This document outlines safety procedures that must be implemented during live structure fire control training programs. It identifies aspects of NFPA 1403 related to safety, the duties and responsibilities of the Safety Officer, and safety procedures regarding radio communications, medical requirements, weather effects, and conducting live fire training in burn buildings versus acquired structures. Case studies are presented to illustrate lessons learned.

1. STRUCTURE FIRE CONTROL INSTRUCTOR1
Live Fire TrainingLive Fire Training
SafetySafety

2. TERMINAL PERFORMANCETERMINAL PERFORMANCE
OBJECTIVEOBJECTIVE
The student shall describe safetyThe student shall describe safety
procedures that must beprocedures that must be
implemented during live structureimplemented during live structure
fire control training programs.fire control training programs.

3. STRUCTURE FIRE CONTROL INSTRUCTOR3
ENABLING OBJECTIVESENABLING OBJECTIVES
Identify aspects of NFPA 1403 that areIdentify aspects of NFPA 1403 that are
specifically related to safety.specifically related to safety.
Identify and describe the duties &Identify and describe the duties &
responsibilities of the Safety Officer.responsibilities of the Safety Officer.
Describe safety procedures as they relateDescribe safety procedures as they relate
to radio communications during live fireto radio communications during live fire
training evolutions.training evolutions.

4. STRUCTURE FIRE CONTROL INSTRUCTOR4
ENABLING OBJECTIVESENABLING OBJECTIVES
Describe medical requirements that mustDescribe medical requirements that must
be addressed during live fire trainingbe addressed during live fire training
evolutions.evolutions.
Describe the effects weather may haveDescribe the effects weather may have
on live fire training evolutions.on live fire training evolutions.
Describe the differences betweenDescribe the differences between
conducting live fire training evolutionsconducting live fire training evolutions
in burn buildings & acquired structures.in burn buildings & acquired structures.

5. STRUCTURE FIRE CONTROL INSTRUCTOR5
CASE STUDYCASE STUDY
Osceola County Fire RescueOsceola County Fire Rescue
July 30, 2002July 30, 2002
Line Of Duty DeathsLine Of Duty Deaths
Lieutenant John MickelLieutenant John Mickel
Firefighter Dallas BeggFirefighter Dallas Begg

6. STRUCTURE FIRE CONTROL INSTRUCTOR6
CASE STUDYCASE STUDY
Flashover occurred in room of originFlashover occurred in room of origin
Deaths result of smoke inhalation &Deaths result of smoke inhalation &
thermal injuriesthermal injuries
No concerns regarding fire/buildingNo concerns regarding fire/building
conditionsconditions
No evidence anyone could foreseeNo evidence anyone could foresee
flashoverflashover
Surprised by what they saw on videoSurprised by what they saw on video
Mattress could have contributed toMattress could have contributed to
flashoverflashover

7. STRUCTURE FIRE CONTROL INSTRUCTOR7
THE STRUCTURETHE STRUCTURE
1600 ft.21600 ft.2
3 bedrooms3 bedrooms
2 bathrooms2 bathrooms
Laundry roomLaundry room
Living roomLiving room
KitchenetteKitchenette

8. STRUCTURE FIRE CONTROL INSTRUCTOR8
THE TRAINING SESSIONTHE TRAINING SESSION
Two fuel pilesTwo fuel piles
– In open closetIn open closet
Two palletsTwo pallets
Scraps or woodScraps or wood
& hay& hay

9. STRUCTURE FIRE CONTROL INSTRUCTOR9
THE TRAINING SESSIONTHE TRAINING SESSION
 Four interior safety officers in two teamsFour interior safety officers in two teams
 The two deceased firefighters assigned as SARThe two deceased firefighters assigned as SAR
 SAR Team entered at the front (east) doorSAR Team entered at the front (east) door
 Right-hand search patternRight-hand search pattern
 AT-1 followed them & stayed in room betweenAT-1 followed them & stayed in room between
dining room & bedroom where fire was locateddining room & bedroom where fire was located
 1¾” hose line with solid bore nozzle1¾” hose line with solid bore nozzle
 AT-2 waited at front doorwayAT-2 waited at front doorway
 1¾” pre-connected hose line with variable fog1¾” pre-connected hose line with variable fog
nozzlenozzle
 One firefighter on exterior to ventilateOne firefighter on exterior to ventilate
 Two firefighters on RITTwo firefighters on RIT

