Emergency Deployment Levels and DOC

Emergency Deployment Levels

• Spring Fire Department has four readiness levels for emergencies, based on severity.
• Level 1 - Maximum Readiness: Full resources, automatic recall, fully staffed Department Operations Center (DOC).
• Level 2 - High Readiness: Possible automatic recall, DOC staffed based on needs.
• Level 3 - Increased Readiness: Possible automatic recall, DOC staffing determined by the Fire Chief.
• Level 4 - Normal Readiness: No hazardous conditions, normal operations.

Department Operations Center (DOC)

• The DOC serves as the central management and coordination hub during emergency activations.
• DOC is located in the conference room of administration with 4 dedicated positions:
  • Position 1: Primary radio operator and main dispatch.
  • Position 2: Call taker, support for primary radio operator, manages SARCOP.
  • Position 3: Call taker, primary contact for the Fire Desk, manages 800-radio system.
  • Position 4: Secondary radio operator, backup for the primary radio operator.
• DOC staffing is determined by the incident size.

Response and Coordination

• All emergency responses are coordinated through the department's dispatch center.
• Unified command structure is applied through the Fire Desk at the Harris County Office of Emergency Management (OEM).
• The Fire Desk coordinates county-wide operations and serves as the liaison between the department and county-wide operations.
• Policies and guidelines may be modified as needed with the approval of the Command Staff.

Preparedness Section

• Logistics: Sets up the DOC, fills supply requests, prepares extra equipment, positions reserve apparatus, coordinates breathing apparatus.
• Apparatus Maintenance: Prepares reserve apparatus, refuels all apparatus, conducts maintenance on high-water/water rescue equipment.
• Facilities Maintenance: Checks generator fluid levels and batteries, removes debris, covers exposed plumbing and gutters, checks and tops off fuel tanks.

Overtime for Exempt Employees

• Full-time exempt employees assigned to Emergency Operations or DOC during a state-declared disaster are compensated at overtime rates for hours worked over 40.
• Overtime is only approved for FEMA/TDEM events eligible for reimbursement.

Documentation

• All events and activities during an activation are documented through ICS forms.
• Incident Action Plan is completed by the Fire Chief's designee and distributed to the department.
• Documentation is submitted through a third-party application or by email to [email protected].

References and Related Policies

• Applicable standards: NFPA, OSHA, TCFP, CPSE, PI, ISO, TFCA.

Glossary

• The document refers to a Glossary but provides no content.

Spring Fire Department Emergency Deployment Plan

• Spring Fire Department has four levels of readiness for emergency deployment, based on the severity of the hazards or conditions.
• Level 1 - maximum readiness, full resources deployed, automatic recall for off-duty employees, all divisions, fully staffed Department Operations Center (DOC).
• Level 2 and 3 - high or increased readiness, possible automatic recall, DOC staffing based on incident needs.
• ICS forms, Emergency Response, and Unified Command are coordinated through the DOC.
• Exempt employees may receive overtime during a state-declared disaster.
• Department Operations Center is located in the conference room of Administration.
• Four dedicated positions - primary radio operator, call taker, support for radio operator, secondary radio operator.
• Each division (Logistics, Apparatus Maintenance, Facilities Maintenance) is responsible for specific preparedness actions during event activations.
• Logistics example prep - setting up the DOC, filling supply requests, extra equipment for dispersal.
• Apparatus Management example prep - all reserve apparatus shall be ready for immediate use, refueling at capacity.
• Facilities Maintenance example prep - checking fluid levels, battery checks, generators, and other safety measures for high winds and freeze threats.

Emergency Activation Levels

• Level 1 - Maximum Readiness - Full resources may be required to manage significant incidents, direct threat to life and property within Harris County ESD 7.
• Level 2 - High Readiness Additional resources may be required for significant incidents, hazardous or dangerous conditions exist or are imminent.
• Level 3 - Increased Readiness - Awareness of a significant threat to public safety, additional resources may be required.
• Level 4 - Normal Readiness - No hazardous conditions are imminent. The normal capabilities of the department do not require additional support.

