Bernalillo County Fire & Rescue Standard Operating Guidelines PDF

***Robert Rose, Deputy Chief Operations Greg Perez, Fire Chief*** Purpose: The purpose of Command Function 1 **is to provide and manage a steady, adequate, and timely stream of appropriate resources. This guideline describes the standard deployment process used in BCFD's hazard zone management sys...

***Robert Rose, Deputy Chief Operations Greg Perez, Fire Chief*** Purpose: The purpose of Command Function 1 **is to provide and manage a steady, adequate, and timely stream of appropriate resources. This guideline describes the standard deployment process used in BCFD's hazard zone management system.** Scope: How responders are dispatched and put to work when they arrive on the scene is an essential component of our Incident Management System (IMS). When this front-end Deployment management occurs in a regular, orderly manner, the hazard-zone workers become part of the IC's overall plan. This creates a safe and standard operational beginning. The essence of incident control is the ability of every incident commander to create, manage, and---if necessary---move the position and function of all the resources operating in the hazard zone. The incident commander is the resource allocator for the incident, and is responsible for managing all assigned resources work cycles on the strategic level. Definitions: **IRR:** Initial radio report **ETN:** Elapsed time notification **BCSO:** Bernalillo County Sherriff's Office **NMGCO:** New Mexico Gas Company **PNM:** Power Company of New Mexico General Guidelines: **Dispatching and communications-** All emergency incidents are to be dispatched on Fire Control. All fire incidents dispatched with 3 or more units responding will be assigned a tactical radio frequency that is specific to the region. At no time should an incident be run on fire control where subsequent dispatches could cover critical hazard zone communications. **\*\*All hazard zone transmissions shall be carried out on one (1) tactical radio frequency. \*\*** **Single unit response-** A single unit, Engine or Truck Company response, to a reported fire that poses no significant danger/threat to people or property. **1^st^ Alarm North and South Region-** A multi-unit response, to a reported fire in a residential or commercial structure. A 1^st^ Alarm assignment consists of: - 2 Engine Companies - 1 Tower/Truck Company - 3 Rescue Companies - 2 Battalion Commanders - 1 Deputy Fire Marshall - 1 Albuquerque Ambulance unit **1^st^ Alarm East Region**- the alarm assignment will consist of: - 3 Engine Companies - 2 Tender Companies - 1 Rescue Company - 2 Battalion Commanders - 1 Deputy Fire Marshall - 1 Albuquerque Ambulance unit **2^nd^ alarm-** At the request of the incident commander, a second alarm assignment will be dispatched to the incident location as follows: - Remaining Engine Company in the region - Remaining Rescue Company in the region **Automatic Aid Alarm-** Upon request, consists of a full AFR 1^st^ alarm. **Mutual Aid Request-**\ Specific request from command based on needs of the incident. **Dispatched acknowledgement-** All units responding to an incident shall acknowledge dispatch by radio on fire control or by Mobile Data Terminal (MDT) if equipped, and then switch to the assigned tactical channel after the Primary dispatch. If dispatch does not receive an acknowledgment within one (1) minute, the dispatcher will request acknowledgment by radio on all channels (starting with the assigned tactical channel) and via the MDT if equipped. Dispatch should send a cover assignment if no reply is received within a two (2) minutes of the original dispatch. Dispatch should continue to attempt to make contact with the original company while the cover unit is responding. If unable to contact the original unit, the company will be placed unavailable and the appropriate Battalion Commander should be notified of the circumstances. **Additional Incident Information-** The dispatcher will relay any additional critical information gained from subsequent callers as soon as possible. Critical information and/or updates must be transmitted via radio on the assigned tactical frequency to all dispatched units. Companies needing specific additional information shall send these requests through the assigned dispatcher. Specific procedures: **Expected dispatch (Fire Control) procedures for a working fire-** 1. **Dispatch all first alarm units.** 2. **Give primary dispatch information to include assigning a tactical channel.** 3. **Once all units are enroute, secondary dispatch information will be given.** 4. **Dispatch BCSO for traffic and crowd control.** 5. **Dispatch NMGCO and PNM.** 6. **Document progress reports, assignments, emergency traffic, and elapsed time notifications in CAD notes.** 7. **Be prepared to dispatch additional resources as requested.** 8. **Monitor tactical channel for the duration of the fire or until command states otherwise.\ ** **Elapsed Time Notifications (at the request of Command only)-** **Command can request ETN's whenever they feel it is necessary. The dispatcher will announce over the tactical frequency an ETN based on the timeframe requested by command.** **Command must verbally acknowledge each ETN by re-announcing the incident's strategy over the assigned tactical radio frequency until the incident is placed under control, or until command requests to discontinue or restructure the notifications.** **Move ups, back fills, and maintaining system wide service coverage-** **Command must keep Fire Control aware of the amount of resource(s) needed to control the incident. The 3^rd^ Battalion Commander will have the responsibility to back fill critical areas of the community in order to continue to deliver core services to the department's customers with reasonable response times. This request will be relayed to dispatch and units will be notified. These units may also be needed in the future to quickly respond to the current working incident.