10. STRUCTURE FIRE CONTROL INSTRUCTOR10
THE TRAINING SESSIONTHE TRAINING SESSION
 SAR Team encountered deterioratingSAR Team encountered deteriorating
conditions as it entered a small room off theconditions as it entered a small room off the
dining room that accessed the hallway to thedining room that accessed the hallway to the
fire roomfire room
 High heat, no visibility due to heavy smoke.High heat, no visibility due to heavy smoke.
 Both of the Interior Safety Officers monitoringBoth of the Interior Safety Officers monitoring
activities of the fire room area statedactivities of the fire room area stated
 They heard Lieutenant SAR team ask partner if heThey heard Lieutenant SAR team ask partner if he
had searched entire room andhad searched entire room and
 They heard the answer yesThey heard the answer yes

11. STRUCTURE FIRE CONTROL INSTRUCTOR11
THE TRAINING SESSIONTHE TRAINING SESSION
 Safety Officer yelled into fire room area askingSafety Officer yelled into fire room area asking
if SAR Team was outif SAR Team was out
 Someone answered “yes”Someone answered “yes”
 No one knows whoNo one knows who
 An Interior Safety Officer was to follow SARAn Interior Safety Officer was to follow SAR
Team out once they exited the fire roomTeam out once they exited the fire room
 Assumed that he missed them going out of the fireAssumed that he missed them going out of the fire
roomroom
 Began searching through the rest of the structureBegan searching through the rest of the structure

12. STRUCTURE FIRE CONTROL INSTRUCTOR12

13. STRUCTURE FIRE CONTROL INSTRUCTOR13
Live FootageLive Footage

14. THE AFTERMATHTHE AFTERMATH
Osceola News GazetteOsceola News Gazette
November 21, 2002November 21, 2002
No charges in 2 fireNo charges in 2 fire
deathsdeaths
State to examine countyState to examine county
training on issue intraining on issue in

15. STRUCTURE FIRE CONTROL INSTRUCTOR15
THE AFTERMATHTHE AFTERMATH
 No criminal charges filedNo criminal charges filed
 Too much fuel for the size of the roomToo much fuel for the size of the room
 Including a foam mattress that was added afterIncluding a foam mattress that was added after
ignition.ignition.
 No written planNo written plan
 Accountability was not maintainedAccountability was not maintained
 Not enough ventilationNot enough ventilation
 Flashover was precipitated by the combinationFlashover was precipitated by the combination
two factors:two factors:
 High fuel loadHigh fuel load
 Inadequate ventilationInadequate ventilation

16. STRUCTURE FIRE CONTROL INSTRUCTOR16
SAFETYSAFETY
PROCEDURESPROCEDURES

17. STRUCTURE FIRE CONTROL INSTRUCTOR17
SAFETY REQUIREMENTS INSAFETY REQUIREMENTS IN
NFPA 1403NFPA 1403
-Safety is the most important aspect-Safety is the most important aspect
of the trainingof the training
-Develop a safety plan-Develop a safety plan
Shall be reviewed in theShall be reviewed in the
safety briefingsafety briefing
Shall be reviewed with eachShall be reviewed with each
student prior to starting thestudent prior to starting the
evolutionevolution
-Pre-plan for the worse case scenario-Pre-plan for the worse case scenario
-Incident Safety Officer must be-Incident Safety Officer must be
assignedassigned

18. STRUCTURE FIRE CONTROL INSTRUCTOR18
SAFETY REQUIREMENTS INSAFETY REQUIREMENTS IN
NFPA 1403NFPA 1403
 Instructor-in-charge ensures adequateInstructor-in-charge ensures adequate
attack hose lines are in place prior toattack hose lines are in place prior to
startingstarting
Minimum 95 gpm for each hose lineMinimum 95 gpm for each hose line
 One instructor shall be assigned to eachOne instructor shall be assigned to each
functional groupfunctional group
No more than 5 members per groupNo more than 5 members per group
 At least one member assigned as theAt least one member assigned as the
interior division supervisorinterior division supervisor

19. STRUCTURE FIRE CONTROL INSTRUCTOR19
SAFETY REQUIREMENTS INSAFETY REQUIREMENTS IN
NFPA 1403NFPA 1403 Walk-ThroughWalk-Through
This shall be conducted prior to starting anyThis shall be conducted prior to starting any
fires inside of the structure.fires inside of the structure.
You shall ensure that the building is safeYou shall ensure that the building is safe
and that no one has entered the structure.and that no one has entered the structure.
HomelessHomeless
AnimalsAnimals

20. STRUCTURE FIRE CONTROL INSTRUCTOR20
SAFETY REQUIREMENTS INSAFETY REQUIREMENTS IN
NFPA 1403NFPA 1403
Fire Sets:Fire Sets:
-Only one fire set shall-Only one fire set shall
be utilized at a timebe utilized at a time
-Once a fire set has-Once a fire set has
been used up, overhaulbeen used up, overhaul
the areathe area
-If possible place-If possible place
someone on fire watchsomeone on fire watch
to ensure that the fireto ensure that the fire
has not extended tohas not extended to
void spacesvoid spaces
Is this correct?

21. STRUCTURE FIRE CONTROL INSTRUCTOR21
SAFETY REQUIREMENTS INSAFETY REQUIREMENTS IN
NFPA 1403NFPA 1403
 Students shall not be allowed to be theStudents shall not be allowed to be the
ignition officer for the evolutionignition officer for the evolution
 Ensure that all lines are in place andEnsure that all lines are in place and
ready to be operatedready to be operated
 No fire shall be started with out theNo fire shall be started with out the
direct order of the ICdirect order of the IC
 Do not become the Headline Story byDo not become the Headline Story by
failing to ensure Operational Safety.failing to ensure Operational Safety.

22. SAFETY OFFICERSAFETY OFFICER
Someone who is experiencedSomeone who is experienced
with live fire training andwith live fire training and
has a good understanding ofhas a good understanding of
dangerous buildingdangerous building
conditions.conditions.

23. SAFETY OFFICERSAFETY OFFICER
Shall have the authority,Shall have the authority,
regardless of rank, toregardless of rank, to
intervene & control anyintervene & control any
aspect of the operation whenaspect of the operation when
in his/her judgment, ain his/her judgment, a
potential or real danger ofpotential or real danger of
accident or other unsafeaccident or other unsafe
condition exists.condition exists.

24. STRUCTURE FIRE CONTROL INSTRUCTOR24
DUTIES OF THEDUTIES OF THE
SAFETY OFFICERSAFETY OFFICER
Works for the ICWorks for the IC
Obtains briefing from ICObtains briefing from IC
Represents safety through normal chainRepresents safety through normal chain
of commandof command
Stops operations or vetoes plan if safetyStops operations or vetoes plan if safety
hazard is detectedhazard is detected
Appointed for all live fire trainingAppointed for all live fire training
evolutionsevolutions
Not assigned other dutiesNot assigned other duties

25. STRUCTURE FIRE CONTROL INSTRUCTOR25
SAFETY OFFICERSAFETY OFFICER
OVERALL RESPONSIBILITIESOVERALL RESPONSIBILITIES
Prevent unsafePrevent unsafe
actsacts
Eliminate unsafeEliminate unsafe
conditionsconditions
Intervene &Intervene &
terminate unsafeterminate unsafe
activitiesactivities

26. STRUCTURE FIRE CONTROL INSTRUCTOR26
SAFETY OFFICERSAFETY OFFICER
SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIESSPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES
Supervises safety staffSupervises safety staff
Reviews training safety planReviews training safety plan
Provides for safety of all participantsProvides for safety of all participants
Attends & participates in all instructorAttends & participates in all instructor
briefingsbriefings
Coordinates with other sectors to ensure safeCoordinates with other sectors to ensure safe
placement & operationplacement & operation
Investigates & report in writing all:Investigates & report in writing all:
– AccidentsAccidents - Near Accidents- Near Accidents
– Safety hazardsSafety hazards - Corrected safety hazards- Corrected safety hazards

27. STRUCTURE FIRE CONTROL INSTRUCTOR27
SAFETY OFFICERSAFETY OFFICER
SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIESSPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES
Ensures accountability of participantsEnsures accountability of participants
Ensures evacuation plan, signal, &Ensures evacuation plan, signal, &
muster area are established &muster area are established &
communicated to troopscommunicated to troops
Determines & designates operations areaDetermines & designates operations area
perimeterperimeter
– Must have proper PPE to enterMust have proper PPE to enter
Immediately stops safetyImmediately stops safety
violations/hazardsviolations/hazards

28. STRUCTURE FIRE CONTROL INSTRUCTOR28
SAFETY OFFICERSAFETY OFFICER
SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIESSPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES
Maintains awareness of all activitiesMaintains awareness of all activities
Ensures proper fire load & accelerant typeEnsures proper fire load & accelerant type
Monitors condition of participantsMonitors condition of participants
Inspects all participants PPEInspects all participants PPE
Monitors heat & smoke conditionsMonitors heat & smoke conditions
Observes structural integrity & report changesObserves structural integrity & report changes
to Commandto Command
Maintains activity logMaintains activity log

29. STRUCTURE FIRE CONTROL INSTRUCTOR29
COMMUNICATIONCOMMUNICATION
Ensure fully operational radiosEnsure fully operational radios
Radios set to training frequencyRadios set to training frequency
Use plain textUse plain text
Give each person call signGive each person call sign
– Ensure they can operate radioEnsure they can operate radio
Reviews procedure for accident/maydayReviews procedure for accident/mayday
notificationnotification
Safety stays off radio unless there is aSafety stays off radio unless there is a
problemproblem

30. STRUCTURE FIRE CONTROL INSTRUCTOR30
EMERGENCY MEDICALEMERGENCY MEDICAL
SERVICESSERVICES
Must be on scene before live fire activityMust be on scene before live fire activity
beginsbegins
May not be detailed for other operationsMay not be detailed for other operations
If transport occurs:If transport occurs:
– Replacement unit must be on scene, orReplacement unit must be on scene, or
– Operations must be suspendedOperations must be suspended

31. HYDRATIONHYDRATION
Students should beStudents should be
encouraged to drink water aencouraged to drink water a
week before the training.week before the training.
Additionally, team leadersAdditionally, team leaders
should ensure that studentsshould ensure that students
drink 3-5 cups of waterdrink 3-5 cups of water
during each break.during each break.

32. STRUCTURE FIRE CONTROL INSTRUCTOR32
Gear InspectionGear Inspection
Student gear and instructor gear needs toStudent gear and instructor gear needs to
be inspected prior to the start of trainingbe inspected prior to the start of training
Look for holes, burns, low cylinders, andLook for holes, burns, low cylinders, and
damaged equipmentdamaged equipment
Ensure that equipment used is NFPAEnsure that equipment used is NFPA
approvedapproved
Must be documentedMust be documented

33. STRUCTURE FIRE CONTROL INSTRUCTOR33
MEDICAL INFORMATIONMEDICAL INFORMATION
-Students with known-Students with known
medical problems shouldmedical problems should
be cleared prior to trainingbe cleared prior to training
-Any student with know-Any student with know
drug allergies shoulddrug allergies should
advise instructors prior toadvise instructors prior to
trainingtraining
-Vital signs should be-Vital signs should be
monitored prior tomonitored prior to
training and during rehabtraining and during rehab

34. STRUCTURE FIRE CONTROL INSTRUCTOR34
WEATHERWEATHER
 Evaluate the weatherEvaluate the weather
conditions prior toconditions prior to
going to the traininggoing to the training
site.site.
 Consider postponingConsider postponing
or curtailing theor curtailing the
training activitytraining activity
during inclementduring inclement
weather conditionsweather conditions

35. STRUCTURE FIRE CONTROL INSTRUCTOR35
WEATHERWEATHER
SummerSummer
WinterWinter
StormsStorms

36. STRUCTURE FIRE CONTROL INSTRUCTOR36
BURN BUILDINGSBURN BUILDINGS
VSVS
ACQUIRED STRUCTURESACQUIRED STRUCTURES
BURN BUILDINGBURN BUILDING
No integrityNo integrity
problemsproblems
ACQUIREDACQUIRED
STRUCTURESTRUCTURE
Burns fasterBurns faster
Decays quickerDecays quicker
May collapse withoutMay collapse without
warningwarning

37. STRUCTURE FIRE CONTROL INSTRUCTOR37
Preparing for the EmergencyPreparing for the Emergency
Interior Safety, Group Leaders and BackInterior Safety, Group Leaders and Back
Up Line Group Leader should beUp Line Group Leader should be
familiar with RIT proceduresfamiliar with RIT procedures
A MAYDAY should be called in theA MAYDAY should be called in the
event of a student/instructor emergencyevent of a student/instructor emergency
The person in distress ( medical orThe person in distress ( medical or
equipment failure ) needs to be removedequipment failure ) needs to be removed
through the fastest and safest meansthrough the fastest and safest means
possiblepossible

38. STRUCTURE FIRE CONTROL INSTRUCTOR38
Preparing for the EmergencyPreparing for the Emergency
Interior Safety Officer(s) and Back UpInterior Safety Officer(s) and Back Up
Line Group Leader need to handle FFLine Group Leader need to handle FF
with problemwith problem
Group leader that has students, shallGroup leader that has students, shall
maintain PAR on them and not commitmaintain PAR on them and not commit
to rescue until his/her students are out ofto rescue until his/her students are out of
IDLHIDLH

39. STRUCTURE FIRE CONTROL INSTRUCTOR39
Packaging vs. Dirty GrabPackaging vs. Dirty Grab
Use “Dirty Grab” ( removing FF with noUse “Dirty Grab” ( removing FF with no
packaging ) when close to an exit and nopackaging ) when close to an exit and no
stairs or ladders are involved with egressstairs or ladders are involved with egress
Packaging must be done, when a greatPackaging must be done, when a great
distance is to be traveled or ladders ordistance is to be traveled or ladders or
stairs are presentstairs are present

40. STRUCTURE FIRE CONTROL INSTRUCTOR40
PackagingPackaging
To ensure the SCBA and other PPE areTo ensure the SCBA and other PPE are
not pulled off during egressnot pulled off during egress
SCBA waist strap is unbuckled andSCBA waist strap is unbuckled and
reattached between FF’s legsreattached between FF’s legs
Straps are then tightened to preventStraps are then tightened to prevent
SCBA, coat, or pants from coming offSCBA, coat, or pants from coming off

41. STRUCTURE FIRE CONTROL INSTRUCTOR41
SCBA and PPE RemovalSCBA and PPE Removal
Once the FF is out of the structure, aOnce the FF is out of the structure, a
systematic removal of gear is neededsystematic removal of gear is needed
Each person involved in rescue shouldEach person involved in rescue should
be assigned a specific task in the removalbe assigned a specific task in the removal
Helmet and facepiece should be firstHelmet and facepiece should be first

42. STRUCTURE FIRE CONTROL INSTRUCTOR42
SCBA and PPE RemovalSCBA and PPE Removal
Next the shoulder straps of the SCBANext the shoulder straps of the SCBA
should be unthreaded from each othershould be unthreaded from each other
After this, remove the coat and glovesAfter this, remove the coat and gloves
Finally, remove the pants and bootsFinally, remove the pants and boots

43. STRUCTURE FIRE CONTROL INSTRUCTOR43
REVIEW ENABLING OBJECTIVESREVIEW ENABLING OBJECTIVES
We have identified aspects of NFPA 1403We have identified aspects of NFPA 1403
that are specifically related to safety.that are specifically related to safety.
We have identified and described theWe have identified and described the
duties & responsibilities of the Safetyduties & responsibilities of the Safety
Officer.Officer.
We have described safety procedures asWe have described safety procedures as
they relate to radio communicationsthey relate to radio communications
during live fire training evolutions.during live fire training evolutions.

44. STRUCTURE FIRE CONTROL INSTRUCTOR44
REVIEW ENABLING OBJECTIVESREVIEW ENABLING OBJECTIVES
We have described medical requirementsWe have described medical requirements
that must be addressed during live firethat must be addressed during live fire
training evolutions.training evolutions.
We have described the effects weatherWe have described the effects weather
may have on live fire training evolutions.may have on live fire training evolutions.
We have described the differencesWe have described the differences
between conducting live fire trainingbetween conducting live fire training
evolutions in burn buildings & acquiredevolutions in burn buildings & acquired
structures.structures.

45. STRUCTURE FIRE CONTROL INSTRUCTOR45
END OF SECTIONEND OF SECTION
ONON
LIVE FIRE TRAININGLIVE FIRE TRAINING
SAFETYSAFETY