Athens County Area Firefighter Association Meeting June 12, 2014 Albany Fire Department Called to Order 19:35 by Vice President Warren Keirns Present Albany, Athens, Chauncey, Coolville, Nelsonville, Richland, EMA, 9 1 1, Haz Mat Reading of the minutes waived due to secretary s absence. Motion made by Richland FD, 2 nd Chauncey FD, all in favor. Treasurer no report, treasurer absent. Old Business Dan Pfeiffer, 9 1 1 o 9 1 1 working to overhaul county FD radio system. FCC requires that we upgrade radios to digital system by 2020. o Currently working toward changing FD radio system to full power digital base repeaters at all towers. There will be one alert channel county wide, one talk channel countywide, six fireground channels and eight talkaround channels. Alerts will be simulcast of all towers and responding units will respond and talk with 9 1 1 on talk channel. All fireground communications will be on a fireground channel. Talkaround channels will be maintained at each tower site. o Fire Departments need to start working toward replacing radios with digital radios now. o One option is to apply for an Assistance to Firefighters Grant, (AFG) for a regional grant involving all county fire departments. Need to work together All departments still eligible to apply for AFG on their own also. One fire departments needs to be the lead department for the regional AFG grant. T. Hastings, Richland FD said they would be the lead department. Need to inventory all FD radios. F. Davis, EMA said he can assist with radio inventory. o Some people have mentioned that we may want to look at building an 800 MHz radio system and plan for the future. All present discussed the idea. D. Pfeiffer said that he is open to move either way VHF high band or 800MHz. All departments should discuss and have a decision for the July 2014 county chiefs meeting. (see attached)
New Business D. Pfeiffer, 9 1 1 o Introduced and discussed a Mutual Aid Box Alarm System, (MABAS) for Athens County. He presented a draft MABAS SOG for Athens County and expressed that it is a draft and needs to be discussed and made to work for Athens County. o MABAS has been around since late 70 s and is very active in Illinois, Wisconsin, and parts of Missouri, Michigan and Ohio. o Pfeiffer also said that all fire departments will be required to participate in MABAS so that it works right. o The Athens 9 1 1 CAD is setup to use a MABAS system automatically. o Members present discussed the matter in depth with opinions on both sides of the issue. o Members decided to have the information sent out to all departments and discuss the issue at the July 2014 county chiefs meeting. (see attached) Active911 D. Pfeiffer o 9 1 1 can add road closures to Active911. Contact D. Pfeiffer with specific information on the location and closure times. Active911 markers will give road closure on the map with information once entered into the system. o 9 1 1 is working on adding fire hydrants to Active911. Currently most fire hydrants in the database do not have any distinguishing ID number. Working on updating that information. D. Pfeiffer will be contacting departments as they start working on their area. o 9 1 1 is doing some testing with Active911 and the Everbridge mass notification system to send out automatic weather alerts. They have setup a test group with Nelsonville FD to make sure it processes the messages correctly. There are 25 watches and warnings that will be available for departments to choose from. He will keep everyone informed as this project progresses. No EMA or Hazmat business. Jerry Green said there is state money available for a firefighter I class in the county. He would like to get one scheduled in July. Any department or person interested should contact him for information. Good of The Order Richland and Jacksonville FD are hosting a Cruise in and Crash N Bash at the County Fairgrounds on June 21 st. You can contact Richland or Jacksonville FD for further information. The Relay for Life is being held in Albany on June 21 st. Next meeting is July 10 th at Jacksonville FD. County Chiefs Meeting 6:30 PM, Association Meeting 7:30 PM. With no further issues to be discussed Chauncey FD made a motion to adjourn, 2 nd Richland FD. All members in favor. Adjourned at 20:45
Athens County FD Radio System Overhaul All FD alerts sent out county wide on simulcast system Radio traffic with Central is a on a county wide voted simulcast system Once on scene all radio traffic is moved to a assigned or prearranged fire ground channel Current talk around channels will exist for use by FDs at local level
Athens County FD Alerting Simulcast
Athens County FD Talk Group Voted Simulcast System 8 Fire Ground Channels 8 Talk Around Channels
