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Salem Fire Department Ladder Company Staffing
(To cut costs, City official reduced staffing of the Ladder Trucks to 3 Firefighters beginning in 2010)
In the past two personnel were assigned to the ladders with two personnel from the “medic unit,” attached for further support. The two from the medic rarely were on the scene in a timely manner and were also rarely attached to the ladder for support of tasks. Items were routinely prioritized or left out all together.
This staffing model was replaced in 2004 when Rural/Metro took over the ambulance transport and our medic personnel were transferred to the ladder company. Since that time we have changed all operations as it pertains to the ladder companies. Personnel on the scene of a fire have certain expectations of what will be accomplished and when they should expect it. With three personnel that will have to change, a slower approach will have to be taken.
Currently Ladder 2 and 4 respond and work with four personnel. When a fire is growing it is imperative that tasks are performed when needed/expected, if they are not overall scene safety is compromised. N
If the current four person staffing were reduced to three an additional engine would have to provide the support for this unit. Having a medic crew to assist is no longer an option. A three person unit would reduce the effectiveness and safety provided by the four person unit. With four personnel a two crew unit is formed, through SOG, and also with training. Generally, the Captain and his firefighter are responsible for interior operations and the Engineer and his firefighter are responsible for exterior operations. Below is a very brief overview of some tasks that need to be performed in a timely and safe manner:
Interior Operations
Search and Rescue
Backup for attack(hose) team
Salvage and Overhaul
Ventilation
Exterior Operations
Utilities
Ventilation
Secondary Egress
Lighting/power
These tasks are performed prior to effective fire fighting, some while the fire is being put and some well after the fire is out. The ladder company reduced to three personnel would reduce the effective range of some of these tasks, thereby reducing the safety of all personnel on the fire ground either directly or indirectly. This is unacceptable, safety is our job. It is important to remember, one person is not a team and because of this is not a safe or reasonable expectation. We should not expect nor should we allow one person to perform any task on the fire ground other than that of a command function.
While one might say a three person ladder company is not un-safe, and that may be true, when operating within their abilities. May studies show that a reduction in staffing causes increase job stress, increased workload, increased injury rates and an increase in sick leave usage. But it is not as safe as 4 personnel for everyone on the scene and the public we serve.
This document outlines those changes that would negatively effect fire ground outcomes. The four person ladder company is also responsible for high angle(rope) rescue, below grade(confined space) rescue, auto extrication, smoke removal, water removal, water tower operations, back up medic activation and any other kind of specialized/heavy/”Gee, I do not know what to do?” rescue situation.
NFPA 1710 Fact Sheet
NFPA 1710 is a standard that sets minimum criteria for the effectiveness and efficiency of emergency operations to protect the safety of the Public and Fire Department employees.
NFPA 1710 Background:
In 2001, after 10 years of research and debate, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) issued the standard NFPA 1710. The standard sets minimum criteria for the staffing of fire fighter crews, and how they will respond and operate at emergency scenes.
These guidelines were developed for your safety, fire fighter safety, and safety of your property.
*The National Fire Protection Association is:
-An international organization that establishes organizational guidelines that are nationally recognized and followed by fire departments.
-Compromised of more than 80 national trade and professional organizations, which provide input towards development of fire industry guidelines.
NFPA 1710 Requirements:
Fire Firefighters will respond with a minimum of 4 personnel of each apparatus.
Fire Fighters will arrive at the emergency scene within 4 minutes of the dispatch center receiving the call.
The correct number of fully staffed and strategically located fire stations must exist to accomplish the standard.
Why does this matter here?
NFPA Code 1710-Standard for Organization and Deployment of Fire Suppression Operations, Emergency Medical Operations, and Special Operations to the Public by Career Fire Departments- involves staffing of career fire departments. In this code, the NFPA has used scientific evidence, past history and first hand experience to establish the minimum number of personnel required to safely and effectively operate on a fire scene. NFPA 1710 guidelines say that a first arriving company must consist of 4 fire fighters and arrive within 4 minutes of the initial 911 call. For an initial full alarm assignment (any structure fire) minimum personnel on scene should consist of 15-17 fire fighters arriving on scene within 8 minutes of the initial 911 call.
