M.A.B.A.S. Division 20 Operational Guidelines, Procedures and Policies - 12

SUBJECT: BOX CARDS

DATE IMPLEMENTED: DECEMBER 1, 1996 REVISED:

PURPOSE: To provide a consistent standard for the development of box cards for MABAS Division 20.

INTRODUCTION

There is some disparity in the amount of equipment fire departments receive on each alarm level. On a Box alarm, some fire departments receive several pieces of equipment, while others receive only a change of quarters.

BACKGROUND

The command van responds on a 2nd alarm, even though some fire departments receive as many as nine additional companies to the scene of a box alarm. When this occurs, the span of control for Command is compromised. There is more equipment on the scene than he/she can communicate with on the fireground frequency, while continuing to maintain communications with NORCOMM on NIFERN.

ALARM CARD CRITERIA

To alleviate this inconsistency and ease the burden for Command, a box alarm would provide only one fire suppression company and an ambulance to the scene and a change of quarters. Each subsequent alarm would provide exactly two engines and one truck company through the fifth alarm level.

Automatic aid responses are excluded from this standard as are support vehicles. These can be placed on the box card according to the specific needs of the community, (i.e., squads, cascade, foam). The Safety Officer and Rapid Intervention Team should be assigned on the box cards as an additional company on the 2nd alarm.

Structures containing high-life risks such as schools and hotels or facilities which contain special needs will be identified as target hazards. These target sites will have a specific Target Box Card, enabling fire departments to request specialized equipment or additional suppression companies for that particular location on the box alarm level.

Reminder: All Box cards must be designed in accordance with MABAS guidelines.