Athens County Fire Departments Standard Operating Guidelines DRAFT Subject: Mutual Aid Box Alarm System (MABAS) Page: of: SOG Number: DRAFT Effective Date: DRAFT Revised Date: Approved by: Date xx/xx/xxxx This guideline as written or revised becomes effective as of the above date and supersedes all other previous guidelines pertaining to this matter. 10. PURPOSE 10.1. To establish an orderly response of mutual aid to communities experiencing emergency incidents exceeding their response capabilities. 10.2. To provide a pre-planned response to the scene of a major emergency incident and to provide for backup apparatus/personnel in a stricken community s station(s) for a second incident. 10.3. To help coordinate the design of MABAS Box Alarm Cards for Athens County using one standardized template containing all of the required information needed to dispatch a MABAS Box Alarm and for the MABAS Box Alarm to be easily understood by emergency personnel and telecommunicators. 11. AGENCIES AFFECTED 11.1. All Fire Department personnel 11.2. Athens County EMS 11.3. Athens County 9-1-1 Emergency Communications 12. RESPONSIBILITY 12.1. All Officers are responsible to comply with and ensure that personnel under their command are adequately trained, fully understand, and comply with this guideline. 12.2. All members have the responsibility to learn and follow this guideline. 12.3. All Telecommunicators have the responsibility to learn and follow this guideline. 13. ORGANIZATION 13.1. The primary Mutual Aid Dispatch Center will be Athens County 9-1-1 Emergency Communications. 13.2. Governing mutual aid is a Committee, appointed by the President of the Athens County Area Firefighters Association; and made up of the Chairperson and four other participating Athens County Fire Chief s, Chief of Athens County EMS and the Director of Athens County 9-1-1 Emergency Communications. 13.3. The Mutual Aid Committee recommends standards for use by participating departments. 13.4. The Athens County Area Firefighters Association shall adopt or reject guidelines/procedures. DRAFT Page 1 of 10 DRAFT
DRAFT 13.5. The Mutual Aid Committee shall review all new/revised MABAS box alarms for content/format before implementation and shall critique all mutual aid calls to ensure guidelines/procedures are being followed, and to identify needed updates/revisions to the critique format. 14. THE MABAS BOX ALARM SYSTEM 14.1. Mutual Aid boxes are developed by each department based on the following information: A. The level of hazard (low, medium, high). B. The available water supply (from good to poor to none). C. The life hazard (nursing homes, hospitals, schools, assembly). D. The proximity of mutual aid companies. E. The availability of manpower in adjacent mutual aid communities. 14.2. For departments with large areas, boxes may be divided into zones to determine who is closest to that area, using the closest company first. 14.3. Boxes may be developed for special hazards. 14.4. The Mutual Aid Committee has developed a standard template that contains all of the required elements needed to be able to design a MABAS Card and to be able to dispatch MABAS resources easily by the dispatch center. 14.5. Each box alarm card should include the following: The top section of the card is to include: Department Name, Box Alarm Type, Effective Date, MABAS Division, Box Alarm #, Location or Area of Alarm, and Authorized Signature. Radio frequency and staging information shall not be listed on the box, but shall be provided to Athens County 9-1-1 upon request of a box alarm. There will be nine (9) different box card formats structure fire, structure fire nonhydrant, EMS life safety, brush fire, water/ice rescue, HAZMAT, technical rescue, target hazard and disaster. Each format is unique that it contains only the columns from equipment most appropriate to the type of emergency. 14.6. The next section is the Local Dispatch Area and will be the initial response for the department in this area. This is not a MABAS area and may include: Still, Automatic Mutual Aid, General Alarm, etc. This area may be any number of rows that you choose for your department. 14.7. Change of Quarters (COQ) has been added to the Still Alarm areas, and may be filled in, left blank, or deleted. Some departments may bring COQ units into their stations and leave them there to handle other emergency calls. Others may bring COQ units into their station and move them to the scene on the next alarm level for faster response. 14.8. The Box Alarm Card is designed around a progressive structure. DRAFT Page 2 of 10 DRAFT
