WESTMORELAND
WESTMORELAND
COUNTY
FIRE
CHIEF’S
HANDBOOK
1st Edition 2010
Printing made possible by:
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Developed by the Fire Chiefs Association of Westmoreland County
The purpose of this guidebook is to enhance the safety of firefighter response personnel and improve operational consistency. Many firefighting tactics have been improved in the name of safety in recent years bringing many recommendations and protocols to fire officers that make for a safer fire ground. Most important for the fire officer is the incident management and fire ground personnel accountability and life safety. OSHA requirements for Hazardous Material Awareness has changed and NFPA Standards have brought many practices into the fire service that could prove to be a liability concern for you as an officer and the protection of your crews.
This guidebook is derived from many resources that have been recognized as leaders in firefighting information and instruction. It also has source information from other states and fire departments outside the County or the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Please remember this is only a guidebook and there is no substitute for your own research, training, and department or municipal guidelines and procedures. While this guidebook can help in refreshing your operational functions on the fire ground it is only to be used as a supplement to your department’s day to day response.
The Guidebook is formatted with a simple one page index with page numbers to lead you to the area you may want to review or use while managing an incident. Please consider creating a binder to hold this guidebook and place pages into the sections of the index as needed.
The Volunteer Fire Officer of the 21st century has become a professional of personnel management, finance & budget director, and a highly visible leader in the community. The tools within this guidebook are to help you assist with documentation and other aspects you may face today to be best prepared for situations meeting those demands.
Sources of material contained within this document:
Westmoreland Department of Public Safety
Westmoreland County Board of Commissioners
Lancaster County Fire Chiefs Handbook
FEMA Federal Emergency Management Agency
Kemah Fire Department, Texas
Mount Lebanon Fire Department, Pennsylvania
Volunteer & combination Officers Section of the IAFC
NFPA reference Fire Chief Magazine
Office of the State Fire Commissioner, Pennsylvania
International Critical Incident Stress Management, Inc. 2001
Mike McEvoy – Magazine2009 © 12/10/07
NFPA 472
Hazardous Material Emergency Planning & Response Act of 1990, P.L. 639, No. 165
Pennsylvania State Police – Greensburg
LEPC Local Emergency Planning Commission – Westmoreland County
PEMA Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency
PA Region 13 Task Force
WCCC Westmoreland County Community College Public Safety Training Center
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Index
• ICS Chart and Basic information p. 4
• Personnel Accountability p. 8
• List of Special Teams p. 17
• Incident Rehab p. 18
• Critical Incident Stress Management LODD p. 20
• PSP Fire Marshal Guidelines p. 26
• Roadway Incident “Cue Card” p. 29
• HAZMAT Response Protocols p. 31
• Tier II Chemical Inventory Reports p. 40
• Mass Casualty Protocols p. 41
• Region 13 Equipment and Protocols p. 45
• Apparatus Standards NIMS Types recommended p. 47
• Fire Department Listing Addresses p. 51
• Public Safety Training Center p. 59
• Public Safety Communication SOG’s summary p. 62
• Special Resources p. 66
• Clear Text Communications p. 67
• Department of Public Safety Contacts p. 69
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• ICS Chart and Basic information
o WCDPS Organizational Chart
o Generic ICS Fire Chart
o Expanded incident ICS NIMS Chart
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ICS Fire Chart
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• Personnel Accountability
o Fire Ground Accountability guidelines
o MAYDAY – Command Response
o Fire Incident Action Plan
o Basic Accountability Charts
o PAR Personnel Accountability Report guidelines
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FIREGROUND ACCOUNTABILITY SYSTEM
Purpose:
To maintain an accurate documentation of exposure times in hazardous environments
and also to insure the safety and well being of all firefighters.
INCIDENT COMMANDER - The highest ranking officer on the fireground
who has assumed responsibility for all fire department actions, at the time of the
incident, and works with EOC personnel when needed
SAFETY OFFICER - Appointed by the incident commander (or at the time my
be the incident commander) and is responsible for correct and accurate
documentation of all exposures and rest time; may have appointed assistant to
work staging areas. Reports to the incident commander.
AREA COMMANDER - Assigned by the incident commander and may
command any of numerous areas on, or off, the fireground itself. Assists in
whatever capacity needed and reports to the incident commander.
Guideline:
All firefighters are equipped with two (2) engraved accountability tags. The
accountability tags are used to identify and account for each firefighter who enters the
fireground, and to track their entry into interior sectors or rehabilitation sectors.
These tags should be used as follows:
Upon arrival at the fireground, one of the tags shall be removed immediately and placed
on the key ring on the apparatus the firefighter is responding on. This tag documents that
you are, or have been on the fireground. This enables the fireground safety officer to keep
count of the number of personnel used at the scene.
Upon your entry into a hazardous environment, the second tag shall be pulled and given
to the appointed safety officer or IC. The first in company should pull both tags, if they
know they will encounter a hazardous environment before the arrival of a safety officer
or IC. This action will document your time of entry and time of egress, for possible
medical review at a later date. The maximum number of entries into a hazardous
environment without rest time shall be limited to two (2). When you egress for the
second time, you will be given your tag and you should then proceed to the rest and
recuperation area give, the officer your tag and then rest and refresh yourself while
waiting further orders. Under most circumstances, the minimum time spent in R & R
shall be 30 minutes. This shall enable us to keep a fresh crew in rotation and thus make
our Department more efficient.
Once the incident commander has officially ended the incident the safety officer should
have no tags and all rings should be placed back on the apparatus. If a tag is left either
place, then someone left without picking up his or her tags or he or she is still on the
fireground somewhere and a search and rescue effort shall then be put into effect.
The safety officer, his assistant, and the area commanders shall then make a full report to
the incident commander who will file all documentation after review.
CONCLUSION
The safety and health of all firefighters is the reasoning behind this system. Accurate
documentation can and will help in the future. However, this system will only work if we
make it work for us. The cooperation of all firefighters is needed and appreciated.
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Credit - Mt. Lebanon Fire Chief Nick Sohyda
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Credit – Mt. Lebanon Fire Department
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OPERATIONAL GUIDELINE - Sample
PAR - PERSONNEL ACCOUNTABILITY REPORT ROLL CALL PROCEDURES
PURPOSE
To identify a method to confirm that all personnel are accounted for within a geographic area, or "hot zone" of an incident. Use of this procedure will enhance personal safety, by providing the Incident Commander (IC) with an updated account of all personnel whenever there is significant change in the action plan or a catastrophic change in the incident.
DEFINITIONS
Positive communications: Contact maintained by visual, verbal, physical or electronic means.
Emergency Traffic: The phrase “emergency traffic” is the code word used in radio communications to indicate a critical, life safety related message. Emergency traffic has priority over all other radio communications WITH THE EXCEPTION OF A MAYDAY MESSAGE.
Hot Zone: The immediate area surrounding the incident that poses a threat to life, causes adverse health effects or would interfere with one’s ability to escape due to fire, hazardous materials, structural collapse, confined space, explosions, environmental features, etc. The zone extends far enough to prevent adverse effects from weather conditions or spontaneous releases.
Passport Accountability System: A recognized accountability system that identifies and tracks all personnel working at an incident.
Personnel Accountability Report (PAR): A term used to confirm that all personnel assigned to a group, division, unit or incident have been identified and located.
Example: "Engine 17 to Command, I have a PAR" (all members accounted for).
Standby: The term “standby” is a code word indicating that a leader is requesting more time (normally 2 minutes) to account for their personnel.
