Presentation for BIR and CAN Report course

1. B.I.R. and C.A.N. Reports
Strategies and Tactics

2. Incident Priorities
1. Life Safety
2. Incident Stabilization
3. Property Conservation

3. Initial Reporting and Dispatch
Often times we get dispatched to a call based on what the PSAP receives for
information. This can be at the very least incomplete and at worst incorrect.
This information can be inaccurate because:
Bystanders often don’t know how to describe what they are seeing, due to lack of
knowledge or expertise in subject matter. They may panic and over or under
exaggerate the circumstance. They could also be a 3rd or 4th party calling in for
someone who had asked them for help.

4. The B.I.R.(Brief Initial Report)
What is it and why is it important?
The BIR is a depiction of the emergency on arrival, based on what you find.
BIRs can range from something short to something lengthy, however some good things to
include are:
❏ Who you are and or what unit you are on
❏ Updated address(if not provided or accurate by dispatch)
❏ Type of structure
❏ Condition report or description
❏ Who has Command/OIC
❏ Orders for incoming responders
NOTE: This is important to manage expectations of additional responders as well as gives the dispatcher
the go ahead to make notifications if a call needs to be upgraded or downgraded/

5. The B.I.R. (cont.)
When you key the microphone to make a BIR, here are a few tips…
★ Take a deep breath
★ Key up for one second prior to speaking to open up all transmitters
★ Give the information
★ Release the microphone button
★ If needed take a pause between lengthy transmissions
(some radio systems only allow transmission for a set amount of time)
★ Listen carefully as the dispatcher repeats your message to ensure accuracy

6. Practice Scenarios

11. The C.A.N. Report
Progress reporting on the fireground during all phases of operations relays vital
information between Incident Commanders and companies operating at the incident.
Incident action plans are driven by the completion of tactical objectives. Conversely, if
an objective cannot be completed, the IC needs to be advised so that the safety of
crews operating can be evaluated and the tactical and strategic plan can be modified.
An easy way to answer or transmit a progress report is by the use of the C.A.N. report.
The C.A.N. report stands for Conditions, Actions, Needs and by using this order model,
the person giving the report easily identifies how well they are doing, the conditions
they are facing and any support or resource needs that they have.

12. Conditions
Examples of Conditions
Where are you
Any obstacles you encounter
Smoke and Heat conditions
Interior visability
Interior Layout
Fuel Loads
What’s burning
What’s not burning(exposures)

13. Actions
Examples of Actions
Completing assigned objective
Knocking down fire
Completing primary or secondary search
Pulling ceiling
Opening up the roof
Performing salvage
Fire under Control

14. Needs
Examples of Needs
Urgent Help
Reinforcement
Relief
Support to current assignment
Tools or equipment
Cover other areas
More line, more water
More ventilation

15. Discussion Questions
1. In your communication system, when do progress reports take place?
2. Is there an order model used to cover information that is transmitted?
3. How are these C.A.N. reports transmitted on our fireground, who initiates them, and
who receives them?
4. What should the receiver of a C.A.N. report do after a report is given?
5. Review the examples of the C.A.N. report transmissions and identify which may
indicate the need to change a tactical or strategic operation.
PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE