Browndale Fire Company 
Fire Station 43 
Standard Operating Guidelines 

Date of Issue: 1-1-98 
Effective Date: 1-31-98 

Developed By: Earl Obelenus 
Issued by Authority of: Earl Obelenus, Fire Chief 

STRUCTURAL FIRE RESPONSE 
S.O.G. 500-97-4 

I. PURPOSE 

To insure that initial fireground operations will be handled by arriving apparatus on the scene as quickly and efficiently as possible. 

II. SCOPE 

All fire department personnel. 

III. RESPONSIBILITY 

All fireground officers should be alert to conditions that reduce the response capability to lower numbers. The officer shall see that a vacant position is covered by another individual to insure completion of the assigned task.

IV. PROCEDURES 

1. Full protective clothing and SCBA are required as noted in the Safety Procedures S.O.G. 300-97-1. 

2. Unless otherwise directed, a layout line will be made from the nearest water supply. This is to be required on the report of  “ smoke visible” or “visible fire”. If the length of the layout is prohibitive, the layout should begin from the nearest intersection enabling the second engine to pick up the supply line. If only three (3) personnel are responding on the engine, the layout line should be dropped at the hydrant or water source and the firefighter remounting the engine. The second due engine will be advised that it will establish the water supply. 

3. After positioning the apparatus on scene, the engineer shall establish water flow. 

4. The officer shall see that the first suitable line (pre-connect) shall be stretched to the building. The line shall no be smaller than 13/4”. Dependent on manpower this will be accomplished by the firefighter riding the #3 or #6 position. Which ever side the pre-connect is pulled. 

5. The hydrant man will return to the engine once the water flow is established. 

6. On all structural fire calls, a pre-connected line or standpipe line will be stretched to the reported fire building or the fire floor. It shall be charged unless otherwise ordered by the officer. The intent of this evolution is to provide a hose line at the entrance of the structure. Situations can occur when there is not a standpipe system and the structure is large, requiring the use of a leader line, Therefore a leader line with a hi-rise pack shall be advanced. 

7. It is imperative that truck company duties are performed as soon as possible upon arrival. 

8. The second due engine will insure a water supply is established. 

9. The third arriving engine, not committed to truck work, is assigned to check the rear for fire extension. This unit will (if not already done) the second suitable line to prevent fire extension. 

10. If there is a fourth arriving engine, it should supply the third engine. Personnel should report with their officer to the IC or designated staging area on the fireground with equipment. 

11. If it is determined that additional apparatus will be required, a staging area will be established by the OIC. All incoming apparatus will report to this area known as “apparatus staging area”. The officer assigned to this area will be known as the “staging area officer”. 

V. SUPERSEDED GUIDELINE 

This is a new guideline on this subject matter. It does not supersede any previous memo or guideline. 
 
Reviewed: 7-01-07