Authority Having Jurisdiction - Incident Scene Management PDF

Authority Having Jurisdiction / Incident Scene Management Purpose: To identify and define the term Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) with related terms. Establish operational guidelines/responsibilities related to orderly incident scene management for the Incident Commander (IC) concerning emergen...

Authority Having Jurisdiction / Incident Scene Management Purpose: To identify and define the term Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) with related terms. Establish operational guidelines/responsibilities related to orderly incident scene management for the Incident Commander (IC) concerning emergency operations with non-City of Miami fire agencies within and outside the jurisdictional boundaries of the City of Miami. Definitions: • • • Local Authority Having Jurisdiction: Shall mean any personnel acting under the authority of Sections 633.121 and 633.15, F.S. (Florida Statutes), as agents of their respective jurisdictions. Jurisdiction: Public agencies have jurisdiction at an incident related to their legal responsibilities and authority. Jurisdictional authority at an incident can be political or geographical (e.g., city, county, tribal, State, or Federal boundary lines) or functional (ex., fire, law enforcement, public health). Jurisdictional Agency: The agency having jurisdiction and responsibility for a specific geographical area, or a mandated function. Guidelines: In general, within the City of Miami corporate boundaries, the City of Miami Department of Fire-Rescue is the Authority Having Jurisdiction over Fire-Rescue incidents and other related activities. Exceptions to this are determined by the governing body of the City of Miami. Present examples of exceptions: • • The Port of Miami is within the corporate boundaries of the City of Miami but the Local Authority Having Jurisdiction on the Port is delegated to Miami-Dade County Fire-Rescue. Key Biscayne has contracted services with City of Miami Fire-Rescue. Incident Command structure and procedures are specifically defined in the Emergency Operations Manual (EOM) found on the Firenet. Under this guideline, the IC assures that fire units of the City of Miami act as the primary agency with jurisdictional authority and functional responsibility to provide emergency services within the incorporated areas of the City. Incorporated areas of the City of Miami include both land and water boundaries. City of Miami Fire-Rescue units providing services on incidents outside the City of Miami boundaries shall conduct operations until unit/s from Authority Having Jurisdiction arrives and assumes command. Responsibilities and Operational Activities: • • • • • The Incident Command System is the standard operational platform to be utilized on incidents. The initial arriving on scene Officer in Charge (OIC), regardless of Authority Having Jurisdiction, is responsible for the immediate execution of emergency operations including mitigation activities designed to limit the loss of life, personal injury, property damage, and other unfavorable outcomes. On incidents involving operational periods in excess of a short duration, upon arrival of the first Officer from the Authority Having Jurisdiction, preparations for an orderly transfer of command should be initiated. All transfers of command should be done in a cooperative organized format. o Example: Building Fire, MCI, Major Incident involving multiple units and extended operational times. The transfer of command process should include a face to face briefing between the different Jurisdictional Agency unit OICs. All OICs should exercise their command responsibilities in a supportive manner that will insure a smooth transition and the effective ongoing function of command. Incidents involving short operational activity time frames may be handled entirely by the initial arriving unit even if other than Authority Having Jurisdiction. Officers should work collectively and in cooperation with one another to ensure orderly scene management. o Example: EMS incident involving one patient and initial unit from other Jurisdictional Agency has initiated treatment and is prepared to transport to hospital. In this case it may be in the best interest of the patient to allow the initial unit to complete patient care and transport. In the event problems arise related to scene management with different Jurisdictional Agencies and the incident is within the City of Miami, the City of Miami OIC is to inform the other agency officer that the incident is within the City of Miami and will be handled by City of Miami units. If problems are not resolved, Fire Central is to be notified and a District Chief is to be dispatched to the scene. Fire Central is to immediately contact the other Jurisdiction Agency and request assistance with on scene activities. As a last resort, Miami Police may be summoned. The name of the other agency OIC and unit number shall be obtained and a memo outlining the circumstances shall be forwarded through channels to the Fire Chief for further review and appropriate action. LBD 8-18-08