4.1 Response

Response Criteria

• All BCFR personnel are required to respond to dispatched incidents in a safe and timely manner.
• The department monitors response times by category based on stages, risk levels, response types, and response area types.
• The benchmark for BCFR turnout time is less than or equal to 60 seconds for Medical Priority Dispatch System (MPDS) calls and 80 seconds for Fire Priority Dispatch System (FPDS) calls.
• The benchmark for BCFR travel time is location-dependent. Urban travel time is 4 minutes or less, while rural travel time is 11 minutes or less.

Effective Response Force (ERF)

• ERF time is dependent on the type of response, risk level, and area.
• ERF begins with the first unit responding until the arrival of the predetermined number of personnel needed to mitigate an incident, based on critical task analysis.
• Upon arrival, units should status "arrived" via radio or Mobile Data Terminal (MDT).

Response Determination

• BCFR responses generally originate from the Bernalillo County Emergency Communication Center (BCECC) through a 911 call.
• Responses can also originate from self-dispatching or events encountered during the normal course of duty.
• Responses are recognized and communicated to the BCECC for organized call classification and unit deployment.
• The department aims to send appropriate units based on community risk assessment.

Response by Call Type and Severity

• The BCECC classifies and codes calls for service using Clawson™ MPDS/FPDS systems.
• The fire department administration, with assistance from the Medical Control Director, determines the appropriate response.
• Response criterion by call type is demonstrated in Appendix A (CRA/SOC).
• The general foundation for MPDS and FPDS response is based on critical incident task analysis.

Notable Exceptions

• "LH" Code: Special code designating Mountain Search & Rescue events; Battalion Commander coordinates and determines appropriate units.
• "33" MPDS Code: Patient transfers, considered ambulance-only calls. BCFR will only respond if the transfer situation develops an emergent condition.
• MPDS/FPDS Crossover Phenomena: The system may categorize fire emergencies under medical classifications.
• "52" FPDS Code: Alarm activations. BCFR employs a dual-unit response for commercial or high life hazard occupancies, with the regional Battalion Commander involved.
• "67" FPDS Code: Outside fires. May involve a "wildland first alarm."
• "69" FPDS Code: Structure fires. May involve a "first alarm."

Response by Severity, Code 1 and Code 3 Response Modes

• Code 1: Non-emergent, no lights or sirens.
• Code 3: Emergent, lights and sirens.
• The general foundation for determining response mode is as follows:
  • Alpha – Code 1
  • Bravo – Code 1
  • Charlie – Code 3
  • Delta – Code 3
  • Echo – Code 3
  • Omega – Code 1

Notable Exceptions to Response Mode

• 29 Bravos (MVAs): Units respond code three, if safe to do so.
• Ambulance Response Modes:
  • Alpha – Code 1
  • Bravo – Code 1
  • Omega – Code 1
  • Charlie – Code 3
  • Delta – Code 3
  • Echo – Code 3
• "Advise" Calls: Ambulance service will not respond unless specifically requested.
• ILS Response: Authorized for specific calls based on severity.
• "33" MPDS Codes: Ambulance-only calls, except in emergent transfer situations.
• Structure Fires (FPDS 69 Deltas): AAS will dispatch a transport unit (if available) and code the calls as a 7B2, responding Code 1 until Command upgrades to Code 3 or cancels upon reaching "All Clear" on primary search. AAS unit will be staged outside the immediate fire operational area.

Transfer of Patient Care Other Than On-Scene (Intercepts)

• The department strives for safe, efficient, and comfortable patient transport.

Test your knowledge on the BCFR's response criteria and benchmarks. This quiz covers the essential protocols for safe and timely incident handling, including turnout and travel times. Familiarize yourself with the Effective Response Force and how it operates based on various factors.