SOP 206.09 INTERIOR BUILDING SECTORS

Interior Building Control Sectors should be established by Command at high-rise and/or industrial occupancy fires and similar situations where control of access to the interior of a complex building is necessary.

At least one fire fighter from the initial entering companies should be left in the lobby to establish the function. A company should be assigned as quickly as possible and additional resources may be needed in major situations. Interior Sector Control must identify and report to Command the point of access that will be used by anyone entering the building/complex interior and must control all points of access to the building and only allow personnel authorized by Command to enter. All personnel entering the building must report to Lobby before reporting to any other sector or assignment. Company officers will keep crews in tact while awaiting assignment. Civilian personnel entering the building must be accompanied by a fire fighter and when available a portable radio.

The primary responsibilities assigned to the Interior Control Sector are:

INITIAL

Obtain, identify and distribute keys from lock box.

Keys for elevator must remain with Interior Control Sector Officer.

Take control of all elevators and return to ground using Emergency Control Feature.

Determine safety of elevators for use by Attack Companies (See sop 205.03, SAFETY PROCEDURES) and/or for evacuation of occupants. Assign operators to cars which will be used and establish communications if possible.

Control access to stairways.

Identify stairways to be used by fire fighting forces. Direct occupants leaving stairways to safe locations and away from sector control point, and prevent re-entry. (Return tags to personnel leaving the building.)

Record names of personnel going up into building using Personnel Identification System.

Keep crews in tact with an officer as much as possible: Keep individual personnel, not attached to a company, in sector control area until they can report to their company with another company or be reassigned to another company.

WORKING FIRE

Take control of alarm and communications systems.

Assign personnel to Building Control Station and establish liaison with Building Maintenance personnel. (Coordinate this function with Building Systems Officer, if established.)

Communicate with Resource and Staging Sectors to coordinate equipment and manpower needs.

Stockpile equipment in Interior Sector Control area for transportation to Resource Sector Control dispatch of manpower and equipment to Resource Sector and maintain log.

Companies assigned from Staging should be instructed to unload needed equipment in control area.

Establish Stairway Support if needed. When elevators are inoperative or unsafe, equipment must be carried up the stairways. Assign personnel to every other floor landing (every floor if available) to relay equipment up the stairs. These personnel should have protective equipment available, but work in duty uniforms.