PROCEDURE
I. A roll call will be conducted in an orderly fashion by radio or face-to-face between the IC and each unit or command function/division, after each leader has had positive communication with the persons/crews within their direct span of control. Whenever possible, each division or group should account for personnel within their span without the use of the radio in order to keep operational channels open for emergency traffic.
II. The IC may chose to conduct an emergency roll call when crews are missing, injured, or trapped in order to expedite the rescue. This emergency roll call may only involve certain areas of the incident where the catastrophic change has occurred; therefore, it is important for all leaders/commanders to listen for an emergency roll call and be ready to answer, only if they are queried.
III. A Roll Call is recommended for the following situations:
1 . Any report of a missing or trapped fire fighter
2 . Any time a Mayday is called
3 . Any change from offensive to defensive
4 . Any sudden hazardous event at the incident - flashover, back draft, structural collapse, etc.
5 . At every 30 minutes of elapsed time
6 . At a report of fire under control
7 . Any time an “Abandon” order is given.
8 . Any time Command feels it is necessary
IV. The number of units assigned to an incident, the span of control, and the geographic area may determine how long the IC should wait to query leaders after announcing a roll call. A roll call should begin within 2 minutes for the normal incident. Although a systematic method of querying units/divisions is preferred (numerically, alphabetically), this doesn’t limit the IC to a random method based on Maydays, known areas of collapse, units within the hot zone, etc.
Example:
1 . The Incident Commander will order a PAR, specifying if it is an emergency PAR.
A. “Firecom & companies on the Cherrydale scene, stand by for a PAR”
2 . Firecom will repeat the request for a PAR:
A. “Companies operating at the Cherrydale scene, standby for a PAR”
3 . Each company/division will answer in one of the following manners when called by the IC:
A. “Engine 214 has a PAR” This response will mean all members assigned to
Engine 214 are safe.
B. “Division A – Standby: This response means that the Division A leader needs
more time to insure personnel are safe. In this case, the IC will pass over Division
A.
(1). Note: All companies, divisions or groups are called before returning to
those that have requested more time.
C. “Ladder 2121 has Emergency Traffic”: This response indicates there is no PAR
and the Incident Commander must initiate a firefighter rescue plan.
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• List of Special Teams
o Greensburg VFD Dive & Swiftwater Rescue Team
o Latrobe VFD Swiftwater Rescue Team
o PA HART Helicopter Aquatics Rescue Team
o Scottdale VFD (Fay-West) Swiftwater Rescue Team
o Westmoreland #175 Swiftwater Rescue Team
o Fay-West Dive Team
o Westmoreland County Hazardous Materials Response Team 800
o Westmoreland County Rough Terrain Fire & Rescue Team 211
o Tactical Rescue Team of Westmoreland County
o Westmoreland County Animal Rescue Team
o Westmoreland County Trench Rescue Team
o Region 13 Westmoreland County Department of Public Safety Equipment & Personnel
o Bee Removal Team
o Westmoreland CISD Team
o WCDPS MCCC “Command Post”
o WCDPS MARRV “Mobile Repeater Vehicle”
o PLEASE CALL 9-1-1 FOR ASSISTANCE
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• Incident Rehab
o NFPA Guideline
o Rehab Teams
o MAAS Team 300
o Support 610 Medic 1
o Salvation Army
o Latrobe Canteen
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NFPA 1584, "Standard on the Rehabilitation Process for Members during Emergency Operations and Training Exercises”
Effective January 2008
Who's responsible for what?
Each department is responsible for developing and implementing rehab SOGs. On scene, the Company Officer or supervisor must assess his or her crew to determine members in need of rehab at least every 45 minutes. Individual firefighters and their supervisors should undergo rehab following use of a second 30-minute SCBA cylinder, after a single 45- or 60-minute cylinder, or after 40 minutes of intense work without SCBA. Supervisors are permitted to
adjust these time frames depending on work or environmental conditions. In addition, EMS staff must have the authority to detain members in rehab or transport members when there are obvious indications preventing them from return to full duty.
How to implement 1584
There are nine key components of rehab required by NFPA 1584:
1. Relief from climactic conditions — An area free of smoke and sheltered from extreme heat or cold is provided. This might be a non-fire floor in a high-rise building, a shaded area upwind from a brush fire or the heated fire apparatus cab during cold winter months. The theme is providing shelter from environmental extremes.
2. Rest and recovery — Members are afforded the ability to rest for at least 10 minutes or as long as needed to recover work capacity.
3. Cooling or rewarming — Members who feel hot should be able to remove their PPE, drink water and be provided with means to cool off. Members who are cold should be able to add clothing, wrap in blankets and be provided with means to warm themselves.
4. Re-hydration — Fluid replacement. Fluid volume requirements were eliminated from the standard with the exception of pre-hydration with 500 ml (16 oz) of fluids consumed two hours prior to scheduled events. On scene, potable fluids must be provided so members can satisfy thirst. Fluids should also be provided to encourage continued hydration after the incident.
5. Calorie and electrolyte replacement — When appropriate for longer duration events such as incidents exceeding three hours duration or situations where members are likely to work for more than one hour. Of note, whenever food is available, means for members to wash their hands and faces must also be provided.
6. Medical monitoring — Specifies a minimum of six conditions that EMS must assess in each member during rehab:
a. Presence of chest pain, dizziness, shortness of breath, weakness, nausea or headache.
b. General complaints such as cramps or aches and pains.
c. Symptoms of heat or cold-related stress.
d. Changes in gait, speech or behavior.
e. Alertness and orientation to person, place and time.
f. Any vital signs considered abnormal in local protocol. The specific vital signs and what defines normal is entirely up to local medical control and department medical authorities. Vital signs listed in the 1584 annex include temperature, pulse, respirations, blood pressure, pulse oximetry and carbon monoxide assessment using either an exhaled breath CO monitor or a pulse CO-oximeter (i.e. a pulse oximeter designed to measure carboxyhemoglobin).
7. EMS treatment in accordance with local protocol — Available on scene for members who require treatment or transport. Note that medical monitoring is documented in the fire department data collection system. When EMS treatment or transport is provided, a medical report must be generated and included in the member’s employee medical record.
8. Member accountability —The personnel accountability system must track members assigned to rehab by Incident Command as they enter and leave.
9. Release — Prior to leaving rehab, EMS must confirm that members are able to safely perform full duty.
© Copyright 2009 - . All Rights Reserved. Excerpt 12/10/2007 Mike McEvoy
Sponsored by Masimo
• Critical Incident Stress Management LODD
o PA State Fire Commissioner Guidelines
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Critical Incident Stress
Management
Assists Emergency Service personnel
to construct a shared picture of…..
⇒ How the incident occurred
⇒ What each of them was thinking
⇒ What each of them was doing
⇒ How each individual is reacting
and feeling
⇒ How the department is reacting
It is designed to assist firefighters
and the department to…..
