FLINT HILL FIRE DEPARTMENT STANDARD OPERATING GUIDELINE

402.04 APPARATUS PLACEMENT AND STAGING PAGE 2

/ FLINT HILL FIRE DEPARTMENT
STANDARD OPERATING GUIDELINE

Guideline Number: 402.04

Guideline Title: Apparatus Placement and Staging

Adopted: 10/1/2013

Rescinds: New

Approved By: (Chief)

I.  PURPOSE:

To define consistent guidelines for apparatus placement and staging for incidents occurring within the Flint Hill Fire District for Flint Hill and aid resources from other jurisdictions that respond.

II.  DISCUSSION:

The objective of this guideline is to provide a standard system of placement for responding resources. This assists with incident management by:

1.  Preventing unassigned apparatus and personnel from creating confusion and congestion at an incident.

2. Increasing safety and accountability.

3. Preventing freelancing.

4. Placing uncommitted resources as close to the incident as possible to speed their deployment to needed tasks and functions.

4. Assigning accountability for the management of these extra resources to a Staging Officer (if necessary).

5. Assigning general expectations for staging of Personnel Operated Vehicles (POV’s).

III.  GUIDELINE:

Level 1 Staging

The standard initial response of a multi-unit incident (structure fire, fire alarm, etc.) may consist of up to four engine companies, two ladder companies and two service companies. It is imperative these resources respond and be situated in an organized, prepared manner to assist with the various tasks that may arise during the incident. Unless otherwise directed by the IC, companies responding to any multiple‐unit response should take the following positions:

1)  First-Due Engine Company

a)  Reports to the front entrance of the structure, or as near to the incident scene as safely possible taking an initial position that allows for the following:

i)  Quick access to the Knox Box

ii)  Quick access to the alarm control panel

iii)  Freedom to relocate the apparatus and personnel easily for best hose stream access if necessary

a)  Should either stop short or pull past the fire building, allowing access for the ladder company and effective use of attack lines or deck gun if necessary.

b)  May forward lay to this position based upon fire conditions.

c)  Company officer assumes incident command if it has not already been established.

2)  Second‐Due Engine Company

a)  Unless otherwise directed by the IC, will prepare to secure a water supply by:

i)  Proceeding to the first‐due engine to drop off personnel and prepare to reverse lay

ii)  Standing by a hydrant and prepare to forward lay

3)  Third‐Due Engine Company

a)  Unless otherwise directed by the IC, will stand by a hydrant and prepare to establish a water supply, OR

b)  Will prepare to establish an FDC connection as determined by the IC, incident or preplan, OR

c)  Will stage one block or more away from the incident in the direction of travel if a sufficient water supply has already been established.

4)  First‐Due Ladder Company

a)  Reports to the scene, takes a position at the front or the most accessible side of the structure and prepares for an assignment from the IC.

b)  If the first‐due ladder company arrives before an engine, the IC has the option to use it to the best advantage of overall incident strategy and/or tactical objectives.

c)  Primary consideration should be given to aerial or ground ladder access to the roof or upper floors and overhead obstructions or power lines.

d)  Later arriving ladders should request direction from the IC as to where the unit is needed, or will stage one block or more away from the incident so as not to impede access of other responding vehicles.

5)  Additional Units Responding

a)  Will stage as directed by the IC.

b)  Will stage one block or more away from the incident in the direction of travel, if the IC does not designate a staging area.

c)  The IC has the option of assigning resources before their arrival as necessitated by incident scene conditions.

d)  Some occupancies may have predetermined standby locations noted in the preplan.

e)  POV’s should stage away from the incident and out of potential avenues of travel for units laying hose to or from hydrants.

Level II Staging

Level II staging will be initiated when an IC calls for additional resources. The IC is responsible for contacting FireCom and stating the additional resources needed.

1)  Designate a Staging Area

  1. The IC will designate a Staging Area.
  2. Consideration should be given to large parking areas that will be close enough to be in a safe location as well as provide for quick deployment of staged resources.
  3. The IC should consider the establishment of a second Level II Staging area if an incident covers a large geographic area.

2)  Staging Officer

a)  The officer of the first unassigned unit to arrive in Level II Staging will assume the function of Staging Officer. The Staging Officer will perform these functions:

i)  Notify the IC of the establishment of staging and the unit accountable for that function. (i.e. “Flint Hill Engine 1 is on scene in staging. FH 21 will be staging officer.”)

ii)  Create a list of available resources in Level II Staging.

iii)  Communicate ONLY with the IC or the Operations Section Chief with requests for resources from Level II Staging.

iv)  Ensure companies receive their assignments from the IC and maintain a list of those assignments and the area/division assigned.

v)  Advise the IC or Operations Section Chief when the strength in Level II Staging reaches one company unless other notification levels have been established by the IC.

b)  The Staging Officer has the option to utilize their company personnel to assist with staging area management or may assign the personnel to another officer.

3)  Separate Radio Channel

a)  The IC may request a different radio channel for extra resources to utilize while responding, checking enroute, getting incident information and staging location(s) from FireCom.

b)  While responding, additional resources should use their mobile radio to monitor the staging channel and a portable radio to monitor the operations channel for an assignment prior to arriving on scene.

c)  Additional resources should check on‐scene informing the Staging Officer of the unit’s arrival.

d)  Companies will switch to the operations channel when given an assignment.