SOP Manual - Cleveland Fire Department

Cleveland Fire Department
Operations Manual
Methods of Gathering Information
During an emergency the Incident Commander or Fire Ground Commander has constant need for
information on fire ground factors. The information gathered to provide the needed input into formulation
of the action plan comes from three factors.
A. Visual Factors -- This is what the Incident Commander can actually see from the Command Post
and on the fire ground.
B. Reconnaissance Factors -- These are factors that the Incident Commander gets from information
supplied by others on the fire ground who report to him as a result of a specific mission to gather
information. The Incident Commander must be aware that information gathered by a
reconnaissance mission may be incomplete or inaccurate. The dangers on the fire ground may
make the mission impossible to complete, and often those assigned to a reconnaissance
assignment cannot guarantee accurate information.
C. Pre-Fire Planning Factors -- Information gathered by preplanning surveys is the most professional
and accurate in many fire situations. This vital information can be collected in a methodical
manner before an actual emergency. This information takes a lot of the “guess work” out of
decision making on the fire ground.
It should be of vital concern to every member of the department since the safety of all people at a fire may
depend on our knowledge of the building and contents involved in a fire.
Pre-Fire Planning Factors can include items such as:
1. Building Construction Features
2. Life Hazard Information
3. Occupancy
4. Contents
5. Exposures
6. Availability and location of water supplies
7. Access for equipment, apparatus, personnel, and special hazards
8. Personnel Traps
9. Built-in Fire Protection Features
Fire Ground Factor Information Categories
Effective: June 1, 1997 Revised: 5/14/2009 Page | 156
Approved by: Chief Chuck Atchley