⇒ Begin the recovery process
⇒ Learn from the experience
⇒ Honor its lost member(s)
⇒ Rebound from challenging
events
⇒ Collectively move forward
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Edward A. Mann
State Fire Commissioner
724 357-0103
724 357-2992 fax
wruth@state.pa.us
For more info contact:
William P. Ruth
276 Stormer Road
Indiana, Pa 15701
Preplanning Before the LODD
Things to do before “it” happens:
1. Beneficiary cards completed
2. Training records up to date
3. Obtain telephone numbers
County EMA
__________________________________________________________________
County Coroner
__________________________________________________________________
Police
__________________________________________________________________
PEMA EOC
800 424-7362
OSFC
800 670-3473
CISM
__________________________________________________________________
Worker Comp Carrier
__________________________________________________________________
Insurance Carrier
__________________________________________________________________
Municipal Contact
__________________________________________________________________
Local Honor Guard
__________________________________________________________________
Fire Associations
__________________________________________________________________
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Other
Immediately After the Death
When you are made aware of a Line of Duty Death, there are many steps you must immediately take. You must make sure that the proper notifications have been made. Notify your County Emergency Management Agency and have them notify the Pennsylvania Emergency management Agency’s EOC. This will automatically notify the State Fire Commissioner and staff. Also, notify your County Coroner of the LODD and that the LODD autopsy protocol must be followed. Basic steps to take before the arrival of a staff member from the Office of the State Fire Commissioner:
1. Make notification of County EMA
2. Advise Coroner of LODD
3. Contact local CISM team
4. Support deceased family with any
immediate needs.
5. Make sure of your fire fighters well being.
6. Lower flags to half-staff
7. Secure training records of deceased
8. Notify Municipality of death
9. Notify insurance carriers
10. Have the Officers on the call make
a written statement as to what happened
(only facts)
Place a temporary memorial in front of Fire Station
To honor the memory of the deceased, many FD’s place a temporary memorial consisting of a turnout coat and helmet secured to a chair in front of the station. A candle and flowers are appropriate at the base. This also gives mourning citizens of the community the opportunity to add to the memorial. Depending on availability, a photo of the deceased may be displayed.
Appoint a Public Information Officer
A PIO must be immediately appointed to control rumors and to release only the facts that the FD determines necessary. All sensitive information should be released with discretion (and family approval).
The PIO should be the only spokes person for the FD. Information must be gathered as soon as possible to include:
1. Name of deceased
2. Dept. info (rank, date joined etc.)
3. Next of kin information
A. Name
B. Relationship
C. Address
D. Telephone number
4. Gather insurance information
A. Worker Comp
B. FD life insurance policy
C. Fire Assoc. insurance policies
5. Prepare a formal news release
6. Prepare for news media/briefings
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• PSP Fire Marshal Guidelines
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• Roadway Incident Cue Card
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• HAZMAT Response Protocols
o Dispatch
o NFPA 472
o Billing
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What is Hazardous Materials?
Any material or substance that if not properly contained, poses a threat to health, safety, & environment and is of such a nature requires implementation of special control procedures which supplements standard department procedures; which may require use of specialized equipment & reference materials.
INITIAL DISPATCH!
Give as much information as possible
Let them know what they are going to be in for!!
DON’T WAIT –
If you got a piece of info – give it out!!!
CLUES -
Wind Direction
Smoke/Vapors
Movement trees/bushes
Chemical flow direction
Sounds
Placards
Markings
Bottom Line -
If they – see it - smell it – feel it
They should be instructed to leave area immediately!!!
Stop at a safe distance!
Use binoculars to assess situation!!
RESPONSE ZONES
COLD – Street Clothes
WARM – Some Level of Protection
HOT - Highest Level of Protection
KEY QUESTIONS
Physical location
Color smoke/vapor cloud
Noises
Unusual Smells
Irritations
Markings/Labels
Substance Name
Leak or Spill?
How much material involved?
Container Type?
Near populated area?
What material involved?
Leak or Spill?
Dripping
Large amount on ground?
How Much involved?
5-gal or 10,000 gal tanker.
Container Type?
TT Tanker or Box trailer?
Railroad tanker or Box car?
UPS Delivery truck?
NEAR A POPULATED AREA
WATER SUPPLY
STORM DRAIN
Possible evacuation procedures
Shutting down water intakes
WHAT MATERIAL IS INVOLVED?
?????
TEAM 800 NOTIFICATION
Requested by local authority:
Fire Chief, EMS, Police
County EMA Director
County Elected Official
Dispatched by 911 Center
Gbg Fire Frequency
County Minitors
Pagers
SCENE OPERATIONS
Isolate Hazard Area – Set up Zones!!
Establish ICS
Make Assignments
Identify Substance/Determine Hazards
Determine Level of Protection!!
Choose necessary equipment
Mitigate Incident
D-Con personnel/equipment
Conduct debriefing/critique
Secure from scene.
WE DO NOT DO CLEAN-UP!!!
Responsibility of responsible party!!
Contain – Control leak
Stop leak if possible
Protect environment/public
Professional Licensed Clean-up Companies
RESPONSE TYPES
HAZMAT – Chemicals
Petroleum Products Releases
Airport Response
Anthrax (White Powder) calls
Assessments
Stand-bys
Rapid Intervention Team
AIRPORT RESPONSE
Assist/Augment Airport Crash Truck
Rescue & Foam Application
Under direction of Airport Tower Chief
Arnold Palmer Regional Airport
Rostraver Airport
HAZMAT Coordinator Summary
Hazardous Materials incident activations propel into motion an enormous amount of specialized experience and assets formulated and supported by the County. The cost of this preparedness asserts minimum charges for each level of response as outlined by suggested response criteria. NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) 472, Recommended Practice for Responding to Hazardous Materials Incidents enumerates the criteria. This proposal uses this NFPA 472 extract to define a minimum billing per tier level of response.
NFPA 472 Summary
1. LEVEL I (One or two HMRT Officer Response): Easily Handled by emergency first responders with technical advice from a HMRT readily available resources.
- LEAK SEVERITY: No release or small release contained or confined with readily available resources.
- LIFE SAFETY: No life-threatening situation from materials involved, no significant public protection required.
- ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT: (Potential): Minimal.
-
2. LEVEL II (Several HMRT Officers/members or HAZMAT Element Response): Handled by emergency first responders with assistance from HMRT specialty resources such as product identification, product or container specialists, spill containment teams, decontamination teams, air monitoring equipment, consultation and technical advise or other HMRT resources that are of a defensive mode only and do not require the full team.
- LEAK SEVERITY: Release or spill has been or can be easily controlled or contained with the addition of HMRT resources.
- LIFE SAFETY: Greater hazard from the material involved A moderate level public protection required within a localized area.
- ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT: (Potential): Moderate.
-
3. LEVEL III (Full HMRT Response as Listed): Requires an official dispatch of full compliment of the HMRT.
- LEAK SEVERITY: Release may not be controllable even with special resources.
- LIFE SAFETY: Greatest hazard involved from the material(s). May require major public protection to a large area or mass evacuation.
- ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT: Severe.
Minimum Billing Response Level Schedule:
Billing is based on the levels of HMRT 800 & WCDPS response. Any costs incurred by local municipalities and emergency services are the sole responsibility, to separately bill for costs, of and by the municipality in which the incident occurred.
Westmoreland County Billing Resolution
RESOLUTION #R-11-2007
WHEREAS, the “Hazardous Material Emergency Planning & Response Act” Act of 1990, P.L. 639, No. 165 Section 210, Recovery of response costs, mandates that Westmoreland County; may collect operational, administrative, and legal costs incurred from it’s initial response up to the time that it recovers it’s costs; and
WHEREAS, in preparation to the mandate stated above, this County has prepared a procedure that follows a scope, objective, identifies documentation, adopts NFPA response level criteria, forwarding of billing, receiving of receipts and other agency billing to define appropriate action regarding the above stated Act; and
WHEREAS, this County has provided for a Hazardous Materials Response Team 800, coordinated by the Department of Public Safety Hazardous Materials Coordinator, that prepares from reported incident documentation the billing allowable under this above stated Act; and
NOW, THEREFORE, we, the undersigned Commissioners of Westmoreland County do hereby approve, adopt and place into immediate effect the Hazardous Materials Response Team 800-Department of Public Safety Billing Procedure. This procedure will be maintained and followed by the Westmoreland County Department of Public Safety Hazardous Materials Coordinator regarding the “Hazardous Material Emergency Planning & Response Act” Act of 1990, P.L. 639, No. 165, Section 210, Recovery of response costs.