Fire Departments must be capable of establishing incident command, water supply, attack line(s), backup line(s), search and rescue team(s), ventilation team(s) and RIT at all structural fires.
These “benchmark” requirements are based upon a 2000 square foot detached single family dwelling.
(Chief William Goldfeder)
Benefits of Compliance:
NFPA 1710 is an Insurance Policy for the community and its businesses.
NFPA 1710 offers insurance for the local economy by guaranteeing the community and its businesses that Fire and Emergency Medical Services will respond promptly and appropriately in an emergency.
Even a moderate-sized fire can hurt the community’s tax base. When businesses close, employees don’t get paid. They can’t put money back into the community, and may go from being taxpayers to public support recipients. The business can’t pay taxes because it is not selling its goods and services.
A fire that devastates a building will cause the company to consider whether it should reopen. The company may relocate to another city or state, meaning a permanent loss to the workforces and tax base.
NFPA 1710 Enhances Public Safety.
By responding quickly to a fire, we keep a small incident small.
When responses take more than a few minutes, losses escalate substantially, resulting in a greater loss of life and property.
Communities with good records of emergency response times enhance the quality of life for current residents, and may help attract new residents and businesses.
Support our nation’s Homeland Security Plan. (Salem is a Capital City!!!!!)
NFPA 1710 Will Save Lives.
Firefighting is dangerous work.
NFPA 1710 applies the documented and proven science of fire behavior and emergency medicine to the basic resources required for effective fire department deployment.
Allows a community to determine if the resources allocated for all emergencies are sufficient to control the incident and protect lives and property.
NFPA 1710 Protects the Community Against Liability.
Courts often rely upon NFPA Standards to determine the “industry standard” for fire protection and safety measures. NFPA doctrines are most frequently found in common law negligence claims.
NFPA 1710 could be highly relevant to the question of whether a jurisdiction has negligently failed to provide adequate fire or emergency medical protection to an individual harmed in a fire or medical emergency.
Jurisdictions assume some additional risk by failing to abide by NFPA 1710, even where it has failed to adopt the standard.
International City Managers Association (ICMA) Study
Understaffing of fire departments is a nationwide problem. So much so in fact, that the ICMA has conducted studies to determine the effectiveness of fire companies based on staffing. This information was published “Managing Fire Services, 2nd edition”. This international organization of city leaders recognizes that importance of a properly staffed fire department. This publication included this information.
1. Fire suppression operations have three basic functions: (1) Rescue; (2) work involving ladder, forcible entry, and ventilation; and (3) the application of water. To raise ladders, ventilate, search, and rescue simultaneously takes quick action by at least four and often eight or more firefighters, each under the supervision of an officer.
2. If about sixteen trained firefighters are not operating at the scene of a working fire within critical time period, then dollar loss and injuries are significantly increased as is fire spread.
3. As firefighting tactics were conducted and judged for effectiveness;
a. 5-person companies were 100% effective.
b. 4-person companies were 65% effective.
c. 3-person companies were 38% effective.
According to this study done by city managers nationwide, City of Salem Fire Department will fall into the 38% total effectiveness due to staffing.
1991 NFPA Fire Protection Handbook
1. Seriously understaffed fire companies generally are limited to the use of small hose streams until additional help arrives. Often this action may be totally ineffective in containing even a small fire and in conducting effective rescue operations.
NFPA 1410, Training Standard on Initial Attack
1. It is strongly recommended that interior fire fighting operations NOT be conducted without an adequate number of qualified fire fighters.......
2. It is recommended that a minimum acceptable fire company staffing level consists of four members responding or arriving with each engine or aerial ladder company responding to any type of fire.
NFPA 1500, Standard of Fire Department Occupational Safety and Health Program
1. It is recommended that a minimum acceptable fire company staffing level should be four members responding on or arriving with each engine and each ladder company responding to any type of fire.
