The intent of this section is to provide the company commander with the basic guidelines for operating at special incidents. The Emergency Operating Guidelines are to be used as a guide and are not meant to be all inclusive for each and every circumstance. The Company Commander must still utilized standard practices, good judgement, and common sense in each of these special operations.

AIRPORT RESPONSE TO TUPELO AIRPORT AUTHORITY PROPERTY

The Tupelo Fire Department responds in support of the Tupelo Airport Authority Crash Fire/Rescue (CFR) in accordance with the Airport Emergency Plan and other agreements between both entities.

The Tupelo Fire Department responds on an automatic dispatch policy sending the following assignments:

Alert 1 Normal Response Units prepare to Respond

Alert 2 Two Engine Companies, One Rescue, Chief Officers

Alert 3 Three Engine Companies, One Rescue, Chief Officers

The tactical priorities of the second due company should be to assist in rescue and removal of the occupants and establish a water supply for the Crash Fire/Rescue (CFR) Apparatus. The Driver/Operator shall place the apparatus near the CFR Apparatus and begin establishing a water supply. The pump discharge pressure shall not exceed 70 psi. The driver/operator should establish a plan to provide additional water, other that second due's tank water, utilizing the first due apparatus and additional incoming apparatus.

The tactical priorities of the third due company should be to begin the treatment and triage of victims and establish a plan for extrication victims which may be entangled or entrapped. The Company Commander should establish a safe zone for a triage sector.

The Rescue Company should assist and implement extrication plan and begin treatment and triage.

STANDARD COMPANY FUNCTIONS

FIRST DUE ENGINE COMPANY

Sergeant/Driver Operator:

1. Approach Uphill/Upwind (if possible)
2. Position the apparatus in a manner to supply CFR apparatus with tank water
3. Don SCBA/Turnouts
4. Assist company in rescue and removal of occupants
5. Relieve company commander on hoseline (if only one hoseline is pulled)

1. Pull preconnected 1.75 inch hoseline or dual agent hoseline as directed
2. Man nozzle in a manner to provide protection for exits and the means of egress
3. Assist in the rescue and removal of occupants

1. Make size up and develop attack plan with CFR Officer
2. Establish or pass command
3. Direct incoming Tupelo Fire Department Units
4. Back up firefighter on hoseline or pull additional line (only if protecting means of egress)
*When operating as a four person company the firefighter is responsible for the duties deemed necessary by the Company Commander.

SECOND DUE ENGINE COMPANY

Sergeant/Driver Operator:

1. Approach Uphill/Upwind
2. Position Apparatus in a manner to supply CFR apparatus with tank water
3. Establish a supply line to CFR apparatus
4. Supply tank water to CFR apparatus on command of CFR Officer
PUMP DISCHARGE PRESSURE IS NOT TO EXCEED 70 PSI
5. If necessary, use first due apparatus to supply CFR apparatus with additional water and develop plan to supply additional water to the scene

1. Assist in rescue and removal of occupants
2. Man hoseline
3. Assist in treatment and triage when fire is contained

1. Assume command of Operations, if designated
2. Direct and assist in rescue and removal of occupants
3. Back up hoseline operations
4. Direct other incoming units, Fire and EMS as to conditions and precautions
*When operating as a four person company the firefighter is responsible for the duties deemed necessary by the Company Commander.

THIRD DUE ENGINE COMPANY

Sergeant/Driver Operator:

1. Approach from Uphill/Upwind (if possible)
2. Position apparatus
3. Assist in water supply operations

1. Assist Rescue in treatment and triage
2. Assist in removal of victims to triage area

1. Establish and Assume Command of the Triage Sector
2. Establish plan for rescue/removal of trapped or missing occupants
3. Establish a safe area for triage sector
*When operating as a four person company the firefighter is responsible for the duties deemed necessary by the Company Commander.

Sergeant/Driver Operator

1. Approach Uphill/Upwind
2. Position apparatus
3. Prepare for extrication or entrapment of occupants
4. Begin treatment and triage of occupants
5. Remove patients to triage area

1. Assist in rescue and extrication of occupants
2. Begin treatment and triage of occupants
3. Remove patients to triage area

Purpose
The following guidelines are established for the Fire Department's response to reports of Carbon Monoxide incidents.