THIS RESOLUTION approved and adopted by the Commissioners of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, this 10th day of May, 2007.
*Original copy on file Westmoreland County Department of Public Safety HAZMAT Coordinator’s Office.
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• Tier II Chemical Inventory Reports
o ACT 165
o Request for Inspection
o Sample Report
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o ACT 165
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o Request for Inspection
_______________________________________________________
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o Sample Report to be filed with fire departments and the Local Emergency Planning Commission
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• Mass Casualty Protocols
o Protecting the Scene for investigation
o Special resources available from Region 13
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MASS FATALITIES INCIDENTS
A mass fatalities incident can be defined as one in which there are more sets of remains than can be handled using local resources. For some jurisdictions, a mass fatalities incident may involve two sets of remains, whereas in others, a mass fatalities response may not be triggered until there are 50 or more sets of remains.
All disasters and emergencies start and end at the local level. No matter what the size of the mass fatalities incident, there is a need for teamwork among responders. A firm understanding by all agencies involved regarding local, State and Federal roles and responsibilities is key in managing an incident of this type. A proven management system is necessary to ensure that remains are recovered, inventoried, identified, and released as efficiently as possible. The Federal government now requires the use of the Incident Command System (ICS) to manage all domestic incidents, including Mass Fatalities incidents. This requirement was put in place with the implementation of the National Response Framework and the National Incident Management System – NIMS. Using ICS can help organize the many tasks required of all personnel involved in a mass fatalities response. Virtually all mass fatalities incidents should be managed using Unified Command.
In most cases, those working at the scene of mass fatalities incident will be under the authority of the Medical Examiner or County Coroner. (In the state of Pennsylvania, there are 67 coroners and two Medical Examiners.) Private sector and voluntary organizations may be involved as well. It may be necessary to request assistance from Disaster Mortuary Response Teams (DMORTs).
There are three areas that incident operations encompass:
1. On-scene operations, including:
• Staging
• Search and recovery
• Notification of response personnel
2. Morgue operations
3. Family Assistance Center (FAC) operations
Each of these areas involves special and separate considerations during planning for a mass fatalities incident. In addition to the standard ICS facilities, mass fatalities incidents require two additional facilities – a morgue (and related facilities) and a Family Assistance Center (FAC). The morgue site should primarily focus on the health, safety, security and logistical needs of morgue personnel. A Family Assistance Support Operations, including a Family Assistance Center (FAC) is an important, but sensitive, operation to provide relatives of victims with information and access to support services. The morgue site should not be located near the Family Assistance Center.
In the event of a mass fatalities incident, sufficient resources may not be available to State and local agencies to meet emergency requirements. Federal assistance may be required to identify and deploy resources from outside the affected area to ensure a timely, efficient, and effective response.
Some of the Federal Resources include:
• National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB)
• National Disaster Medical System (NDMS):
o Disaster Mortuary Operational Response Teams (DMORTs):
▪ DMORT Disaster Portable Morgue Unit
▪ Family Assistance Center
▪ DMORT WMD Team
Other resources include:
• Department of Health and Human Services
• FBI Office of Victims’ Assistance
• The American Red Cross
• Department of State
• U.S. Department of Homeland Security/FEMA
o National Disaster Medical System (NDMS)
o Urban Search & Rescue Teams
• Department of Defense (DOD)
• Department of Justice (DOJ)/FBI
• Non-FBI Department of Justice agencies
• Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
• Department of Energy (DOE)
Derived from FEMA Mass Casualty Incident Instructors Guide
“Multi-Casualty and “Mass Casualty” traditionally are interchangeable terms.
The terms reference an incident that meets locally defined thresholds in accordance
with the jurisdiction emergency response plan.
• Large numbers of injured persons
• Large multi-agency response teams
• Inherently hazardous environments
• High stress environments
Local disaster plans should identify the specific formula for each jurisdiction; knowing the local criteria is crucial to early recognition and declaration of an MCI.
What is a Mass Casualty?
FEMA Mass Casualty Incident Definition
Mass casualty incidents are incidents resulting from man-made or natural causes resulting in
illness or injuries that exceed or overwhelm the EMS and hospital capabilities of a locality,
jurisdiction, or region. A mass casualty incident is likely to impose a sustained demand for health
and medical services rather than the short, intense peak demand for these services typical of
multiple casualty Incidents.
What is a Multi-Casualty Incident?
FEMA Multi-Casualty Incident Definition
Multi-casualty incidents are incidents involving multiple victims that can be managed, with
heightened response (including mutual aid if necessary), by a single EMS agency or system.
Multi-casualty incidents typically do not overwhelm the hospital capabilities of a jurisdiction and/or
region, but may exceed the capabilities for one or more hospitals within a locality. There is
usually a short, intense peak demand for health and medical services, unlike the sustained
demand for these services typical of mass casualty incidents.
MCI Threshold Definition
The point at which the number of patients at an MCI and the severity of their conditions are
beyond the ability of available resources to provide adequate care.
The day-to-day EMS response is designed to assure scene safety and to triage, treat and
transport no more than a few patients. If day-to-day procedures were followed at the scene of a
large number of casualties, several problems could occur with scene management, triage,
treatment, and transport.
A common threshold formula is….
# Ambulances within 15 minutes X 2 victims +1 would constitute an MCI declaration for
that community
Example: 6 ambulances X 2 victims = 12 victims
12 victims + 1 = 13 (MCI declaration)
MCI Threshold = 13 victims
If the numbers of victims exceeds the threshold, but few, if any, appear to be seriously injured,
consideration should be given to not declaring an MCI.
“Fire Department Chief officers should consider the following as a recommended guideline for declaring a MCI”…
• Three or more ambulances to any incident
• Three critical (red) victims and/or
• Ten victims
Reference: North Central CT EMS Council January 2009
• Region 13 Equipment and Protocols
o Equipment Available
o Request Protocols
_______________________________________________________
WESTMORELAND COUNTY
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY
REGION 13 EQUIPMENT REQUEST PROCEDURES
• THE FOLLOWING PROCEDURES WILL BE USED TO CALL OUT ANY OF THE WESTMORELAND COUNTY REGION 13 EQUIPMENT.
• IF A FIRE DEPARTMENT REQUEST ANY EQUIPMENT THE FIRE CHIEF OR THE OFFICER IN CHARGE, OR THE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT COORDINATOR OF THE INCIDENT WILL NOTIFY THE 911 CENTER FOR THE EQUIPMENT.
• IF YOU NEED ANY OF THIS EQUIPMENT PLEASE CALL THE 9-1-1 CENTER AND THE DISPATCHER/SUPERVISOR WILL GET YOUR NAME, PHONE NUMBER AND WHAT EQUIPMENT YOU ARE REQUESTING AND SOMEONE WILL CALL YOU BACK.
• THESE PROCEDURES WILL BE FOLLOWED FOR ANY INCIDENT THAT IS ONGOING. IF YOU REQUEST ANY EQUIPMENT FOR NON-EMERGENCY FUNCTIONS THE CHIEF MUST WRITE A LETTER REQUESTING THE EQUIPMENT A MONTH IN ADVANCE.