DRAFT 14.9. The next section is the MABAS BOX ALARM. This is where MABAS dispatching starts. Column headings may include: Alarm Level, Engines, Tenders, Ladders, Rescues, EMS, Brush Truck, Special Equipment, Change of Quarters, or others for specialized cards and as standardized throughout the county. 14.9.1. Department names are to be spelled out no abbreviations. 14.9.2. In the Special Equipment or Other column, apparatus or equipment that does not fall into the primary categories can be listed. Example: command post, air trailer. 14.9.3. The number of alarm levels is left to the individual department to determine. MABAS starts at the Box Alarm Level, proceeds to the 2 nd Alarm Level, 3 rd Alarm Level, 4 th Alarm Level, 5 th Alarm Level, and may continue through any number of levels that are put on the cards. 14.10. The bottom of the card should be left for Special Instructions or Information. Included in the Special Instructions should be the addresses from the stations listed in the Change of Quarters and any other pertinent information. 15. MABAS BOX CARD NUMBERING SYSTEM 15.1. The purpose of having a Box Card Numbering System is to address uniformity in the numbering of the box cards among departments. 15.2. There are three parts to the box card number. The parts consist of a department identifying number, the department box card area or location, and the incident typing into specific categories. The component parts of the box numbering system are as follows: Example: 20 4 3 Department Identifier The box card number begins with a unique department identifying number: Athens FD 10 The Plains FD 11 Richland Area FD 12 Waterloo TWP FD 14 York TWP FD 15 Albany Area FD 16 Jacksonville FD 17 Amesville FD 18 Rome TWP FD 19 Nelsonville FD 20 Glouster FD 21 Chauncey FD 22 Coolville FD 23 Carthage TWP FD 26 DRAFT Page 3 of 10 DRAFT
Athens Co EMS 50 DRAFT Box Number The middle number (right of the dash) in the numbering system is based on the fire box area/location and is determined by each department. If the department has a single fire box card, life safety card or target hazard card, etc., then place 1 in the middle position to hold that position. Incident Categories The type of card will fall into one of 9 categories and the final number of the card indicates the category. 1= Structure Fire hydranted 2= Structure Fire non-hydranted 3= Life Safety or EMS 4= Brush Fire 5= Water/ Ice Rescue 6= HAZMAT 7= Technical Rescue 8= Target Hazard 9= Disaster 7. APPARATUS DEFINITIONS/ STAFFING LEVELS 7.1. Definitions A. Engine (ENG): Combination vehicle pumper and hose/equipment meeting NFPA 1901. B. Tender (TND): The minimum gallons for a tanker is 1,500. C. Ladder (LAD): Aerial ladder with equipment capable of salvage, rescue, ventilation, and water tower operations. D. Tower (TWR): Aerial ladder/platform with equipment capable of salvage, rescue, ventilation, and water tower operations. E. Rescue (RES): Vehicle equipped with rescue tools, SCBA, and spare SCBA tanks. F. Squad (BLS): EMS unit capable of basic life support. G. Medic (ALS): EMS unit capable of advanced life support. H. Special Equipment (SPC): i.e, lights, foam apparatus, heavy-earth-moving equipment, Red Cross Disaster Team, etc. I. Special Trailer (TRL): i.e., HAZMAT trailer, technical rescue trailer, etc. J. Manpower (MPR): Transport unit (truck, vehicle) with personnel equipped with PPE and SCBA. DRAFT Page 4 of 10 DRAFT
DRAFT 7.2. Staffing recommendations UNIT TYPE MINIMIUM STAFFING MAXIMUM STAFFING Engine 4 7 Tender 2 5 Ladder 4 7 Tower 4 7 Rescue 3 7 Squad 2 EMTB 3 Medic 1 EMTB 1 EMTP 3 Manpower 3 5 7.3. The minimum recommended response shall be accomplished by members responding from a station; not in personal vehicles. 8. HOW THE SYSTEM WORKS 8.1. MABAS will be activated by contacting Athens County 9-1-1 via either the county radio frequency or by phone. 8.2. When the Incident Commander observes that the emergency will exceed the personnel and/or apparatus capabilities of the department, a Mutual Aid Box Alarm (MABAS) should be requested. 8.3. The Incident Commander will notify the dispatcher of the Mutual Aid Box Alarm request and should provide the following information: A. Name of the requesting department. B. Type of Alarm and Box Alarm Number requested. C. The level of Alarm requested. D. Nature of incident. E. Location of incident. F. The location of the staging area or station to be filled. G. Radio channel to be used. 8.4. MABAS Dispatch Athens 9-1-1 A. Upon receiving a request, the dispatcher shall turn to the appropriate page in the MABAS Alarm book and check the request, or access the information in CAD. B. Requests shall be dispatched and after the tones have cleared, the dispatcher shall announce the message in the following manner: Attention all Athens County Fire Departments. Requesting department is requesting MABAS Box (Box Number), (Level) alarm for a incident type at incident location. DRAFT Page 5 of 10 DRAFT