2. During actual emergencies, the effectiveness of companies can become critical to the safety and health of fire fighters. Potentially fatal work environments can be created very rapidly in many fire situations.
Dallas, Texas Fire Department Study
1. As the number of fire fighters decrease without eliminating any of the tasks to be accomplished the Department must delay some of the required tasks or attempt to perform tasks unsafely with inadequate staff.
2. The study’s conclusion regarding three-person crews stated: At this level there was little margin for error and any appreciable delay in arrival might place the control of the fire beyond their capability.
Firefighters operating in understaffed environments are too often expected to perform beyond their capabilities.
3. The Dallas Study, in addressing this issue, indicated that inadequate staffing resulted in:
a. A cumulative effect by combined delays and lost functions on the part of each crew resulting in an even greater loss of overall effectiveness;
b. Increased physiological stress on fire fighters as they try to compensate for the lower staffing level; and
c. Increased risk to the fire fighters when aggressive procedures are undertaken without the support necessary to complete them safely.
The National Fire Academy report on the Dallas study stated:
A smaller workforce doing the same as a larger workforce of the past will result in increased injuries to the back and knees. The cost to the city and department are heavy.
Austin, Texas Fire Department Study
The study was conducted determine whether four-person companies were safer and more effective than three-person companies.
The report stated:
- In the two-story residential fire the efficiency or time improvement between 3 person and 4 person crews was 73%.
- In the aerial ladder evolution the efficiency improvement between 3 and 4 person crews was 66%.
- In the engine company high rise fire the time improvement between 3 and 4 person crews was 35%.
- Average improvement in efficiency was 58%.
The Austin study concluded that increased staffing levels from 3 to 4 provided substantial benefits such as:
- A smaller number of multiple alarms;
- Lower fire damage and dollar loss;
- Fewer injuries/deaths for civilians and firefighters;
- Fewer Worker’s Compensation claims;
- Retainment of tax base properties; and
- Lower civil liability for the City and Department
Upon its conclusion, the Austin study found that inadequate staffing directly caused the following problem: A Higher risk for victims due to delays which are indirectly related to the likelihood of survival.
Staffing Justification
There have been many studies conducted on staffing levels. These studies cover many areas from fire ground effectiveness to workers compensation.
The ICMA (International City Mangers Association) determined in Municipal Fire Administration that staffing levels should be a minimum of 5 for companies. The ICMA.............................................
Furthermore, many cities have done comprehensive studies on workers compensation injuries involving staffing levels. The Seattle Fire Department, compiled a study called “Abstract: Report to Executive Board, Minimum Manning as Health and Safety Issue”. “This analysis indicated that the rate of fire fighter injuries expressed as total hours of disability per hours of fire ground exposure were 54% greater for companies staffed with 3 personnel when compared to those staffed with 4 fire fighters, while companies with 5 personnel had an injury rate that was only one-third that associated with 4-person companies”. Other cities that have completed these studies with similar outcomes include Dallas TX, Columbus OH, and Providence RI.
We live in a time of high terror threat and severe budget cuts. Fire Departments are being asked to provide more services, while handling an increased population and an increasing call volume. Increasing or maintain staffing levels improves public safety, lowers worker compensation injuries and contributes to more effective fire ground operations. Higher staff levels also allows for proper medical response to those patients in need (Lifting large patients, cardiac arrest, patient movement from difficult areas). Although budges are being evaluated, it is actually more efficient to keep a high staffing level which lowers other costs associated with injuries and fire loss. It’s not a question of can you afford maintaining staffing levels, but can you afford not to keep staffing at recommended safe and effective levels?
It Takes FOUR
Why does the Salt Lake City Fire Department need four firefighters on every fire
engine and ladder truck?
