D-39

Fire Communications Center - Fire Dispatch Protocols

• Released October 2013 as directive #39
• Provides an overview of the Fire Communications Center's dispatch protocols

Policy

• Provides informational outline of initial dispatch procedure
• Used when an alarm is received by telephone or police notification of fire, EMS, or other emergencies
• Includes response configuration of additional alarms if required

Definitions of Alarms

Tactical Box

• Initial response: two Engine Companies, two Ladder Companies, and one Battalion Chief

Box Alarm

• initial dispatch: four Engine Companies, two Ladder Companies and two Battalion Chiefs

High-Rise Box

• A Box Alarm assignment with an additional Ladder Company for structures defined as high-rise buildings (greater than six stories or 75 feet)
• The third Ladder Company dispatched will be designated as the Lobby Control Company

Major Incident Response Assignment (MIRA)

• An automatic dispatch to a High-Rise Box when arriving PFD units confirm smoke or fire
• Includes one Deputy Chief, one Battalion Chief, one Engine Company, one Ladder Company, one Heavy Rescue, one Squad Company (SOC), one EMCO, one Air Unit with assigned Engine Company, and two ALS Medic Units
• Primarily used with a High-Rise Box
• An Incident Commander can request a MIRA on other incidents

HAZMAT (Hazardous Materials) Box

• A Box Alarm assignment with the Hazardous Material Taskforce (F60, HM1, HM2, BC1), one ALS Unit, one Squad Company (SOC), and one EMCO
• Used for incidents involving fire, release, or spill of hazardous materials

Local Alarm

• Any configured fire response not requiring a Box or Tactical Box assignment

Silent Alarm

• A fire response at reduced speed to assist the police

Investigation

• A fire response at reduced speed to investigate a reported unusual condition

HAZMAT Investigation

• The response consists of one Engine or Ladder company, and one Battalion Chief
• Used to investigate an unknown, suspicious, potentially hazardous condition or materials

Silent Alarm Assist Police – HAZMAT Limited Response

• A reduced speed response consisting of the Hazardous Material Task Force (F60, HM1, HM2, BC1) and one ALS Unit, regardless of location
• Used when law enforcement has notified the Fire Department of Prior Known Intelligence information.
• The HMTF has latitude to respond at emergency speed if it expedites their arrival.

Limited Response

• A reduced speed fire response to a school or prison to investigate a previously extinguished fire
• Requires a direct request from the Fire Marshal's Office

River Observation Team (R.O.T) Response

• Consists of one Engine, one Ladder, one Battalion Chief, one Medic Unit, Heavy Rescue, SOC Company, EMCO, and Marine Unit if needed.

Mid-Stream Emergency

• Used for incidents on the Delaware River or lower Schuylkill River (below the dam) inaccessible from the river bank and land-based companies
• Includes a Marine Unit staffed by two trained land-based companies, one Battalion Chief, and one ALS Unit if needed

River Box

• A pre-defined zoned response along the Delaware River or the Schuylkill River
• There are five zones on the Delaware River and seven zones along the Schuylkill River.
• Typically requested by the Incident Commander after dispatch and examination of conditions by a River Observation Team

Confined Space Response

• Used for incidents where an emergency exists in a space with limited entry/exit means, including storage tanks, vessels, bins, hoppers, vaults, pits, and tunnels
• Includes one Engine Company, one Ladder Company, one Battalion Chief, one Squad Company, one Heavy Rescue, one Collapse Unit with assigned Engine Company, one ALS Unit, and one EMCO

Responsibility

• All members must familiarize themselves with this Directive

Fire Communications Center

• FCC will initiate the appropriate minimum dispatch based on the nature/type of the alarm
• FCC will immediately upgrade the assignment when dispatching a local alarm and subsequent calls indicate the emergency requires increased initial dispatch
• The FCC will not dispatch additional equipment to a dwelling fire after a Tactical Box has been dispatched and a company arrives on scene unless requested by the Incident Commander