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• Apparatus Standards NIMS Types recommended
o Typing of Resources
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• Fire Departments
o Fire Department Listing
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|Larimer Fire Department |Strawpump Fire Department |Westmoreland City Fire Dept |
|PO Box 306 |130 North Thompson Lane |8650 Broadway St. |
|Larimer, PA 15647 |North Huntingdon, PA 15642 |Westmoreland City, PA 15692 |
|ATTN: Fire Chief |ATTN: Fire Chief |ATTN: Fire Chief |
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|Hartford Heights Fire Dept |Shafton Fire Department |Fairmont-Hahntown Fire Dept |
|14335 Rt. 30 |681 Jackson Street |890 Rose Street |
|North Huntingdon, PA 15642 |North Huntingdon, PA 15642 |North Huntingdon, PA 15642 |
|ATTN: Fire Chief |ATTN: Fire Chief |ATTN: Fire Chief |
|Paintertown Fire Department |Circleville Fire Department |Level Green Fire Department |
|1010 Tray Street |129 Robbins Station Road |536 Harrison City Road |
|Irwin, PA 15642 |North Huntingdon, PA 15642 |Level Green, PA 15085 |
|ATTN: Fire Chief |ATTN: Fire Chief |ATTN: Fire Chief |
|Adamsburg Fire Department |Sutersville Fire Department |North Irwin Fire Department |
|Box 92 |320 Municipal Ave. |2nd at Broadway |
|Adamsburg, PA 15611 |Sutersville, PA 15083 |North Irwin, PA 15642 |
|ATTN: Fire Chief |ATTN: Fire Chief |ATTN: Fire Chief |
|Manor Fire Department |Rillton Fire Department |Herminie Fire Department |
|PO Box 567 |PO Box 185 |101 Sewickley, Ave |
|Manor, PA 15665 |Rillton, PA 15678 |Herminie, PA 15637 |
|ATTN: Fire Chief |ATTN: Fire Chief |ATTN: Fire Chief |
|Lowber Fire Department |Smithton Fire Department |Madison Fire Department |
|22 Cherry Street |Box 756 |Box 232 |
|Lower, PA 15660 |Smithton, PA 15479 |Madison, PA 15663 |
|ATTN: Fire Chief |ATTN: Fire Chief |ATTN: Fire Chief |
|Yukon Fire Department |Murrysville Fire Department |Grapeville Fire Department |
|PO Box 427 |PO Box 93 |PO Box 162 |
|Yukon, PA 15698 |Murrysville, PA 15668 |Grapeville, PA 15634 |
|ATTN: Fire Chief |ATTN: Fire Chief |ATTN: Fire Chief |
|Export Fire Department |Carbon Fire Department |Southwest Greensburg Fire Dept |
|PO Box 457 |421 Juniper Street |401 Guthrie Street |
|Export, PA 15632 |Greensburg, PA 15601 |Greensburg, PA 15601 |
|ATTN: Fire Chief |ATTN: Fire Chief |ATTN: Fire Chief |
|New Stanton Fire Department |Youngwood Fire Department |Hunker Fire Department |
|PO Box 20 |PO Box 236 |PO Box 223 |
|New Stanton, PA 15672 |Youngwood, PA 15697 |Hunker, Pa 15639 |
|ATTN: Fire Chief |ATTN: Fire Chief |ATTN: Fire Chief |
|Midway St.Clair Fire Dept. |Hempfield # 2 Fire Dept. |Delmont Fire Dept. |
|1966 Broadway Ave |PO Box 279 |PO Box 12 |
|Greensburg, PA 15601 |Greensburg, PA 15601 |Delmont, PA 15626 |
|ATTN: Fire Chief |ATTN: Fire Chief |ATTN: Fire Chief |
|Webster Fire Department |South Greensburg Fire Dept. |Marguerite Fire Dept |
|PO Box 303 |1515 Poplar Street |138 Continental Dr |
|Webster, PA 15087 |Greensburg, PA 15601 |Latrobe, PA 15650 |
|ATTN: Fire Chief |ATTN: Fire Chief |ATTN: Fire Chief |
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|Crabtree Fire Department |Trauger Fire Dept |Pleasant Unity Fire Dept |
|PO Box Q |196 Dutch Hill Rd |PO Box 197 |
|Crabtree, PA 15624 |Latrobe, PA 15650 |Pleasant Unity, PA 15676 |
|ATTN: Fire Chief |ATTN: Fire Chief |ATTN: Fire Chief |
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|Norvelt Fire Dept | |Youngstown Fire Dept |
|PO Box 173 |Mt. Pleasant Fire Department |PO Box 283 |
|Norvelt, PA 15674 |100 S. Church St |Youngstown, PA 15696 |
|ATTN: Fire Chief |Mt. Pleasant, PA 15666 |ATTN: Fire Chief |
| |Attn: Fire Chief | |
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|Derry Fire Department |Darlington Fire Department |Ligonier Hose Co #1 |
|116 E. 2nd Ave |P.O. Box 923 |PO Box 573 |
|Derry, PA 15627 |Ligonier, PA 15658 |Ligonier, PA 15658 |
|ATTN: Fire Chief |ATTN: Fire Chief |ATTN: Fire Chief |
|Ligonier Twp #1 Fire Dept |Ligioner Twp #2 Fire Dept |New Florence Fire Department |
|44 Firehall Rd |379 Wilpen Rd |PO Box 19 |
|Ligonier, PA 15658 |Ligioner,PA 15658 |New Florence, PA 15944 |
|ATTN: Fire Chief |ATTN: Fire Chief |ATTN: Fire Chief |
|Seward Fire Department |Oklahoma Fire Department |Vandergrift #2 Fire Department |
|Box 183 |225 Rear Longfellow St |229 Emerson St |
|Seward, PA 15954 |Vandergrift, Pa 15690 |Vandergrift, Pa 15690 |
|ATTN: Fire Chief |ATTN: Fire Chief |ATTN: Fire Chief |
|Vandergrift #1 Fire Department |Hyde Park Fire Department |West Leechburg Fire Dept |
|278 Franklin Ave |PO Box 223 |Plazak St |
|Vandergrift, PA 15690 |Hyde Park, PA 15641 |West Leechburg, Pa 15656 |
|ATTN: Fire Chief |ATTN: Fire Chief |ATTN: Fire Chief |
|Lower Burrell #1 Fire Dept |Avonmore Fire Department |New Kensington Fire Dept |
|34 New York Ave |PO Box 586 |1101 Victoria Ave |
|Lower Burrell, PA 15068 |Avonmore, PA 15618 |New Kensington, Pa 15068 |
|ATTN: Fire Chief |ATTN: Fire Chief |ATTN: Fire Chief |
|Irwin Fire Department |Scottdale Fire Department |Slickville Fire Dept |
|PO Box 139 |PO Box 73 |PO Box 123 |
|Irwin, PA 15642 |Scottdale, PA 15683 |Slickville, Pa 15684 |
|ATTN: Fire Chief |ATTN: Fire Chief |ATTN: Fire Chief |
|High Park Fire Department |Claridge Fire Department |White Valley Fire Department |
|400 Baughman Ave |PO Box 400 |6215 Old William Penn Hwy |
|Jeannette, Pa 15644 |Claridge, Pa 15623 |Export, PA 15632 |
|ATTN: Fire Chief |ATTN: Fire Chief |ATTN: Fire Chief |
|Latrobe Fire Dept |Lloydsville Fire Dept |Upper Burrell Twp Fire Dept |
|1 Main St |208 Dickens St |4370 7th St Rd |
|Latrobe, Pa 15650 |Latrobe, PA 15650 |New Kensington, PA 15068 |
|ATTN: Fire Chief |ATTN: Fire Chief |ATTN: Fire Chief |
|Westinghouse Waltz Mill Fire |St Vincent Fire Department |Lower Burrell Fire Dept #4 |
|PO Box 158 |300 Fraser Purchase Rd |567 Burgly Ave |
|Madison, PA 15663 |Latrobe, Pa 15650 |Lower Burrell, Pa 15068 |
|ATTN: Fire Chief |ATTN: Fire Chief |ATTN: Fire Chief |
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|North Hempfield Fire Dept |Bell Twp Fire Dept |Alcoa Fire Dept |
|1284 Rt 66 |Box 245 |100 Technical Dr |
|Greensburg, Pa 15601 |Salina, Pa 15680 |Alcoa Center, PA 15069 |
|ATTN: Fire Chief |ATTN: Fire Chief |ATTN: Fire Chief |
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|Lower Burrell #3 Fire Dept | |Whitney-Hostetter Fire Dept |
|3255 Leechburg Rd |Bradenville Fire Department |PO Box 93 |
|Lower Burrell, Pa 15068 |PO Box 325 |Whitney, PA |
|ATTN: Fire Chief |Bradenville, PA 15620 |ATTN: Fire Chief |
| |Attn: Fire Chief | |
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|East Huntingdon Fire Dept |Hannastown Fire Department |Kecksburg Fire Dept |
|120 Fire Department Rd |Box 171 |5128 Water St |
|Tarrs, PA 15688 |Hannastown, PA 15635 |Mt. Pleasant, Pa 15666 |
|ATTN: Fire Chief |ATTN: Fire Chief |ATTN: Fire Chief |
|New Alexandria Fire Dept |Sardis Fire Dept |Greensburg Fire Dept |
|212 Gay St |Po Box 604 |Alexandria St |
|New Alexandria, PA 15670 |Murrysville, Pa 15668 |Greensburg, PA 15601 |
|ATTN: Fire Chief |ATTN: Fire Chief |ATTN: Fire Chief |
|North Belle Vernon Fire Dept |Monessen Fire Department |West Newton Fire Department |
