Lehigh Acres Fire Control and Rescue District Hurricane Plan PDF

Standard Operating Procedure Lehigh Acres Fire Control and Rescue District Supplemental Manual 520 Hurricane Plan 520.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE: The purpose of this Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) is to provide guidance in the preparation for a pending Tropical Storm or Hurricane. This SOP is to be f...

Standard Operating Procedure Lehigh Acres Fire Control and Rescue District Supplemental Manual 520 Hurricane Plan 520.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE: The purpose of this Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) is to provide guidance in the preparation for a pending Tropical Storm or Hurricane. This SOP is to be followed by all Lehigh Acres Fire Control and Rescue District (LAFCRD) employees. 520.2 GENERAL: (a) The Fire Chief, may implement all or part of this hurricane plan for the purpose of preparing personnel, equipment, and apparatus for operations associated with a tropical storm or hurricane. 520.3 DEFINITIONS: (a) Hurricane – a violent storm originating over tropical water. Winds near the center reach speeds of at least 74 m.p.h. or higher. The storm may range from 50 to 1,000 miles in diameter. (b) Hurricane Watch – an advanced statement that is issued by the National Hurricane Center. It indicates that a hurricane is near, and that attention should be given to subsequent advisories. It implies the possibility of dangerous conditions within 24 to 48 hours. Precautionary actions should be taken in case a hurricane warning is issued. (c) Hurricane Warning – indicates that a hurricane with winds of 74 m.p.h. and higher or a combination of dangerously high water and rough seas are expected in a specified coastal area. With this warning announced, hurricane conditions are imminent and may begin within the next 24 hours. (d) Storm Surge – an increase of water level due to the action of wind on the ocean surface and the low pressure of a storm. (e) Saffir-Simpson Scale – is a hurricane classification system. It is used by the National Hurricane Center to give continuing assessment of the potential storm severity: There is no longer correlation between projected storm severity and storm surge. Storm surge is provided 48 hours prior to landfall by the National Hurricane Center. (f) Wind Velocity: (g) 1. Category 1 - 74-95 mph 2. Category 2 - 96-110 mph 3. Category 3 - 111-130 mph 4. Category 4 - 131-155 mph 5. Category 5 - Over 155 mph Tropical Depression – a tropical cyclone in which the maximum sustained wind speed ranges from 39 mph to 73 m.p.h. Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/05/22, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Lehigh Acres Fire Control and Rescue District Hurricane Plan - 1 Lehigh Acres Fire Control and Rescue District Supplemental Manual Hurricane Plan 520.4 PRE-LANDFALL OPERATIONS (a) st th Hurricane season begins June 1 and continues through November 30 each year. In May of every year, some general preparations should begin to include the following at a minimum: 1. Each station Lieutenant will complete the Pre-Season Hurricane Check List for their station (Aladtec). 2. A review of this document by all Operational personnel. 3. Clear all roof rain gutters of debris at all stations. 4. Secure station grounds. Trim dead branches and palm fronds. 5. Check antennas and towers. Replace rusted or weakened fasteners/U-bolts (Maintenance Division). 6. Every employee should ensure they have plans for their family to evacuate if necessary. 520.5 HURRICANE WATCH: (a) When LAFCRD is in the path of a projected storm, Operations will begin to communicate with Emergency Management and closely track the approaching storm. (b) The Fire Chief will notify Board Members of the hurricane watch and give a report of the department's current status. (c) During the initial tracking phase after a hurricane watch has been issued, Operations and Logistics will ensure the following be done at a minimum: 1. The Deputy Fire Chief of Operations will determine what the staffing is for the projected landfall. 2. All personnel shall be placed on "stand-by" status. 3. Ensure that each employee has contacted the on-duty Battalion Chief, to report his/her status: i.e. Location, availability, and contact information. 4. All emergency equipment should be tested, and all batteries charged. 5. All fuel tanks at outline stations shall be filled at 100%. 6. All propane tanks at outline stations shall be filled at 100%. 7. All generators and power tools at outline stations shall be checked and fuel filled at 100%. 8. Secure spare oil and spark plugs for generators and power tools. 9. Fill fuel tanks on all apparatus and staff vehicles shall be filled at 100%. 10. All stations start a hurricane preparedness log on ICS form 214. 11. The need for ordering/purchasing sand and sandbags for station 101 and station 104. We will not fill sandbags as a general rule; however, special circumstances may require assistance from District personnel. Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/05/22, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Lehigh Acres Fire Control and Rescue District Hurricane Plan - 2 Lehigh Acres Fire Control and Rescue District Supplemental Manual Hurricane Plan (d) (e) Proper preparation of all personnel is to include: 1. The possibility of not being able to return home for an undetermined amount of time. 2. Carrying their department identification card with them. 3. Providing your own food and water for at least five days. 4. Bringing in the following personal items and belongings: 5. Sufficient amount of clean uniforms. 6. Sufficient amount of clean towels. 