104.1.5- Base

Base Sector

• Refers to a geographical location away from the incident where personnel, apparatus, and equipment are assigned on a standby basis to reduce site congestion.

Establishing a Base Sector

• Must be implemented at all multiple alarm incidents.
• Location should not interfere with the Command Post, incident scene, or movement of apparatus or other emergency traffic.
• Should be close enough to quickly move crews and equipment forward when needed.
• Inform Toronto Fire of the Base Sector location.

Dispatch to Base

• Apparatus dispatched to Base will keep their mobile radio on the assigned Strategic channel.
• Portable radios will remain on the assigned incident channel.

Base Sector Officer

• First arriving Pumper or Rescue apparatus at the designated Base Sector location will assume duties.
• If not a Pumper or Rescue apparatus, they will assume duties until a Pumper or Rescue apparatus arrives.
• Squads, High Rise Response Units, HAZMATs, and Air Light apparatus will bypass Base and report to Command.

Responsibilities of the Base Sector Officer

• Manage the Base by moving the location if necessary to better facilitate movement of personnel, apparatus, and equipment.
• Ensure location/relocation is transmitted to Toronto Fire with access and routing information.
• Activate rotating emergency lights on their apparatus to denote Base Officer location.
• Conduct a PAR as requested by Command.
• Maintain a current log of available personnel, equipment, and apparatus on the Base Sector Worksheet.
• Update Command of Base status.
• Ensure all communications within Base are done face-to-face without using a radio.
• Notify personnel within Base of assignments and which Sector Officer/radio channel to report to.
• Liaise with other Sector Officers.

Responsibility of Personnel/Apparatus Assigned to Base

• All apparatus responding to an incident in excess of the initial response shall report to the Base Sector Officer unless directed otherwise.
• Toronto Fire will dispatch apparatus to the Base location on an assigned Strategic channel.
• Upon arrival at Base, Officers should:
  • Contact Toronto Fire announcing arrival.
  • Report face-to-face to the Base Officer.
  • Ensure routine communications within Base are done face-to-face.
  • Ensure emergency lights are turned off if safe to do so.
  • Remain at their vehicle until assigned or cleared from the incident.
  • Bring Passports forward to the Base Sector Officer.

Accessing Equipment and Personnel within Base Sector

• Requests for equipment, personnel, or apparatus from Base Sector must come from Command.
• Base Sector Officer will delegate the most appropriate personnel from Base to perform the requested function.
• Base Sector Officer will communicate face-to-face with the Company Officer, relaying all pertinent information.
• Base Sector Officer will confirm with Command that personnel have been deployed from Base.