There are many reasons that the Salt Lake City Fire Department needs and should have
four firefighters on every fire apparatus. Some of these reasons are to meet industry
standards from agencies such as the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA),
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and the National Institute of
Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Other reasons are for the safety of firefighters
while performing their duties. And most important is that four firefighters allows our
department to deliver a higher level of service to the citizens of Salt Lake City.
Industry Standards
NFPA - The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is an international
organization that establishes guidelines, which are nationally recognized and followed by
fire departments. This organization is comprised of more than 80 national trade and
professional organizations, which provide input towards development of fire industry
guidelines.
In 2001 the NFPA issued the standard NFPA 1710. This standard sets minimum criteria
for the staffing of firefighting and medical crews, and how they will respond and operate
at emergency scenes.
Here are some of the requirements of NFPA 1710:
• Firefighters will respond to fire and medical calls with a minimum of four personnel
on each apparatus.
• Fire apparatus will arrive at the scene of an emergency within four minutes of
departing the fire station.
• The correct number of fully staffed and strategically located fire stations must exist to
meet these time requirements and accomplish the standard.
Click here to connect to an NFPA 1710 fact sheet or here to connect to the NFPA site.
OSHA – The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is an agency that
creates regulations that must be followed by fire departments. In 1998 OSHA revised its
Respiratory Protection regulation, which had a great impact on the fire service operations.
This regulation is often referred to as the “2 in, 2 out” rule.
Here are some of the requirements of Respiration Protection – 63:1152-1300:
• Use of respirators are required in atmospheres that are Immediately Dangerous to Life
or Health (IDLH) and interior structural fire fighting is considered an IDLH
atmosphere by definition.
• Two firefighters must be on standby to provide assistance or perform rescue when
two firefighters are inside the burning building. What this means is that in-order for
the first arriving fire engine to begin attacking the fire, four firefighters must be on
the apparatus.
Click here to connect to a copy of the OSHA Respiratory Protection regulation.
NIOSH – The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) is an
agency that has the responsibility to investigate firefighter deaths that occur in the line of
duty. Recently NIOSH released its report on the death of a firefighter in Houston, Texas.
The death occurred in a high-rise apartment fire which involved many fire apparatus that
were staffed with only three firefighters.
Of the many recommendations made by the agency here were a few of the critical ones:
• Fire departments should ensure that team continuity is maintained. Some of the
crew’s personnel were split amongst other crews. NIOSH reports that team
continuity relies on some very important key factors such as knowing who is on your
team and the team leader. When crews are split to achieve staffing, team continuity
can be compromised.
• Fire departments should ensure that adequate numbers of staff are available to
immediately respond to emergency incidents. NIOSH recommends that a
minimum acceptable fire company staffing level should be four members responding
on each engine and each ladder company responding to any type of fire. It is also
recommended that for fire companies responding in high-risk areas, which Salt Lake
City has many of, a minimum of five or six firefighters should respond with each
company.
Click here to read the NIOSH report.
How four firefighters on each apparatus enhances firefighter safety.
By following the recommendations made by the standards outlined above and ensuring
four firefighters on every apparatus, the safety of every firefighter is enhanced. Not only
does this provide the personnel to effectively perform fire ground task in a timely
manner, it ensures a “buddy” system where each firefighter looks out for one another.
The better we can maintain accountability of personnel, the less likely it is that time
would be spent searching for a lost firefighter. This means that more time would be spent
fighting fire.
Research has also shown that it takes five or even six firefighters on each apparatus to
operate at 100% proficiency. This includes successful execution of firefighting
evolutions (task), with the minimal exhaustion levels possible at the completion of the
task. Maintaining low exhaustion levels are critical so that the crew may recover quicker
and be ready to perform their next task.
As the number of crewmembers are reduced, the efficiency of the crew is reduced.
Research has shown that four firefighters should be the minimum staffing level to ensure
firefighter safety.
How four firefighters on each fire apparatus enhances the publics safety.
Firefighting is often more complicated then is generally realized. At a fire scene our
goals are to save lives and protect property. There are many tasks to be accomplished in
order to do so.
