List of first response mnemonics

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This article is a list of mnemonics and acronyms related to first responders including community first responders, emergency departments, and other first responders with either low level or no qualifications in the relevant field. This list includes the definition of each item in the mnemonic or acronym.

Contents

General

Incident Reporting

M/ETHANE (The common structure for first responders to report information regarding an incident or emergency to superiors or incident command or control systems.) [1] [2] [3] [4] :9 [5]

Firefighting

Fire extinguisher use

PASS (The basic steps for portable fire extinguisher use.) [6]

First attack firefighting

RACE (The priority of initial actions to take against a fire.) [7] [8]

Firefighters

On arrival

I EAT (The phases of incident command.) [9]

  • Initiate - The first qualified responder on the scene will take initial command. The delegation of authority when a group or multiple types first responders are initially on scene differs from country to country.
  • Establish - When appropriate, a formal command post and structure should be established for the emergency.
  • Assume - Each time a new person is delegated command of the incident, they should properly assume command and receive a briefing or hand-over from the previous incident commander.
  • Terminate - Conclude the incident and end the formal command of the relevant responders.

TRIPOD (The six different primary phases of a fire response, in no particular order.) [9]

  • Transitional - The phase where an offensive attack is made from a defensive position, or vice versa.
  • Rescue - The phase where firefighters enter a building to search for potential casualties or victims and remove them from danger.
  • Investigating - The phase where the nature and source of the fire are investigated. This investigation aims to conclude whether there are chemical hazards or other HAZMATs exposing additional risk to nearby property and persons, and assists in identifying what measures need to be taken to protect firefighters.
  • Preparing - The phase where a plan is devised, or when plans and resources are put in place. Implemented at the conclusion of the investigating phase, or whilst waiting for additional personnel or resources.
  • Offensive - The phase where an offensive attack on the fire is conducted. Firefighters and equipment will enter the fire-affected structure to attempt to completely extinguish the fire from its source. This is usually done through entering the structure with hose lines.
  • Defensive - The phase where a defensive attack is conducted on the fire. Firefighters and equipment are used to attempt to extinguish the fire from the outside of the structure or its collapse zone. This phase is implemented when an offensive attack is not feasible due to dangers presented by the nature of the fire or structure. The primary goal of this phase is to defend nearby structures and attack a fire until additional resources or personnel arrive, or the fire is extinguished to the point where another type of attack is possible.

Incident priorities

RECEO (The general priorities at a fire scene in order, with 'V' and 'S' being added in as is appropriate considering the fire, personnel and equipment.) [9]

  • Rescue - Get known victims out of danger and conduct assessments (whether through internal searches or interviewing of occupants) regarding the potential of un-confirmed or unknown victims.
  • Exposures - Protect nearby property that may become affected by the fire. This is the first part of preventing the spread of the fire. Exposures do not include separate rooms of the fire affected structure, but are separate structures or properties.
  • Confine - Confine the fire to the affected parts of the structure. This is the second part of preventing the spread of the fire and typically involves offensive attacks and activation of any passive fire protection systems.
  • Extinguish - Actively extinguish the fire through the use of various firefighting methods.
  • Overhaul - Check for the hidden spread of fire (such as through hot embers) and eliminate any risk of reignition (through sources such as hot-spots).
  • Ventilate - When appropriate, ventilate the structure to allow smoke to escape. Ventilation allows heat, toxic fumes and smoke to escape the structure, it increases the safety of an offensive attack and reduces the risk to any victims inside. [10]
  • Salvage - Preserve property and any items inside a fire affected structure from damage from fire, smoke and water.

ARSO (The general sequence or priority of courses of action at an incident - whether fire or rescue - in order.) [11]

  • Approach and Arrival - What is done as the firefighting unit arrives at the incident to ensure their safety, as well as any initial actions (such as locating fire hydrants).
  • Rescue - What is done by the firefighting unit to safely protect people at an incident.
  • Suppression - What is done by the firefighting unit to safely protect items of economic, environmental, cultural, or personal value.
  • Overhaul - What is done by the firefighting unit to safely help people and the area affected by the incident to return to normal, or to repair the effects that the incident had on these people or areas.

