The document outlines a training program for fire department detail officers, emphasizing their role in maintaining public fire safety during events. It covers the responsibilities of firefighters, inspection protocols, crowd control measures, and requirements for public assembly venues to prevent tragedies. The program aims to ensure that firefighters are prepared to effectively manage emergencies and enforce fire codes to protect lives.

1. Training Program for Fire
Department Detail Officers
Harry J. Hallgring Jr.
Chief of Department

2.  RI State Fire Marshal’s Office
 RI Fire Academy
 Providence Fire Department
 Newport Fire Department Bureau of Fire
Prevention
 NFPA 1 Uniform Fire Code
 NFPA 101 Life Safety Code

3.  Tragedy occurs, creates change.
 As the on-site professionalsYOU need to
know exactly what to do in the event of an
emergency.
 The public and the building managers will
look to you in their time of need.
 Your actions will be a major contributor to
saving lives.

4.  April 13, 1928 -West Plains, Mo., 40 dead,
dance hall (explosion).
Cause – Undetermined
 April 23, 1940 - Natchez, Miss., 198 dead,
Rhythm Night Club dance hall.
Cause – undetermined
 Nov. 28 1942 - Boston, Mass., 491 dead,
Cocoanut Grove Supper club.
Cause – Undetermined

5.  June 24, 1973 - New Orleans, 32 dead,
Upstairs Bar. Cause – Arson
 June 30, 1974 - Port Chester, NY., 24 dead,
Cause – Arson
 Oct. 24, 1976 - Bronx, NY., 25 dead, Puerto
Rican Social club. Cause – arson
 May 28 1977 - Southgate, KY., 164 dead,
Beverly Hills supper club. Cause – arson

6.  March 25, 1990 - Bronx, NY., 87 dead, Happy
Land Social Club.
Cause – Arson
 Feb. 20, 2003 -WestWarwick, RI., 100 dead,
Station Night Club.
Cause – under investigation

7.  To enable Detail personnel to understand their duties,
as well as the Ordinances of the City of Newport and
the General Laws of Rhode Island
 ExplainWhy Firefighters are at the detail
 Present General building design features
 To ensure proper enforcement
 Why?To protect the public from needless tragedy
 Present information as to how to correct a potential
problem
 Whom to contact for help

8.  How FireWorks

9.  The main purpose of a Fire Detail is to
maintain the Public Fire Safety at the venue.
 The firefighter shall maintain a visible
presence at all details

10.  Created a new category of public assembly
venue
 Requirements for announcements, sound
cessation and firefighter on duty
 Designated crowd control manager
 Creation of administrative warrants to force
compliance with inspection requests
 Instituted “tickets” for violations of the fire
code & stiffer fines
 Process still being worked out

11. Assembly Occupancies
 An occupancy used for a gathering of 50 or more
persons for deliberation, worship, entertainment,
eating, drinking, amusement, awaiting
transportation or similar uses, or…
 Any occupancy used as a special amusement
building regardless of occupant load
▪ NFPA 1 Uniform Fire Code

12.  A Special Amusement Building Concentrated
Occupancy [SAB/CO] place of assembly
 shall mean a Class A, B or C place of assembly
with a maximum occupancy calculated on the basis
of less than fifteen square feet (15 sq. ft.) per
person and for which there is either a license issued
pursuant to R.I.G.L. Chapter 3-7 (Retail Licenses)
or there is entertainment or there are both a liquor
license and entertainment.

13. Uniformed Firefighter(s) Required at:
 All places of occupancy greater than 1,000
 Occupancy load between 300 and 1,000 of less
concentrated use
 Occupancy load between 50 and 1,000 of
concentrated use
 Occupancy load between 50 and 1,000 of
concentrated or less concentrated use being
utilized for activities of unusual hazard

14.  Must be on approval list through State Fire
Marshal’s office
 Which Means?
 Gather event inspection checklist and the
pre-plan for your location

15.  Arrive 30 minutes ahead of the event to
provide time for building walk-through
 Check-in with proper authority:
event coordinator / building manager
 Perform inspection checklist
 Check sheet to be provided
 Detail Uniform as specified by Chief’s Office
 Radio and EMS kit

16.  Familiarize yourselves with all fire
protection features, and with the
condition of exits
 Exits Unlocked and unblocked
 Fire Extinguisher locations
 Radio box or pull station location (if
applicable)
 Pre-plan from specific venue provided by
building owner or manager

17.  Shall patrol the entire area of the tent during
the time it is occupied.
 Ensure that overcrowding is not permitted
 Aisles and exits are kept to be kept open
 Enforce the no smoking rules are observed

18.  The Following Items Should Be Inspected
While PerformingYour Checklist…

19.  Occupancy/Capacity signs posted and visible
 Every assembly occupancy room without fixed seating must
have occupant load posted
 Employees must be aware of the occupancies of
each floor, room and level
 There must be a system to count and keep track of
occupancy in each area

20.  Employees should be trained in duties they
are to perform in an emergency.
 Should be trained how to notify the Fire
Department (activate alarm system).
 Employees need to know locations of all exits
and how to direct patrons to nearest exit.

