Chapter 12A Basic Approach to ISO Duties

Objectives

• List two methods to achieve a systematic approach to ISO duties

• List several advantages and disadvantages of using checklists, as well as four design considerations when creating them

• Describe the differences between linear and cyclic thinking

Objectives (con’t.)

• List the four components of the ISO Action Model

• Describe the four steps that help an ISO become integrated into an incident

• List the three ISO general duties applicable to all incident types

• List the four personal safety systems that the ISO needs to evaluate

Getting Started Issues

• Biggest issue for ISOs– Prioritization of necessary physical and mental

functions

• The ISO must be:– Reactive to the needs of the incident

commander– Proactive in the prevention of injuries to

firefighters

Getting Started Issues (con’t.)

• ISOs can find it difficult to develop a starting place for addressing required functions

• Two most common approaches to addressing ISO incident duties– Checklists– Action models

Getting Started Issues (con’t.)

• Qualities of good ISO checklists and action models– Flexibility– Cyclicity– Proactive orientation– Reactive orientation– Archive friendliness

Checklists

• Benefits– Provide a quick reminder– Help you get back on track when distracted– Lend themselves to uniformity– Archiving is relatively simple– Changing checklist is relatively simple within

fire department framework– Most formats are easy to understand

Checklists (con’t.)

• Disadvantages– No one right way to perform ISO functions– Tendency to be overly simple or complex– Once an item is checked off, the ISO may

forget to revisit it– Must have many checklists to cover a multitude

of incident types– Imply an order for task completion– May be subject to subpoena in legal matters

Checklists (con’t.)

• Design considerations for checklists– Formatted in simple columns– Easy to read in low light– Room for notes, diagrams, grease pencils, and

water-resistant markers– Easy to differentiate from other similar ones– Reminder area for required postincident action

Action Models

• Template that outlines a mental or physical process to be followed

• Biggest advantage– Furnishes a template in which to process

multiple events

• A good action model– Reminds ISOs to be cyclic in their thinking

Action Models (con’t.)

• Linear thinking– Defined starting point and ending point– Necessary for IC

• Cyclic thinking– Recurring evaluation of multiple inputs– Maintain a high degree of situational

awareness– Necessary for ISO

Action Models (con’t.)

• The ISO Action Model– Cyclic four-arena model– Allows ISO to mentally process the surveying

and monitoring functions of typical incident activities and concerns

– Does not imply a starting place or direction of flow

– Four general arenas: the four Rs

Figure 12-1 Any of the Action Model components can cause the ISO to take action. Any action, however, leads the ISO to report to the incident commander.

Action Models (con’t.)

• The ISO Action Model (con’t.)– Resources

• Time• Personnel• Equipment

– Reconnaissance• Exploratory examination of the incident scene

environment and operations

Action Models (con’t.)

• The ISO Action Model (con’t.)– Risk: is it acceptable?– Report

• Timely appropriate communications• Written reports• Safety briefings• Review of incident action plans

The ISO Arrival Process

• Steps for ISO integration upon arrival– Confirm ISO assignment– Collect information

• IAP• Status of situation and resources

– Confirm communication links• Radio channels, face-to-face

– Don appropriate identification and PPE

General ISO Duties

• Monitor the incident– Incident action plan, conditions, activities and

operations should fall within risk management criteria

– Perform repeated recon to judge the effectiveness of the incident action plan

• Failure to adjust the incident action plan cited as a contributing factor in many firefighter fatality investigations

General ISO Duties (con’t.)

• Address personnel safety systems– Personnel accountability systems

• Watch for freelancing

– Need for control zones• Identified and communicated to all members

– Radio transmissions– Rehab effectiveness

• Make sure it is functioning and effective

Figure 12-2 The solo firefighter presents the worst and potentially most dangerous form of freelancing.

Figure 12-3 Rehab efforts should also include provisions for quick medical checks of working firefighters.

General ISO Duties (con’t.)

• Define other needs– Evaluate motor vehicle scene traffic hazards

and apparatus placement– Survey landing zone and interface with

helicopters– Communicate to IC the need for ASOs due to

the need, size, complexity, or duration of the incident

Figure 12-4 The ISO should evaluate the helicopter LZ to ensure that personnel will not be endangered if a mishap were to occur.

Summary

• ISO assignment can be overwhelming due to the multitude of issues

• Two most systematic approached to ISO functions– Checklists– Action models

Summary (con’t.)

• ISO Action Model– Encourages cyclic thinking– Four component areas

• Resources• Risk• Reconnaissance• Report

Summary (con’t.)

• Upon arrival at an incident, the ISO gets dialed in with the following steps:– Confirm ISO assignment– Collect incident information– Confirm communication links– Don appropriate PPE and position identification

Summary (con’t.)

• ISO general duties– Monitoring risks and operational outcomes– Addressing personal safety systems– Radio transmissions– Rehab– Defining other needs

• Examples: traffic issues, ASO assistance