III-E-51 Strategy for Alarm Assignments 08/05/2022

Miami-Dade Fire Rescue (MDFR) Overview

• MDFR is tasked with mitigating fire, medical, and emergencies, dispatching necessary resources accordingly.
• Unit Officers-in-Charge (OIC) or Battalion Chiefs can request additional resources based on real-time information.

Alarm and Response Types

• 315: Immediate threat to fire personnel requiring police assistance.
• Additional Alarm: Subsequent alarms (2nd, 3rd, etc.) that replicate the initial response.
• Aerial Apparatus: Fire apparatus with aerial ladders/platforms capable of BLS and ALS medical treatment.
• Air Truck: Refills SCBA cylinders for breathing apparatus.
• Alerts 1-3: Different levels of aircraft alerts, ranging from minor defects to major accidents.

Leadership and Unit Types

• Battalion Chief: Commands a battalion of stations.
• District Chief: Oversees a group of battalions.
• Canteen Van: Provides food and beverages at large-scale incidents.
• Hazardous Materials (HazMat): Units dedicated to handling CBRNE incidents, requiring special certifications.

Incident Classification

• General Aviation/Small Aircraft: Includes single and two-engine aircraft, small helicopters.
• Occupancies: Classified as High, Medium, and Low based on risk factors (e.g., High-Hazard for high-rises).
• Incident Types: Includes multiple casualty incidents (five or more patients), water rescues, and technical rescues.

Dispatch Procedures

• Closest units dispatched based on incident type; EMS units prioritized for medical calls.
• Dispatch alerts include announcements via radio, specific to the nature of the incident.
• Units must acknowledge receipt of the dispatch promptly and respond within predefined time frames (60-80 seconds).

Special Incident Protocols

• A Battalion Chief sent for incidents involving three or more units.
• Mobile Command Post and Canteen Van dispatched for second alarms and greater.
• Specific procedures in place for incidents on major expressways to ensure personnel safety.

Response Management

• OICs must acknowledge dispatch and indicate "en route" status.
• Delays in response must be communicated to dispatchers.
• Units must maintain communication discipline to avoid excess unit response on multi-unit incidents.
• Tactical channels are assigned for multi-unit incidents to manage communications and coverage.

Adjustments and Coverage

• Disputes between units regarding territory and response times are handled by Battalion Chiefs.
• Changes to response territory require documentation and approval from appropriate chiefs.
• Rescue units may substitute for BLS transport if ambulances are delayed or unavailable.

Conclusion

• MDFR employs a structured approach to incident management, emphasizing the importance of communication, leadership, and efficient resource allocation. Understanding the classification and dispatch procedures is essential for effective emergency response.### Incident Response Management
• Additional units may respond beyond designated assignment; Dispatcher notifies Battalion Chief for potential cancellations.
• Unit Officer-in-Charge (OIC) may upgrade responses but cannot downgrade before arrival.
• Battalion Chiefs have the authority to modify assignments based on incident-related information, such as multiple calls or reported conditions.
• District Chiefs can also upgrade or downgrade assignments based on justifiable information not directly linked to the incident.

Medical Call Response Protocols

• ALS units may divert from medical calls for higher priority incidents where units must pass each other.
• BLS units may change response to ALS incidents or multi-unit assignments while confirming another unit's response to the original call.
• FAO personnel manage diversions for units responding to different incidents as per dispatch needs.

Notifications and Call-Backs

• Significant events must be reported to FAO by personnel.
• FAO handles notifications for major incidents and alarms following established procedures.
• Call-backs to complainants must be conducted using recorded lines by FAO personnel only.

Staffing and Incident Management

• Staff personnel may assist Operations at incidents and must acknowledge their arrival on non-tactical channels.
• Assigned personnel should report to designated Staging or Command Post areas, ensuring vehicles do not obstruct access.

Pre-Established Assignment Packages

• Low-Hazard (LH), Medium-Hazard (MH), and High-Hazard (HH) assignments include a varying number of resources such as suppression units, aerials, rescues, and Battalion Chiefs.
• Hazardous Materials (HazMat) responses range from level I to III, with different unit requirements depending on incident severity.

