Maintenance of National Operational Guidance

Item 5 – Maintenance of National Operational Guidance July 2019

Date: 4th July 2019 Item No: 5 Title: Maintenance of National Operational Guidance Author: Mark Hodges Presented by: Chair For information or decision? For decision Number of Attachments: Two

Appendix A – Hazardous Materials (pages 1-3 only, the remainder of the document is saved within the Chief’s SharePoint folder on Workplace) Appendix B – Rescues involving animals scenario

1. Summary

1.1. The following report provides an update on the current areas of activity, undertaken by the Central

Programme Office, in order to maintain National Operational Guidance.

2. National Operational Guidance review update

2.1. During the previous governance cycle, the NFCC Full Council approved;

Transport 2nd edition, version 1 for publication

Subsurface, height, structure and confined spaces 1st edition version 2

2.2. There are three pieces of national operational guidance currently under review and they are;

Environmental Protection

Operations

Breathing Apparatus

2.3. Surveys have been circulated with the full UKFRS.com user base for both Environmental Protection

and Operations guidance. Initial responses indicate both documents have been well received and

have been partially or fully implemented in many responding services.

2.4. The business case for the review of both documents are being developed and we are currently

assessing feedback received as an indication of the depth and level of review required.

Page 2 of 12 Item 5 – Maintenance of National Operational Guidance July 2019

2.5. The review of Breathing Apparatus has commenced, and the content team are working with the

Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE) group to identify ways of capturing appropriate strategic

and tactical actions in National Operational Guidance. This will ensure services are able to record

their actions to comply with guidance and appropriate prompts can be used in scenario documents.

2.6. Additional control measures and strategic actions have been developed and were submitted for

consideration by the RPE group on 25 of April. Following this meeting, a plan for subsequent actions

will be developed, based on feedback from the group.

2.7. A new project is about to commence, Fire Control Foundation guidance will be created in addition to

the Operations guidance. The progress of this project will be provided to the NFCC Operations

Committee.

3. Legacy Guidance review

3.1. As part of assurance on the National Operational Guidance products, an extensive review of all

existing legacy material against published guidance is being completed. The current work focuses

on the suite of Operational Guidance documents produced by the Home Office, including Generic

Risk Assessments (GRAs).

3.2. The initial findings indicate that the guidance has effectively incorporated the majority of the Generic

Risk Assessments (GRAs) reviewed. One activity, rescue of persons from lift or machinery, requires

a more detailed analysis and will be incorporated into the review of Performing Recues. This work is

expected to begin in the Autumn of 2019.

3.3. The Operational Guidance Forum (OGF) has assessed the findings and approved the review of

GRAs 1.1 – 2.7 excluding GRA 2.3 and 2.6 and GRAs 5.2, 5.3 and 5.5.

Recommendation – It is recommended that the NFCC Full Council note the ongoing review

work both completed and ongoing.

4. Guidance for NFCC Full Council for approval

Hazardous materials 4.1. Users provided feedback on both Hazardous materials: Physical hazards, the Foundation for

hazardous materials and suggesting that amendments were required.

4.2. The areas identified by users were assessed using members of the original project team and the

content team and changes recommended. The changes have been addressed and content

reviewed against all existing National Operational Learning, Legacy Guidance review

recommendations, end of project recommendations and collated user feedback.

4.3. It should be noted that these are ‘dynamic’ changes and are being made ahead of the scheduled

review date for this piece of guidance (full review scheduled for 2021).

4.4. The Operational Guidance Forum, NFCC Strategic Engagement Forum and NFCC Operations

Committee recommended approval of both the pieces of guidance.

Page 3 of 12 Item 5 – Maintenance of National Operational Guidance July 2019

Recommendation – That the NFCC Full Council take note of the recommendations from the

NFCC Operations Committee and NFCC Strategic Engagement Forum and approve:

Hazardous materials: Physical hazards (Edition 1, version 2)

Foundation for Hazardous Materials (Edition 1, version 2).

