes |
Additional information on Pre-Incident Planning can be found in Essentials of Fire Fighting 4th Ed. (IFSTA); Fire Fighters Handbook(Thomson); Fundamentals of Fire Fighter Skills (NFPA) Ontario Fire College Company Officer 401 course |
encourage discussion break learners into teams have teams go to a break-out room and compile a list of the information req. teams present list - ensure nothing is missed (e.g., list on flip chart/board) Learning Step E (20 minutes) |
| Five steps to Pre-Incident Planning
1) data collection
|
take notes participate in discussions ask questions provide input |
Additional information on Pre-Incident Planning can be found in Essentials of Fire Fighting 4th Ed. (IFSTA); Fire Fighters Handbook(Thomson); Fundamentals of Fire Fighter Skills (NFPA) Ontario Fire College Company Officer 401 course |
lead discussions encourage participation |
HELPFUL TIP
Use of the practical self check # 1 (Ontario Firefighter Curriculum) in groups would assist in evaluating student comprehension.
| Pre-Incident Plan Exercise
introductions |
complete a Pre-Incident Plan complete a sketch demonstrate a Pre-Incident Planning survey tour |
Additional information on Pre-Incident Planning can be found in Essentials of Fire Fighting 4th Ed. (IFSTA); Fire Fighters Handbook(Thomson); Fundamentals of Fire Fighter Skills (NFPA) Ontario Fire College Company Officer 401 course |
demonstrate the procedures for conducting a Pre-Incident Plan have groups develop a plan from information given to them (mock information) |
Summary:
Is a departmental Pre-Incident Planning program important?
yes
Can any fire department have a Pre-Incident planning program?
yes
Is there value in having a Pre-Incident Plan?
yes
Does a Pre-Incident Plan help make fire ground operations safer?
yes
Does a Pre-Incident Plan help in determining fire ground strategy and tactics?
yes
Does a Pre-Incident Plan help to safeguard the lives of building occupants?
yes
Does Pre-Incident Planning familiarize the firefighter with different processes?
yes
Can Pre-Incident Planning assist building owners to become more aware of fire safety?
yes
Does Pre-Incident Planning enhance the professional image of the fire service?
yes
Should my department be engaged in a Pre-Incident Planning program?
yes
Do professionals create a Pre-Incident Plan?
yes
Is it difficult to produce Pre-Incident Plans?
no
Evaluation:
1) Written test/quiz (optional)
2) Conduct a Pre-Incident Planning survey tour of an actual business
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