7. Soap (hand/shampoo). 8. Toothpaste/mouthwash. 9. Deodorant. 10. Razors/shaving cream. 11. Insect repellent. 12. Sunscreen. 13. Spare shoes/boots, glasses (sun, prescription). 14. Personal medications. As the storm continues its approach, communication with Emergency Management will continue and LAFCRD Administration will conduct a staff meeting at the direction of the Fire Chief to determine the need for the following and make assignments: 1. Potential storm is likely to impact LAFCRD. Storm predictions are provided through EOC and come from the National Hurricane Center 48 hours prior to landfall. 2. Potential cancellation of vacations due to the approaching storm based on predicted staffing needs. 3. Contact made with neighboring agencies for preliminary discussion regarding the establishment of the East Geo Division. Station 104 is the standard location of the East Geo Division. 4. Securing stations and equipment. 5. Need for purchasing supply of non-perishable food (e.g., MRE) items and drinking water (minimum 30 gallons). 6. The need for food service (Cheney Brothers, Inc. (800) 939-4018). 520.6 HURRICANE WARNING: (a) When a hurricane warning has been issued, the following will be considered at a minimum: 1. Establishment of the East Geo Division. Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/05/22, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Lehigh Acres Fire Control and Rescue District Hurricane Plan - 3 Lehigh Acres Fire Control and Rescue District Supplemental Manual Hurricane Plan 2. Mandatory recall possible depending on the speed, direction and predicted impact of the storm: 3. Officers may be recalled before other personnel if it is desirable to brief them on planned operations separately, or all personnel may be recalled simultaneously. 4. Either the next on-coming shift will be called in early, or the off-going shift may be held over depending on the specifics and timing of the storm. Personnel on duty shall remain until released by the Shift Commander. 5. Once the East Geo Division has been established at station 104, a determination shall be made as to whether to operate out of all stations or relocate a station(s) to a different location. 520.7 LAFCRD COMMAND STRUCTURE: (a) Overall Command Responsibilities: 1. 2. 3. Fire Chief: (a) Serves as the Incident Commander during the hurricane incident. (b) Maintains communication and coordination with the EOC and has oversight of the East Geo Division. (c) May take on additional roles such as assisting in Operations and Planning. Deputy Fire Chief: (a) Serves as second-in-command during a hurricane incident. (b) Serves as the Operations Chief during the hurricane incident. (c) Implements Action Plan. (d) Coordinates Operational activities including: 1. Initial damage assessment. 2. Emergency debris clearing. 3. Animal service response. 4. Hazmat response. 5. Medical care. 6. Public health (e.g., water, wastewater). 7. Coordination of essential communications) restoration. services (e.g., power, water, (e) Check-in, brief, and determine work assignments. (f) Reviews assignments with activated personnel and assigned agencies Assistant Chief of Administration: (a) Serves as the Plans Chief during the hurricane incident. Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/05/22, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Lehigh Acres Fire Control and Rescue District Hurricane Plan - 4 Lehigh Acres Fire Control and Rescue District Supplemental Manual Hurricane Plan 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. (b) Coordinates with the Operations Chief to develop the District's Incident Action Plan and Demobilization Plan. (c) Collects, evaluates, and disseminates resource status information. (d) Maintains check-in/accountability activities. (e) Maintains displays on current status and location of resources. Assistant Chief/Fire Marshal: (a) Serves as the Prevention Chief during the hurricane incident. (b) Coordinates with the Operations Chief to develop the District's Safety Plan. Assist with the Incident Action Plan and Demobilization Plan. (c) Assesses anticipated hazards and unsafe situations. (d) Delivers safety briefings prior to post landfall operations. Division Chiefs of Operations/Training: (a) Assist the Operations Chief during the hurricane incident. (b) Coordinates Operational activities. (c) Check-in, brief, and determine work assignments. (d) Reviews assignments with activated personnel and assigned agencies. Division Chief of Logistics: (a) Serves as the Logistic Chief during the hurricane incident. (b) Assists in set up of the East Geo Division. (c) Completes specific functions in the Command Center as directed by Command/Operations. (d) Provides communication, medical, food and rehab resources. (e) Procures, orders, receives resources needed to support and meet disaster survivor needs. (f) Provides ground support services/maintenance. Battalion Chief(s): (a) Serves as the Shift Commander/Division Supervisor during the hurricane incident. (b) Assists planning and operations in developing response plan. (c) Completes specific functions in the Command Center as directed by Command/Operations. (d) Coordinates Division assignments. Finance Manager: (a) Serves as the Finance Planner/Advisor during the hurricane incident. Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/05/22, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Lehigh Acres Fire Control and Rescue District Hurricane Plan - 5 Lehigh Acres Fire Control and Rescue District Supplemental Manual Hurricane Plan (b) 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. Completes specific functions in the Command Center as directed by Command/Operations. Human Resource Manager: (a) Serves as the Human Resource Planner/Advisor during the hurricane incident. (b) Completes specific functions in the Command Center as directed by Command/Operations. Information Technology Administrator: (a) Serves as the Technology Specialist during the hurricane incident. (b) Assists in set up of the East Geo Division. (c) Completes specific functions in the Command Center as directed by Command/Operations. (d) Manages/maintains District phones, cell phones, HAM radio, MiFi, WiFi, computers, tablets, equipment, etc. Public Relations Officer (PRO): (a) Serves as the spokesperson for the District during the hurricane incident. (b) Completes specific functions in the Command Center as directed by Command/Operations. (c) Develops and releases information to media and appropriate agencies. Training Captain(s): (a) Serves as the Division(s) Safety Officer during the hurricane incident. (b) Completes specific functions in the Command Center as directed by Command/Operations. (c) Maintains accountability procedures within assigned Division. (d) Distributes necessary equipment and food. Inspectors(s): (a) Serves as the Damage Assessment/Inspector during the hurricane incident. (b) Completes specific functions in the Command Center as directed by Command/Operations. (c) Assists with "Rapid Windshield Survey" using the ArcGIS Field Survey123 App. Station Lieutenant(s): (a) Serves as the Company Officer during the hurricane incident. (b) Completes specific functions in the Command Center as directed by Command/Operations. Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/05/22, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Lehigh Acres Fire Control and Rescue District Hurricane Plan - 6 Lehigh Acres Fire Control and Rescue District Supplemental Manual Hurricane Plan (b) (c) Officer in charge of a station. If more than one Officer is present at a station, the senior Officer will be in charge of the station. (d) Maintains a state of readiness at all times. (e) Maintains accountability procedures within their assigned station. LAFCRD overall command structure will be designated as two separate Divisions. Each Division will be assigned a Chief Officer as Division Supervisor as follows: 1. Division A will consist of a Chief Officer, Safety Officer, Station 101, Station 102, and Station 105. 2. Division B will consist of a Chief Officer, Safety Officer, Station 103, Station 104, and Station 106. Under the direction of "Operations" each LAFCRD Division will do the following: 1. Operations will dispatch the prioritized emergency calls that were received during the storm and assign to the appropriate Division. 2. Begin the "Rapid Windshield Survey" using the ArcGIS Field Survey123 App. 3. (d) (c) (a) The survey will be coordinated in each LAFCRD Division. (b) Please note all structures that are significantly damaged. Ensure the "Station Hurricane Damage Survey" (Aladtec) is conducted for each station. Any requests for additional resources from outside the District will be made through the Division Supervisor to Operations. 520.8 LANDFALL OPERATIONS: (a) As the storm intensity increases, operations become too hazardous to justify the risk to personnel. When that point is reached, all operations outside the stations must be discontinued until they can again be conducted with an acceptable level of safety. It is expected that operational activity will be reduced over a period of time as a storm approaches prior to ending completely. (b) The following are some guidelines for Operations as the storm intensity escalates: 1. Crews will cease responding to 911 calls once winds reached 40 mph sustained. 2. Operations will conduct a PAR of all Divisional personnel. 3. All units shall stage safely at respective stations or designated location. 4. Operations will keep a log of all emergency calls and priority. The calls will be organized by Divisions in the LAFCRD organizational structure within the East GEO Division. 5. Operations will communicate to EOC via radio, hardline or satellite phone any requests. Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/05/22, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Lehigh Acres Fire Control and Rescue District Hurricane Plan - 7 Lehigh Acres Fire Control and Rescue District Supplemental Manual Hurricane Plan 6. Review plan for post landfall operations. 520.9 POST LANDFALL OPERATIONS: (a) After winds fall below 40 m.p.h., all District units can become operational. Operations will notify all personnel that winds are below 40 m.p.h. sustained and verify communications with EOC. 520.10 GEO DIVISION COMMUNICATION PLAN: (a) Once the Geographical Divisions have been established, the East Geo Division will operate per the “Lee County Emergency Communications Plan,” and the “Lee County All Hazards Communications Plan.” 520.11 RESUMING NORMAL OPERATIONS: (a) As the need for District resources decreases, units should be returned to their stations, if possible, and personnel released. (b) Release times of each re-called person must be recorded for payroll records on an ICS 214 form. (c) The demobilization of the Geographical Division is coordinated with the EOC based on damage assessments and Divisional needs. (d) As circumstances stabilize, the LAFCRD Divisions will be eliminated, the East Geo Division will cease operation and all Operations will return to normal under the direction of the Shift Battalion(s). 520.12 LIST OF FORMS: (a) Pre-Season Hurricane Check List (Aladtec). (b) Station Hurricane Damage Survey (Aladtec). Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/05/22, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Lehigh Acres Fire Control and Rescue District Hurricane Plan - 8