Rescues involving animals (scenario only) 4.5. To date 26 of the planned 27 scenarios have been published. The 27th scenario – Incidents

involving animals, was not developed during the original approval process as the guidance had not

yet been published.

4.6. Following publication of this guidance in March 2018, an accompanying scenario has been

developed. This was created with input from fire and rescue services and members of the original

project team and has been subject to full consultation. 100% of respondents considered the content

to be appropriate for publication.

Recommendation - That the NFCC Full Council take note of the recommendations from the

NFCC Operations Committee and NFCC Strategic Engagement Forum and approve:

Rescues involving Animals Scenario

Appendix A – Hazardous materials

National Operational Guidance: Outstanding updates

National Operational Guidance topic

Hazardous Materials

Change originator

User feedback

Change requested

Amendments required to Hazardous materials: Physical hazards and Foundation to hazardous materials

based on user feedback and NOG style guide

Changes proposed Rationale for change

Language amended in Gases under pressure:

Involved in fire (e.g. potential Boiling Liquid

Expanding Vapour Explosion (BLEVE))

Make distances for Cordon Controls clearer

Click here to see amendments

Click here to see amendment

Remove all dates from legislation. NOG style guide indicates no document should

reference date of legislation.

Remove all references to “The act” Used twice in the document to describe two

different acts

Remove Mass decontamination section. Covered by NR control measure – Mass

Decontamination

Reference to IRR99 difference between dose rates

for men and women removed. Replaced by

“The maximum annual dose to all radiation workers

over the age of 18 (male and female) is 20 mSv.

Firefighters attending a radiation incident fall under

the definition of a radiation worker.”

And

“Dose limit: the Ionising Radiation Regulations set

out the limits for employees in a calendar year in

Schedule 3 Part1”

IRR99 replaced by IRR2017 changing legislation.

Click here to see amendment 1

Click here to see amendment 2

All = symbols replaced by symbols in equations = sign is not appropriate as it indicates reactions are permanent

Maintenance of National Operational Guidance

Item 5 – Maintenance of National Operational Guidance July 2019

Section covering Additional Resources available

through Chemsafe amended

Amendments made regarding available resources

following clarification from Chemsafe.

Click here to see amendment

“Walking” changed to “Ambulant” Preferred usage

Removal of references to legacy guidance Stated aim is to remove legacy guidance

Nitrile gloves changed to suitable disposable gloves Not all services use nitrile gloves

Atoms and molecules section, Change the Smallest

unit of a compound that still behaves as that

compound is called a molecule

The smallest unit of a compound or element that

still behaves as that compound or element is called

a molecule

Content amended for accuracy following feedback

Radicals paragraph edited and complex ion

paragraph added

Content amended for accuracy following feedback

Click here to see amendment

Nomenclature section amended Content amended for accuracy following feedback

Latent heat of vaporisation changed to latent heat

of condensation

Content amended for accuracy following feedback

Approval process

Recommended for approval by Operational Guidance Forum

Recommended for approval by NFCC Operations Committee

Impacts on other guidance and NOG products

No immediate changes to other pieces of guidance have been identified.

Training specifications and scenarios do not require redrafting to reflect the above changes.

Version history

Version Publication date Changes

First edition of Hazardous

Materials Foundation

07 February 2018 Original publication

First edition of Hazardous

materials: Physical hazards

26 February 2018 Original publication

Assurance history

Change Assurance and process

All changes GRA cross referenced to National operational Guidance by content

officer

GRA review sampled and assured by line manager

Omissions and variations processed by content team

Additional content submitted for consideration to SMEs for

comment

Recommended for approval by Operational Guidance Forum

Recommended for approval by NFCC Operations Committee

Appendix B – Rescues involving animals

R8.0 Rescues involving animals

Version: 2.2

Incident information

Identify and communicate the presence of animals and any associated hazards to responders and the public [Link]