Size-up

WALLACE WAS HOT - (Elements of a general fire size-up, in no particular order.) [12] [13] [14] [15]

  • Water - Assess and make decisions regarding the supply of water to the fire. This usually involves locating a fire hydrant and deciding to forward lay [def 1] or reverse lay [def 2] a supply line, or defer the responsibility of water supply to the next arriving firefighter unit. For large building fires it may be necessary to conduct calculations of water flow from the available water source(s), and boost various water supplies. In remote locations there may not be an adequate water supply close enough to the fire, in which case additional equipment may need to be requested.
  • Area - Determine the rough area of any alight structures and consider requesting additional resources if necessary.
  • Life hazard - Determine if there is a hazard to the life of people who remain in the structure which is alight. It is generally recommended to assume that life safety is at risk until the firefighters have determined that the structure is clear of occupants, or that it is impossible to survive inside the structure due to the conditions of the fire.
  • Location - Determine the location, size, and extent of the fire, and possible locations where the fire could spread.
  • Apparatus - Determine the quantities and types of firefighting apparatuses that are physically available, and those currently due to arrive. The difference between currently available apparatuses which can be immediately utilised and those which are due to arrive in the near future is important (for example, an apparatus which is due to arrive may be preoccupied with another call), and should be considered when developing strategic plans. Along with the determination of apparatuses, the availability of trained personnel should also be determined and considered.
  • Construction - Identify the construction type of the alight structure. Examples of specifics to consider are the material which the structure is constructed of and hidden roofspaces.
  • Exposures - Identify the exposures [def 3] to the fire, and utilise this knowledge whilst developing strategic plans against the fire.
  • Weather - Identify the weather conditions both current and future (through a weather forecast), and evaluate their possible effects on the fire and its spread.
  • Auxiliary appliances - Determine the availability of auxiliary appliances such as sprinkler systems, and if applicable ensure the continued operation of these appliances (by, for example, increasing the supply of water to the sprinklers).
  • Special matters - Identify the presence, and determine the effects of any special matters. A special matter is anything which could negatively affect firefighting, or place additional risk to the firefighters or other people. Special matters may be grouped into utility hazards (such as downed power lines or burst water pipes), egress issues (such as barred windows or destroyed fire escape stairs), HAZMAT presence (such as explosive gas or other chemicals), and other special matters (such as confined spaces).
  • Height - Determine if the height of the structure will affect firefighting operations. Fighting fires above ground level causes additional risk to remaining building occupants as well as firefighters, as well as affecting the ability to perform actions such as rescuing victims and laying fire hoses. If firefighters need to go above the general ground level, there should be additional strategies or equipment put in place in order to maintain quick access to egress routes.
  • Occupancy - Assess the type and levels of occupancy of the structure. These matters should be considered when developing strategic plans, and may alter the order of firefighting operations. For example, a fire in a residential building during day hours of the work week may require less urgent rescue operations, whilst one in the same type of building during night hours requires the opposite.
  • Time - Determine if the current time (time of day and year) will affect strategic requirements (for example, in relation to occupancy) or response times (for example, peak hour traffic may delay apparatuses).

Wildland firefighting safety

PLACES (A general safety checklist for wildland firefighters. The addition of the initial 'P' is disputed, with some sources only using 'LACES'.) [16] [17] [11]

  • PPE - Wildland firefighters should always wear, or ensure the quick access to, appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).[ citation needed ]
  • Lookouts - The wildfire fighting unit must ensure that they have a clear appreciation for the fire's behaviour, location, and size. The unit should establish a knowledge of the location of the fire relative to the unit itself. There must be adequate lookouts (not necessarily in fire lookout towers - perhaps on foot or in wildfire helicopters) with the capability to quickly and adequately assess the fire, and alert the wildfire fighting unit if urgent evacuation is necessary.
  • Awareness - There must be a constant awareness of the fire behaviour, and the impact of changes which occur as the fire spreads and continues to burn such as new fuel sources, fireground hazards, changes in weather, and topography.
  • Communication - Communication must always be maintained between the wildfire fighting unit, other emergency services, and other members of the wildfire fighting service. Safety issues should be discussed and addressed immediately.
  • Escape routes - A minimum of two escape routes should be agreed upon and made known to all relevant persons (such as the members of the wildfire fighting unit, other emergency service personnel, or members of the public). The suitability of, and risks to, the escape routes should be continually evaluated to ensure that they remain effective.
  • Safety zone - Safety zones should be maintained, identified or constructed, and made known to all relevant persons. The size requirements of a safety zone may change as the fire behaviour changes, and should be continually assessed. The time of escape to safety zones should also be continually assessed, and concerns or issues regarding unreasonably lengthy escape times should be immediately addressed. Escape routes and Safety zones hold key differences: Escape routes allow the firefighters to egress out of a wildfire completely (for example to complete their shift) whereas Safety zones allow firefighters to take refuge in unforeseen circumstances where the behaviour of the wildfire suddenly changes and places the firefighters at risk; Escape routes are usually further away from the firefighting unit and take longer to completely use whilst Safety zones should always be quickly accessible and available for use for periods of up to a number of hours.