21. Means of Egress
 Continuous & unobstructed way of travel from
any point in a building or structure to a public
way consisting of three separate & distinct parts
1. Exit Access
2. The Exit
3. Exit Discharge

22.  No Furnishings, decorations, or other objects
shall obstruct exits, access thereto, egress
there from, or visibility thereof
 No obstruction by railings, barriers, furniture
or other objects are allowed
 Every door and principal entrance required to
serve as an exit shall be obvious and direct

23.  All exit doors open in direction of egress
travel
 Open / close easily and unobstructed
 Exit doors free of hold-open devices (ex.
wedges, straps, etc.)
 All exit doors inspected and not locked,
bolted or otherwise fastened, preventing
egress

24.  Exits shall terminate directly at a public way
or at an exterior exit discharge
 Means of egress shall be illuminated
continuously during the time that the
conditions of occupancy require the means of
egress be available for use

25.  Showing occupant load, seating diagram and
location of the exits should be on site
 Must be signed and approved by Assistant
Deputy State Fire Marshal

26. Fire alarm panel –
 Tells you where the alarm has been activated
 Only to be reset when scene has been
deemed clear
 Must have current inspection sticker
 Look for trouble or other alarms

27. Smoke Detectors –
 Commercial buildings:
Must be hard wired with
battery backup
 Must not be blocked by
anything, including dust,
cobwebs or paint
 Power light must be
active – steady blink

28. Heat detector –
 Used where smoke detectors too sensitive
 Rated for different temperatures
 Usually mounted on ceiling

29. Horn / Strobe –
 Notification to building occupants of fire by
sound and strobe light
 Will only stop when alarm panel is reset
 Must not be blocked or covered

30.  Located near exit doors
 Different operations but same idea
 Check to make sure not obstructed or unable
to function

31.  All places of assembly must have lighted
signs
 Must remain lit during power outage
 Signs must be lit and visible for all main
egress’

32.  All places of assembly must have working
emergency lighting.
 Can be checked by test button or central box.

33.  Must never be blocked
 Have marking sign above
 Properly mounted and located
near exits
 Inspection tag will tell you
when the last inspection was.
 Indicator gauge will tell you if
the extinguisher is in proper
working order (Green area).

34.  Automatic extinguishing systems must be in
place in all kitchens
 If necessary can be operated manually
 Know actuator location and how to use it

35.  Other items on checklist that you are not sure
about… ask!

36. Tents
Grandstands
Air-Supported Structures
Special Events

37.  Definition:
 Tent
 Membrane Structure
 Grandstand
 Permit Process
 Detail Duties

38.  Tents
 Circus, Carnival, Large Crowd Events

39.  Tent
 NFPA 101: “a temporary structure, for covering of which is
made of a pliable material that achieves its support by
mechanical means such as beams, columns, poles, or
arches, or by rope or cables, or both.”
 Membrane Structure
 “a building or portion of a building incorporating an air-
inflated, air-supported, tensioned membrane structure”.
 Grand stand
 A structure that provides tiered or stepped seating

40. Questions to ask…
 Number of people attending? (Needed for permit)
 Flame resistant certificates from tent
manufacturer
 Will there be a stage in the tent?
 Will cooking or heating devices be used?

41.  Number of people attending will be provided
by permit
 Egress must be maintained
 Tent must not take up more than 75% of
premises
 Area within and 10 feet around tent must be
free of debris and ground growth
 Exception: approved animal bedding

42. Flammable liquids or gases
▪ Must be stored at least 10’ away from tents
▪ Must not be refueled within 5’ of tent area
▪ Propane tanks must be secured from falling over,
strapped to a stationary object or staked to ground

43. Electrical
▪ Switches & fuses must be in approved enclosures
▪ Cables on ground traversed by public must be in
trenches or approved covers
▪ Generators must be no less than 5 feet away and
protected by fencing, enclosure or approved means

44.  NO SMOKING
 Exit signs for all egress, Lit for night events
 Emergency alarm or notification system must be
provided
 Fireworks or unauthorized open flames are
prohibited in any tent or temporary membrane
structure
 Egress shall meet the same requirements as that
for enclosed structures

45. 23-28.19-15 Detail of Firefighters
 Uniformed firefighters required for all circuses,
carnivals or other exhibitions where large crowds
assemble
 Detail must familiarize themselves with all fire
protection facilities and fire prevention features &
exits
 Detail shall patrol the entire area during the time it
is occupied

46.  Special police officers or firefighters
should see that overcrowding is not
permitted
 Aisles and exit ways are kept open
 No smoking rules are observed

