Toronto Fire Services Multiple Alarms PDF

STANDARD OPERATING GUIDELINE MULTIPLE ALARMS Date Issued: March 29, 2019 Rescinds: March 8, 2014 Section: Incident and Emergency Operations File Code: G-MULT PURPOSE To provide all Toronto Fire Services personnel with a guideline for multiple alarms. RESPONSIBILITY All personnel are responsible fo...

STANDARD OPERATING GUIDELINE MULTIPLE ALARMS Date Issued: March 29, 2019 Rescinds: March 8, 2014 Section: Incident and Emergency Operations File Code: G-MULT PURPOSE To provide all Toronto Fire Services personnel with a guideline for multiple alarms. RESPONSIBILITY All personnel are responsible for an awareness of activities during multiple alarm when apparatus are less available and potential response times could be delayed. Company Officers are responsible for ensuring activities by unassigned apparatus and personnel during multiple alarms incidents are in compliance with the criteria specified in this guideline. The Communications Centre District Chief is responsible for supervision of all communications during multiple alarm incidents and ensuring movement of apparatus to provide adequate response coverage. GUIDELINES 1. Communications Centre 1.1. During a Third Alarm or higher situation the fire stations should be notified via dispatch printer, at the direction of the District Chief of the Communication Centre, of the circumstances and the alarm level to which an incident has progressed. 1.2. The District Chief of the Communication Centre shall be responsible for directing, relocating and repositioning any apparatus at the time of an incident. 2. Suspension of Program 2.1. When a Third Alarm or higher is requested or similarly large incidents occur, programs involving apparatus and personnel with potential to affect response times may be suspended by the Communication Centre Officer until the situation returns to normal. 2.2. Examples of programs that may be suspended by the District Chief of the Communication Centre during a multiple alarm include, but are not limited to the following: a) Training programs at training facilities other than the assigned fire station. b) Apparatus preventive maintenance that potentially delays apparatus response. c) Hose changes/Annual Hose Testing. File Code: G-MULT Page 1 of 3  STANDARD OPERATING GUIDELINE d) Apparatus equipment preventive maintenance and testing that requires equipment removal. e) Pre-Fire Inspection Planning. f) Building Audit Familiarization. g) Building inspections, tours by firefighting personnel, etc. h) Training programs such as ladder evolutions, hose layouts or any training where equipment is removed from the apparatus. 2.3. During a multiple alarm incident, the District Chief of the Communications Centre shall be responsible for the following: a) Supervising the activities of Communications Centre personnel. b) Monitoring major incidents. c) Assessing the potential for escalation of the incident and initiating actions accordingly. Relocating apparatus to other fire stations to maximize available resources. d) Notifying On-Call Senior Officers. e) Notifying On-Call Information Section Officer (Fourth Alarm or greater). f) Notifying other agencies. g) All other notifications. 2.4. Apparatus shall either return to their fire stations or be re-assigned to where they are needed by the Communications Centre. 2.5. Company Officers may conduct an alternative training session during these occurrences that does not potentially delay apparatus response. 3. Notifications for Exceptional Circumstances 3.1. All notifications of TFS personnel, divisions, and other outside agencies shall be complied with as specified in all Standard Operating Guidelines and Policies. 3.2. Other notifications should be considered by the on scene or responding Deputy Fire Chief. These incidents include, but are not limited to the following: a) Five alarm fire or greater. b) Major hazardous materials spill with serious consequences. c) Nuclear/biological incidents. 3.3. The notifications that should be considered (but are not automatic) by the on scene or responding Deputy Fire Chief for the circumstances listed in the last paragraph include, but are not limited to the following: a) Fire Chief. b) Deputy Fire Chief – Operations. c) Division Commander for the affected Command. d) District Chief – Special Operations. e) Ontario Ministry of Labour. f) Respective City Councillor and other community officials. 3.4. The Fire Chief shall be notified of incidents Fourth Alarm or greater. 3.5. Other notifications of the personnel/agencies (not specified in the Standard File Code: G-MULT Page 2 of 3  STANDARD OPERATING GUIDELINE Operating Guidelines and Policies) but considered by the on scene or responding Deputy Fire Chief may be directed through the Communications Centre. 3.6. In the event of serious multiple alarm incident where aircraft may be affected or have an effect on the incident, the Incident Commander may request a “NOTAM” (Notice to Airmen) flight exclusion zone be issued by Transport Canada. The Incident Commander should request the TFS Communications Centre notify the following: Transport Canada Emergency Air Operations Centre (877) 992-6853 3.7. At the conclusion of any incident or the need for a NOTAM, the Incident Commander should request termination of the NOTAM through the TFS Communications Centre. 4. Command Vehicle 4.1. Consideration for the request for a second Command Vehicle should be given for all major emergencies likely to generate intense media or outside agency activities (refer to Standard Operating Guideline G-CMDV — Command Vehicles). 5. Shift Change 5.1. Change of shift by personnel shall be in compliance with Standard Operating Guideline G-SHIF - Shift Change During and Incident. ATTACHMENT(S) N/A RELATED SOGS G-CMDV - Command Vehicles G-HYDR - Hydro Electric Emergencies G-NOSC - Non Toronto Fire Services Personnel at an Incident Scene G-SENI - Senior Officers On-Call G-SHIF - Shift Change During Incidents G-NOFM – Notification of the OFM for Investigations G-OALA – MOL Reporting Criteria outside the TFS Workplace File Code: G-MULT Page 3 of 3