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Foam Task Force Guideline click here for Task Force Assignments adopted June 14, 2006 |
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I. Purpose
A. To establish a common set of procedures and equipment needed to implement Foam Task Force and Strike Teams using fire apparatus from different agencies.
B. The goal is to have a system in place for utilization of a Foam Task Force or Strike Team when requested by any fire agency in the county. This is to provide the maximum flow of foam to a fire scene as required.
C. Establish a common set of terms to be used by each member of the Task Force and Strike Teams in order to eliminate a possibility for confusion.
II. Scope
A. This guideline applies to all emergency agencies operating within Burlington County that have a need to request a foam task force or strike team.
B. It is the intent of this guideline to ensure compliance with the National Incident Management System (NIMS). Standard terminology, strike team components, and other resources are identified using NIMS guidelines.
III. Definitions
A. Foam Tender Type I – capable of carrying at least 500 gallons of foam concentrate in bulk storage.
B. Foam Tender Type II – capable of carrying between 250 and 499 gallons of foam concentrate in bulk storage.
C. AR-AFFF – Alcohol Resistant Aqueous Film Forming Foam
D. AFFF - Aqueous Film Forming Foam
E. AFFF-ATC - Aqueous Film Forming Foam – Alcohol Resistant
F. Class A foam: It reduces the surface tension of plain water which allows it to penetrate surfaces where water might normally run off, to reach deep-seated fires. This helps reduce the amount of water required to extinguish the fire and also provides quicker knockdown.
G. Class B foam: Used at 1, 3 or 6 % concentration to extinguish fires involving hydrocarbon fuels. This effects extinguishment in two ways. The foam blanket excludes oxygen from the fuel’s surface, and the water in the foam provides cooling.
H. High Expansion: High expansion foam effects extinguishment in two ways. Total flooding of the involved area limits the amount of oxygen required to support free combustion, and provides a slow continuous release of foam solution for cooling and penetration.
I. Taskforce/Strike Team Leader shall be selected to coordinate training.
IV. Foam Task Force and Strike Teams
A. Foam Task Forces and Strike Teams will be established to respond upon a request from an Incident Commander or Fire Coordinator.
1. Agency participation in the task force will be voluntary.
2. Participants of each task force shall follow the same procedures.
3. Each Task Force will consist of four (4) engines, one (1) Squrt, and a minimum of four (4) foam trailers.
4. Each Strike Team will consist of a minimum of four (4) foam trailers.
5. The Task Force/Strike Team leaders should meet regularly to discuss modifications or update procedures.
6. The Task Force/Strike Team leaders shall report their activities to the Fire Coordinator or designee.
V. Taskforce/Strike Team Leader Responsibilities
A. Coordinate and insure two (2) training sessions per year.
B. Shall meet regularly to discuss modifications or update procedures.
C. Shall report their activities to the Fire Coordinator or designee.
D. Shall inventory equipment supplied by county and provide a written report to the Fire Coordinator or designee as requested.
VI. Taskforce/Strike Team Participating Department Responsibilities
A. Label or stencil each container of foam in order to establish ownership of foam used in a given incident.
B. When purchasing new foam it is recommended that departments purchase AR-AFFF to be compatible with county system.
VII. Calls for Service
A. Any fire fighting agency in Burlington County may request a task force and or a strike team to respond into their area. The incident commander is encouraged to determine the need for the task force or strike team at the earliest possible point in the incident.
B. A request for a task force or strike team would activate the County Fire Coordinator and/or designee to respond with the strike team.
C. The selection of the strike team to respond must be based upon apparatus already committed to the assignment. (A task force or strike team from another region may be needed since apparatus of the local task force or strike team would probably be committed to the assignment already!)
D. Staging of the strike team shall be away from the Level II staging area of other apparatus.
E. To streamline the dispatch, the tones shall be sounded for all the task force or strike team companies, and then the following shall be announced:
1. Foam Task Force or Strike Team A “Alpha”, in Mount Laurel, Hartford Road and Marne Hwy., and repeat. There shall be no need to announce each engine in the dispatch.
F. If an engine needs to be added to fill out a task force team the announcement shall be as follows:
1. Foam Task Force A “Alpha”, Engine 3911, in Mount Laurel, Hartford Road and Marne Hwy., and repeat.
G. If a foam trailer needs to be added to fill out a strike team the announcement shall be as follows:
1. Foam Strike Team A “Alpha”, Trailer 905, in Mount Laurel, Hartford Road and Marne Hwy., and repeat
VIII. Procedure
A. The following procedure shall be followed when initiating a foam task force
1. A team leader or coordinator will assume control of the task force or strike team and place the apparatus.
2. The team leader shall determine from Command where the supply of water is located. The water supply selected must be capable of maintaining the desired flow.
3. The team leader or coordinator shall work with the Command to determine responsible party for reimbursement or replacement of disposable items as per mutual aid agreement.
4. Efforts should be made to restore foam tenders to service immediately at the conclusion of the incident.
IX. Conclusion
A. At the conclusion of the incident, the task force or strike team leader will meet with the incident commander to determine if changes could have been made to improve the delivery of foam to the scene.
B. A critique of the foam supply operation should be scheduled as soon as practical following the incident.
C. A report should be made to the Fire Coordinator listing details of the operation, estimated flow rate and recommend any changes in policy or procedures.
Any recommended changes will be evaluated by the Foam Task Force work group and if approved, shall be implemented as the procedure for all task forces and strike teams
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