Knowledge of Water-Only Systems Effect on Incident Commander’s Incident Action Plan
Knowledge of Water-Only Systems Effect on Incident Commander’s Incident Action Plan
Disasters can happen anywhere, such as fire. Authorizing the implementation or use of a documented or a verbal incident action plan is one of the many tasks that an incident commander has (Occupational Safety & Health Administration [OSHA], n.d.). An incident action plan does not only include approaches on addressing incidents, but also team objectives directed by an incident commander (Public Health Emergency, 2012). Without proper knowledge of different water-only systems used to respond to fire, it will be difficult for an incident commander to create an objective for the team and to approve or to authorize the use of an incident action plan.
It is crucial for an incident commander to know the difference between the types of water-only systems. The knowledge of water-only systems can guide an incident commander on what he or she can do or not. Different water-only systems have their different uses, designs and installations, maintenance and testing schedules and procedures (Klaus, 2014a; Klaus 2014b). For instance, a water spray system is used to protect dangerous equipments in nature, such as transformers (Klaus, 2014a). On the other hand, a water mist system is used in historical buildings or computer rooms (Klaus, 2014b). Having the knowledge of the nature or purpose of a particular water-only system helps the incident commander to create the correct objective of an action plan. In addition, knowledge on the design, installation, procedures, and interpretation of maintenance or testing results affect whether to authorize an old or current incident action plan.
Knowledge of water-only systems affect not only the creation of objectives of an incident commander’s incident action plan but also its approval and implementation. By being knowledgeable, an incident commander can decide the direction of an incident action plan, whether to authorize its implementation or revise it in order to meet the objectives set.
References
Klaus, M. J., (2014a). Water Mist Systems. In M. J. Klaus (Ed.), Water-based Fire Protection Sytems Handbook (pp. 373-395). Quincy. Massachusetts: National Fire Protection Association.
Klaus, M. J., (2014b). Water Spray Fixed Systems. In M. J. Klaus (Ed.), Water-based Fire Protection Sytems Handbook (pp. 323-345). Quincy. Massachusetts: National Fire Protection Association.
Occupational Safety & Health Administration [OSHA]. (n.d.) Incident Commander. Retrieved from https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/ics/inci.html
Public Health Emergency. (2012, February 14). What Is An Incident Action Plan?. Retrieved from http://www.phe.gov/preparedness/planning/mscc/handbook/pages/appendixc.aspx