|Speer/Arch Sts |441 Reed Ave |100 Riverside Dr |
|Belle Vernon, PA 15012 |Monessen, PA 15062 |West Newton, Pa 15089 |
|ATTN: Fire Chief |ATTN: Fire Chief |ATTN: Fire Chief |
|Mutual Fire Department |Bovard Fire Department |Hutchinson Fire Dept |
|214 Mutual Firehall Rd |PO Box 81 |261 Firehall Ave |
|Greensburg, PA 15601 |Bovard, PA 15619 |Hutchinson, Pa 15640 |
|ATTN: Fire Chief |ATTN: Fire Chief |ATTN: Fire Chief |
|Trafford Fire Dept |Harrison City Fire Department |Hecla Fire Dept |
|400 Duquesne Ave |Po Box 419 |PO Box 213 |
|Trafford, PA 15085 |Harrison City, Pa 15636 |Southwest, Pa 15685 |
|ATTN: Fire Chief |ATTN: Fire Chief |ATTN: Fire Chief |
|Bolivar Fire Department |Forbes Road Fire Department |Dry Ridge Fire Dept |
|PO Box 3 |PO Box 214 |116 White School Rd |
|Bolivar, PA 15923 |Forbes Road, PA 15633 |Greensburg, PA 15601 |
|ATTN: Fire Chief |ATTN: Fire Chief |ATTN: Fire Chief |
|Eastern Derry Fire Department |Luxor Fire Department |Penn Boro Fire Department |
|1426 State Rt 217 |PO Box 85 |600 Railroad St |
|Derry, PA 15627 |Luxor, PA 15662 |Penn, Pa 15675 |
|ATTN: Fire Chief |ATTN: Fire Chief |ATTN: Fire Chief |
|Citizens Vol. Fire Dept #1 |Arnold # 2 Fire Dept. |West Point Fire Dept. |
|601 Drey St |1100 Drey St |100 Volunteer Dr |
|Arnold, PA 15068 |Arnold, PA 15068 |Greensburg, PA 15601 |
|ATTN: Fire Chief |ATTN: Fire Chief |ATTN: Fire Chief |
|Allegheny Twp Fire Department |Markle Fire Dept. |Washington Twp Fire Dept |
|Po Box 487 |470 Joyce Ave |778 Rt 66 |
|Leechburg, PA 15656 |Apollo, Pa 15613 |Apollo, PA 15613 |
|ATTN: Fire Chief |ATTN: Fire Chief |ATTN: Fire Chief |
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|Collinsburg Fire Dept |Fort Allen Fire Dept |Rostraver Central Fire Dept |
|514 Rostraver Rd |PO Box 4007 |PO Box 562 |
|West Newton, PA 15089 |Greensburg, Pa 15601 |Belle Vernon, Pa 15012 |
|ATTN: Fire Chief |ATTN: Fire Chief |ATTN: Fire Chief |
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|Grandview Fire Dept | |Calumet Fire Dept |
|1655 Ridge Ave |Turkeytown Fire Department |PO Box 195 |
|Jeannette, Pa 15644 |90 Supervisor Rd |Calumet, PA 15621 |
|ATTN: Fire Chief |West Newton, PA 15089 |ATTN: Fire Chief |
| |Attn: Fire Chief | |
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|Chestnut Ridge Fire Dept |Fairfield Twp Fire Department |Jeannette Fire Dept |
|PO Box 160 |PO Box 307 |S.2nd & Clay Ave |
|Stahlstown, PA 15687 |New Florence, Pa 15944 |Jeannette, Pa 15644 |
|ATTN: Fire Chief |ATTN: Fire Chief |ATTN: Fire Chief |
|Torrance State Hospital Fire |Westmoreland County Airport |Greensburg Fire Co #1 |
|Torrance State Hospital |200 Pleasant Unity Rd |McLaughlin Dr |
|Torrance, PA 15779 |Latrobe, Pa 15650 |Greensburg, Pa 15601 |
|ATTN: Fire Chief |ATTN: Fire Chief |ATTN: Captain |
|Greensburg Fire Co#2 |Greensburg Fire Co #3 |Greensburg Fire Co #6 |
|P.O. Box 1111 |304 Alexandria St |542 W. Otterman St |
|Greensburg, Pa 15601 |Greensburg, Pa 15601 |Greensburg, Pa 15601 |
|ATTN: Captain |ATTN: Captain |ATTN: Captain |
|Greensburg Fire Co #7 |Greensburg Fire Co #8 |Lloydsville Fire Department |
|719 E. Pittsburg St. |900 Highland Ave |P.O. Box 403 |
|Greensburg, Pa 15601 |Greensburg, Pa 15601 |Latrobe, Pa 15650 |
|ATTN: Captain |ATTN: Captain |Attn: Fire Chief |
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• Public Safety Training Center
o Westmoreland County Community College
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|About the Public Safety Training Center |
|Westmoreland County Community College opened a new, $7.5M Public Safety Training Center in South Huntingdon Twp. in October |
|2003. The site is located about two miles from the Smithton exit (no. 49) of Interstate 70 W on Reduction Road. The planning for|
|a hands-on training facility dates to December 1979 when a joint meeting of the College's Fire Science Advisory Committee and |
|the Westmoreland County Fire School committee met to discuss the possibility of a permanent training center site. After many |
|years of meetings, "wheel spinning" and ups and downs, the official groundbreaking ceremony was held August 19, 2002. |
| |
|The center features a six-story, 14,100 square foot tower that can simulate a variety of industrial, commercial and mercantile |
|occupancies with an attached 2 ½ story residential building. Both areas are equipped with state-of-the art, gas-fired simulators|
|with flash-over capability from the Symtron Corporation. |
| |
|The first phase also provides a 4,500 square foot classroom and administration building that can house a fire engine for indoor |
|training during inclement weather. Additional propane-fired outdoor training props are available as well as a pond and pump |
|house featuring two, 1,500 gpm electric fire pumps. |
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|The master plan calls for a $30M contingent of props, buildings and training areas for a full compliment of hands-on training |
|opportunities for police, fire, hazardous materials, industrial safety, SWAT and emergency medical services personnel. The |
|163-acre site has plenty of open space for these and many other training possibilities. |
| |
|Lead architectural planning has been provided by JSA Architects, Pittsburgh with special burn building design by Teng and |
|Associates, Chicago and site engineering from H. F. Lenz, Johnstown. The general contractor is C & M Contracting, Pittsburgh. |
|Ribbon cutting was October 10, 2003. |
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|- For firefighting and rescue training, contact David Hauger, 724-872-2447. |
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|- For law enforcement, police academy and homeland security programs, contact 724-925-4298. |
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|- For emergency medical services and continuing nursing education, contact Becky Lauffer, 724-925-4082. |
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|Training Building |
|The training building encompasses over 14,000 sq. ft. with two primary areas: a 2 ½ story residential unit and a 6 story tower |
|arranged in an L-shape. The residential component includes a typical first floor living room, kitchen, dining room and attached |
|garage with overhead door. The second floor, accessible from the interior stairs, provides two bedrooms, a bathroom and an attic|
|space. There are two different roof slopes with ventilation "chop-out" openings. A Symtron T-1000 natural gas fired training |
|unit is installed in a second floor bedroom. It will create a bed/headboard fire with the ability to control the flame height |
|and growth speed, the difficulty of extinguishment and how much "soak" time is needed to prevent re-ignition. The instructor has|
|complete control over the fire scenario from a remote-controlled pendant. At the touch of a button, all gas valves can be closed|
|and the forced-air ventilation system activated to provide rapid smoke and heat removal. There are sensors to determine if the |
|correct amount of water is being applied to extinguish the fire. This residential area also provides exterior access to the |
|second floor fire simulator to create a "basement" fire scenario. |