Consider a fire in an average house. The first task firefighters have is to identify if there
are people in need of being rescued, and therefore we conduct an initial search. Ask
yourself that if it was you or your family trapped in a fire, would you like three or four
firefighters searching?
Many other tasks must happen on a fire ground, often simultaneously. Hose must be
connected to a hydrant to ensure a supply of water. An attack hose and a back up hose
must be pulled to fight the fire. If a door is locked, it must be forced open. The smoke
and super heated gasses must be vented out of the building by use of a fan or by cutting a
hole in the roof to act as a chimney. If a hole is to be cut, a ladder must be raised.
These are a few examples of the many tasks that must be performed. Variables at each
fire may dictate other task that must be performed. And when the fire is out, there is still
plenty of clean up work to be done.
Generally three engines and a ladder truck are sent to an average house fire. If it were
your house, with the many tasks that needs to be performed in order to save lives and
protect property, would you want 16 firefighters (four per apparatus) or 12 firefighters
(three per apparatus) performing those tasks?
However fires are only part of the many emergencies that your SLC Fire Department
responds to. In a medical emergency, four firefighters are just as critical.
Consider an adult who is in cardiac arrest. CPR must occur, heart defibrillation must be
performed, IV’s established, medication administered, hospitals contacted. Again this is
a situation where the fourth firefighter can make a big difference.
Summary
The benefits of four firefighters on every fire apparatus are well documented. Not only
does it help ensure the safety of the professional firefighters in Salt Lake City, it allows
us to deliver a higher level of service to the citizens that we protect.
The Professional Firefighters of Salt Lake City encourages you to contact you Salt Lake
City Council person and thank them for the support they have given to the safe staffing in
the past. And please tell them to give the fire department the support we need to continue
staffing every apparatus with four firefighters in the future.
Remember – It takes FOUR.
Salem Fire Department
Incident Management System
With
Integrated Tactics, Accountability and Communication
Page 2, Forward: “This document/guideline was written using an Operational Guideline format. This was done for ease of discussion and tracking the various concepts and procedures. It is not in itself a Salem Fire Department Guideline; it is to be used as an educational document and will be referenced by various SFD Operational Guidelines on Incident Command and Firefighter Safety.”
Page 6, Purpose: “The procedures in this booklet draw attention to initial command procedures, and assignments, offering a higher level of attention to accountability, safety, and rehab.”
Page 13, 4.2.3.6. Ladder OP’s
4.2.3.6.1. Inside Team
4.2.3.6.1.1. Search, Salvage, Utilities, etc.
4.3.4.6.2 Outside Team
4.2.3.6.2.1. Lighting, ventilation, secondary egress, etc.
RHAVE
Risk, Hazard and Value Evaluation
Data Input Guide
March 28, 2005
In 2004 the Salem Fire Department began using the Risk, Hazard and Value Evaluation (RHAVE) program to identify risks associated with potential hazards within the service area. The Fire Department used a Multi-county mapping system, which breaks down response areas into one square mile sections. The Salem Fire Department used this existing mapping zone during the RHAVE to identify 118 planning zones. Each planning zone is assigned an Occupant Vulnerability Profile (OVAP) score. Once the RHAVE is complete the Salem Fire Department will be able to assess risks associated to each planning zone bases on the potential emergencies the fire department may respond to.
(2 Ladder Trucks essentially split the 118 planning zones).
OVAP is a collection of data elements designed to provide objective and quantitative recommendations by using commonly accepted definitions of measurement: Premise; Building; Life Safety; Risk; Water Demand; Value; and Summary. The range is <15 to >60. The analysis assigned less than 1% of the community as a low risk OVAP category, 88.5% of the community as a moderate risk OVAP category, 11.5% of the community as significant OVAP category and none of the community as a maximum OVAP category.