** **Witnessed Incident-** **There are times when units are making standard, non-emergency apparatus movements where they will witness or see something that requires an emergency response and some type of mitigation. In these situations, the officer or member initiating the incident will contact the dispatcher on Fire Control and will give the following information:** - **Nature of the incident** - **Exact location of the incident** - **Resource request required to control the incident\ ** **Once reported, the dispatcher may assign a separate tactical channel for the incident and dispatch any additional resources required on Fire Control. Because the requesting Unit is typically close to the scene, they should give the recently dispatched responders (if any) at least 1 minute to start their response out before transmitting a standard Initial Radio Report (IRR) on the assigned tactical radio frequency. This time lag will give everybody who is dispatched the needed time to get into a responding status in order to receive the IRR information.** **Establishing Command (Function \#2)-** **Command shall be formally declared on all incidents where 3 or more Units are dispatched. The first officer to arrive should assume command of the incident by transmitting a standard IRR.** **IC assigning Units into a hazard zone-** Incident operations are conducted around the completion of the tactical priorities. Incident communications should mirror this simple concept. Command will need to use the following structure when assigning any unit into the hazard zone: - Tasks to be performed - The Location of those tasks - The Objectives of the tasks One of commands major objectives is to control both the position/location and function of all resource assigned to the hazard zone. Being very specific about the location and the objectives of the tasks that need to be performed goes a long way in helping command (and the rest of the units responding) know where everybody is and what they are doing. **Company/Task level accountability responsibilities-** **Companies working at the task level have the greatest stake in the accountability system because they operate inside the hazard zone. No hazard zone management system can outperform unsafe behaviors at the task level.** **Task level responsibilities include:** - **Following all staging procedures** - **Being properly assigned into the hazard zone** - **Properly using the accountability system** - **Staying together as a company** - **All members attached to a hose line** - **Always maintaining an adequate air supply to safely exit the hazard zone,** - **Maximum depth into a structure -- 175 feet -- based on air supply** - **No freelancing.** **The following rules will be adhered to at all times on the task level-** - **The minimum number of personnel assigned to a crew or a team operating in a hazard zone shall be two firefighters with a least one portable radio.** - **Crews always go in and come out together.** - **All personnel shall be in contact with their Company Officer by either:** - **Voice (radio)** - **Vision (TIC),** - **Touch (hose line)** - **Company officers shall give an accountability report (either face to face or by radio when requested) upon exiting the hazard zone to either command or their assigned division or group supervisor.** - **Any member whose job assignment is to operate outside of the hazard area is [NOT] to enter the hazard area without the express permission of the member's company officer.** - **[NO member shall operate in the hazard zone alone.\ ]** **Tactical level accountability responsibilities-** **The hazard zone tactical level of the incident organization is managed by division supervisors (no groups inside the hazard zone). When command assigns companies to an operational area, the officer in charge of that area is responsible for managing the companies assigned to the area. These officers physically position themselves in their assigned area and manage their area of the incident operation.** **Whenever 3 or more units are assigned to one geographical area, a division supervisor should be designated to the area when the 3^rd^ unit is assigned.** **In many cases, the initial tactical level responsibility may be assigned to the first company officer assigned to the area. As the span of control and or the risk increases, a command level officer may be used to replace the initial company officer division supervisor.** **Here is the list of the responsibilities for an officer assigned as a Division supervisor:** - **Division plan matches Command's IAP** - **Implement and manage the division IAP** - **Risk management in the division** - **Complete tactical priorities in the division** - **Actions always match conditions in the division** - **Coordinate w/ other division's when needed** - **Manage the accountability system** - **Manages work-rest cycles** - **Manages on-deck crews** **Strategic level accountability responsibilities-** **Command manages strategic level accountability by strict command & control; deploying resources to specific tasks locations and objectives; maintaining the whereabouts of all resources in the hazard zone; maintaining an accurate tactical worksheet, and ensuring that C.A.N. reports and progress reports are delivered from the key tactical areas of the operation.