Medical Care

First Aid

DRS AB CD (The general steps for initial assessment of an injured or ill person.) [18] [19] [20] [21]

COWS (The method for checking an injured or ill person's response level as per 'R' in DRS AB CD.) [28] [29] [30]

A MIST (Order of the steps in a handover procedure from first aider to paramedics or further medical care.) [31] [32]

Emergency Medicine

Specific Injuries or Illnesses

Shock

TV SPARC CUBE (Signs and symptoms of shock.) [33] [34] [35] [36]

  • Thirst - Thirst or a dry mouth is a possible symptom of shock.
  • Vomiting - Vomiting or nausea are possible signs of shock.
  • Sweating - Excessive sweating is a possible sign of shock. [36]
  • Pulse - A rapid and hypokinetic pulse (a weak and fast pulse) is a sign of possible shock.
  • Anxious - Abnormal levels of anxiety or irritability are both possible symptoms of shock.
  • Respirations - Rapid and shallow breathing is a possible sign of shock.
  • Cool - Cold and clammy skin is a possible sign of shock.
  • Cyanotic - Meaning to have bluish or purplish discolouration of the skin or mucous membranes - is a possible sign of shock.
  • Unconscious - Extended or more extreme cases of shock are likely to lead to unconsciousness.
  • Blood pressure low - Low blood pressure is a common sign for all types of shock.
  • Eyes blank - Confusion, weakness, drowsiness, fainting, dizziness, disorientation, and expanded pupils are all possible signs and symptoms of shock which may be observable through the person's eyes.

Pain

TWEED SASH:

Non-Pharmacological Analgesic Strategies
Psychological Interventions
TTherapeutic Touch (e.g. hand-holding)
WWarn about painful interventions
EExplain what is, or is about to, happen
EEye contact
DDefend (patient) dignity
Physical Interventions
SStabilise fractures
AApply dressings to cover burns
SSoft surface (avoid rigid spinal boards or stretchers)
HHypothermia avoidance

Stroke

FAST (Detection of a stroke.) [37] [38]

  • Face - Facial drooping, particularly on one side of the face, is a symptom of a stroke. The person of concern should be asked to smile - if the smile is lopsided or the person is unable to smile, this is a concern.
  • Arms - Arm weakness or numbness is a symptom of a stroke, particularly where one arm is weaker than another. The person of concern should be asked to lift both arms to the same height - if one arm drifts downward or the person is unable to lift their arms as expected, this is a concern.
  • Speech - An inability or difficulty to understand or produce speech is a symptom of a stroke. The person of concern should be asked to repeat a simple sentence - if they have trouble understanding the request, or they are unable to or find it difficult to repeat the sentence without slurring, this is a concern.
  • Time - If any of the above symptoms present themselves it is time to call emergency services.

HEADS (Risk factors of a stroke.) [33] [39]

  • Hypertension or Hyperlipidimea - Hypertension (high blood pressure) or hyperlipidemia (elevated levels of any lipids such as fat in the blood) are both risk factors for a stroke, with extended high blood pressure being the most major risk factor. [39]
  • Elderly - The elderly are more at risk of a stroke. [40]
  • Atrial fibrillation - Rapid and irregular heart rhythm is associated with increased risk of a stroke.
  • Diabetes or Drugs - Diabetes mellitus or the use of drugs such as cocaine increase the risk of a stroke, with the risk of a stroke from cocaine usage being greatest within the first few hours after use. [41]
  • Smoking or Sex - Tobacco smoking is a risk factor for a stroke. Other uses of tobacco (such as chewing) have a possible increase in the risk of stroke. [42] In younger ages males (sex assignment at birth) have a higher risk of strokes than the corresponding age group of females.[ citation needed ] However, during and in the weeks following pregnancy, women have a higher risk of a stroke. [43] Women also have a higher risk of a stroke overall due to the risk of stroke increasing with age, and the life expectancy of women being longer than men. [44]

Notes

Definitions

  1. Forward lay: The process of laying out a water supply hose from the water source to the fire, after initially connecting the supply hose to the source.
  2. Reverse lay: The process of laying out a water supply hose from the fire to the water source, and finally connecting the supply hose to the source.
  3. Exposure: Separate structures or objects located near to a fire, which may be set on fire due to the transfer of heat or burning materials.

References

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  2. "M/ETHANE Form" (DOCX). Joint Emergency Services Interoperability Principles (JESIP). 9 January 2018. Retrieved 25 August 2021.
  3. "Resource Manual". Joint Emergency Services Interoperability Principles (JESIP). February 2018. p. 14. Retrieved 25 August 2021.
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  10. Firefighter Nation Content Directors. "The Why & When of Ventilation". FirefighterNation. Retrieved 17 August 2021.
  11. 1 2 Meijer, D., Brinkworth, A. NSW Rural Fire Service Pocketbook (Android or iOS Application) (Version 5.1.0). New South Wales Rural Fire Service, Operational Improvement Section. Section: 'Acronyms'.
  12. Silvernail, Jim (2013). Suburban Fire Tactics. Google Books: Fire Engineering Books. pp. 80–88. ISBN   978-1-59370-294-6.
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