Strategic Plan
City of Salem Fire Department
Revision date December 12, 2007
Preface
“Modern business practice require an entity to anticipate change, respond to events, and plan for the future. This strategic plan is the result of an in-depth examination of the Salem Fire Department’s vision for the future and a road map of how it will arrive at its destination. Department staff clearly understands that while on the road to the future, they will be required to react to challenges, decide on correct path when faced with forks in the road, and embrace detours that may lead them in a whole new direction.”
Goal 1: Deliver effective emergency and non-emergency services to minimize death, injury, property and environmental loss to our community.
Strategic Initiatives:
#3 “Ensure the department is able to provide specialized technical response services.”
Objective 1-R: Fully evaluate all none-fire risks within each planning zone and determine resources needed to effectively respond.
Timeline: July 2005 to July 2008
Responsibility: Godfrey
Critical Tasks:
-Identify, by planning zone (map grid), facilities and activities that present a non-fire risk.
These include but are not limited to:
-Hazardous materials facilities
-Buildings of low seismic resistance
-Critical transportation facilities
-Venues with large attendance (stadiums, theaters, etc.)
-Potential terrorism targets
-Evaluate the potential risks associated with each
-Identify resources needed to effectively respond to identified risks
-Determine how these resources will be obtained and ensure the dispatch center has the means
To access them.
-Identify mitigation opportunities for each risk.
Goal 2: Provide a safe work environment for our personnel.
Strategic Initiatives:
-Ensure the department is compliant with relevant safety regulations and standards.
Objective 2-A: Review compliance with NFPA 1500 and develop a plan to bring the department into
Compliance with selected components of this standard.
Timeline: June 2005 to December 2007 (Completed November 200)
Performance Measures and Targets
To establish the Salem Fire Department’s ability to measure its success, the following performance measures and targets have been established. By evaluating and monitoring these measures the department can determine the success of its efforts, identify needed changes in program and delivery, and better direct it resources on behalf of the community. The following is based on data through calendar year 2006.
Adopted by City Council
1. A response unit should arrive at the scene of a priority emergency incident within 5.5 minutes from receipt of the alarm, X% of the time.
Current: 71% Target: 85%
Adopted by Fire Department for Analysis and Planning
1. Deliver the full effective response force to a structure fire within 10 minutes or less of dispatch, X% of the time.
Current: 84% Target: 80%
2. The Loss to fire should not exceed X% of total city property value based on an average of the past five years.
Current: 0.039% Target: 0.020%
3. The loss to fire in commercial property should not exceed X% of the value of structure involved in fire based on an average of the past five years.
Current: 0.96% Target: 0.90%
4. The loss to fire in residential property should not exceed X% of the value of structure involved in fire based on an average of the past five years.
Current: 5.49% Target: 5.0%
5. The number of fires occurring in commercial property should not exceed X per 1,000 commercial occupancies based on an average of the past five years.
Current: 6.51 Target: 4.0
6. The number of fires occurring in residential property should not exceed X per 1,000 residential occupancies based on an average of the past five years.
Current: 3.13 Target: 2.1
7. Loss of life to fire should not exceed X per 100,000 population based on an average of the past five years.
Current: 0.54 Target: 0.15
Endorsement by City Manager
This strategic plan has set aggressive goals for the next five years. Implementation of proposed objectives is subject to budgetary constraints, city council priorities, and the various challenges that face any organization. However it reflects a course and direction in keeping with current council policy and my direction to staff for its implementation.
Robert Wells, City Manager
Salem Fire Department
Standards of Coverage and Deployment-2007
Executive Summary-
The Salem Fire Department provides fire and emergency services to over 156,000 residents of the City of Salem and surrounding unincorporated territory.
The department operates from ten stations and currently staffs ten advanced life support engine companies, two ladder companies, and two battalion chiefs. 40 personnel, at a minimum, staff each shift.
The Salem Fire Department has established response performance objectives based on its current capabilities and resources. The objectives are:
1. First unit arrival at priority incidents within the City of Salem shall be achieved within 5.5 minutes or less of the receipt of the call, 70% of the time.
2. The full effective response force to any first alarm incident shall be delivered within 10 minutes or less of the receipt of the call, 75% of the time.
