STRUCTURAL COLLAPSE

Question 1

Structural collapse is a SINGLE COMMAND event and FDNY is IC

Structural collapse id defined as any incident where a building or portion of a building including walls, floors, ceilings, partitions, or structures such as bridges, scaffolds, signs , construction sites and banner have collapse for are IN DANGER OF COLLAPSING

Answer 1

SEARCH and RESCUE is FDNY core competency

-all city agencies , including PD and BUILDINGS DEPT. , operated under the direction of FDNY

• LIFE SAFETY operations in progress will not be disrupted or suspended beaus of the arrival or transition of command (CF: ICS)
• FIRST ARRIVIng FDNY fire officer has prime responsibilities for rescue activities at the incident site and should assume roles of IC….first arriving resources will initiate life safety operations .

-ALL agencies responding to an incident will assist as requested by the IC…personnel from other agencies will be under the control of their superior, who shall report to ICP (FDNY) for instructions

Question 2

When the RESCUE and REMOVAL of all persons involved in the incident, and stabilization of all threats to public safety have been accomplished , the scene becomes the jurisdiction of DEPARTMENT OF BUILDINGS AND /OR NYS DEPT. OF LABOR (buildings under construction/demo)

Answer 2

IC will determine when an area is safe to permit personnel of other agencies, who will be coordinated by OEM into an area to being the process of reservation and recovery

Question 3

At least ONE TOWER LADDER shall be special called to every MAJOR collapse if none was assigned on the initial alarm.

Answer 3

safety considerations:

• single most important consideration is SAFETY
• do not enter any danger zones except TO SAVE LIFE
• place apparatus outside potential collapse zone
• identify and immediately report any sign of structural defect that could lead to secondary collapse
• access control points established
• door , stairways, ladders, ramps, ditches and excavations should be made as secure as possible in the event a rapid escape from the site is required

Note: at all EXPLOSIONS and MAJOR COLLAPSES, SOC units shall ensure that immediate area is monitored for the presence of radiological /chemical agents

Question 4

Initial rescue actions should concentrate on removing ABLE bodies (ambulatory ) and surface or lightly buried persons from immediate danger

Answer 4

Safety of personnel needs to be careful evaluated before attempting complicated rescues

Question 5

it is critical for FIRST ARRIVING UNITS TO address STREET MANAGEMENT AND FIRE CONTROL

Answer 5

ONLY APPARATUS AUTHORIZED BY THE IC should be positioned on the street
-later arriving apparatus may only be used for their PERSONNEL , the apparatus should be parked away from the scened in a SECONDARY STAGING AREA

Question 6

IF POSSIBLE , both FIRS AND SECOND ENGINES SHOULD TAKE SEPARATE HYDRANTS OUTSIDE THE BLOCK , EACH ON SEPARATE MAINS and prepare to supply landlines and large caliber Tower ladder stream

Answer 6

3rd and 4th engines should take similar positions at the REAR of the structure

-TWO of the 2nd alarm ENGINE COMPANIES should be used to seal off the ends of the street (chauffeurs of these units MUST REMAIN IN THE CAB, ALBE TO MOVE THE APPARATUS )

Question 7

TOWER LADDERS should be placed in FRONT of the collapsed structure , outside of the COLLAPSE DANGER ZONE

Answer 7

initially , the first arriving TL should be the only unit in front of the building, unless there is specific need for additional units, subsequent TL’S should be positioned to reach and protect different exposure

• at incidents involving tall/long buildings, consider placing several units around the collapse , or using aerial ladders (100 feet )if needed
• aerial ladders kept AWAY from building in a SECONDARY STAGING AREA
• rescue companies and collapse units should be placed OUTSIDE the collapse danger zone but as closes as possible to the front of building

ambulances need to be VISIBLE from scene, but out of the way of rescue and firefighting operations
-first arriving ambulances need to be close to the scene to provide supplies for triage and initial treatment

-heavy equipment , such as cranes, front end loaders and dump trucks must also be assure site access

Question 8

Engine company responsibilities ..