47.  No tent exceeding 120 sq. ft. (10x12) shall be
erected, without a license (building permit)
 Licenses shall not be issued for more than 30
days.
 Any tent exceeding 400 sq. ft. require fire
department approval and an on-site
inspection:
 Building department, police department
 When used for more than 200 persons

48. • Schematic of tent size, location, use, and seating
plan
• Stage plan
• Date of set up, date & time of event, break down
• Flame resistant documentation, decorations
• Exit lighting, and emergency lighting
• Propane tanks properly spaced, secured, protected
• Fire extinguishers
• Electrical equipment (and protection)
• Generators
• All combustible debris and vegetation clear for 10 ft
surrounding tents

49.  NFPA 1 – Uniform Fire Code
 NFPA 101 – Life Safety Code
 NFPA 102 – Standard for Grandstands, Folding and
Telescopic Seating,Tents, and Membrane Structures
 NFPA 30 – Flammable and Combustible Liquids
 NFPA 54 – National Fuel Gas Code
 NFPA 58 – Liquefied Petroleum Gas Code

50.  Signs prohibiting smoking shall be prominently
displayed at all entrances.
 Frequent announcements regarding no smoking
shall be made
 Non-combustible containers shall be provided at all
entrances for cigar or cigarette butts, and a
uniformed attendant shall be stationed at locations
to advise patrons of the no smoking regulation

51.  Capacity of 100 or more: 2 exits
 Capacity >500: minimum 9 ft in width
 Exits not over 75 ft apart
 Poles between 8 -10 ft apart

52.  AislesWidth: Minimum 44” apart
 Rows (between): Minimum 12” ?

53.  Fire Extinguishers

54.  Assembly Occupancy: exceeding 1000
 One (1) trained manager for every 250 occupants
▪ Not inclusive of religious services (not exceeding 2000
occupants)
▪ May be reduced due to sprinkler system
 Festival Seating

55.  Uniformed firefighters shall be detailed to all
circuses, carnivals, or other exhibits where large
crowds assemble.
 All tents with a capacity of 1000 or more persons shall
have a minimum of two (2) uniformed fire fighters and any
additional when deemed necessary by the Chief
 All tents with a capacity of 301- 1000 shall have a
minimum of one (1) uniformed fire fighter and any
additional when deemed necessary by the Chief
 All tents with a capacity of 50 - 300 shall have a minimum
of one (1) uniformed fire fighter when deemed necessary
by the Chief.
▪ This provision may be waived by the Chief

56.  Seating
 If seating is provided, no standing in aisles is
permitted (site managers should enforce,
however firefighters have a duty to clear the
aisle).
▪ Not applicable to Ushers, police, other workers
 Any person violating this provision may be fined
up to $500.00
▪ Police enforcement

57.  Lighted candles in all
places of assembly
shall be protected by a
proper enclosure
manufactured for that
specific purpose
 No open or unprotected
flame
YES NO

58. Vent pipe?

59. FireWorks Displays

60.  Watch for unsafe handling and storage
 Watch assistants for ability to use
extinguishers or other safety equipment
 All personnel involved in the display must
wear proper PPE
 Safety Glasses, Long-sleeved shirt, long-pants
made of 100% cotton, leather or equivalent fabric

61. Immediate notification must be made if any of
the following occur:
 Injury to any person resulting from the display of
fireworks
 Fire or damage to property resulting from the
display of fireworks
 Unsafe or defective pyrotechnic products used or
observed

62.  Continue to enforce all items on checklist
 Pay special attention to corridors and exits
 Watch for unplanned events in performance
 If violations observed:
 Correct them immediately
 If problem, Notify Deputy Chief on-duty
 Ask Police Officer at the event to help enforce, if
necessary

63.  Rescue
 Anyone in immediate danger.
 If this should require more than a few seconds to
accomplish, the alarm should be sounded
immediately

64. Sound Alarm!
 Sounding the building Fire Alarm followed by
communication to dispatch via portable radio
 Give exact location & description of the situation
(Building name & address)
 Floor number
 Area
 Details of emergency
 Occupancy at time of fire

65. Confine the Fire
 Restrict fire to certain areas by closing doors and
cutting off further fuel or oxygen
 Performed as you leave the area to sound alarm
and direct patrons out
Evacuate the building!
 Direct all people to the exit
 Ensure that staff are following the Egress Plan

66.  Remain at your posted location until all guests have
left or until hazardous items are properly disposed
of
 Note any issues or concerns on your event checklist
 Report safety concerns to Assistant Deputy State
Fire Marshal
Upon Completion of the Detail
 Violations and/or questions shall be forwarded to
the Fire Marshal’s Office through the Deputy Chief’s
Office

67.  Job #1
 Safety of event participants and guests
Objects can be replaced but lives cannot