Attempt to identify the owner of the animal [Link]

Liaise with the animal’s owner, or the person with temporary responsibility for the animal, to gather information

about it [Link]

Liaise with the animal’s owner, or the person with temporary responsibility for the animal, to identify an appropriate

destination for the released or evacuated animal [Link]

Identify best access route, rendezvous point (RVP) and marshalling area and communicate to all responders [Link]

Further incident information

See All incident: Incident information [Link]

Resource information

Identify the need for specialist resources and request their attendance or assistance [Link]

Ensure the specialist resources are deployed appropriately and understand their role [Link]

Be aware of directories maintained by other organisations, for example a list of veterinary surgeons registered with

the British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) or with the British Animal Rescue and Trauma Care Association

(BARTA) [Link]

Consider using the assistance of the owner of the animal [Link]

Request veterinary or other specialist advice about containment [Link]

Request a veterinary surgeon if chemical restraint is required [Link]

Select the appropriate resources and equipment to break through building elements to create space [Link]

Select the appropriate resources and equipment to gain access to the vehicle to create space [Link]

Assess the available equipment for its suitability prior to use [Link]

Assess the available resuscitation equipment for suitability prior to use [Link]

Further resource information

Request appropriate specialist resources for rescues from unstable surfaces and landslides [Link]

Request the attendance of personnel with the required skill levels [Link]

Request technical rescue teams to attend incidents involving confined space or work at height [Link]

Consider requesting structural advice, assessment and monitoring from appropriate agencies [Link]

Risk information

Animals

Avoid, contain or control animals if necessary [Link]

Minimise the stress response of animals [Link]

Identify and maintain a safe egress route when dealing with an animal [Link]

Consider using appropriate methods or equipment to physically control or restrain the animal [Link]

Liaise with the veterinary surgeon about the level and duration of chemical restraint that is required and to

identify a suitable and safe anaesthesia recovery area [Link]

Monitor the welfare of an animal that has been contained [Link]

Seek specialist advice about antidotes, antivenom or specialist treatment [Link]

Restricted access and egress

Identify and maintain a safe egress route when dealing with an animals [Link]

Appendix B – Rescues involving animals

R8.0 Rescues involving animals

Version: 2.2

Ensure emergency responders and others attending the incident are all made aware of the safe egress route

[Link]

Consider contingency arrangements if personnel may become isolated in areas where animals present a risk

[Link] Determine an appropriate route to be used[Link]

Unguarded edges and unstable ground

Use any work equipment or safety device provided in accordance with training and instructions [Link]

Ensure that caution is exercised when using tools to extricate an animal submerged in water, ice or unstable

ground [Link]

Consider the use of on-site equipment and vehicles to access sites with unstable ground [Link]

Identify safe access and egress routes and areas for the site and any specific working areas [Link] Select the most appropriate work at height equipment for the activities and hazards identified [Link] Consider the use of specialist equipment for rescues from mud, ice and unstable ground [Link]

Biological hazards

Comply with hygiene arrangements and do not eat, drink or smoke [Link} Declare to the service or incident commander any allergies that could result in anaphylactic shock [Link}

Ensure open wounds, cuts and grazes are covered by a waterproof dressing [Link} Identify potential sources of biological contamination (e.g. waste from sanitary conveniences) [Link} Identify whether the incident should be reclassified as a hazardous materials response [Link]

Consider handing responsibility for the incident to another agency (e.g. police or an environmental agency) [Link}

Ensure any personnel providing immediate first aid to the animal are wearing appropriate personal protective

equipment (PPE) [Link]

Heavy and bulky objects

Use the appropriate manual manipulation techniques or mechanical techniques to extricate the animal [Link] Request additional resources to assist with manual handling tasks [Link] Consider using, machinery or other engineering controls to reduce manual handling risk [Link]