Answer 8

Highest priority to least priority :
1. extinguish active fire in the affected building and surrounding debris
2. PROTECT EXPOSURES
3. Extinguish burning vehicles within the vicinity of the collapse
4. at scenes with NO ACTIVE FIRE, stretch and charge precautionary 2 1/2” lines in sufficient number and length to cover the entire operation …in addition , a 3 1/2” line shall be stretched and charged to supply the first arriving tower ladder
5. at SUSPECTED terrorist events, 2 1/2” homeliness should be located between two apparatus or other substantial shielding , to protect personnel from secondary blasts set to injure emergency responders
Note: if flooding orrcur, shutting off the water remains and obtaining dewatering pumps will aid victims trapped in the lower areas

Question 9

FIRST ARRIVING ENGINE COMPANY

Answer 9

WATER SUPPLY
Note: at time it may be necessary for first arriving engine to take position within the block for use of apparatus master stream for fire control or exposure protection
-coordinate operation with first arriving ladder company officer
-stretch a 2 1/2” handline to cover an entire site
-CONSIDER stretching a 3 1/2” line for TOWER LADDER
-REMAIN TOGETHER unless otherwise ordered by IC

Question 10

SECOND ARRIVING ENGINE

Answer 10

• obtain briefing from IC and first arriving engine company officer
• ENSURE a 3 1/2” supply line is stretched to FIRST TOWER LADDER
• assist first engine with stretching initial landlines and TOWER LADDER SUPPLY
• remain together unless ordered by IC
• may perform CFRD DUTIES, IF NECESSARY

Question 11

THIRD engine and subsequent engines.

Answer 11

under direction of IC, may perform any of following:
fire control
-additional lines
-augmenting water supply to first alarm units
-perform cfrd duties
-ASSISTING IN REMOVAL OF LIGHTLY BURIED VICTIMS

Question 12

First arriving Ladder officer..

Answer 12

have option of splitting company into separate teams to cover more area
-pefrom HAZARD assessment AND CONTROL
-protect members from secondary collapse, mark with hazard tape, tie back or crib
-keep non essential members from entering the collapse zone
-REMOVE SURFACE VICTIMS
-remove LIGHTLY BURIED VICTIMS AND DELIVER TO CASUALTY COLLECTION POINT
-if possible, question survivors regarding the number, identify , location of other occupants prior to and after collapse
PERFORM Preliminary VOID SEARCH
-visually search accessible voids –DO NOT CUT, lift or removei load bearing members …call and listen

-as survivors are located/removed, members should note their description and location off use in victim tracking
victims directed/brought to CASUALTY COLLECTION POINT

Question 13

2nd ARRIVING ladder officer..

Answer 13

• IMMEDIATELY being process of controlling , gas, electric and water service UTILITIES
• ENSURE dispatch notifies utility company crews

-assist with life safety if necessary, augment search and rescue efforts
majority priority is controlling the gas, electric , and water :
1. GAS-main building shut off or curb vavle
2. Electric-MAIN DISCONNECT
3. Water- main building shut off or cur valve

Question 14

3rd and subsequent ladder companies

Answer 14

• search additional line of sigh void space or exposures
• assist with control of the utilities if needed
• perform debris removal as directed
• cut timbers for shoring as directed
• assist with victim removal

Question 15

Tower Ladders..

Answer 15

• LCS
• Aid in rescuing
• transport heavy tools
• allow rescuers to TRAVERS UNSTABLE DEBRIS, survey the collapse, accessed remote areas, and act as a work platform for shoring , breaching
• provide close up observation and monitoring of the remaining structure for signs of secondary collapse

Question 16

STREET COORDINATION MANAGER (COMPANY OFFICER)

Answer 16

following responsibilities :

• establish contact with PD and EMS OFFICERS for traffic flow
• ensure access/egress of essential vehicles
• position apparatus for most efficient use
• coordinate apparatus staging areas
• coordinate CASUALTY COLLECTION POINT with an EMS OFFICER

Question 17

Rescue TASK force is assigned on the transmission of 10-60 and a second on 10-60-1..

Answer 17

RTF:
1 rescue compay
1 collapse rescue unit
1 SOC suppor ladder company
1 rescue paramedic unit
1 haz tac officer 
Note: when collapse rescue is transported by an SSL, NO additional SSL is required

Question 18

MARKED off danger zones should not be entered by anyone , INCLUDING FF’S , EXCEPT TO SAVE A LIFE

Answer 18

-when EVACUATING, leave behind hose, tools, equipment

at construction or demolition sites, seek out the SITE SAFETY MANAGER or CONSTRUCTION MANAGER for info about previous conditions

Question 19

LCES..

Answer 19

-Lookouts , Communications, Escape Routes and Safe Havens

Question 20

LOOKOUTS…

Answer 20

• posted around perimeter of collapse site
• utilize surveyor transits
• equipped with HANDHELD AIR HORNS, (battalion, division, soc units and collapse units have hand held air horns)

Brave-Battalion
Dudes-Division
Save-Soc units
Children-Collapse units

Question 21

Communications..

