SCBA - Accountability ....


Safety of Firefighters Operating Inside Structures
There exists a long history dating back to the 1940s & 50s in the UK where lessons were learned following several multiple firefighter life losses. The fires in question brought about a system of SCBA Control Procedures whereby firefighters working inside structures were closely monitored by a designated safety officer from the outset of operations. He/she was assigned the sole task of administering a tally and board system to monitor the number of SCBA teams working; their locations and cylinder contents.

Based upon a 40 LPM average air consumption rate the SCBA Control Officer would also calculate expected times that firefighters should exit the structure, prior to their ten minute low pressure warning alarm sounding. If they had not exited by this time then Emergency Teams (RIT or FAST) were committed with Airlines (EATL) or SCBA Rescue Sets (EASE) for S&R.

To this day, the statistics have shown that UK firefighters are very rarely, if ever, killed due to fire-ground accountability issues. 

Breathing Apparatus Control
A series of Technical Bulletins have been issued over many years, with each updated document being based upon past experience and newly learned lessons. 

Breathing Apparatus Control SOP (Example)

Technical Bulletin SCBA Control (Example)

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