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2020 Annual Report • Fire Department • St. Anthony Village, Minnesota <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />21 | Page <br /> <br />The way IC is established is by the first arriving unit on scene. Since this is the first person <br />getting eyes on the problem, the initial size up, as we call it, is crucial for the next incoming <br />units to know ahead of time what is going on, and what to expect. A typical initial size up will <br />sound something like this; “St Anthony <br />Engine 14 is on scene at 123 Main Street on a <br />small two story single family structure. <br />There’s heavy smoke showing from the <br />Alpha Delta corner, we’ll be pulling a <br />crosslay for an offensive strategy for a <br />working structure fire. Upgrade this to a <br />first alarm, have my second incoming unit <br />lay a supply line to Engine 14. Engine 14 will have Main Street command.” This may sound like <br />a lot, but now incoming units have a confirmation on the address, the size and type of structure, <br />the current problem, what the first unit is already doing, and most importantly, who is in <br />command. <br />After the first arriving officer gives the initial size up, he or she will complete a walk around the <br />building to look for utilities to shut off and other potential hazards like pools or basements. As <br />this is being done, the driver is getting the engine ready to flow water. As soon as both of those <br />tasks are complete, they go to work trying to put the fire out. It’s a lot of balls to juggle, but <br />that’s what makes a robust initial size up so important; it’s one less thing the officer has to <br />worry about as they’re also fighting a fire. <br />From here, there’s a lot more work to be done, and a lot of people coming to help. Managing <br />several different engine or ladder companies can be mentally taxing, especially when the one <br />calling the shots is in a burning building. This system has built into it how to efficiently and <br />effectively hand off command to someone who has eyes on the outside and can see the bigger <br />picture. Typically taken up by the chief <br />or another higher ranking officer, <br />they’ll get a quick synopsis of what’s <br />going on inside, what units have <br />already been deployed and what else <br />may be coming. Now the first arriving <br />officer can focus on playing their <br />instrument rather than conducting the <br />whole orchestra.