Kent County Chiefs Association

Standard Operating Guidelines &

Standard Operating Procedures

Subject: Apparatus Pre-Arrival Assignments for

         Structure Fires

SOG # 1-1-20

Approved

July 2020

Approved by: President James L. Price, Jr.

Reaffirmed

July 2025

I.  POLICY:

  The Kent County Chiefs Association adopted Apparatus Pre-Arrival Assignments for Structure Fires, and this Policy and Guideline will standardize Structure Fire Operations.

II.  PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE:

  To establish a standardized guideline for company’s or departments operating within Kent County for “Apparatus Pre-Arrival Assignments for Structural Fires”.  All Kent County Fire Company’s or Departments and out of county and out of state mutual companies or departments will follow this policy and guidelines for all hazard incidents involving a Structure Response or any incident the Incident Commander deems necessary.

III.  GOAL:

  The goal of this S.O.G. is to make sure that critical emergency tasks are assigned without unnecessary radio traffic to and from apparatus.  Help eliminate apparatus asking for an assignment

  The Incident Commander can deviate from the Apparatus Pre-Arrival Assignments if they deem it necessary.

IV.  APPARATUS PRE-ARRIVAL ASSIGNMENTS FOR STRUCTURAL FIRES

1st Due Engine:

• Establish Water Supply

1.      Forward Lay

2.      Split Lay - Provide layout instructions for the 2nd Due Engine

3.      Split lay for tanker operations

• If 1st Due Engine does not establish a water supply, they should provide direction/assignment to the 1st Due Tanker or the 2nd Due Engine.

• Provide Proper Size-Up

1.      Address if different from dispatched address

2.      Number of floors/stories

3.      Type of Structure

·         Type I-V, Wood frame, Middle of Row, High Rise

4.      Conditions evident on arrival

5.      Initial Actions

6.      Mode of operations (Offensive, Defensive, Investigating)

• Establish or Pass Command

1.      If Command is Passed, designate who will establish Command

• Ensure a 360 Size Up is Completed

1.      Either by completing the 360 or assigning 360 via radio transmission

• Deploy proper size handline for Fire containment/extinguishment

1st Due Tanker:

• Ensure water supply for the 1st Due Engine

1.      Pump supply line, Pick up split lay, Water shuttle/tanker operations

2nd Due Engine:

• Responded to 1st Due Engine’s Layout Location

• Ensure water supply for 1st Due Engine

1.      Via 1st Due Tanker or 2nd Due Engine

2.      Pump supply line, Pick up split lay, Water shuttle/tanker operations

• Crew will ensure that 1st handline is in place and operating

• Crew will deploy 2nd handline from the 1st Due Engine to the proper location to assist in fire containment/extinguishment

• If Command is not established or designated the 2nd Due Engine officer will ensure that Command is established

3rd Due Engine:

• Establish Secondary Water Supply

1.      If Charlie side is accessible, Deploy supply line to the Charlie side

2.      Forward Lay

3.      Split Lay - Provide layout instructions for the 2nd Due Engine

4.      Split lay for tanker operations

**Report to Command - Responsible establishing the initial RIT, until relieved or reassigned by Command**

2nd Due Tanker:

• Ensure water supply for 3rd Due Engine

1.      Pump supply line, pick up split lay, Water shuttle/Tanker operations

4th Due Engine:

• Responded to 3rd Due Engine’s Layout Location

• Ensure water supply for 3rd Due Engine

1.      Via 2nd Due Tanker or 4th Due Engine

2.      Pump supply line, Pick up split lay, Water shuttle/tanker operations

• Unless assigned by Command via radio, Report to Command Post for assignment

1st Due Special Service:

• Inside Team

1.      Forcible Entry

2.      Primary Search

• • • Known rescue, immediate fire area out, floor above, top floor

• Outside Team

1.      Charlie Side Report

2.      Horizontal and Vertical ventilation as needed

3.      Ladder Charlie and Delta sides of the building

4.      Secure the Utilities

Charlie Side Report:

Number of stories in the rear

Any conditions evident

Does the structure have a basement?

Is there a FIRE in the basement?

Any additional pertinent conditions

Victims

Fire extending to exposures

2nd Due Special Service:

• Inside Team - Work with 1st Due Special Service

1.      Forcible Entry

2.      Primary Search

• • • Known rescue, immediate fire area out, floor above, top floor

• Outside Team - Work with 1st Due Special Service

1.      Ensure Charlie Side Report has been completed

2.      Horizontal and Vertical ventilation as needed

3.      Ladder Alpha and Bravo sides of the building

4.      Secure the Utilities

3rd Due Special Service (RIT):

• Stage or position apparatus as appropriate

• Rapid Intervention Team

• Stage Apparatus out of the way

• Active RIT

1.      RIT Pack, Access to AED Immediately

2.      Ground Ladders

3.      Ventilation/Window Removal (Coordinated Ventilation)

3rd Due Tanker, Tanker Task Force Tankers and additional alarm Tankers:

• Ensure Water Supply to the 1st Due and or 2nd Due Tanker

• Prepare for Water Shuttle Operations

Tanker Task Force Engine:

• Ensure a Tanker Fill Site is established

1.      Rivers or Ponds or Streams or hydrant

• Consider more than one fill site

1.      Ask for additional resources if you are using more than one fill site

1st Due Ambulance and Kent County Paramedic:

• Positions in an area to set up Rehab

• Check civilians or victims for injuries

• Established Rehab

• Ask Command to call for additional resources if needed.

2nd Due Ambulance and Kent County Paramedic:

• Stage away from scene in case you must transport from the scene

• Assist with Rehab

Additional Alarm (2nd, 3rd, 4th, etc.), Strike Teams and Task Force Apparatus:

• Ensure Staging has been or is established

1.      Accomplished by the Officer of the first arriving piece.

• Await further instructions from Command

Betterton Volunteer Fire Company, Inc.

Chief Renny Grapes

YES      NO      NOT PRESENT

Chestertown Volunteer Fire Company, Inc.

Chief John Darling

YES      NO      NOT PRESENT

Community Volunteer Fire Company of Millington, Inc.

Chief Charles Boyles

YES      NO      NOT PRESENT

Galena Volunteer Fire Company, Inc.

Chief Albert (Bert) Piasecki, Jr.

YES      NO      NOT PRESENT

Kennedyville Volunteer Fire Department, Inc.

Chief James L. Price, Jr.

YES      NO      NOT PRESENT

Kent & Queen Anne’s Rescue Squad, Inc.

Chief Jason Lobley

YES      NO      NOT PRESENT

Rock Hall Volunteer Fire Company, Inc.

Chief Mike Pinder

YES      NO      NOT PRESENT

Kent County Emergency Service Board

Chair Lynn Sutton

Submitted for Emergency Service Board Approval on ___October 20th, 2025__________

Compliance Date _____November 19th, 2025________________________________________

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