Palm Beach County Fire Rescue SOG 200-05 Staging Levels PDF

Palm Beach County Fire Rescue Standard Operating Guideline SOG 200-05 Staging Levels Issue Date:05/21/2018...

Palm Beach County Fire Rescue Standard Operating Guideline SOG 200-05 Staging Levels Issue Date:05/21/2018 Effective Date: 06/21/2018 PURPOSE: To provide a uniform method for all personnel responding to incidents where staging is needed in order to request, deploy and assign resources in a coordinated manner. AUTHORITY:  Fire Rescue Administrator SCOPE: This standard guideline shall apply to all Emergency Operations personnel. PROCEDURE: These guidelines provide a basic framework for most incidents. 1. Level 1 Staging a. General i. Level 1 Staging allows responding units to identify and declare an appropriate staging location, based on the type of incident, so that resources are ready for immediate deployment. 1. Typically, Level 1 Staging is located at a development entrance or several streets from the incident. ii. Level 1 Staging shall be utilized on all multiple company responses to Fire and EMS incidents. iii. The Incident Commander shall have the authority to alter this procedure in order to facilitate incident objectives. iv. Upon arrival in Level 1 Staging, the unit shall announce to the Communication Center their arrival and staging location. v. Units in Level 1 Staging shall remain in place until directed by the Incident Commander or Communication Center. 2. Level 2 Staging a. General i. Level 2 Staging is a formal process directed by the Incident Commander, or Operations Section Chief if established, where responding units are assigned a specific location to stage in anticipation of future deployment. 1. Typically, Level 2 Staging is located several blocks from the incident. SOG 200-05 Staging Levels Page 1 of 3  ii. The Level 2 Staging area should be of sufficient size for all anticipated units. 1. Typically, this would be large parking lots (i.e., The Kennel Club, Walmart, etc…). 2. If using a parking lot, it takes approximately eight (8) parking spaces for each fire apparatus. 3. The Level 2 Staging area layout shall have adequate access routes, egress routes, and traffic flow patterns. iii. Level 2 Staging should be established on the following incidents: 1. Multiple alarm incidents 2. MCI incidents that are level 2 or greater 3. Aircraft incidents that are Alert III Index Level 4. Any other incident where coordinated placement of multiple resources should receive supervised assistance iv. Personnel responding to fulfill Incident Command and General staff positions shall report directly to the Incident Commander and not Level 2 Staging. b. Staging Area Manager (or Base Area Manager in High-Rise) i. Level 2 Staging requires the formal designation of a Staging Area Manager (or Base Area Manager in High-Rise) to document and track all resources. ii. When possible a single resource unit, or one person off an apparatus should be utilized as a Staging Area Manager (or Base Area Manager in High-Rise) rather than an entire unit. 1. The Staging Area Manager (or Base Area Manager in High-Rise) shall: a. Establish a safe and secure staging area layout. Establish a check-in procedure to maintain accountability of units, personnel, and equipment b. Supervise and coordinate all activities within the staging area c. Report directly to the Incident Commander, or Operations Section Chief (if established). d. Request additional resources through the Incident Commander, or Operations Section Chief if established. i. If the Incident Commander, or Operations Section Chief, advises the Staging Area Manager (or Base Area Manager in High-Rise) to maintain a minimum level and type of resources (i.e., two Engines, one Rescue), they may request additional resources directly from the Communication Center. e. Record the time and destination of every unit leaving Staging. 3. Fire Incidents a. The following units shall respond directly to a Fire incident: i. The first due apparatus with a fire pump (i.e., Engine, Aerial, etc…) ii. The first due Rescue iii. The first due EMS Captain iv. The first due Battalion Chief b. All other responding units (then that listed above) shall proceed to Level 1 Staging. SOG 200-05 Staging Levels Page 2 of 3  c. Fire Rescue personnel should consider the following when selecting an appropriate site for Level 1 Staging on fire incidents: i. Engines should stage at a hydrant in close proximity to the incident. The hydrant should be flushed to ensure it is operational. ii. Aerials and Tenders should not stage at a hydrant but rather at a location to allow rapid deployment while allowing for regular vehicular access. iii. All other units should stage within approximately two blocks of the incident. 4. Violent Incidents and Active Shooter Hostile Events/Mass Casualty Incidents (ASHE/MCI) a. Refer to SOG 110-02 Response to Violent Incidents for pre and post Staging concerns on Violent incidents. b. During Violent Incidents Fire Rescue personnel shall maintain radio communications with the Communications Center according to SOG 200-01 Communications. c. Level I Staging is typical for Violent Incidents, however level II Staging could be required, refer to SOG 620-01 Active Killer - Mass Violence Incident. d. Fire Rescue personnel should consider the following when selecting an appropriate Level I Staging site: i. Stage at least two blocks from the incident ii. Stage out of line-of-sight iii. Stage in a position that shall allow for a rapid departure, should it be necessary e. Should the Law Enforcement agency request Fire Rescue units to stage at a remote location, the ranking Company Officer shall be responsible for ensuring, to the best of their ability, that the location is safe. f. Under no circumstances shall Fire Rescue units drive through the Exclusion Zone of a scene to reach the Staging location. It is extremely important to be aware and plan the route accordingly during multiple unit responses. g. Upon notification, that a scene is secured refer to SOG 110-02 Response to Violent Incidents. 5. High-Rise Incidents a. Staging in a high-rise incident should be two floors below the fire. This is the area where resources and equipment is staged prior to entering the fire floor. b. Base is the term for the staging of resources prior to entering the incident scene (see level 2 Staging above). Supersession History 1. SOG #1310, issued 08/01/2005 2. SOG #1310, issued 10/01/2012 3. SOG 200-05, clerical 05/01/2018 4. SOG 200-05, issued 05/21/2018 SOG 200-05 Staging Levels Page 3 of 3