FIRE AND LIFE SAFETY CORNER W RI TT E N B Y M IC H A E L T. R EA R D O N, P.E. PHO T OS C O U RT E S Y O F T H E LA U R EL VOLUNTEER FIRE DE PA RT M E N T N O . 1, IN C . LA U R E L, M ARYLAND
WELCOMING the FIRE DEPARTMENT
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ur communities rely on local fire departments to protect us from all sorts of emergencies: medical emergencies, fires, hazardous material incidents, motor vehicle accidents, and even the occasional cat stuck in a tree. The training involved to handle the vast variety of emergencies is extensive and takes each first responder years to develop. When a fire department responds to an address, it may be their first time handling an emergency situation within that facility. A lack of familiarization of a facility presents significant challenges for the responding personnel which could delay response to the emergency, lead to additional damages to property, and more importantly increase the risk of injury to first responders. One tactic that most local fire departments utilize to prepare for an incident is called pre-incident planning. Pre-incident planning is often utilized for large, complex, or unique facilities and is critical for safe and effective firefighting operations. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) defines a pre-incident plan as “a document developed by gathering general and detailed data that is used by responding personnel in effectively managing emergencies for the protection of occupants, responding personnel, property, and the environment” (NFPA 1620, 2020 Edition). Information gathered by the fire department during a pre-incident plan includes key information to assist during a variety of emergencies and is documented and kept on the responding apparatus. Pre-incident plans will contain written information and graphic plans which show the overall facility layout with key information showing the location(s) within the facility. Many fire
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departments keep hard copies of pre-incident plans and update them as necessary; however, with today’s technology, many fire departments have access to computer programs that allow access to information with the push of a button. A pre-incident plan contains basic information such as: > Building address and cross streets > Building/tenant owner information and contact numbers > Building construction type, size, and height > Building use and occupancy type(s) > Roof construction In addition to the basic information, additional information may be added based on unique hazards present or unique building designs. Additional information such as: > Fire alarm and protection system information > Fire hydrant locations > Fire apparatus placement > Hazardous material locations and quantities > Building access points > Special equipment shutdown/control procedures > Utility shut off locations W W W . ARTISANSPIRITMAG . C O M