M.A.B.A.S. Division 20 Operational Guidelines, Procedures and Policies - 35

SUBJECT: STAGING

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DATE IMPLEMENTED: DECEMBER 1, 1996 REVISED:

PURPOSE: To provide a standard system for the most effective placement of responding vehicles and companies, prior to tactical assignments.

INTRODUCTION

Effective utilization of this procedure will prevent excessive apparatus congestion at the scene while command evaluates conditions prior to assigning companies. Fire fighters are naturally inclined to drive their apparatus as close to the incident as possible. Often this results in a disorganized and dangerous practice. Placement of apparatus should be based on:

· operational procedures for first due companies

· pre-arranged response locations for automatic aid companies

· tactical decisions by Command

BACKGROUND

During the initial stages of an incident, the IC may become overwhelmed with size up, investigation and deployment of still alarm companies. To reduce confusion and allow the IC to formulate an implement the fire action plan, companies due to the scene should respond to a designated staging area. Fir apparatus will remain uncommitted and within close proximity to the scene. Staging will be categorized as Levels I, II and III.

LEVEL I STAGING

Level I staging is used when multiple units, including automatic aid companies, are responding to the scene of a reported fire or an automatic fire alarm. The response would be:

A. The first engine company will respond directly to the scene to investigate and establish command.

B. Where applicable, the first due truck company will respond directly to the scene and place themselves in the most advantageous location for anticipated truck assignments (unless otherwise directed by command).

C. The first due ambulance will go directly to the scene and place their apparatus in a location to provide maximum effectiveness. This should be done without minimizing access to the scene for fire suppression companies.

M.A.B.A.S Division 20 Operational Guidelines, Procedures and Policies - 36

SUBJECT: STAGING

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All other units will stage in their direction of travel, uncommitted and at the nearest intersection to the scene. All personnel must remain with their vehicle unless otherwise assigned by Command. The Company Officer at Level I staging should take into consideration access and direction of travel to the scene, hydrant locations, water supply assignments, hose lays, etc.

Pre-fire planning for target hazards may provide designated assignments for still alarm and automatic aid companies. These designations supercede Level I staging as described here.

For example, if a tornado was to strike Division 20 from the southwest, Berkeley, Hillside, Bellwood, the Proviso Railroad Yards, Northlake, Melrose Park, Stone Park and Leyden would receive considerable damage while the tornado travels less than three miles. Each Fire Department would undoubtedly request fire and EMS box alarms to various levels. Yet these box cards would yield virtually the same mutual aid companies to each department.

To alleviate the duplication of response by one company to several mutual aid requests, a Level III staging area would be created. Based on the similar principal of the large scale fires in Southern California, one large staging area is created for the entire Division.

A designated location would be identified, where all mutual aid companies, including inter-divisional apparatus would be directed. The Level III Staging Officer would then dispatch apparatus to incidents based on requests from each Incident Commander. After the company has been dispatched from the Level III staging area, they would respond to the Level II staging area in the stricken community as usual, unless otherwise assigned by command.