SFD is meeting its performance objectives. During 2004 first unit arrival occurred within 5.5 minutes only 58% of the time. However recent changes in deployment have increased the percentage of responses meeting the objective to 71% based on incidents occurring January through December 2006. During 2006 the full effective response force was delivered within 10 minutes on 77% of incidents.
The Salem City Council, recognizing that continued improvement of fire and emergency services capability greatly benefits the community, has established a response time performance goal that calls for the arrival of a fire department response unit within 5.5 minutes of the receipt of the alarm by the dispatch center on at least 85% of all emergency incidents. This goal has been established for planning purposes. The achievement of this goal is dependent on the city’s ability to fund needed improvements.
Response workload, 17,577 alarms in 2006, has been ever growing and will continue to do so. Unit workload, both emergency and non-emergency/administrative, has increased and will continue to do so.
Current performance to deliver the full effective response force to a structure fire is 10 minutes or less from the time of dispatch, 77% of the time. Geographic coverage is not the issue. Unit activity, as described above is. Performance will improve as additional units are made available to the deployment system.
On October 2, 1995, based on a unanimous recommendation from the Fire Service Sub Committee, the City Council adopted an emergency response time goal. This goal, identified for planning purposes, calls for arrival at the scene of an emergency by the first response unit within 5.5 minutes of the receipt of the call for help at the dispatch center, at least 85% of the time. Achievement of this goal is subject to the availability of funding for needed resources. (13 YEARS SINCE RESPONSE TIME GOAL ADOPTED)
RHAVE:
In total 2,894 occupancies were assessed using this system. The detailed assessment is contained in a separate document. While 85% scored between 25 and 39, the moderate risk range, a substantial number (331) scored in the significant category (40-59 score).
Page 16: “The downtown area is dominated by mid and high-rise structures”
“””””As of July 1, 2005 Ladder companies 4 person staffing””””””””
Page 19: Over the past ten years response workload has grown at an average annual rate of 3.5%.
“””””””””””””2006, Ladder 2: 631 calls, Ladder 4: 412 calls.”””””””””””””””””
Page 24: “Emergency event outcomes are positively influenced when the fire department can deliver enough personnel with the right equipment to the incident quickly enough to control the event before significant harm occurs.”
Page 30: “The impact of unit activity is best expressed in terms of its reliability to respond when called. Stations 1, 2, 3, 4, and 10 fell below 85 reliability (yr 2006), necessary to provide an on time response assuming all other response intervals are met.
“””””(Stations 6 and 8 were right at 85%).”””””””””
Contra Costa, CA
Investigative Report
Michele Drive Line of Duty Deaths
Finding:
The response to automatic fire alarms should include a minimum of two companies.
Discussion:
Current response policy for residential automatic fire alarms is to send the first?due company as a single unit Code 3. Commercial automatic fire alarm dispatch (including multi?residential) sends the first?due company Code 3 and second?due company Code 2.
The majority of fire deaths occur in residential occupancies. When a single company arrives on scene and encounters a confirmed fire, with no indication of a reported rescue, the Two?In/Two?Out requirement limits the three?person company’s ability to enter an IDLH atmosphere. The addition of second company will provide for a quicker response and
compliance with Two?In/Two?Out in the event of a confirmed fire. Further, for instances where there is a confirmed fire and a rescue and operations may be initiated without Two?Out, additional personnel will be available sooner to support whatever operations are initiated.
Finding:
Company staffing levels did not provide sufficient personnel to simultaneously initiate search and rescue operations while adequately maintaining command responsibilities.
Discussion:
Staffing companies with three personnel often results in the first?in Company Officer operating at the tactical level when s/he should be functioning at the command level. A four?person company would have allowed the Company Officer to maintain incident command while initiating tactical objectives and assigning incoming units.
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends that a minimum of four members respond on or arrive with each engine and each ladder company responding to any fire. These recommendations are based on experience derived from actual fires and in?depth fire simulations. The recommendations are also the result of critical and objective evaluation of fire company effectiveness. These studies indicate significant reductions in performance and safety where crews have fewer than four personnel per company.
