WAC 296-305-05501   Fire training.  (1) All members who engage in emergency operations shall be trained commensurate with their duties and responsibilities. Training shall be as frequent as necessary to ensure that members can perform their assigned duties in a safe and competent manner but shall not be less than the frequencies specified in this standard. Minimum training shall be as specified in this part.

     (2) Live structural-fire training: Prior to being permitted to participate in live structure-fire training evolutions, the student shall have received adequate training in safety, protective breathing apparatus, fire hose, nozzles and fire streams, ladders, and rescue as defined by the employer.

     (a) Strict safety practices shall be applied to all structures selected for live fire training evolutions.

     (b) In preparation for live training, an inspection of acquired buildings shall be made to determine that the floors, walls, stairs and other structure components are capable of withstanding the weight of contents, participants and accumulated water.

     (c) Removal or neutralization of materials of all hazardous storage and conditions within the structure shall be accomplished.

     (i) Closed containers and highly combustible materials shall be removed.

     (ii) Oil tanks and similar closed vessels that cannot easily be removed shall be vented sufficiently to eliminate an explosion or overpressure rupture.

     (iii) Any hazardous or combustible atmosphere within the tank or other vessel shall be rendered inert.

     (iv) Hazards potentially dangerous to participants such as floor openings, missing stair tread and rails, and other such hazards shall be repaired or made inaccessible.

     (d) If applicable, floors, railings and stairs shall be made safe. Special attention shall be given to potential chimney hazards.

     (e) Debris hindering the access or egress of fire fighters shall be removed before continuing further operations.

     (f) Buildings that cannot be made safe as required by this section shall not be utilized for interior live fire training.

Note:

The water supply for any individual live fire training evolution should be assessed based on the extent of the evolution, size and structure of the building and contents to be involved, method of attack to be employed, protection of exposures and reserves for potential contingencies. Separate sources should be used for supply to attack and backup lines.

     (g) Prior to conducting actual live fire training evolutions, a preburn briefing shall be conducted for all participants.

     (i) All evolutions shall be discussed and assignments shall be made for all crews participating in the training sessions.

     (ii) All participants shall have a knowledge and familiarity with the layout of the building.

     (h) A safety officer shall be appointed for all live fire training evolutions.

     (i) One person shall be designated to control the materials being burned and to ignite the training fire in the presence and under the direction of the safety officer. This person shall not be a student and shall wear full protective clothing, including SCBA.

     (j) Unidentified materials such as debris which may burn in unanticipated ways, react violently, or create environmental hazards, shall not be used in live fire training evolutions.

     (k) Each participant in a coordinated interior live fire training evolution shall be equipped with full protective clothing and SCBA. All participants shall be inspected by the safety officer to insure all protective clothing and SCBA are being properly worn prior to entry into a live fire training evolution.

     (l) All instructors shall be deemed qualified to deliver structural fire fighting training by the employer. The instructor-student ratio shall not be greater than one to five.

     (m) Officers shall make a head count both when entering and exiting a building during an actual attack.

     (n) Supervisors at the training evolution shall maintain an awareness of the condition of members operating within the span of their control. They shall ensure adequate steps are taken to provide for the safety and health of the participants and relief or reassignment of fatigued persons.

     (3) Fire fighters shall be trained in the function, donning and doffing, care, use, inspection, maintenance and limitations of the equipment assigned to them or available for their use.

     (4) When fire fighters are engaged in training above the ten-foot level where use of life lines or similar activities are to be undertaken, a safety net shall be erected or other approved secondary means of fall protection such as recommended in chapter 296-155 WAC, Part C-1, Fall restraint and fall arrest, shall be used in lieu of nets.

     (5) During wet training exercises, hose meeting the 250 pound annual hose test shall be used.

     (6) Training shall be provided to fire fighters and officers in order that they will be knowledgeable in the identification and handling of asbestos containing materials likely to be encountered during a fire response.



[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, [49.17].050 and [49.17].060. 96-11-067, § 296-305-05501, filed 5/10/96, effective 1/1/97.]