Consider the task, individual capabilities, load and environment (TILE) when carrying out risk assessments for

manual handling [Link]

Ensure personnel adopt the provided safe system of manual handling [Link]

Working at height

Monitor personnel for signs of stress, anxiety, vertigo or dizziness while working at height [Link] Secure any unattended fall prevention systems to ensure they cannot be interfered with [Link}

Use only personnel trained in the equipment and systems to advise or supervise work at height operations [Link] Ensure that work at height operating systems include an appropriate degree of redundancy [Link] Ensure that items taken and used at height are secured to reduce the risk of objects falling [Link]

Enclosed spaces

Establish a recovery system for personnel deployed into confined space environments and ensure it is in place at

all times {Link}

Evaluate a range of options that avoid committing personnel to work in a confined space {Link} Commit personnel to work in a confined space only following a full risk assessment [Link}

Appendix B – Rescues involving animals

R8.0 Rescues involving animals

Version: 2.2

Unstable or collapsed structures

Identify the age, design and condition of the structure[Link]

Assess and continuously monitor the structure for signs of collapse [Link]

Ensure that competent personnel assess and monitor the suitability of the structure for working in the hazard

area [Link]

Ensure that minimum number of personnel work in the hazard area [Link]

Vehicles

Obtain permission from the registered keeper of the vehicle, or the police, prior to commencing operational

activity [Link}

Use the appropriate manual manipulation techniques or mechanical techniques to extricate the animal [Link}

Fire

Consider the location, size, severity and speed of fire development when planning interventions [Link}

Consider a strong and speedy initial attack where a window of opportunity exists [Link]

Evacuate animals along appropriate routes to holding areas away from the incident [Link]

See All incident: Risk information [Link]

Powers, policies and procedures

Restrict the access of persons to premises or a place if they reasonably believe an emergency to have occurred

Not allow a sick or injured animal to be transported if it is unable to move independently without pain or walk

unassisted, or if it has a severe open wound; in this situation the animal must be placed into the care of a veterinary

surgeon, who may authorise its transportation [Link]

Further powers policies and procedures

See All incident: Powers policies and procedures [Link]

Why? Expectations? Benefit vs Risk?

Objectives

Maintain the safety of personnel, other responders and the public [Link]

Save life and reduce harm [Link] Minimise the stress response of animals [Link]

Further objectives

Promote community recovery and restore normal operations [Link]

Implement an appropriate protection plan when an identified nature conservation site is at risk [Link]

Secure the scene to ensure evidence is preserved for internal and external investigations {Link}

See All incident: Objectives [Link]

Tactical priorities

Liaise with a veterinary surgeon to ensure sufficient control of the animal is in place prior to moving or lifting, such

as chemical restraint [Link]

Obtain permission (and indemnity, if appropriate) from the building’s owner, or the police, prior to commencing

operational activity [Link]

Appendix B – Rescues involving animals

R8.0 Rescues involving animals

Version: 2.2

Obtain permission from the vehicle’s registered keeper, or the police, prior to commencing operational activity

[Link]

Ensure emergency responders understand the importance of minimising the stress response of the animal [Link]

Be aware that the animal may attempt to return to other familiar animals on its release [Link]

Have a contingency plan that can be implemented if the animal manoeuvres itself, resulting in the initial moving or

lifting plan being unachievable [Link]

Determine an appropriate destination for the released or evacuated animal, using local knowledge or information

gathered in scene surveys [Link]

Consider the impact that euthanising the animal will have on the incident; this will need to take into account the

location and method for euthanising the animal [Link]

Be aware of the capabilities and limitations of the organisations in attendance, for carrying out animal evacuation

[Link]

Further tactical priorities

See All incident: Tactical priorities [Link]

Operational tactics

Consider using appropriate methods or equipment to physically control or restrain the animal [Link]

Use appropriate places or equipment to contain the animal [Link]

Determine the most appropriate technique for moving or lifting the animal [Link]