General Instructions

• Responses can depend on information received by the Fire Communications Center
• On local alarm dispatches, a Task Force can be an engine or ladder
• On Tactical or Box alarms, a Task Force will be dispatched as a ladder company
• On multiple alarm assignments, a Task Force can be an engine or ladder at the FCC Supervisor’s discretion
• Heavy Rescue responds to assignments based on Heavy Rescue policy in their designated catchment area and citywide to defined incident types
• SOC (Squad) Companies respond on any Tactical or Box assignment with 2 engines and 2 ladders in service and on defined incident types to supplement Heavy Rescue
• Sq47 or Sq72 are dispatched on any hazmat box within their respective division, to assist and supplement the Hazardous Material Task Force

Initial Dispatch Assignments

• Minimum initial dispatch requirements for specified incidents

Structure Fires

• Apartment (Except High Rise): Box
• Appliance/Dwelling: Tactical Box
• Appliance/Apt. or Bldg: Tactical Box
• Bar: Box
• Barn: Box
• Chemical Property: Hazmat Box
• Chimney or Flue/Dwelling: Tactical Box
• Chimney or Flue/Apt. or Bldg: Tactical Box
• Church: Box
• Club: Box
• Department Store: Box
• Dwelling: Tactical Box
• Factory: Box
• Food Store or Industry: Box
• Garage: Box
• Gas Station: Box
• Government Building: Box
• Heater or Oil Burner/Dwelling: Tactical Box
• Heater or Oil Burner/Apt. or Bldg.: Tactical Box
• High Rise Building (Building > 6 Stories): High Rise Box
• Hospital: Box
• Hotel: Box
• Laundry: Box
• Limited Response (School) (Must Be Received from FMO): Engine and Ladder (If Closer)
• Limited Response (Prison) (Must Be Received from FMO): Engine and Ladder (If Closer)
• Lumber Mill or Yard: Box
• Manufacturing Building: Box
• Nursing Home: Box
• Office Building: Box
• Restaurant: Box
• Rooming House: Box
• School: Box
• Shed: Box
• Store/Dwelling: Box
• Store/Retail: Box
• Stove or Oven/Dwelling: Tactical Box
• Stove or Oven/Apartment: Tactical Box
• Theatre: Box
• Vacant Building: Box
• Vacant Dwelling: Tactical Box
• Warehouse: Box
• Wholesale House: Box

Non-Structure Fires

• Alarm System: Engine and Ladder (If Closer)
• Auto: Engine
• Awning: Engine and Ladder
• Aircraft*: Box
• Barge*: Box
• Bridge*: Box
• Brush: Engine
• Dumpster: Engine
• Fence: Engine
• Freight Car/Box Car: Engine, Ladder, Chief
• Industrial Yard: Box
• Incinerator: Engine and Ladder
• Investigation*: Engine and Ladder (If Closer)
• Junk Yard: Box
• Lumber Yard: Box
• Pier*: Box
• Rubbish: Engine
• Ship (Docked)*: High Rise Box
• Ship/Boat (Underway on River): Mid-Stream Response
• Sign: Engine and Ladder
• Streetcar/Bus* (Aboveground): Engine, Ladder, Chief
• Streetcar/Bus* (Underground): Box
• Subway/Els* (Underground): Box
• Subway/Els* (Aboveground): Box
• Truck: Engine
• Tractor/Trailer: Engine, Ladder, Chief
• Tanker/Chem/Flamable Liquid: Hazmat Box

