POLICY #
1201
COMMISSION
CHAIR SIGNATURE s/b Ken Eakin, Chair
EFFECTIVE DATE: 1/1998
REVISED DATE: 07/08/08
POLICY TITLE: RISK MANAGEMENT
REFERENCE: WAC 296-305-05001(5), SOG 3-1, SOG 3-4
1.0
PURPOSE
The
purpose of this policy is to utilize risk management procedures at all
emergency operations.
2.0 DEFINITIONS
Risk
Assessment - to set or determine the possibility of suffering harm or loss, and
to what extent.
Risk
Management – The development of strategy and tactical plans, based on an
accurate risk assessment taking into consideration current and potentially
changing scene conditions.
3.0 THE
INCIDENT COMMANDER TO EVALUATE
It
is the responsibility of the Incident Commander (IC) to evaluate the risk to
members with respect to the purpose and potential results of their actions in
each situation. Risk assessments are an
on-going process until incident operations are terminated.
4.0 THE IC SHALL INTEGRATE RISK MANAGEMENT INTO
THE REGULAR FUNCTION
OF THE INCIDENT COMMAND AND DEVELOPMENT OF
INCIDENT STRATEGIES
The
concept of risk management shall be utilized on the basis of the following
principles:
4.1 Activities that present a major risk to the
safety of members are limited to the degree in situations where there is a
potential to save endangered lives.
4.2 Activities that are routinely employed to
protect property shall be recognized as inherent risks to the safety of
members, and measures taken limited to reduce or avoid these risks.
4.3 The compromising of the safety of members
shall not be acceptable when there is no possibility to save lives or property.
4.4 The IC shall evaluate the risk to members
with respect to the purpose and potential results of their actions in each
situation.
4.5 The District will provide adequate number of
personnel to safely conduct emergency scene operations. Operation shall be
limited to those that can be safely performed by the personnel available at the
scene.
4.6 It
must be recognized that every situation is unique, and that an all encompassing
definition for undue risk is impossible. The ability for an IC to use
discretion on a situational specific basis is very important. It is not the
intent of this policy to mandate how an IC will react in every situation.
5.0 MATRIX TO BE CONSIDERED FOR INCIDENT
PLANNING RELATING TO THE
LEVEL OF RISK TAKEN
It
is recommended that the rules of engagement and decision making matrix be
considered where applicable. (See below)
Risk Assessment/Rules of Engagement -
Decision Making Matrix
Personnel Risk Level | High Probability Of Success | Marginal Probability Of Success | Low Probability Of Success |
Low Risk | When appropriate, initiate an offensive operation; continually
monitor risk factors. | When appropriate, initiate an offensive operation; continually
monitor risk factors. | When appropriate, initiate an offensive operation; continually
monitor risk factors. |
Medium Risk | When appropriate, initiate an offensive operation; continue to
monitor risk factors; employ all available risk control options. | When appropriate, initiate an offensive operation; continue to
monitor risk factors; prepare for defensive transition. | When appropriate, initiate an offensive operation; reduce risk to
fire fighters and actively pursue risk control options. |
High Risk | When appropriate, initiate an offensive operation only when
there is compelling evidence of a civilian life safety problem. | Do not initiate an offensive operation that will put fire fighters at
risk. | Defensive operation only. |
Adapted from IAFC 10 Rules of
Engagement for Structural Fire Fighting
Offensive Benefit from a Defensive Position - If the risk is too
great, because of inadequate resources or potential hazards, we should perform
an aggressive intervention from a defensive position in attempt to accomplish
the same benefit we would achieve from an offensive position.
Ten Rules Of Engagement for Structural
Firefighting
Acceptability of Risk
1. No building or property is worth the life of a
firefighter.
2. All fire service involves an inherent
level of risk.
3. Some risk is acceptable, in a measured
and coordinated manner.
4. No level of risk is acceptable where
there is no potential to save lives or to conserve property.
5. Firefighters shall not be committed to
interior offensive fire fighting operations in abandon or derelict buildings.
Risk Assessment
6. All feasible measures shall be taken to
limit or avoid risks through risk assessment by a qualified officer.
7. It is the responsibility of the Incident
Commander to evaluate the level of risk in every situation.
8. Risk assessment is a continuous process
during all fire ground operations.
9. When conditions change and risk
increases, strategy and tactics will be modified accordingly.
10. No
building or property is worth the life of a firefighter.
Adapted from
IAFC 10 Rules of Engagement for Structural Fire Fighting