** Unit accountability must be maintained throughout the incident. Command must be able to ascertain the accountability status, the location and the tasks being performed for [each] company operating in the hazard zone. This can be done by either direct contact with each individual company or by delegating these responsibilities as required to division officers assigned around the incident site. **On Deck-** **"On Deck" is defined as; a forward staging position located just outside the immediate hazard zone, safely distanced from the entrance of a tactical position division. *Once a crew is assigned to an On-Deck position, they are first and foremost a Rapid Intervention Team until they are given an assignment into the hazard zone.* The On Deck deployment model greatly assist command with managing hazard zone units' work/rest cycles and their air supplies.** **On Deck crews will be supervised either by the division supervisor or the unit's company officer and they will remain on deck until assigned by command or division Officer.** The most likely assignments for on deck companies are: - Stage all necessary RIT equipment - Deploy as a RIT - Reinforce a position within an assigned division - Crew relief within an assigned division - Any other tactical position assigned by command Once command has deployed units to the critical **division(s)** around the incident scene, command must then take a proactive approach to assigning additional resources to those **divisions**. This is best achieved by assigning staged resources as On Deck crews to those areas as soon as they arrive in staged positions. Positioning On Deck crews around the fire ground will also provide command with the tactical reserves to manage the standard work cycle or sudden and unexpected incident events. Assigning on deck crews is done simply by contacting a staged company and directing them to go "On Deck" in a specific location. An example of this radio traffic would sound like this:\ *"Command to Engine 35"\ "Engine 35 go ahead command"\ "I need you on deck at the Charlie side of the structure, Engine 31 is your division supervisor, you are assigned to Charlie Division".\ "Engine 35 copies, we are assigned to Charlie division under Engine 31, we'll be on deck on the Charlie side"* A crew assigned to an on deck position will need to park their apparatus in a manner that doesn't block access to the scene. Crews must be intact with full PPE, bring as many spare air cylinders as possible and any other necessary RIT equipment. On Deck crews must remain intact, in a ready state and monitor the tactical channel at all times. On deck crews must also size up the area that they are assigned to, this size up should include: - Locating the structure's entrance/exit points in their assigned area - Confirm utilities are secured - Interior and exterior conditions - Unit ID of crews operating inside the structure - Approximate location of interior crews - Identify which crews are operating each hose line When an on deck crew is used as a relief crew, the company officer should do a face to face and transfer information with the officer exiting the structure. The information transferred should include: - Interior conditions - Routing instructions to the work area - Interior obstructions - Additional tools/resources required - Tactical objectives completed/not completed **The 3 Deep Deployment Model-** Command must always provide a steady, adequate stream of resources. 3 deep is the concept where command always has a steady stream of workers for the required tasks based on the incident's critical factors. The 3-Deep deployment process starts out with the initial arriving workers who have been assigned into and are working in the hazard zone. After these key tactical positions have been covered, subsequent arriving units are assigned to on deck positions at the entry points already utilized by initial arriving unit's. This gives command a rapidly assignable resource and division support in the form of on deck companies. Once all of the critical tactical areas are adequately backed up with on deck units, subsequent arriving units will either Level 1 or 2 Stage. These staged Units now give command the tactical reserve needed to replace companies or to back fill any companies addressing a sudden incident problem. This model gives you workers in 3 distinct layers. Workers working in the hazard zone, workers ready to go to work right outside of the hazard zone and having replacement workers waiting for an assignment in staged positions. This involves command first requesting/acquiring adequate resources, and then effectively assigning later arriving units to on deck positions while still keeping a tactical reserve in staged positions. **Company Recycling-** **Recycling is a timely and efficient means of air replacement and re-hydration of companies while maintaining their assignment.** If conditions permit, a company's work cycle will be no more than 2 air cylinders. In order to maintain a steady stream of resources in critical assignments, crews will exit their division and recycle themselves in a timely manner. Companies being recycled will remain in their assignment, refill their air supply, re-hydrate, then report back to their assignment (unless otherwise directed by command). In the event they need a replacement crew after their first air cylinder, the crew needing to recycle will request an additional crew to take over their assignment. **\*\*Division officers and company officers are responsible to monitor the welfare of their personnel at all times and determine if recycling or a formal rehab is appropriate.\*\*** **Rehab-** Refer to "[300-011 Support Unit Deployment](https://app.targetsolutions.com/tsapp/dashboard/pl_fb/index.cfm?fuseaction=c_pro_documents.showFile&doc=2791665)" policy References: *Blue Card Command SOP's, October 2018 update, Blue Card Command™*