Select the most appropriate equipment and ensure it is used effectively and safely [Link]

Ensure that the animal’s limbs are free from obstruction before lifting; a quick release mechanism should be used

[Link]

Use the appropriate manual manipulation techniques or mechanical techniques to extricate the animal [Link]

Consider using appropriate specialist equipment for rescuing an animal from water, ice or unstable ground [Link]

Check the animal for entanglement or unexpected limb positions prior to extrication [Link]

Consider the best course of action; manipulate the animal away from the cause of entanglement or remove the

cause of entanglement [Link]

Ensure equipment is used effectively and safely [Link]

Ensure personnel do not become entangled [Link]

Determine an appropriate route to be used [Link]

Identify a secure holding area [Link]

Consider providing immediate first aid for the animal, in the absence of veterinary assistance [Link]

Consider appropriately restraining the animal prior to providing first aid [Link]

Consider appropriately restraining the animal prior to providing CPR or oxygen [Link]

Further operational tactics

See All incident: Operational tactics [Link]

Communication

Attempt to liaise with the owner of the animals before commencing evacuation [Link]

Brief personnel on the animal-related hazards or animal evacuation techniques [Link] Liaise with the veterinary surgeon about the level and duration of chemical control or restraint that is required [Link] Communicate the location and method for euthanising the animal to emergency responders [Link]

Appendix B – Rescues involving animals

R8.0 Rescues involving animals

Version: 2.2

Brief personnel on the animal evacuation techniques, route to be taken and the location of the secure holding area

[Link]

Further communication

See All incident: Communication [Link]

CControl

Consider information provided by the animal’s owner, or the person with temporary responsibility for the animal,

when determining the size of the cordon [Link]

Ensure fire and rescue service personnel wear appropriate PPE [Link]

Control the use of lights and minimise noise in the vicinity of the animal [Link]

Keep movements of emergency responders, equipment and vehicles to a minimum in the vicinity of the animal

[Link]

Ensure personnel do not touch or handle animals unless unavoidable [Link]

Consider using appropriate equipment to screen the animal from the view of the public or media [Link]

Consider extending cordons to a sufficient distance to prevent photography or filming of this activity [Link]

Ensure emergency responders understand the importance of minimising the stress response of the animal [Link]

Ensure equipment is used effectively and safely [Link]

Ensure that emergency responders are made aware of the presence of veterinary drugs and administering

equipment, such as needles and syringes, used for chemical restraint [Link]

Further control information

Consider requesting that on-site machinery movements are restricted or prohibited

See All Incident: Control [Link]

Incident closure and handover

Liaise with the veterinary surgeon about the level and duration of chemical restraint that is required and to identify

a suitable and safe anaesthesia recovery area [Link]

Place the animal into the care of an appropriate person or organisation veterinary surgeon, or other animal care

specialist, at the earliest opportunity [Link]

Monitor the welfare of an animal that has been contained [Link]

Seek permission of the landowner before releasing or evacuating an animal onto private land [Link]

Consider decontamination of PPE [Link]

Further incident and closure information

See All Incident: Incident closure and handover [Link]

Additional information

See All incidents: Additional information [Link]

Document control

Title: Incidents involving animals

Synopsis: Tactical actions to be considered by incident commanders at incidents in

Published: Not yet published

Next Review Date:

Status: Consultation

Version: 1

Maintenance of National Operational Guidance

Item 5 – Maintenance of National Operational Guidance July 2019

Latest Position

Incident types covered:

R7.0.0.P RESCUE OF SMALL

ANIMALS R7.3.0.P

FROM UNSTABLE

SURFACE R7.1.0.P

FROM HEIGHT

R7.2.0.P FROM WATER

R8.1.0.P FROM HEIGHT

R8.0.0.P RESCUE OF LARGE

ANIMALS R8.3.0.P

FROM UNSTABLE

SURFACE R8.2.0.P

FROM WATER