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|Both the residential and tower areas have a variety of common features. Stainless steel repelling "tie-off" bars for vertical |
|rope rescue training; confined space openings for below-grade rescue situations; burn-through openings to allow for vertical |
|heat and smoke movement and specially engineered "forcible entry" doors to simulate repeated entry using hand tools are |
|provided. |
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|The six-story tower provides an even greater range of "commercial" training scenarios including: motel, office, high-rise |
|apartments, "strip" shopping center, high-bay and mezzanine industrial storage areas and a 1,200 sq. ft. re-configurable smoke |
|maze. There are balconies for ladder and rope rescue evolutions, a variety of interior and exterior stairways, an elevator shaft|
|with four types of simulated door assemblies for vertical and horizontal rescue activities, internal and external loading docks |
|with coiling overhead doors, an overhead "jib" crane for moving heavy objects between floors and for industrial training |
|activities and an second live fire simulator. |
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|The second natural gas fired simulator will recreate an industrial storage fire with flames reaching six or more feet. In |
|addition, this unit will also have "flashover" capability, a feature to simulate the rapidly expanding ceiling fire spread |
|phenomenon. If the fire attack crew correctly applies water overhead, the fire will not flare up or spread across the ceiling. |
|The instructor again has complete control of the fire simulation from a remote controlled pendant. The training building has |
|been pre-engineered for an additional four Symtron fire simulators providing the potential for six different fire situations. |
|Both of the fire simulator areas have gas detection and heat thermocouples installed at a variety of locations to sense natural |
|gas buildup and high heat conditions. Safety features are built-in to the simulators for the continuous monitoring of gas and |
|heat conditions to provide student and instructor safety. Gas detection is always "on" as an added safety feature should a leak |
|occur. |
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|A special, climate-controlled room is provided for the two fire simulator control units. Here, computerized systems with a |
|programmable logic controller (PLC) monitor the fire conditions and provide constant heat and gas detection capability. The |
|instructor has the ability to override the system to provide immediate shut down should a problem arise. A key-controlled master|
|switch provides security against unauthorized use. |
|Classroom Building |
|The all brick classroom building (with a fire house architectural style) houses one classroom, a truck bay, office area and |
|restrooms. The building has been engineered to allow for future expansion without interrupting ongoing training activities. The |
|classroom has a movable partition which opens to the climate controlled apparatus bay, effectively tripling the available |
|seating space. This high-bay area also doubles as a second classroom and will allow for indoor apparatus operation by utilizing |
|exhaust removal equipment. The floors and classroom areas have been given an industrial look and feel so trainees can use these |
|facilities after outdoor training activities thus minimizing clean-up efforts. |
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|The building is fully protected by a wet pipe sprinkler system and all areas are climate controlled. The clock tower houses the |
|boiler equipment to maximize usable floor space. The overhead garage door is 14' x 14' so modern fire apparatus can safely enter|
|and exit the area. Access gate and outdoor lighting control are also provided. |
|Outdoor Fire Training Props |
|The outdoor area beyond the training building contains two (with room for a third) propane-fired simulation props. One is a |
|horizontal propane storage tank and the other is a vertical industrial pipe fire simulator (often referred to as a Christmas |
|tree). These two units are also provided by the Symtron Corporation and are fueled from the on-site propane tank and associated |
|vaporizer. |
| |
|The first unit simulates a break in a supply line from a horizontal propane storage tank. The system provides training in the |
|safe approach, cooling and extinguishment or control of an impingement fire and relief valve fire. The fires are initiated from |
|a pendant controlled by the instructor at the burner control assembly. Flames can extend six feet above grade and if the crew |
|successfully locates and turns off the gas supply valve, the fire will go out. Otherwise, the instructor can remotely actuate |
|the top-mounted relief valve and fire will burn over twenty feet into the air. |
| |
|The second prop simulates a broken propane pipe assembly. This Christmas tree creates the conditions encountered during the |
|control and suppression of an industrial gas pipe assembly. The instructor controls the fire from a hand-held pendant. Flames |
|initially engulf the tree two feet above the piping. If the students successfully locate and close the supply valve, the fire |
|will diminish. If the instructor decides this is taking too long or the valve is not located, a large flare-up is initiated. |
|This flame can reach a height of 20 feet and is completely controllable from the instructor's pendant. The fire continues until |
|the instructor is satisfied the students have correctly completed the scenario. |
| |
|Pump House and Outdoor Areas |
|The pump house is located over the hillside from the training building. It is accessible from an access roadway from the outdoor|
|props. The pump house contains two electrically driven, 1,500 gpm pumps that take water from the ten million gallon pond. The |
|pumps feed five training fire hydrants around the training grounds through a dedicated 12" water line. All the water used in the|
|training evolutions (as well as most of the other surface water) is recycled into the pond through a network of underground |
|piping. Fire engines can also draft water from the pond through a "dry hydrant" connection. The pumps are located in the left |
|side of the building while the electrical panels are in the middle bay. There is a small storage area on the right hand side of |
|the pump house. |
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|A reinforced concrete pad covering approximately 95,000 sq. feet surrounds the training building. The pad is capable of safely |
|supporting even the heaviest aerial apparatus. Overhead lights illuminate the training grounds. Each bank of lights on the sides|
|of the training building is individually controlled for various nighttime training scenarios and clean-up safety. |
• Public Safety Communication Summary Protocols
o Addressing the Communications Center
o Fire Dispatch Acknowledgements
o Assignment of Fire TAC Channels
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*Please contact WCDPS Fire QA for complete SOG and powerpoint presentation for your department.