Non-Firefighting Activities

• Aircraft Emergency: See O.P. #30 PIA & O.P. #13 NEA
• Accident/Auto*: Engine, Ladder, Chief, Medic Unit, and SOC Company
• Accident/Industrial: Engine, Ladder Chief, Medic Unit, SOC Company, and EMCO
• Accident/Domestic: Engine, Ladder Chief, Medic Unit, SOC Company, and EMCO
• Assist Police (Search): Ladder, Chief
• Assist Police (Founded Device): Engine, Ladder, Chief, Medic Unit, and EMCO
• Assist Police (Barricaded Person): Engine, Ladder, Chief, Medic Unit, and EMCO
• Assist Police (Hazmat Limited Response): F60 HM1, HM2, BC1, ALS Unit, and EMCO
• Building/Dwelling Collapse: Box, Heavy Rescue, Collapse Unit, Squad Company, Medic Unit, and EMCO
• Building Defect*: Engine or Ladder (If Closer)
• Elevator/Stuck: Ladder and Chief
• Explosion*: Box, Heavy Rescue, Squad Company, Medic Unit, and EMCO
• Fumes: Engine, Ladder Chief, Medic Unit
• Fumes/School: Box, Medic Unit
• Gas Leak (Ammonia, Hazardous Material): Hazmat Box
• Expressway Accident*: Engine, Ladder, Chief, Medic Unit, SOC Company
• Expressway Spill: Engine, Ladder
• Expressway Medical: Engine, Ladder, Medic Unit
• Expressway Vehicle Fire: Engine, Ladder
• Hazmat Investigation: Engine or Ladder, Chief
• Helicopter Landing: Quick Attack Foam Engine, Chief
• Investigation*: Engine and Ladder (If Closer)
• Mass Transit Evacuation*: Box, Medic Unit, EMCO
• Motor: Engine
• Refrigerator (Leak): Engine and Ladder
• Release Civilian*: Ladder, Chief, Medic Unit
• Person In River/Creek/Pond: River Observation Team
• Spill: Engine
• Sprinkler/Water Flow: Engine and Ladder (If Closer)
• Wiring(Inside Dwelling): Engine and Ladder (If Closer)
• Wiring (Inside Building): Engine and Ladder
• Wiring (Outside): Engine and Ladder (If Closer)
• Responses marked with (*) depend on information received by the Fire Communication Center.

Supplemental Dispatch Assignments

• Guidelines for supplemental or all companies in service assignments

Tactical Box

• 2 Engine Companies: 1 ALS Medic Unit
• 2 Ladder Companies or Task Force Companies: 1 Rapid Intervention Team (RIT)
• 1 Battalion Chief: 1 SOC Unit or Heavy Rescue

Box Assignment

• 4 Engine Companies: 1 ALS Medic Unit (2&2 In Service), 1 Deputy Chief (All Companies In Service)
• 2 Ladder Companies or Task Force Companies: 1 Rapid Intervention Team (RIT) (2&2 In Service), 1 EMCO (ES4/ES5) (All Companies In Service)
• 2 Battalion Chiefs: 1 SOC Unit or Heavy Rescue (2&2 In Service), 1 Heavy Rescue or SOC Unit (All Companies In Service)

2nd Alarm

• 1 Conventional Engine (Logistic Company)
• 4 Engine Companies (2 Must Be Pipeline Cos.)
• 2 Ladder Companies or Task Force Companies
• 4 Battalion Chiefs (1st in BC = Logistic Officer, 4th in BC = Safety Officer)
• 1 ALS Medic Unit
• 1 Deputy Chief *
• 1 Heavy Rescue Company*
• 1 EMCO (ES4/ES5)*
• 1 SOC Unit*
• If not already dispatched on the Box Assignment, only 1 Heavy Rescue and 1 SOC Unit will be dispatched on the incident, unless requested by the Incident Commander.
• BC1 will NOT be assigned as Logistic Officer.

3rd Alarm

• 4 Engine Companies (2 Must Be Pipeline Cos.)

4th Alarm

• 4 Engine Companies (1 Must Be Pipeline Co.)

5th Alarm and Greater Alarms

• 4 Engine Companies
• Note: This is the required amount of units needed for each alarm. The Incident Commander can request additional equipment as needed.

High Rise Box - O.P. 33

• 4 Engine Companies (2 & 2 In Service), 1 Deputy Chief (All Companies In Service)
• 3 Ladder Companies or Task Force Companies: 1 ALS Medic Unit (2 & 2 In Service), 1 EMCO (All Companies In Service)
• 2 Battalion Chiefs: 1 Rapid Intervention Team (RIT) (2 & 2 In Service), 1 Heavy Rescue or SOC Unit (All Companies In Service)
• The third Ladder Company will be announced and assigned as Lobby Control.

High Rise Box - O.P. 33 (Continued) Major Incident Response Assignment (MIRA)

• The initial High Rise Box will automatically be upgraded with a Major Incident Response Assignment (MIRA) upon confirmation of smoke/fire
• 1 Engine Company – Safety Company
• 1 Ladder Company
• 1 Battalion Chief
• 1 Deputy Chief *
• 1 Heavy Rescue*
• 1 Air Unit with assigned Engine or Ladder
• 2 ALS Medic Units
• 1 EMCO*
• 1 SOC Unit*.
• If not already dispatched on the Box Assignment.
• If E13 is responding on the initial high rise Box, a 3rd Battalion Company will be dispatched to E13’s station to take AU1 on the MIRA.

