I-RISE

A new tactical guide to assist Incident Commanders and Firefighters at High-rise incidents.

At any High Rise Fire there are only a limited number of tactical options available to the Incident Commander (IC). The limits are inherent on the design and nature of all high rise buildings and the time available to implement any given Tactic. There are also priorities that must be considered, the saving of 'savable life' being the most important.

 

A full understanding of the unique risks and problems that a High Rise building poses to Firefighters is a key perquisite to help fully inform any tactical selection. Next is an intimate knowledge of all the appropriate procedures that are available to the IC. Lastly is any Site Specific Risk Information (PRM/SSRI) that may show additional hazards and potential solutions that may be appropriate for that specific building.

 

 

TACTICAL SELECTION using I-RISE

Defining assessing and Prioritising tactics is key to a quick and effective deployment. Initial attending crews must be fully risk aware to enable them to make suitable tactical decisions. We use I-RISE as the Acronym to help guide first attending commanders in suitable tactical selection

• I Information:
• R RESCUE:
• I INTERVENTION:
• S STABALISATION:
• E EVACUATION:

 

 

I-INFORMATION (Both 'pre' and 'at' incident)

Information will allow first responding commanders to better select the most suitable tactics or combination of tactics. Information or SSRI (Site specific risk information) gathered before an incident will inform about the building design, layout and identify specific risks and control measures. 'Live' information about the current incident will help direct and prioritise action.

• RISK : High Rise Risk & hazzard awareness
• PRE-PLANNING : Gathering building specific risk info prior to incidents (SSRI)

• ON-SCENE INTELEGENCE : Gathering and interpreting information at incidents:

 

 

R-RESCUE (Savable life)

Identifying savable life and carrying out rescues from high rise buildings have always presented challenges to the Fire service. The very nature of the building can hamper a quick and effective rescues by Fire and Rescue personnel.

 

 

I-INTERVENTION (Active Fire fighting)

Tactics and procedures to enable crews to risk assess and extinguish fires in High rise buildings

 

 

S-STABALISATION (Control and Containment)

Uncontrolled fire and fire spread can endanger not only occupants still in the building, but the fire service personnel that have to contend with it.

 

E-Evacuation

• Occupants: Pre planed evacuation strategies
• Stay put (defend in place)
• Intelligent evacuation systems
• Full evacuation
• Responsibilities

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On-scene flowchart / Aid-memoir