Spring Fire Department Emergency Deployment Plan PDF

# Spring Fire Department/Harris County ESD No. 7 - Emergency Deployment Plan/Department Operations Center ## Standard Operating Guideline **Revision No.** 0 **Issue Date** July 24, 2023 **Effective Date** July 24, 2023 **Review Date** 1 July, 2024 **Reviewed by** Support Services **Approved by:** Sc...

# Spring Fire Department/Harris County ESD No. 7 - Emergency Deployment Plan/Department Operations Center ## Standard Operating Guideline **Revision No.** 0 **Issue Date** July 24, 2023 **Effective Date** July 24, 2023 **Review Date** 1 July, 2024 **Reviewed by** Support Services **Approved by:** Scott C. Seifert ## Emergency Deployment Plan/Department Operations Center ### 1. Executive Summary - Spring Fire Department has four levels of readiness for emergency deployment, based on the severity of the hazards or conditions. - **Level 1** is maximum readiness, which involves deployment of the full resources of the organization, an automatic recall for off-duty employees, all divisions, and a fully staffed Department Operations Center. - **Level 2 and 3** is high or increased readiness, which involves a possible automatic recall, and Department Operations Center is staffed based on needs. - ICS forms should be documented and turned in as directed. - Emergency response is coordinated through the Department Operations Center during activations. - Unified command should be applied through the Fire Desk at OEM. - Exempt employees may receive overtime in certain conditions. ### 2. Purpose To prepare the Spring Fire Department in the event of a large-scale emergency or event affecting the citizens of Harris County Emergency Services District 7. ### 3. Policy Statement The Fire Chief or designee shall determine when to initiate a specific level of deployment. Operations, Support Services, Training, and Administrative divisions shall prepare personnel and equipment for possible deployment upon activation of emergency deployment plan. ### 4. Scope - This guideline applies to all members. ### 5. Definitions - See Glossary. ### 6. Procedures and Responsibilities - **Readiness Levels** - **LEVEL 1 - Maximum Readiness** - Shall be declared to increase operations when hazardous and dangerous conditions exist and there is a direct threat to life and property within the boundaries of Harris County ESD 7. - Shall exist when the Fire Chief or designee believe that the full resources of the department may be required to manage incidents that are significant within the boundaries of Harris County ESD 7. - Automatic recall can occur for off duty employees. Operations, Support Services, Training, and Administrative divisions are subject to recall. - When recalled, the employee will be provided a time and location to report. - The Command Staff will assign personnel in a manner that meets the needs of the emergency. - Department Operations Center Staffing - Chief Officers - Public Information Officer - Representatives from Logistics, Training, IT, Apparatus Maintenance, and Facilities Maintenance. - Administrative Staff can be instructed to work from home; however, they can be required to staff the DOC if needed. - Support Services personnel will begin to prepare for large-scale operations. (See Preparedness section) - **LEVEL 2 - High Readiness** - Shall be declared to increase operations when hazardous or dangerous conditions exist or are imminent and pose a significant threat to life and property within the boundaries of Harris County ESD 7. - Shall exist when the Fire Chief or designee believe additional resources may be required to manage incidents that are significant within the boundaries of Harris County ESD 7. - Automatic recall can occur for off duty employees. Operations, Support Services, Training, and Administrative divisions are subject to recall. - When recalled, the employee will be provided a time and location to report. - The Command Staff will assign personnel in a manner that meets the needs of the emergency. - Department Operations Center Staffing - Chief Officers - Public Information Officer - Representatives from Logistics, Training, IT, Apparatus Maintenance, and Facilities Maintenance. - Administrative Staff can be instructed to work from home; however, they can be required to staff the DOC if needed. - Support Services personnel will begin to prepare for large-scale operations. (See Preparedness section) - **LEVEL 3 - Increased Readiness** - Shall be declared to increase the awareness of a significant threat to public safety or the safety of the residents of Harris County ESD 7. - Shall exist when the Fire Chief or designee believe that additional resources may be required to manage incidents that are significant within the boundaries of Harris County ESD 7. - Automatic recall can occur for off duty employees. Operations, Support Services, and Administrative divisions are subject to recall. - When recalled, the employee will be provided a time and location to report. - The Command Staff will assign personnel in a manner that meets the needs of the emergency. - Department Operations Center Staffing - The Fire Chief or designee will determine staffing levels that are appropriate for the threat or conditions. - The Department Operations Center can be operated remotely if necessary. - Support Services personnel will begin to prepare for large-scale operations. (See Preparedness section) - **LEVEL 4 - Normal Readiness** - No hazardous conditions are imminent. The normal capabilities of the department do not require additional