DRAFT Staging will be at (location), operating on fireground channel (#). Departments due to respond are: (name them), please acknowledge. C. Departments due to respond on the particular alarm shall acknowledge the Athens County 9-1-1 Center in the order as listed on the box alarm page. The dispatcher will log the department s acknowledgement or their inability to respond. D. In the event that a requested department cannot respond, then the dispatcher will alert the next department listed to provide this particular type of equipment in the next highest alarm. E. Departments will notify Athens County 9-1-1 Center that they are responding and promptly switch to the assigned fireground frequency. They will notify the department requesting aid of their arrival at the staging area. This on scene notification will preferably be accomplished by verbal contact with the Staging Officer. NOTE: In the event no Staging Officer position has been assigned, the first arriving unit s officer shall assume the Staging officer position and should notify Command of their status. F. Whenever the dispatcher has completed the alarm assignment, the Incident Commander shall be notified that the Box is complete. G. Dispatch will inform Command of any deviations in the box request, such as one department filling for another department or equipment responding with less than recommended manpower. Whenever possible, information shall be given to Command in a one-time broadcast. H. To reduce radio traffic, all responding units should obtain directions before they leave their station. I. If, after dispatch acknowledgement, a company is unable to complete its assignment, the respective department shall notify Athens County 9-1-1 Dispatch. The dispatcher will automatically call the next due department to fill the vacancy. 8.5. Multiple Alarms A. If a department is working a MABAS, and another incident happens in the same community requiring MABAS usage, the Incident Commander may have dispatch activate the level of alarm requested for the box number of the new location. If neighboring departments have already sent a unit to the scene of the original incident, the dispatcher will use greater alarm assignments to fill the MABAS request. B. If simultaneous MABAS calls occur in neighboring communities, dispatch can be directed to fill these using greater alarm assignments as necessary. DRAFT Page 6 of 10 DRAFT
DRAFT C. Incident Commanders should use department and/or geographical locations to identify themselves. EXAMPLE: Landmark Command Athens Command Glouster Command Canal Street Command Athens Kroger Command 8.6. Multiple alarm Levels A. Alarms should be requested in numerical order; however, simultaneous alarm levels may be combined into a request. If a department requests simultaneous boxes or levels of response and a requested department is unable to fulfill the request, the decision on apparatus response will be passed through dispatch to the Incident Commander. B. Once the initial alarm(s) are requested, Incident Command should attempt to wait until the box is complete before requesting greater alarms. C. If you want 1 st alarm assignments and specific unit types from 2 nd and 3 rd alarms, state, 1 st alarm assignment and (specific unit type) to the alarm. 9. AUTOMATIC AID 9.1. Automatic Aid is assistance dispatched automatically by contractual agreement between two departments. That differs from mutual aid or assistance arranged case by case. The purpose of Automatic Aid is to dispatch all Automatic Aid resources required for an incident on the initial alarm, e.g. same time as the host department. The result should be the arrival of a larger response force, capable of effectively and safely initiating basic actions to mitigate the emergency. 9.2. Automatic Aid differs from MABAS in the following manner: There are no multiple alarms. Additional assistance needed beyond Automatic Aid would require the activation of a MABAS box alarm. All Automatic Aid responding units will be dispatched immediately upon receipt of the initial emergency call by 9-1-1. 9.3. All alarms dispatched are to be preceded with preliminary alerts or pager tones to the affected departments with the following information: Department to be dispatched Requesting department Type of incident Location DRAFT Page 7 of 10 DRAFT