Emergency Deployment Plan

• The Spring Fire Department has four readiness levels for emergencies, based on threat severity.
• Level 1 is maximum readiness, where the department deploys all resources, recalls off-duty staff, and fully staffs the Department Operations Center (DOC).
• Levels 2 and 3 involve high or increased readiness, requiring a possible automatic recall and DOC staffing based on needs.
• The Fire Chief or designee determines the deployment level.
• Operations, Support Services, Training, and Administrative divisions prepare personnel and equipment for deployment.

Readiness Levels

• Level 1 - Maximum Readiness:
  • Activated when hazardous conditions threaten life and property within Harris County ESD 7.
  • Requires automatic recall for off-duty employees.
  • The Command Staff assigns personnel based on emergency needs.
  • DOC Staffing: Chief Officers, Public Information Officer, representatives from Logistics, Training, IT, Apparatus Maintenance, and Facilities Maintenance, Administrative staff (can work remotely but may be required at the DOC).
• Level 2 - High Readiness:
  • Activated when hazardous conditions are imminent and pose a significant threat to life and property.
  • May require automatic recall for off-duty employees.
  • DOC Staffing: Chief Officers, Public Information Officer, representatives from Logistics, Training, IT, Apparatus Maintenance, and Facilities Maintenance, Administrative staff (can work remotely but may be required at the DOC).
• Level 3 - Increased Readiness:
  • Activated to increase awareness of a significant threat to public safety.
  • May require automatic recall for off-duty employees.
  • DOC Staffing: Fire Chief or designee determines appropriate staffing levels, DOC can be operated remotely if needed.
• Level 4 - Normal Readiness:
  • Activated when no hazardous conditions are imminent.
  • The department operates at its normal capability.

Preparedness

• Logistics:
  • Set up the DOC.
  • Fill supply requests from stations.
  • Prepare extra equipment for dispersal.
  • Prepare and place reserve apparatus in service
  • Coordinate Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) cylinders.
  • Purchase food and supplies for the DOC.
• Apparatus Maintenance:
  • Make reserve apparatus ready for immediate use.
  • Refill all apparatus fuel tanks to capacity.
  • Maintain high-water/water rescue equipment.
• Facilities Maintenance:
  • Check fluid levels and battery checks for generators.
  • Remove debris that could become projectiles in high winds.
  • Clean exposed gutters.
  • Secure exposed plumbing for freeze threats.
  • Maintain detention ponds.
  • Check and refill fuel tanks (including propane for tower sites).
• Public Information Officer (PIO):
  • Provide constant social media updates.
  • Monitor and answer traditional media questions.
  • Determine the PIO location as remote, onsite, or in the Joint Information Center (JIC) at Harris County Transtar.

Documentation and Emergency Response

• All events and activities during an activation are documented using Incident Command System (ICS) forms.
• The Incident Action Plan is completed by the Fire Chief's designee and distributed to the department.
• Documentation is submitted through a third-party application (if accessible) or emailed to [email protected].
• Emergency responses are coordinated through the department's dispatch center.
• If the incident exceeds departmental resources, additional resources are requested through the Fire Desk at the Harris County Office of Emergency Management.

Unified Command and Department Operations Center

• The DOC is typically operational during Level 1 or 2 activations.
• The department is part of the unified command structure through the Fire Desk, coordinating countywide operations and acting as a liaison between the department and countywide operations.
• The DOC is located in the conference room of administration and has four designated positions:
  • Position 1: Primary radio operator
  • Position 2: Call taker and support for the primary radio operator, manages SARCOP
  • Position 3: Call taker, primary contact for the fire desk
  • Position 4: Secondary radio operator, backup for the primary radio operator
  • Conference Table: Command/support staff work area
  • Staffing levels are determined based on the size of the incident/event.

Exempt Employees

• Exempt employees working in Emergency Operations or the DOC during a state-declared disaster are compensated overtime for hours worked over 40.
• Overtime is only approved for FEMA/TDEM events eligible for reimbursement.

References and Related Policies

• NFPA, OSHA, TCFP, CPSE PI, ISO, TFCA.