Multiple Casualty Incidents (MCI)

• MCIs are categorized from Level I (5-10 patients) up to Level V (>1000 patients), with corresponding resources and response guidelines increasing with incident scale.

Dispatch Matrix Guidelines

• Closest unit principle applies to all responses, guided by the Medical Priority Dispatch System (MPDS).
• Units may be dispatched based on 'Alpha' to 'Omega' categories with specific protocols outlined for emergencies and routine calls.

Types of Incidents and Responses

• Detailed response guidelines exist for vehicle crashes, structural fires, gas leaks, chemical incidents, and other emergencies.
• Specific responses involve coordination between suppression units, technical rescue teams, HazMat teams, and medical personnel based on incident type and scale.

Airport Incidents and Alerts

• Alerts such as Alert 1, Alert 2, and Alert 3 outline specific dispatch protocols for aircraft incidents at Miami airports, with varied resources based on the situation's severity.

HazMat and Chemical Response Protocols

• Detailed protocols outline responses to gas leaks, fuel spills, biological incidents, and chemical exposures, escalating resource requirements as spill size or incident severity increases.
• Notifications must be made to relevant authorities and response units per established guidelines for hazardous situations.

Emergency Situations

• Drowning incidents vary by location, requiring specialized rescue teams and resources, including SCUBA divers and air rescue when necessary.
• Each situation has a confirmed assignment list, ensuring appropriate response and coordination among units.### Incident Management Overview
• Open Water Incidents: Coordination with agencies like USCG, FWC, MDPD for various rescue situations.
• Alarm Assignments: Structured strategy for responding to incidents with specific unit dispatch guidelines.

Cardiac Arrest

• Dispatch Protocol: Closest emergency unit and EMS Captain are dispatched.

Non-MPDS Incidents

• First Response: Emergency suppression unit is primary, with alternation between specialty units as necessary.
• "3" Signals: Prioritized responses include Rescues and Specialty units as needed.

Investigations and Public Assists

• Types of Calls: Includes situations like occupied stuck elevators, children locked in vehicles, and water leaks.
• Response: Closest unit dispatched with standby for police assistance.

Explosive Devices

• Outside: Initiate LH Assignment and Hazardous Material (HM) I Assignment with law enforcement.
• Inside: Appropriate assignments based on hazard level; need to confirm with District Chief.

Active Assailant Incidents

• Mass Casualty Incident (MCI) Assignment: Upgrades based on the number of patients.
• Immediate Dispatch: Rescue, law enforcement, and Battalion Chief along with notifications to District Chief.

Civil Disturbances

• Fire-Related Calls: Task force includes three suppression units, two rescues, and a Battalion Chief.
• Medical Calls: Medical Task Force consisting of three rescues, two suppressions, and an EMS Captain is dispatched.

Technical Rescues

• Various Scenarios: Response strategies vary based on specific incidents like trapped individuals or elevated victims.
• Rescue Protocol: Involves TRT assignments and confirmation of necessary rescue units, including Battalion Chiefs and District Chiefs.

Air Rescue Incidents

• Trauma Patients: Air Rescue and rescue units dispatched along with suppression units for landing zone (LZ) security.
• Request Protocol: Air Rescue can be requested for various scenarios, including large wildfires and HazMat incidents requiring aerial observation.
• Mutual Aid Requests: Specific approval protocols for Air Rescue requests from neighboring counties.

Fisher Island and PortMiami Operations

• Fire Management: Assignments tailored to specifics of the hazard structure.
• Medical Response: R-42 to respond with additional units as needed during emergencies.
• PortMiami Operations: Coordination between units, including fireboat and necessary alerts to District Chiefs for serious incidents.

Miami International Airport Guidelines

• Response Protocol: Follow SOP AOD I-A-2 for dispatch guidelines related to airport emergencies.

This quiz covers the guidelines for dispatching resources by the Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Department in various emergency scenarios. It highlights the responsibilities of Unit Officers-in-Charge and Battalion Chiefs in responding to incidents and requesting additional resources as needed. Test your knowledge on these essential procedures!