Answer 21

evacuation signaling method: hand held air horn or apparatus air horn
1 LONG BLAST(3 seconds)–CEASE operations
3 SHORT BLASTS (1 seconds each)- EVACUATE the area
1 LONG BLAST/1 short blast- RESUME OPERATIONS

-Each SAFETY OFFICER and member monitoring a transit, as well as members positioned as lookouts for hazard monitoring , will be issued air horn

–those operating power tools may not hear the announcement over HT. Apparatus air horns may be beneficial after the initial HT announcement followed by another HT announcement after the air horns have ceased

Question 22

Escape routes.

Answer 22

• all members operating in danger zone must have preplanned escape routes, as well as ALTERNATE ROUTE
• identify hazards in you operating area and pathway from them
• know HOW LONG it will take you to reach safety

Question 23

SAFE HAVEN.

Answer 23

• rescuers need to create safe havens in the immediate proximity to the rescue site
• this may be done by shoring the area where the rescuers are operation so that a secondary collapse will not affect them, or it may mean removing a hazard, such as tying back or pulling over a leaning wall before entering the are below it

Question 24

SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS..

Answer 24

• monitor atmosphere for flammable or toxic gases, as well as sufficient oxygen
• DO NOT CUT /REMOVE major supports , work around them, if possible
• if you ABSOLUTELY MUST CUT MAJOR SUPPORTS, brace and shore around them and prepare for SECONDARY COLLAPSES by removing everyone but PERSONNEL PERFORMING the cut
• rotate personnel frequently , EVERY HALF HOUR or less if possible
• seek assistance of structural engineers, riggers , through OEM
• if terrorism suspected , use the apparatus and NYPD to block access to the area …have NYPD check for SECONDARY DEVICES
• SOC support ladder could be utilized as additional FAST TURCK , working within search and rescue sector or branch

Question 25

SOC support LADDERS.

Answer 25

- trained in collapse ops, void access and shoring techniques - assist rescue in TUNNELING and VICTIM REMOVAL - act as SECOND FAST UNIT , working under search and rescue branch

Question 26

CON EDISON VACCUM TRUCKS.

Answer 26

ONLY USED BY TRAIN MEMBERS OF SOC in conjunction with CON ED operators at the direction of IC

Question 27

5 Stages of COLLAPSE rescue operations:

Answer 27

1. RECONNAISSANCE 2. ACCOUNTING FOR AND REMOVAL OF SURFACE VICTIMS 3. SEARH OF VOIDS 4. SELECTED DEBRIS REMOVAL AND TUNNELING 5. GENERAL DEBRIS REMOVAL

Question 28

RECONNAISSANCE..

Answer 28

- determining WHERE to start looking is key to victim locating victims - NO LIVES SHOULD BE RISKED TO RECOVER A BODY

Question 29

Accounting for REMOVAL OF SURFACE VICTIMS

Answer 29

-removal of victims who are lightly pinned -OFFICER should be designated to keep track of all person who are removed from debris OFFICER should obtain name and where they were located, if times permits, ask persons to point out escape route VICTIM ACCOUNTING MANAGER: -make note of any injuries /if transportation involved , to what hospital and by whom -use Fire Marshals for interviewing victims and canvassing hospitals

Question 30

VOIDS:

Answer 30

LEAN TO VOID(produces LARGE VOIDS that may contain survivors)and unsupported lean to is extremely dangerous and must secured early - failure of the support at one end of a floor or roof, ONE bearing wall gives way while the other remains intact - everything on the floor will be thrown in a heap at the low end - EXCELLENT chance of survival for persons who were on the floor below if they were near the remaining wall - SMALLEST chance of survival is for anyone on the lower floor in the vicinity of the failed wall V SHAPED VOIDS : (directly below will have LEAST CHANCE of survival/those along PERIMETERS will have greatest )(large voids along remaining walls , likely survivors) - result when floor fails in the MIDDLE - WALLS AND FLOORS ABOVE usually remain intact, although any floors below may collapse because of WEIGHT of falling debris - produces 2 VOIDS on the sides of debris, both of which should be searched - victims and debris thrown toward center on collapsing floor PANCAKE COLLAPSE : - floors fall in layers - survival depend on the presence of strong objects nearby to keep the weigh of the entire load fro landing on a victim - items can hold up floor above , which often remains intact - locating the victims is often simpler than in the types of collapses , since floors usually maintain physical aspect and the victims aren't thrown - it may be possible to crawl in and out of space between floors (shoring should be installed ) INDIVIDUAL VOIDS: - may be found in any type of collapse - result from spaces formed by strong object that prevent a collapse into the particular section - difficult to locate , occur at random - searching void spaces should be done IMMEDIATELY after the SURFACE victims have been removed , or simultaneously if sufficient personnel are available