For areas with high call volumes, tactical hazards, geographical restrictions and high hazard occupancies, NFPA 1710, Standard for the Organization and Deployment of Fire Suppression Operations, Emergency Medical Operations, and Special Operations to the Public by Career Fire Departments, recommends five and six personnel per engine and truck company, respectively.
The area served by CCCFPD meets all of the criteria mentioned above. Examples of tactical structural hazards throughout many areas of the Fire District include high?rise buildings,
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multi?story, multi?residential buildings with interior corridors, “big box stores” and warehouses, “updated” retail buildings with new facades and interiors that have 1940’s and 1950’s vintage bowstring truss roof structures, and some older residential and commercial buildings with basements. Examples of high hazard areas include petroleum refineries, steel manufacturers, chemical plants, and transportation corridors, including elevated and subterranean mass transit railway. CCCFPD protects a large number of senior housing developments. Wildland urban interface areas are prevalent throughout the District. Traffic patterns further complicate the problem contributing to long response times.
The most significant fact regarding staffing is that while the District population has increased by 126,000 since 1990, just five firefighters have been added per shift during that time. CCCFPD protects over 600,000 people with a daily staffing of 93 shift personnel.
Finding:
The Training Division staffing level is insufficient.
Discussion:
The Training Division does not have sufficient staff to keep pace with the volume of work. Retirements and promotions of personnel from the Training Division have had an impact on staff levels, which necessitates the periodic reassignment of suppression personnel to help facilitate recruit academies. Many needed projects, including curriculum development and policy and procedure updates, have been slow to occur.
Many of the recommendations in this report will put additional demands on the Training Division. A comprehensive review of the Training Division is necessary to identify the appropriate staff level to meet the day?to?day operational needs of the Fire District.
Recommendations:
10.1.1. Establish goals and timetables to increase minimum staffing levels in an effort to comply with NFPA 1710.
10.2.1. Assign a 24?hour dedicated Battalion Chief to each of the three shifts in Battalion 7.
10.3.1. Develop and implement a dedicated full?time Health and Safety Officer position using the qualifications and duties referenced in NFPA 1521.
10.4.1. Continue staffing the second engine company at Station 70 on a permanent basis.
10.5.1 Conduct a comprehensive review of the Training Division to identify the appropriate staffing levels needed to support District operations.
PROVIDENCE FIRE DEPARTMENT
STAFFING STUDY
EXECUTIVE DEVELOPMENT
BY: J. Curtis Varone
Providence Fire Department
Providence, RI
1994
The Providence Fire Department Staffing Study in 1990-1991 determined
that the costs of adding a fourth person to three-person companies was offset
by lower injury costs. The problem which prompted this research project was
that while an actuary analyzed the study data from an economic standpoint, the
data were never analyzed from the perspective of firefighter safety. As a result,
the full implications of the study, in terms of firefighter safety, were not known.
The purpose of this research was to examine the study data and
determine what effect increased staffing had on firefighter safety. The historical
research method was used.
The research questions were
1. Are there nationally recognized staffing standards or formulas for
firefighters?
2. How do injuries occurring during the control period compare with
those in the study period?
3. How does the time lost due to injury during the control period
compare with the time lost during the study period?
4. Are there factors other than staffing that could have affected the
results?
5. How do the study results relate to the nationally recognized
staffing levels?
The only nationally recognized staffing standard found came from the
National Fire Protection Association, which recommended a minimum of four
firefighters responding on or with each apparatus. The study data showed that
four-person staffing led to a 23.8 percent reduction in injuries, a 25 percent
reduction in time lost injuries and a 71 percent decrease in time lost due to injury
when compared to three-person staffing. These results led to the conclusion
that four-person staffing substantially reduced the number and the severity of
injuries compared with three-person staffing.
(DISCUSS FULL REPORT W/ EBOARD).........
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