Heavy Rescue Team Response Configuration PDF

Standard Operating Guideline (SOG) Heavy Rescue Team Response Configuration Effective Date: 04/30/2024 Procedure Number 04-21 A Revised Date: Number of Pages...

Standard Operating Guideline (SOG) Heavy Rescue Team Response Configuration Effective Date: 04/30/2024 Procedure Number 04-21 A Revised Date: Number of Pages 2 1. Purpose: To establish a consistent response configuration for the Salt Lake City Fire Department Heavy Rescue Team (HRT). 2. Responsibility: All Fire Department personnel. 3. Process: It is the intention of the Salt Lake City Fire Department to have a functioning Heavy Rescue Team capable of responding in a timely manner to technical/heavy rescue events. The team shall consist of the following apparatus: Medic Engine 1 Truck 1 Heavy Rescue 1 Heavy Rescue Support Trailer Minimum daily staffing of the HRT shall consist of at least six (6) currently trained and certified Heavy Rescue Technicians. Due to the unique nature of technical/heavy rescue incidents, situations can and do arise that may require a modification in the apparatus response configuration of the HRT. HRT unit designations are as follows: A. The Medic Engine and Ladder Truck shall retain and use their respective station designation as Medic Engine 1 and Truck 1. B. The Heavy Rescue apparatus shall be designated individually as Heavy Rescue 1 or just Heavy Rescue. C. The Heavy Rescue Support apparatus shall be designated individually as HRT Support. D. Any configuration of the above units together shall be known collectively as the Heavy Rescue Company. Non-Heavy Rescue Emergency Response A. When the Medic Engine and/or Truck at Station 1 are dispatched to any emergency call excluding Heavy Rescue Incidents, the crews shall respond from quarters or on the air in their respective apparatus unless otherwise requested. B. When conducting business inside of their assigned medical district, Truck 1 shall travel in their respective apparatus. On the rare occasion that this is deemed inappropriate, the Heavy Rescue Officer shall notify the Dispatch Center and their respective Battalion Chief. C. When conducting business outside of their assigned medical district, Truck 1’s crew shall have the option to travel in Heavy Rescue 1 to facilitate a more rapid response to a Heavy Rescue call. When this is the case, the Heavy Rescue Officer shall notify the Dispatch Center and Battalion 1. Heavy Rescue Emergency Response A. When dispatched to a Heavy Rescue Incident, the Heavy Rescue Company shall respond. The HRT Officers shall have the option to leave the Truck in quarters and respond in the Heavy Rescue with the 04-21A HRT Response Configuration SOG, Page 2 of 2  Medic Engine or split the crews and bring the Medic Engine, the Truck and the Heavy Rescue. If the Truck is left in quarters, then Truck 1 shall be placed out of service by the Dispatch Center. B. If Truck 1 is on the air in district and a heavy rescue call is dispatched, the HRT has three basic options: a. If Medic Engine 1 is in quarters, that crew can staff the Heavy Rescue apparatus and respond with Truck 1 on the air. The HRT Officer has the option to place Medic Engine 1 out of service and respond in the Heavy Rescue or split the crew and bring both the Medic Engine and the Heavy Rescue, or; b. Truck 1 can respond on the radio with the phrase, “En-route but delayed for apparatus exchange” and shall retrieve the Heavy Rescue apparatus from the station prior to responding, or; c. The HRT Officers can decide to proceed directly to the scene of the Heavy Rescue call without the Heavy Rescue if they have the necessary equipment to mitigate the emergency on the Truck and Medic Engine or if another capably equipped Heavy Rescue apparatus is en-route from a mutual aid agency. C. Based on the situation, the HRT Officers can request the HRT Support Trailer from Logistics. This can be delivered by Logistics personnel or another acceptable vehicle. D. Based on the situation, the HRT Officer can request the HazMat Team to respond (e.g., confined space rescue). E. All Heavy Rescue responses within Salt Lake City limits, regardless of Station District, will precipitate the response of the Heavy Rescue Team. The officer of the Engine/Truck companies on the scene requesting assistance from the HRT will retain command of the scene. It is not necessary (or even recommended) that overall Incident Command be transferred to the HRT Officer. F. When the Heavy Rescue Team responds within the boundaries of Salt Lake County, but outside Salt Lake City limits, the Dispatch Center shall notify both District Battalion Chiefs that the HRT is leaving the City. The District Battalion Chief(s) may respond with the HRT at their discretion and/or at the request of the HRT Officer. G. All requests for the Heavy Rescue Team’s assistance outside of Salt Lake County by those agencies without a mutual-aid agreement with the SLCFD will require the permission of the Mayor’s Office. The Chief of the Department, or designee will request permission from the Mayor’s Office. Both District Battalion Chiefs shall be notified by the Dispatch Center that the HRT is leaving the County, and one Battalion Chief shall respond with the HRT. 04-21A HRT Response Configuration SOG, Page 2 of 2