HAZMAT Box - O.P. 2

• 4 Engine Companies: 1 Rapid Intervention Team (RIT)
• 2 Ladder Companies or Task Force Companies: 1 Heavy Rescue Company
• 2 Battalion Chiefs
• 1 Squad Company
• 1 Hazmat Task Force
• 1 ALS Medic Unit
• 1 EMCO (ES4/ES5)
• 1 Mass Decon Unit with Qualified Company
• Send the Mass Decon Unit with a qualified 10th Battalion Company if callers indicate the possibility of >10 people exposed to a hazardous material
• Send an additional ALS Medic Unit if the HAZMAT Team “Suits Up”.
• If any component of the Hazmat Task Force (F60, L19, B1) is assigned on the original Box Alarm, the FCC will replace them with other units so they can run as a Hazmat Task Force
• L19 is placed out of service when the HMTF is dispatched

BOX 6355 – Philadelphia International Airport

Aircraft Incident - O.P. 30

Alert 1 - A potential aircraft incident

• E78 (All of E78’s Foxtrot Vehicles), M30*
• If M30 is unavailable, FCC will send another ALS Medic Unit to PIA-Gate 11; Gate 11 located at Island & Enterprise Aves.

Alert 2 - Involves an aircraft incident where the aircraft is on the ground with minor damage and there are few or no injuries

• E78 (All of E78’s Foxtrot Vehicles): 1 Rapid Intervention Team (RIT) (2 & 2 In Service), N/A– All Units Already Dispatched on Box (All Companies In Service)
• 4 Engine Companies
• 2 Ladder Companies or Taskforce Companies
• 2 Battalion Chiefs*
• 1 Deputy Chief
• 1 SOC Unit**
• 1 Heavy Rescue
• 1 EMCO (ES4/ES5)
• M30***
• The 2nd In Battalion Chief on the 1st Alarm will serve as the Patient Transportation Group Supervisor (formerly Casualty Transportation Officer) as per O.P. 35.
• Sq47 responds on the Box Alarm. Replace it with another Engine Company to fulfill the SOC Unit requirement.
• If M30 unavailable, FCC to send another ALS Medic Unit to PIA-Gate 11.
• Supervisors must use discretion when dispatching F60, L19 or B1 to Box 6355
• The HAZMAT Taskforce is an automatic dispatch on the 2nd Alarm for Box 6355

Alert 3 - A major aircraft incident with suspected mass casualties

2nd Alarm - BOX 6355

• 1 Conventional Engine (Logistic Company)
• 4 Engine Companies (2 Must Be Pipeline Cos.)
• 2 Ladder Companies or Task Force Companies
• 4 Battalion Chiefs: (1st in BC = Logistic Officer, 4th in BC = Safety Officer)
• 4 Medic Units
• 1 Hazmat Taskforce
• 1 Mass Decon Unit with Qualified Company
• 1 ES/3
• 1 Mass Casualty Unit with Qualified Company

Box 1988 – PHILADELPHIA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT – Main Terminal Building

• E78*: 1 Rapid Intervention Team (RIT) (2 and 2 In Service), 1 Deputy Chief (All Hands In Service)
• 4 Engine Companies: 1 ALS Unit (2 and 2 In Service), 1 Heavy Rescue or SOC Unit (All Hands In Service)
• 2 Ladder or Task Force Companies: 1 SOC Unit or Heavy Rescue (2 and 2 In Service)
• 4 Battalion Chiefs
• This is a 5 Engine Box: E78 will start fire suppression/rescue operations as conditions allow, Incident commander will deploy incoming companies to relieve E78 when companies from off-airport arrive