General
Carbon Monoxide is an odorless, tasteless, colorless gas that is deadly. It is a by-product of a fuel burning process. Many appliances such as furnaces, kitchen stoves, hot water heaters, automobiles, etc. can produce carbon monoxide. When a faulty or unusual condition exists, carbon monoxide may be vented into areas where people are present.

Carbon Monoxide poisoning may be difficult to diagnose. Its symptom are similar to the flu, which may include headache, nausea, fatigue, and dizzy spells.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has established a maximum safe working level for carbon monoxide at 35 parts per million (PPM) over an 8 hour period in the general workplace. The US environmental Protection Agency has established that residential levels are not to exceed 9PPM over an 8 hour average.

The gas company will not respond to all carbon monoxide (CO) investigations. They will respond only if the initial call received by them indicates that someone is ill or if the fire department requests that they respond to the scene.

Procedures

The department has issued a carbon monoxide meter to Rescue 1 and Command Vehicle. Company Officer should enter the meter onto their company inventory.

Rescue 1 and the Assistant Chief have been assigned the task of responding to carbon monoxide investigations. Engine 1 shall serve as a secondary response crew in the event Rescue 1 and the Assistant Chief are not available. All members at Station 1 should become familiar with the operation of the meters.

This meter shall be used to monitor the atmosphere during any suspected carbon monoxide investigation.

Each morning the CO gas meter should be examined and tested.

Any station receiving a call to about carbon monoxide detectors should follow the same protocol as Lee County Communications Center. The receiver of the call should attempt to verify if the detector sounding is a smoke detector or a carbon monoxide detector.

Should any problem be noted, the Hazardous Materials Team Leader of the Special Operations Unit shall immediately be contacted, who will take steps to correct the problem or issue a replacement meter. The Special Operations Unit Haz Mat Team Leaders will also provide periodic re-calibration and maintenance of all CO gas meters, as per the manufacturer's recommendations.

Company Officer shall see that their assigned meter is stored in a secure location on their apparatus.
 

Response and Notification

Upon receving a call regarding a carbon monoxide detector activation the dispatcher shall attempt to verify if the detector that is sounding is a smoke detector or a carbon monoxide detector.

1. If it is a smoke detector, the dispatcher will determine what fire response is necessary.
2. If it is a carbon monoxide detector.

1. If yes, dispatch the closest Enging Company, Rescue,1 and EMS;
2. If no, dispatch the Rescue and/or FD-3.

1. Verify that the alarm is coming from a smoke detector or a carbon monoxide detector. Determine the cause of the alarm, i.e. true alarm, low battery indication, poor location of device, etc.

A. If it is a smoke detector alarm:

1. Investigate the cause of the alarm;
2. take the necessary action to mitigate the situation;
3. advise the dispatcher of the situation.

1. Determine if anyone is exhibiting any symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning; if so,
immediately evacuate and ventilate the premises;
2. Request necessary E.M.S. response;
3. Begin investigating the cause.

D. The incident commander shall request that the gas company respond to the scene if:

1. A CO level of over 9 PPM is indicated on their meters, or;
2. The responding company shuts off gas appliance, or;
3. Someone is showing signs of being ill due to carbon monoxide, or;
4. The incident commander feels a response by the gas company is needed.

Zero the meter in fresh air and comply with all other start up procedures as recommended by the manufacturer.

Initiate a survey of the premises to determine if there are any amounts above 9 PPM of carbon monoxide present.

All members shall use a SCBA in any atmosphere that is in excess of 35 PPM of CO.

Reading of 9 PPM or less:

Inform the occupants that our instrument did not detect an elevated level of CO at this time.

Recommend occupants check their CO detector per manufacturer recommendations.

Attempt to reset detector.

Inform occupants that if it activates again, call 9-1-1.

Readings of more than 9 PPM but less than 100 PPM:

Any reading above 9PPM shall be considered above normal reading. Occupants shall be informed that we have detected a potentially dangerous level of CO. Recommend that all persons leave the premises and begin ventilation. If it is determined that an appliance is malfunctioning and thereby producing CO, it shall be shut down. Once the premises has been reduced to a safe level of CO, the premises may be occupied at the discretion of the occupant. Attempt shall be made to reset the detector. Inform occupants that if it activates again, call 9-1-1. The occupants shall be informed of the action that has taken place and that the gas company has been requested to respond.

Reading of 100 PPM or Greater:
 

Any reading of 100 PPM or greater - inform the occupants that we have detected a potentially lethal level of CO. Order the occupants to leave the premises immediately. If it is determined that an appliance is malfunctioning and thereby producing CO, it shall be shut down. Once the premises has been reduced to a safe level of CO, the premises may be occupied at the discretion of the occupant. Attempt shall be made to reset the detector. Inform occupants that if it activates again, call 9-1-1. The occupants shall be informed of the action that has taken place and that the gas company has been requested to respond.

The Officer investigating the utilize the Checklist for Carbon Monoxide form when conducting the investigation. Completing all information include on the form.

The Office should also complete the Notice of Findings form for the occupant. Complete all information as requested, have the occupant sign the form, and the bottom copy for filing with the incident report.

A standard incident report should be completed and filed in the appropriate manner.
 

LOCATION OF INCIDENT:______________________________________________________ DATE:___________________

Headache     Yes     No
Fatigue         Yes     No
Nausea         Yes     No
Dizziness      Yes     No
Confusion     Yes      No

Are any members of the household feeling ill?     Yes      No
Do you feel better when away from the house?     Yes     No

Since the detector's alarm went off, what have you done?

Shut-off carbon monoxide sources     Yes     No
If yes, which ones?_____________________________________________________

Let in fresh air     Yes     No
If yes, how and for how long?____________________________________________

PPM ACCEPTABLE yes__________no__________PPM Reading________

Chimney: Clogged flue, blocked opening _______________________________

Fireplace: Gas or Wood ____________________________________________

Portable Heater: Emissions __________________________________________

Gas Refrigerator: _________________________________________________

Kitchen Stove: ___________________________________________________

Cook Top Vent: __________________________________________________

Gas Dryer: ______________________________________________________

Water Heater: Chimney pipe _________________________________________

Furnace: Gas/Oil; flue/chimney pipe ___________________________________

Barbecue Grill: In enclosed area ______________________________________

Car Garage: Car started or running recently _____________________________

Operating Fireplace: Possible downdraft ________________________________
 

Carbon Monoxide Detector: Make: Model: Serial#:
 

Officer Completing Checklist:_____________________________________________________
 
 
 

Carbon Monoxide is an odorless, tasteless, colorless gas that is DEADLY. It is a by-product of a fuel burning process. It can cause symptoms that can mimic flu, unconsciousness and even death. Many appliances around the home are capable of producing Carbon Monoxide when a faulty or unusual condition exists. Since the source may be transient in nature, the source may not always be detectable.

The Tupelo Fire Department responded to investigate a possible Carbon Monoxide problem at:
 

(Time)_________ (Location)______________________________, on (Date)_____________

Carbon Monoxide ( ) was ( )was not found by our instruments. This does not mean that this was a false alarm. Our instruments found the highest level of CO to be________ PPM(parts per million).
 
 

9 PPM or less: Our instruments did not detect elevated levels at this time. However, this does not mean that higher levels did not exist prior to our arrival nor that higher levels will not accumulate after our departure. Check your carbon monoxide detector per the manufacturer's recommendations. Call the manufacturer for additional information (number may be on the back of the unit). Replace or reset detector as directed by the manufacturer's specifications.
 

More than 9 PPM: Our instruments have detected potentially dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. We recommend that you leave this building immediately. We feel that it is unsafe to re-occupy this building until repairs are made and your detector is replaced or reset according to the manufacturer's specifications.
 

35 PPM: Maximum allowable concentration for continuous exposure in any 8 hour period according to OSHA.
 

100 PPM or greater: We have detected a potentially lethal level of carbon monoxide in your home. Leave your building immediately. It is not safe until repairs are made or the source is found and corrected. Have your sources of carbon monoxide examined and if necessary, repaired by a qualified repair technician. Replace or reset your detector according to manufacturer's specifications. Carbon Monoxide affects individuals differently depending on size, age, and medical history of the occupants. Therefore, families with young children or members with medical conditions, or aged individuals should take extra precautions in the event that Carbon Monoxide is detected.
 

Issued by:______________________________________ Date:_____________________
 

Received by:____________________________________ Date:_____________________