← Addressing the Communications Center
← 800 MHz Dispatch Channel/Talkgroup
○ Position 1 on Radio (Talkgroup 1)
○ Only for Fire Dispatch
○ One-Way Communications
○ Field Unit Communications is NOT Permitted
○ Use Your Command Channel for Contact
← Field units attempting to contact the Dispatch Console should initially identify the talkgroup they are calling on.
○ Fire Dispatch from Chief 39 on Zone 1 Fire Command, or…
○ 9-1-1 from Chief 69 on TAC 3
← Once initial contact is made with the center, it is no longer necessary to identify the talkgroup you are calling on, unless you change to a different talkgroup.
← Please note…
○ When the dispatcher is setting off the tones for your siren and minitors, he is unable to answer you on the radio if you call him.
○ The console is busy.
○ Please be patient. He will answer you as soon as the dispatch is complete.
○ If there is someone at the backup console, he can answer you.
← Fire Dispatch Acknowledgements
← Acknowledge on Zone Fire Command TAC (2)
○ Acknowledge Alarm
← Station 90 Acknowledges the call
○ Acknowledge Enroute
← Dispatch from Engine 90, enroute with 3 + 2
○ Dispatcher Will Assign TAC for Operations
← Switch to Assigned TAC
○ Acknowledge Approaching and/or On-Scene
← Engine 90 approaching scene requesting orders
← Dispatcher Will Maintain Timestamps
← Do Not Acknowledge if You Can’t Respond
← Assignment of Fire “TAC” Channels
← TAC’s Assigned by Dispatcher
← Fire TAC 3 through TAC 9
○ Assigned Primarily for EMERGENCY Use
← TAC 10 & TAC 11
○ May Be Assigned for Non-Emergency Use
← Trees and/or wires down, flooding, etc.
○ May Be Used for Department Training
← Requests must be made in advance by telephone or fax
○ May Be Re-Assigned for Emergency Use During Times of High Call Volumes
○ Simplicity of Operation
○ Talkgroup Selector Corresponds to “TAC” Channel
○ Position 1 is Dispatch Talkgroup / Channel
○ Position 2 is Specific Zone Command Talkgroup
○ Position 3 through 15 are “TAC” Talkgroups
○ Remembering 12 through 15 are CW TAC’s
○ Position 16 is Talkaround or T/A
○ TAC Channels Assigned by Priority
○ Higher Priority Calls Assigned Lower TAC
○ Lesser Priority Calls Assigned Higher TAC
← Dispatcher will assign an operations channel (TAC) during dispatch of incident
← Request for Additional TAC Channel
○ Incident OIC May Request Additional TAC Channel
○ Dispatcher Will Assign Second or Third TAC, if Available
○ Stand-bys Will Remain on Zone Command
← Do Not Assign Your Own TAC
← Dispatching outside companies into areas with municipal radio systems for alarms
○ Assigned to Municipal System’s Frequency
← ie. Switch to Hempfield Fire
○ Dispatcher Assisted Announcements Will be on the Municipal System and 33.70
← Dispatching outside companies for stand-by into areas with municipal radio systems
○ Remain on Zone Command
○ Announcements Made on Zone Command and 33.70
← Dispatching of companies with municipality owned radio systems out of their area for alarms or stand-by
○ Switch to Assigned a Fire TAC Channel
○ Dispatcher announcements will be made on both the municipality system and Fire TAC channel
← Size-Ups
← Response level changes
← Cancellations
• Special Resources – Please CALL 911
o Veterinarians (large and small animal) for Farm, Home, and Highway incidents
o Interpreters (Spanish, French, German, Polish) for mass casualty incidents on highways, parks, etc.
o Sign Language Interpreters for mass casualty incidents on highways, parks, etc.
o Special Needs caregivers for mass casualty incidents on highways, parks, etc.
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WESTMORELAND COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY
FIRE DEPARTMENT RELATED CONTACTS
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC SAFETY/
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT COORDINATOR
RICH MATASON 724-600-7301
rmatason@co.westmoreland.pa.us
DEPUTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT COORDINATOR/
PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER
DAN STEVENS 724-600-7305
dstevens@co.westmoreland.pa.us
FIRE - 911 QUALITY ASSURANCE OFFICE
MIKE BURKE 724-600-7310
mburke@co.westmoreland.pa.us
DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS
JOE NIEDZALKOSKI 724-600-7356
jniedzal@co.westmoreland.pa.us
REGION 13 WESTMORELAND COORDINATOR
BILL HOBAUGH 724-600-7387
whobaugh@co.westmoreland.pa.us
ADDRESSING COORDINATOR
PAT BAUER 724-600-7312
pbauer@co.westmoreland.pa.us
HAZMAT COORDINATOR
CHRISTOPHER TANTLINGER 724-600-7349 ctantlin@co.westmoreland.pa.us
Department_______________________________________________________________
Name____________________________________________________________________
Position__________________________________________________________________
Date Received_____________________________________________________________
Please forward your comments and suggestions to the President of the Fire Chiefs Association of Westmoreland County.
Also please use the web at:
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DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC SAFETY/
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT COORDINATOR
RICH MATASON
DEPUTY EMERGENCY
MANAGEMENT COORDINATOR/
PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER
DAN STEVENS
DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC SAFETY AND 9-1-1
MARK BRAMMELL
ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER
SANDY SMYTHE
ORGANIZATIONAL CHART
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY
APRIL 1, 2009
PARK POLICE CHIEF
NICK CEASAR
TRAINING/ OPERATIONS OFFICER (TAC OFFICER) BILL FLEMING
SUPERVISORS
TONY MATUSZKY
GLENN CRAMER
CLAYTON MURPHY
ED MILLIRON
VICKI BUCCI-
MCFADDEN
DEBBIE BAUGHMAN
(ESF#5/15)
CHIEF OF
COMMUNICATIONS
JOE NIEDZALKOSKI
TCO
FIRE Q/A SUPVR
MIKE BURKE
POLICE Q/A SUPVR
DAVE WRIGHT
EMD Q/A SUPVR
MARC TAYLOR
(52)
DATA/COMPLIANCE TECHNICIAN
RACHEL DECKARD
MSAG/CAD/PAYROLL
SUPERVISOR
PAT BAUER
DATA ENTRY OPR
**********
REGION 13
COORDINATOR
BILL HOBAUGH
HAZMAT
COORDINATOR
CHRIS TANTLINGER
ASSISTANT WEST NILE VIRUS PROGRAM COORDINATOR
LISA STIPP
WEST NILE VIRUS
PROGRAM TECHNICIAN
BEN KREMER
(CMD) (ESF#5)
(ADMIN/FIN)
(OPS)
(LNO)
(LOG) (ESF#10)
(CMD) (ESF#5)
(PLANS)
(ESF#13)
(ESF#04)
(ESF#08)
(ESF#02)
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