PDF: Earthquake Response Guideline 04-15A

Standard Operating Guideline (SOG) Earthquake Response Effective Date: 08/01/2010 Guideline Number 04-15A Revised Date: 01/01/2023 Number of Pages 02...

Standard Operating Guideline (SOG) Earthquake Response Effective Date: 08/01/2010 Guideline Number 04-15A Revised Date: 01/01/2023 Number of Pages 02 1. Overview Salt Lake City Fire Department must have a procedure in place to mitigate an earthquake severe enough to cause collapse or partial collapse of buildings, structures, infrastructures of any kind with resulting loss of life, injury, floods, etc. This procedure gives us a workable plan to effectively utilize the available resources of the Salt Lake City Fire Department. 2. Definitions For the purpose of this plan a major earthquake shall be defined as an earth tremor severe enough to cause collapse or partial collapse of buildings, structures, roadways, bridges, dams, etc. with the resulting complications of life loss, injury, fires, floods, etc. 3. Guideline The tactics described in this document form the basis for operations during the aftermath of an earthquake that has severely limited the normal operation of the Salt Lake City Fire Department A. Dispatch and Response Response levels shall be initiated as detailed the Salt Lake City Emergency Operations Plan (EOP). The Salt Lake City Public Safety Dispatch Office shall implement callbacks as set forth in Policy 04-10 Notifications and Callbacks. The Salt Lake City Public Safety Dispatch Office shall activate all mutual response and mutual aid agreements that have been signed to cover those contingencies. In the event of communication loss, radio, telephone, etc., it may take a period of approximately one hour to establish a temporary fire department radio link between units. For this time period companies realistically will be operating as independent units as initiated by company officers. UASI MITS vehicles will be placed into operation to ensure proper communication among emergency responders. In the event of a telephone communication loss, the Salt Lake City Public Safety Dispatch Office will be unable to initiate callback procedures as outlined in Policy 04-10. All personnel on duty at the time of the earthquake shall be expected to remain on duty until off duty personnel report for duty. When personnel become available, on duty personnel shall be relieved to provide for the welfare of their families. These persons shall be expected to report back on duty as soon as possible. Off duty personnel shall monitor local radio and/or TV stations for instructions. In the event of a complete communication breakdown, off duty personnel shall report without instruction to their assigned Task Force Stations. Department Communication Technicians shall report to their shop and await instructions. Fire Prevention personnel shall report to the Public Safety Building and await instructions. Normal procedures for pre-assigned personnel may have to be altered to fit the situation encountered. 04-15A Earthquake Response (SOG), Page 1 of 2  Off duty personnel equipped with fire department radios shall place themselves in service "on the air," if possible. Companies in service at the time of the earthquake shall immediately clear the station with all apparatus assigned and place themselves in service, on the air. Companies shall immediately patrol their district to quickly assess conditions. Highest priority will be given to hospitals, rest homes, schools, etc. A brief description of conditions found shall be transmitted as soon as possible. Companies performing patrol functions should avoid committing to an incident until the patrol has been completed and an accurate situation status is in place. B. Operations during a Major Earthquake The primary objective of these procedures shall be to promote a systematic and coordinated operation to stabilize and mitigate a major earthquake situation. Due to the immeasurable possibilities that may be encountered, Command must be aware that many operations may have to be initiated simultaneously. Command tactics shall be for the protection of life and property, in that order. Normal Command procedures shall be in effect at all or any operation involving the Salt Lake City Fire Department. When areas involving large evacuation efforts are encountered, Police assistance shall be requested by operations through the Command Center. On scene evacuation efforts shall be the responsibility of the assigned Police Sector Officer. Situations requiring traffic and crowd control measures shall be facilitated on scene by close communication between Fire Department Operations and Police on scene. Requests for additional Police assistance shall be made through the Command Center. Efforts to open critical transportation routes shall be coordinated through the Command Center. On scene medical operations shall be the responsibility of the Task Force Operations Officer. Medical Sectors shall be established wherever/whenever needed in coordination with the Medical Division. Paramedic and EMT capability shall be utilized as required. Locating and identifying safe field medical locations shall be the responsibility of the Police Department. Assigned medical personnel shall coordinate efforts in this area. Operating area hospitals shall be identified and alerted by the Command Center. Due to the limited number of ambulances available, medical transportation may require the use of other available vehicles. Medical transportation should be prioritized on scene. Re supply of medical inventories shall be requested through the Command Center. Temporary morgue locations shall be located and identified by the Police Department. Transportation to these locations shall be requested through the Command Center. Firefighting operations occurring during the aftermath of an earthquake require the concept of prioritizing the greatest need and the associated write off’s necessary to accomplish the tactical priorities as out 04-15A Earthquake Response (SOG), Page 2 of 2