Question 31

Locating Victims:

Answer 31

1. HAILING (VERBAL CONTACT) - Around the clock method--members positions themselves at various locations and take turns calling out 2. PASS ALARM/FEEDBACK ASSISTED RESCUE : 3. EMERGENY ALERT TONE ASSISTED RESCUE 4. INTERVIEW WITNESS - Collapse survivor interview form/LUNAR 5. EXPLORING VOIDS - utilize THERMAL IMAGING CAMERA 6. ELECTRONIC LISTENING DEVICE - Life detection systems on all collapse rescue units - probes placed at top of debris pile to detect sound/vibration - not practical during INITIAL STAGEs of collapse - appropriate to use this device once the void exploration phase is complete and ALL KNONW VICTIMS HAVE BEEN REMOVED during SELECTED DEBRIS REMOVAL - Remove all personnel from debris pile and shut down all moving equipment before using these devices 7. SEARCH DOGS - FEMA USAR TASK FORES

Question 32

First aRRIVING UNITS may be forced to perform some emergency shoring...units other than rescue and squad SHOULD NOT cut LOAD BEARING ELEMENTS (SOC can support rescue in shoring )

Answer 32

FDNY will only install shoring: - human life is in danger/provide safe area around victim /rescuers - shoring will permit building to remain safe to occupy - vacant/unoccupied will NOT be shored when there is substantial risk to members - building with no civilian life hazard: if shoring can be safely installed, with minimal risk to members and substantial property safeguarded - building will be DEMO, no shoring , unless it facilitates rescue operations - once installed, shoring will only be removed when the load is otherwise stabilized or the situation permits the shores to removed from a safe location

Question 33

Selected Debris removal stage beings when ALL VOIDS have been searched and people are still UNACCOUNTED for.

Answer 33

it is NOT a useful tactic if we have no idea where the victims are (SELECTED), only when victims are SUSPECTED to be in a certain area -when tunneling/trenching...30 minutes recommended maximum work time SOC units and ENGINE/LADDER can be part of SUPPORT GROUPS (assist SOC units)

Question 34

if victim has been pinned for MORE THAN 1 HOUR, RESCUE PARAMEDIC must be given access to the patient ...treat crush syndrome ``` -AS LONG AS AREA IS STABLE and patient is sufficiently exposed to permit IV (arm , leg, neck..don't need full body access) SMILING DEATH (prolonged compression usually 4-6 hours, could be less than 1) ```

Answer 34

once all LIVE victims have been removed, selected debris removal should cease (risk live of members to retrieve a boy is NOT JUSTIFIED )

Question 35

GENERAL DEBRIS REMOVAL

Answer 35

- persons still missing, location unknown, remove all ruble and strip the area - certain there are NO other survivors and all voids have been searched - special trained dogs can be used....despite heavy equipment required, FDNY will over see operations - each load of debris must be spread out on the round and throughly examined - all debris deposited in the debris examination areas Demolition Debris Removal LOG must be maintained when there are still VICTIMS unaccounted for....it is necessary to examine every inch of the structure

Question 36

VICTIM REMOVAL TOOLS.

Answer 36

- jackhammers, concrete cutting saw and torches for CLASS 1 BUILDINGS - chainsaws for most buildings with wooden floors and roofs - CRANES, bulldozers, etc....heavy demo equipment is FORBIDDEN durinG SELECTED DEBRIS REMOVAL -once operations come with REACH of the victim, all work should proceed with only HAND POWERED TOOLS, unless object and victim are visibly clear and NO INJURY LIKELY (BLUFF: MUST) - battery and electric tools are preferred over gasoline powered tools - use SAWZALL instead of a torch to cut steel (sparks ) -speed , working room and length of operation will impact tool choice

Question 37

FD remains at collapse site until DEBRIS REMOVAL phase is complete or IC is reasonably certain all victims have been removed

Answer 37

FD watch line maintained as long as persons operating in the debris pile -IC must ensure written log of all visitors and investigators are maintained and then forward to CHIEF OF OPERATIONS ALL TOOLS ARE EXPENDABLE (no lives risked )