BOX 366 – PHILADELPHIA NORTHEAST AIRPORT

Aircraft Incident - O.P. 13

Alert 1 - Potential Aircraft Incident

• 4 Engine Companies: 1 SOC Unit or Heavy Rescue (2 & 2 In Service), 1 Deputy Chief (All Companies In Service)
• 2 Ladder Companies or Task Force Companies: 1 Rapid Intervention Team (RIT) (2 & 2 In Service), 1 EMCO (ES/4 or ES/5) (All Companies In Service)
• 2 Battalion Chiefs: 1 Heavy Rescue or SOC Unit (All Companies In Service)
• 1 ALS Medic Unit

Alert 2 (Single Engine Aircraft) - Aircraft incident on/adjacent to the airport

• 4 Engine Companies: 1 SOC Unit or Heavy Rescue (2 & 2 In Service), 1 Heavy Rescue or SOC Unit (All Companies In Service)
• 2 Ladder Companies or Task Force Companies: 1 Rapid Intervention Team (RIT) (2 & 2 In Service), 1 EMCO (ES/4 or ES/5) (All Companies In Service)
• 2 Battalion Chiefs
• 1 ALS Medic Unit
• 2 Medic Units ALS or BLS
• 1 Deputy Chief
• Note: This response requires a total of three (3) Medic Units of which one (1) must be ALS

Alert 2 (Multi Engine Aircraft) - Aircraft incident on/adjacent to the airport

Automatic 2nd Alarm

• 1 Conventional Engine (Logistic Company)
• 4 Engine Companies (2 Must Be Pipeline Cos.)
• 2 Ladder Companies or Task Force Companies
• 4 Battalion Chiefs (1st in BC = Logistic Officer, 4th in BC = Safety Officer)
• 4 Medic Units (Total of 4 on Incident)
• 1 Hazmat Taskforce
• 1 ES/3
• The 2nd In Battalion Chief on the 1st Alarm will be the Staging Area Coordinator and Patient Transportation Group Supervisor
• For the 3rd alarm and greater, FCC must be prepared to dispatch additional EMS resources and specialized equipment called for by the incident commander in accordance with O.P. No. 35

BOX 367 - PHILADELPHIA NORTHEAST AIRPORT

Agusta Aerospace Corporation - 3050 Red Lion Rd - Helicopter Testing Facility

• FCC same procedure as for Box 366
• PFD Units to enter from Gate 17 on Red Lion Rd.
• Box 367 puts E22 first in at Agusta Aerospace Corporation, whereas E46 is first in across the airfield on Box 366 Ashton Rd & Grant Ave.

REFINERY BOX

• Box 124, 3144 W. Passyunk Ave. – Philadelphia Energy Solutions

• Box 5988, 3000 Penrose Ave. – Philadelphia Energy Solutions

• Box 5146, 3200 Maiden Lane. – Philadelphia Energy Solutions, Point Breeze North Yard

• Box 5997, 7801 Mingo Ave. – Philadelphia Energy Solutions Tank Farm

• 4 Engine Companies: 1 ALS Medic Unit (2 & 2 In Service), 1 Deputy Chief (All Companies In Service)

• 2 Ladder Companies or Task Force Companies: 1 Rapid Intervention Team (RIT) (2 & 2 In Service), 1 Heavy Rescue Company (All Companies In Service)

• 2 Battalion Chiefs: 1 EMCO (ES/4 or ES/5) (All Companies In Service)

• 1 Hazmat Task Force*

• 1 Squad Company**

• 1 Marine Unit***

• Additional Engine, Ladder, and Battalion Chief must be dispatched to replace F60, L19, and B1 who are responding as the HAZMAT Task Force

• Additional Engine must be dispatched to replace Sq47 who is responding as the SOC Unit

• Land-based company must be dispatched to staff Marine 2

2nd ALARM - REFINERY BOX

• 1 Conventional Engine (Logistic Company)
• 4 Engine Companies (2 Must Be Pipeline Cos.)
• 2 Ladder Companies or Task Force Companies
• 4 Battalion Chiefs (1st in BC = Logistic Officer, 4th in BC = Safety Officer)
• 1 ALS Medic Unit
• 1 Deputy Chief*
• 1 Heavy Rescue Company*
• 1 EMCO (ES4/ES5)*
• If Not already dispatched on the Box assignment
• Incident Commander can alter the response based on nature and conditions by requesting specific units or recalling specific units
• 3rd alarm and greater alarms same as regular box alarm