support. - **Preparedness** - Each division within the department will ensure the following is completed prior to and during an activation: - **Logistics** - Setup Department Operations Center - Fill any supply requests needed from all stations. (extra water, toilet paper, bedding, or other essential items). - Prepare extra equipment for dispersal (saws, fans, radios, batteries) - Prepare and place reserve apparatus in service. - Place apparatus throughout the district as directed by the Command Staff. - Coordinate Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus cylinders filled to capacity, and spare cylinders spread out throughout the district. - Purchase food and supplies for the DOC. - **Apparatus Maintenance** - All reserve apparatus shall be made ready for immediate use. - All apparatus shall be immediately refueled to capacity. - Maintenance of highwater / water rescue equipment will be conducted prior to the event. - **Facilities Maintenance** - Check fluid levels, battery checks, manual transfer test, and crank test for all generators. - Remove debris or objects that can be projectiles in high winds. - Exposed gutters are checked for debris and cleaned. - Exposed plumbing covered and insulated for freeze threats. - Detention pond maintenance and service - Fuel tanks checked and topped off (Includes propane for tower sites) - **Public Information Officer** - Provide constant social media posting. - Monitor and answer traditional media questions. - Determine if the PIO location is going to be remote, onsite, or in the Joint Information Center (JIC) at Harris County Transtar. ### 7. Documentation - All events and activities during an activation will be documented through the appropriate ICS forms. The Incident Action Plan will be completed by the Fire Chief's designee and distributed to the department. All documentation will be submitted through the third-party application if accessible. If there is no access to a third-party application, all ICS forms will be emailed to [email protected]. ### 8. Emergency Response - All emergency responses shall be coordinated through the department's dispatch center. Policies and guidelines may be modified as needed with the approval of the Command Staff. If the incident or event exceeds the resources of the department, additional resources will be requested through the Fire Desk located at Harris County Office of Emergency Management. ### 9. Unified Command - Typically, the Department Operations Center (DOC) will be operational when the department is at a Level 1 or Level 2 status. - The Department will be part of the unified command structure through the Fire Desk. The Fire Desk coordinates county wide operations and is the liaison between the department and County wide operations. - Outside assistance will be coordinated through the unified command structure at the DOC. ### 10. Department Operations Center - The Department Operations Center (DOC) will be in the conference room of administration. The DOC has 4 dedicated positions and the responsibilities for those are: - **Position 1 (Far Left)** - This position is the primary radio operator and will assume the main dispatch roles if incident requires. - **Position 2 (2nd from left)** - This position is a call taker and support person for the primary radio operator. This position also manages SARCOP. - **Position 3 (2nd from right)** - This position is a call taker and is the primary contact for the fire desk. The 800 radio is installed at this position and will handle any radio traffic on the 800-radio system. - **Position 4 (Far Right)** - This position is the Secondary radio operator and will back up the Primary Radio operator as required. Call taking capabilities are available from this position. - **Conference Table** - Used for command / support staff work areas. - The amount of positions staffed will be determined by the size of the incident / event. ### 11. Exempt Employees - Any full-time exempt employee assigned to Emergency Operations and/or the Department Operations Center during a state declared disaster will be compensated at an overtime rate for hours worked over 40. Proper ICS forms must be completed and submitted to their supervisor for overtime approval. Overtime will only be approved for FEMA/TDEM events that are eligible for reimbursement. ### 12. References & Related Policies - This section provides references to applicable laws, standards, or other related internal policies or guidelines. - NFPA: Applicable State or Federal Statutes - OSHA: Spring FD - TCFP: CPSE PI - ISO: TFCA ### 13. Contact Office - The appropriate contact office for questions or comments on this SOG is: - Company Officer - District Chief - Deputy Chief of Support Services - Assistant Chief - Fire Chief ### 14. List of Changes | Revision No. | Description of Changes | Approved by | Effective Date | | :---: | :---: | :---: | :---: | | 2 | Added Exempt Employees section. | Schoono ver | 7/10/202 | | 3 | Added position descriptions | | 3 | ### 15. Errors - See something wrong? Click here or use this QR code to submit an error or inconsistency. ### 16. This policy is for internal use only and does not enlarge a member's legal duty or civil liability in any way. This policy should not be construed as creating a duty to act or a higher duty of care, with respect to third-party civil claims against members or the department. A violation of this policy, if proven, can only form the basis of a complaint by this department for non-judicial administrative action in accordance with the laws governing member discipline.