49-Hurricane Related - Severe Weather Incidents Involving Wires Down.pdf

Hurricane Related and/or Severe Weather Incidents SOG Involving Wires Down/Arching/Sparking ; Strike Teams Intent: This Standard Operating Guideline is established to deal with operational activities outside the normal scope of routine operations and a City Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is esta...

Hurricane Related and/or Severe Weather Incidents SOG Involving Wires Down/Arching/Sparking ; Strike Teams Intent: This Standard Operating Guideline is established to deal with operational activities outside the normal scope of routine operations and a City Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is established with Fire-Rescue Command Personnel. Alarm Office Dispatching Procedures Wires Arching with No Reported Fire: The status for dispatching of units shall be determined by Fire-Rescue Command Personnel within the EOC. Existing weather conditions, availability of operational units, Florida Power and Light (FPL) support capabilities and other considerations will contribute to this decision. Wires Down or Arching with Report of Fire: Units will continue to be dispatched to reported incidents involving fire as long as the existing weather conditions permit. Fire-Rescue Command Personnel within the EOC shall determine any status change for dispatching based on existing weather conditions, availability of operational units, FPL support capabilities and other considerations. 911 Calls received during suspended dispatching: Alarm Office personnel shall follow specific procedures as established in the Communications Division SOPs. General Incident Operational Activities for ALL Personnel Responding Unit/s: Alarm dispatches during storm activities will be based on existing wind / weather conditions as known by command personnel in the EOC. There may be times when dispatching stops or dispatch is restricted to life threatening emergencies. The Officer in Charge (OIC) needs to recognize conditions can change rapidly. Alarm activity should be carried out as quickly, efficiently, safely as possible, so all parties involved are returned to safe shelter. Understanding there may be different wind / weather conditions throughout the city, the OIC of the unit dispatched may have to make a no response decision. If this is the case, the OIC needs to immediately convey the appropriate information to the Alarm Office. 2/25/15 EOM / Article 3 / Section 49 Page 1 Unit/s Operations: Relevant considerations and activities as established and identified under Electrical Emergency Procedures in the Emergency Operational Manual (EOM) shall be utilized to the extent applicable under conditions encountered. General Safeguards include:          All units/personnel should use extreme caution when encountering wires. Personal safety measures are paramount in all incident operations. Assume electrical wires are energized until determined otherwise. Guard any fallen wire or damaged electrical equipment. Keep general public out of area of danger. Establish a safe perimeter with scene safety tape (Red).. Deny pedestrians entry to the hazard area. Keep apparatus/vehicle away from areas where wires may be down, particularly at night, and during other times of poor visibility. Beware of fences, railroad tracks and other structures which may be energized if in contact with an electrical wire. Specific incident conditions, exact location address or nearest intersection/landmark are to be conveyed to Alarm Office or FCIO so appropriate notification to FPL and/or other entities may be made. Emergency Response Division (ERD) Wires Down/Arching/Sparking/with or without Fire: ERD unit/s will respond to incidents until not safe to do so as determined by EOC Fire-Rescue Command Personnel or the Unit OIC as mentioned under “Responding Unit/s”. ERD unit/s will make scene as safe as possible and await the arrival of FPL representative; or the unit is relieved by Miami “Fire Prevention Bureau (FPB) Strike Teams”; or weather deteriorates to the point where it is not safe to remain on the scene; or as otherwise directed by EOC Fire-Rescue Command. Fire Prevention Bureau (FPB) and Other 40 hour Division Personnel Strike Teams: Strike Teams may be implemented to provide operational support to ERD units on emergency incidents or other assigned activities as may be determined. The FPB will be responsible for organizing and managing the Strike Team activities as directed by FireRescue Command in the EOC. Generally, Strike Team members will be selected from the FPB with other Divisions providing personnel as needed. Strike Team Operations    Fire Prevention Supervisors located at the EOC and/or the Fire Garage will direct the Strike Teams in conjunction with the Alarm Office. Strike Team Supervisor or FPB Officer in EOC will give Alarm Office the Strike Team car number to be added to the alarm. Strike Teams will consist of two personnel. For safety and emergency scene experience reasons, at least 1 firefighter (FPB/Other Division) will be part of the team. 2/25/15 EOM / Article 3 / Section 49 Page 2  ERD units will be dispatched to wires down first unless otherwise determined by Fire-Rescue Command Staff in EOC. ERD units will determine if FPB strike teams are to be utilized for scene control of wires down. ERD units will request FPL, secure scene using yellow caution tape and will turn scene over to Strike Teams on their arrival.  ERD units will request strike Teams through the Alarm Office. Alarm Office will contact Strike Team Supervisor or FPB Officer in the EOC who will dispatch the appropriate Strike Team. Upon arrival at the incident the Strike Team will be placed on the alarm with the unit/s from ERD. Strike Teams shall maintain safe scene parameters as established by ERD Unit/s or initiate measures to make the scene safe as may be required such as cordon off the scene with caution tape, cones, maintain safe distance, etc., follow Electrical Emergency Procedures in the Emergency Operational Manual (EOM) as previously mentioned under Unit/s Operations. Strike Teams shall remain on the scene until FPL unit arrives to make safe; or weather deteriorates to the point where it is not safe to remain on the scene; or as otherwise directed by EOC Fire-Rescue Command. Strike Teams shall immediately notify AO of scene departure when any of these circumstances occur. Strike Teams may request ERD units if situation changes and additional assistance is needed. Strike Team equipment and supplies shall be determined by FPB and issued through the Logistics Division or other format as may be required.      Note: The above guidelines are subject to change/modification involving any operational activities based on conditions and operational needs as determined by Fire-Rescue Command in the EOC or as otherwise directed by the Fire Chief/Designee. 2/25/15 EOM / Article 3 / Section 49 Page 3