DRAFT Example: All departments The Plains Fire Department is requesting Automatic Aid for a structure fire at Athens High School. Responding units are: Chauncey Engine, Richland Engine, Athens Ladder. 9.4. During their response, all responding Automatic Aid resources will change to the host department s primary fireground channel and monitor for directions and/or assignments from the Incident Commander. 9.5. Upon arrival, Automatic Aid responding units are expected to follow Level 1 Staging procedures. Units will report their identity, distance and direction from the scene. 10. SCENE REQUIREMENTS 10.1. The use of the Incident Command System (ICS) is required at all MABAS incidents. The command vehicle shall display a flashing green light or a command post flag. 10.2. Use of identification vests is required at all MABAS incidents. Personnel who should be identified by vest include: Incident Commander Safety Officer Staging Officer Water Supply Officer Medical Officer All other Groups/Divisions as needed 10.3. A safety Officer shall be designated as all MABAS incidents. The Safety Sector size will be determined by the size and scope of the emergency. 10.4. A Personnel Accountability System shall be established and used at all MABAS incidents. The standard Emergency Communications and Evacuation procedure adopted by the Athens County Area Firefighters Association shall be used at all mutual aid incidents. 10.5. If possible, mutual aid crews arriving at the scene should remain intact throughout the incident. DRAFT Page 8 of 10 DRAFT
APPENDIX A DEFINITIONS DRAFT Accountability A procedural system designed to track and account for the assignment of personnel on the scene of an emergency incident. Alarm Level This refers to the Box Alarm, 2 nd Alarm, 3 rd Alarm, etc. to the ultimate level deemed appropriate by the department to handle the possible emergency situations. Includes the names of the departments that are committed to provide this type of equipment at the alarm level designated. Authorized Signature The signature of the Chef of the department issuing the Box Alarm Card. Automatic Aid A contractual agreement between two or more departments to respond with specific equipment and personnel to a special area or building in a community on an initial alarm. Box Alarm Number The number for the Box Alarm Card designated by the department. The numbering system should be coordinated with the other departments. Box Alarm Type The type of emergency situation covered by the Box Alarm Card. Box Alarm Card A printed form containing details of departments, personnel and equipment to respond to a given geographic area, target hazard, or specialized response within a community. Change of Quarters This lists the station(s) that will house units from neighboring departments. The specific units that are specified on each level will respond to other emergency calls for the duration of the original call or moved up to the scene during further alarms. Department Name The name of the department issuing the card. Effective Date The date the use of the Box Alarm Card is authorized to begin by issuing department. Fireground Channel Low power tactical frequencies used for on-scene communications between Incident Command and units working the incident. Local Dispatch Area This portion of the Box Alarm Card is intended to show the response for any units prior to the Box Alarm level. The primary responding units will be those of the local department and possibly outside departments generally using Automatic Aid agreements. MABAS Division Athens County DRAFT Page 9 of 10 DRAFT
DRAFT Primary (OPS) Channel Frequency normally used for daily dispatch (base/mobile) of emergency calls and communications between Incident Command and dispatch. Special Equipment Any ancillary units, individuals or specialized apparatus that would be beneficial for the type of alarm designated by the Box Alarm Card. These resources may or may not be owned and operated by the member departments. Special Instructions This area is reserved for any information that will allow the MABAS telecommunicators handling the radio communications for the incident to have quick access to specific information to assist responding units. Some of these could include address of the change of quarters stations, special contact numbers for key department members, and numbers for departments that are due to respond that may have special contact requirements. DRAFT Page 10 of 10 DRAFT
DEPARTMENT NAME: BOX ALARM TYPE: EFFECTIVE DATE: MABAS DIVISION: xxxxxx STRUCTURE FIRE - HYDRANTS xx/xx/xxxx Athens County BOX ALARM # LOCATION OR AREA: AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE xx-1x ENTIRE DISTRICT LOCAL DISPATCH AREA ALARM BRUSH SPECIAL LEVEL ENGINES TENDERS LADDERS TOWERS RESCUE TRUCK SQUAD MEDIC EQUIPMENT MANPOWER CHANGE OF QUARTERS STILL ALARM BRUSH SPECIAL LEVEL ENGINES TENDERS LADDERS TOWERS RESCUE TRUCK SQUAD MEDIC EQUIPMENT MANPOWER CHANGE OF QUARTERS AUTO AID MABAS BOX ALARM ALARM BRUSH SPECIAL LEVEL ENGINES TENDERS LADDERS TOWERS RESCUE TRUCK SQUAD MEDIC EQUIPMENT MANPOWER CHANGE OF QUARTERS BOX 2nd 3rd 4th 5th SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS: