Adopt the draft guidelines for response to severe storm emergencies contained in Appendix I.
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Revise the E-9-1-1 Call-Coding priorities procedures used in the Emergency Communications Center as described in Appendix H.
Train personnel on the characteristics and associated hazards of severe weather systems that contain straight-line or rotational winds, or are tropical in origin.
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Train personnel in the use of Doppler Radar technology and visual observation skills to identify and forecast the potential for severe weather.
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Purchase lightning detection equipment for placement on all emergency response vehicles.
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Direct fire companies to develop “Windshield Assessment” routes and checklists for their first-due response area. Also direct those companies to develop a listing of target hazards that could present multiple-casualty situations should severe weather strike. Update both sets of information on an annual basis.
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Train Emergency Operations Division personnel on situational assessment and ensure that all fire and EMS units have Severe Storm Response Boxes that contain the necessary supplies for situational assessment, and the equipment to mark structures after they have been assessed using the USAR structural triage system.
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Train company officers to be tactical leaders in a decentralized response environment.
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Train Middle Managers how to manage geographical areas of responsibility using Battalion Command Teams.
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Train Middle Managers about the County’s Emergency Operations Plan, how the interface between the Emergency Operations Center and field operations should work and have all middle managers participate in the yearly scheduled EOP tabletop exercises.
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Provide training to all personnel on the safety hazards associated with response to severe storm emergencies, i.e., high winds, torrential rains, lightning, and hail, and how to protect themselves during response operations.
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Train all personnel, and provide the proper personal protective equipment aboard each response unit, for safe, effective, and efficient operations in floodwater situations.
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Revise the department’s Incident Command System to include Battalion Command Team and Department Command Team components.
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Adopt the use of standard ICS forms for all incidents and ensure that all Middle Managers have a complete ICS forms catalog. Provide training in the use of those forms for incident documentation. Ensure that there is a complete ICS Forms Catalog in the EOC for fire officers to use when working in the EOC.
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Provide ICS and severe storm response guideline training annually in March to all personnel assigned to support services divisions, both uniformed and civilian, and determine how they can most effectively staff ICS positions, particularly when needed during normal business hours, 0830 hours to 1700 hours, Monday through Friday.
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Develop a new policy for the recall of off-duty personnel. Identify and purchase a computerized program to make calls to off-duty personnel in the event that additional personnel resources are needed for emergency response.
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Equip all reserve fleet apparatus with the necessary equipment and supplies so that such units can be rapidly deployed with recalled personnel when needed.
REFERENCES
Auf der Heide, E. (1989). Disaster response: principles of preparation and coordination. St. Louis, MO: C.V. Mosby Company.
Ausmus, F.G., (1994). A study of lightning and its associated hazards to humans as related to injury prevention. (Executive Fire Officer Program Applied Research Project). Emmitsburg, MD: National Fire Academy.
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Birden, J., (1992, September-October). Tornado. Minnesota Fire Chief. 8-9.
Bradford, G., (1999) Workforce wonder: Long Beach computerizes its scheduling and callback system. Journal of Emergency Medical Services, 24, 57-58.
Brunacini, A.V., (1985). Fire Command. Quincy, MA: National Fire Protection Association.
Burkle, F.M., Jr., Sanner, P.H., and Wolcott, B.W., (1984). Disaster medicine: application for the immediate management and triage of civilian and military disaster victims. New York, NY: Medial Examination Publishing Co., Inc.
Castillo, C.J., Montes, M.F., and Paulison, R.D., (1992). Hurricane Andrew after-action report.. Miami, FL: Metropolitan Dade County Fire Department.
Chesterfield County, (1997). Emergency Operations Plan, Basic Plan, Part I. Chesterfield Office of Emergency Services. Chesterfield County, VA: Author.
Cigler, B. (1986). Emergency management and public administration. (Report 86-12).
Cowardin, D.H. (1981). The on-scene emergency management system. Dallas, TX: Taylor Publishing Co.
Department of Atmospheric Sciences at University of Illinois at Urbanna-Champaign (1999).Lightning: a visible electric discharge produced by thunderstorms. [Website]. Available: www.ww2010.atmos.uiuc.edu/(Gh)/guides/mtr/svr/dngr/light.rxml
Department of Atmospheric Sciences at University of Illinois at Urbanna-Champaign (1999). Outflow phenomena: downbursts. [Website]. Available: www.ww2010.atmos.uiuc.edu/(Gh)/guides/mtr/svr/comp/out/home.rxml
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Drabek, T.E., (1985, January). Managing the emergency response. In W.J. Petak (Ed.), Emergency management: a challenge for public administration. Washington, D.C.: American Society for Public Administration.
Drapeau, J.C., (1994, October-December). The Aylmer tornado: a successful response. Emergency Preparedness Digest. 2-6.
Ebert, C.H.V. (1988). Disasters: violence of nature and threats by man. Dubuque, IA: Kendall/Hunt Publishing Co.
Eichelberger, J., (1991, June). Tornado devastates Plainfield. Fire Chief. 28-33.
Federal Aviation Administration, (1999). Thunderstorms - don’t flirt . . . skirt’em. General Aviation Accident Prevention Program. [Website]. Available: www.tc.faa.gov/ZDV/GA/tstorms.html
Federal Emergency Management Agency. (1994). Unit 3: Controlling incident operations. In Command and control of fire operations at natural and man-made disasters. Student manual. Emmitsburg, MD: Author.
Federal Emergency Management Agency. (1999). Executive analysis of fire service operations in emergency management. Student manual. Emmitsburg, MD: Author.
Federal Emergency Management Agency. (1993). The Incident Command System. Student Manual. Emmitsburg, MD: Author.
Fire House Magazine (1999). Off-site news. [Website]. Available: www.firehouse.com
Graham, G., (1997, February). Applying risk management principles to policy and procedure. Keynote educational address. Symposium conducted at the Mid-winter training conference of the State Fire Chiefs Association of Virginia, Virginia Beach, VA.
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Hughes, R.J., (1998). Hurricane impact on fire department operations. (Executive Fire Officer Program Applied Research Project). Emmitsburg, MD: National Fire Academy.
Irwin, R.L., (1989). The Incident Command System. In Auf der Heide, E. (Ed.) Disaster response: principles of preparation and coordination. St. Louis, MO: C.V. Mosby Company
Kasperson, R.E., and Pijawka, D.K. (1985). Societal response to hazards and major events: comparing natural and technological hazards. In W.J. Petak (Ed.), Emergency management: a challenge for public administration. Washington, D.C.: American Society for Public Administration.
Kessler, E., and White, G.F. (1988). Thunderstorms in a social context. In E. Kessler (Ed.), The thunderstorm in human affairs (pp. 3-18). Norman, OK: University of Oklahoma Press.
Kusler, J.A., (1985). Liability as a dilemma for local managers. In W.J. Petak (Ed.), Emergency management: a challenge for public administration. Washington, D.C.: American Society for Public Administration.
Main, G., (1995). Fire department search and rescue operations following tornado disasters. (Executive Fire Officer Program, Applied Research Project). Emmitsburg, MD: National Fire Academy.
Mann, B., (1993, April-June). Lessons learned from Hurricane Andrew. Emergency Preparedness Digest. 15-17.
Mikel, R.J., (1998). How thunderstorms and lightning impact the Naperville Fire Department. (Executive Fire Officer Program Applied Research Project). Emmitsburg, MD: National Fire Academy.
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Minor, J.E. (1988). Effects of wind on buildings. In E. Kessler (Ed.), The thunderstorm in human affairs (pp. 89-109). Norman, OK: University of Oklahoma Press.
Myrtle Beach Fire Department. (1999). Emergency guideline disaster plan. Myrtle Beach, SC: Author.
National Fire Protection Association, (1999, August). Firefighter deaths due to drownings. Selected special analyses of U.S. firefighter fatalities (pp. 29-35). Special report prepared for Federal Emergency Management Agency, U.S. Fire Administration. Quincy, MA: Author.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, (1999). Spotter's guide for identifying and reporting severe local storms. [Website]. Available: www.nws.noaa.gov/om/tstorm.htm
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Palm Beach County Fire Rescue Department. (1999). Palm Beach County emergency operations plan: hurricane annex. Palm Beach County, FL: Author.
Quarantelli, E.L., (1983). Delivery of emergency medical care in disasters. New York, NY: Irvington Publishers, Inc.
Redmon Fire Department. (1998). Earthquake Emergency Plan. Redmon, WA: Author
Rosow, I., (1977). Authority in emergencies: four tornado communities in 1953. (Historical and comparative series, no. 2) Newark, DE: University of Delaware, The Disaster Research Center.
Salt Lake City Fire Department, (1999, September). Post-incident analysis of tornado, August 11, 1999. Salt Lake City, UT: Author.
Segerstrom, J., (1991, September-October). Up a creek without a paddle: the problems of floods for rescuers. Rescue. 20-29.
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Sharp, D. (2000, January 24). Reverse 911 is danger alert. The Richmond Times-Dispatch, p. A2
Sorenson, J.H., Mileti, D.S., and Copenhaver, E., (1985). Inter-and intraorganizational cohesion in emergencies. Mass Emergencies and Disasters, 3, 30-32. Chapel Hill, NC: University of North Carolina.
South Trail Fire Protection and Rescue Service District. (1999). Disaster Plans. Fort Myers, FL: Author.
Stormfax Weather Almanac (1999). Fuijita-Pearson tornado scales of tornado damage and path. [Website]. Available: www.stormfax.com/fujita.htm
City of Tallahassee, (1999). Hurricane procedure. Basic Emergency Operations Plan, Part 1. Tallahassee, FL: Author. [Website]. Available: www.state.fl.us/citytlh/emergency/hurrican.html.
Vavrek, R.J., Holle, R.L., Allsopp, J., Davies, J.M., and Hoadley, D.K. (1995). Supercells-nature’s most violent thunderstorms. The Earth Scientist, 12, 3-11.
Weather Channel, (2000). Extreme weather: Tuesday, January 4, 2000. News Center. [Website]. Available: www.weather.com/weather_center.
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Appendix A - Chesterfield Emergency Communications Center - Fire Codes
FIRE TYPE PRI DESCRIPTION
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A 42 1 AIRCRAFT DOWN
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includes all aircraft type emergencies (i.e.: landing gear problems, motor problems, unknown problems, in-flight emergencies with potential crash and actual crash)
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A 90 1 ALARM ACTIVATION/NO FIRE
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includes all alarm activations (i.e: alarm company reporting); if water flow, be sure to note in comments and radio operator will add a truck company. IF CALLER IS AT ACTUAL RESIDENCE OR BUSINESS BE SURE TO ASK IF ANY SMOKE OR FIRE IS VISIBLE
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C 11 1 COMMERCIAL STRUCTURE
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includes all fires for major Commercial, Industrial and Institutional structures
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C 40 1 CONFINED SPACE RESCUE
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confined areas not intended for human occupancy, with limited means of entry and exit, potential for contaminated atmosphere, or engulfment; these situations may require special forms of breathing apparatus, explosion proof lighting, atmospheric monitoring and an entry permit to rescue or recover victim(s)
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D 04 1 DIVE TEAM/UNDERWATER RESCUE
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includes all dive team calls where persons are trapped or possibly drown and are possibly below the water surface
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E 40 1 ELEVATED RESCUE OPERATION
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any situation requiring access to a victim, unable to get down or trapped in an elevated area where ground or aerial ladders will probably not reach (greater than 100' in height) i.e.: radio tower, water tank, power line tower, roof, and tall trees; and specialized rigging is required to access and remove victims
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H 11 1 HIGH RISE STRUCTURE
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includes all fires for High Rise structures (note: some non high rise buildings will be included - EX: Virginia State University)
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I 44 1 INTERIOR GAS LEAK
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includes all calls where there is a gas leak in the interior of a building
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L 44 1 HAZARDOUS MATERIAL LEAK
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includes calls where you know you have a hazardous material leak
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M 11 1 STRUCTURE FIRE W/MUTUAL AID
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includes structure fires in area of county that get mutual aid (i.e: Powhatan, Petersburg)
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M 40 1 MACHINERY ENTRAPMENT
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incidents where people are trapped in commercial, industrial, construction or farm machinery which may require specialized stabilization, lifting and manipulation; these incidents may also require the specialized cutting, distorting and/or disassembly of equipment components to rescue or recover a victim(s)
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M 59 1 MUTUAL AID
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includes all mutual aid calls outside of the county (i.e.: Petersburg, Powhatan - Fire and EMS type calls included)
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R 01 1 REDUCED STRUCTURE
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includes all structure fires where a reduced assignment is warranted
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R 04 3 DIVE TEAM RECOVERY
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includes all recovery calls where there is no emergency rescue involved
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S 14 1 SERIOUS BRUSH FIRE
S 40 1 STRUCTURE COLLAPSE
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incidents where structures/buildings have partially or totally collapsed with the possibility of injury or trapped victims inside the structure
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T 15 1 TRASH/DUMPSTER FIRE
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includes trash and dumpsters
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T 40 1 TRENCH/EARTH COLLAPSE
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incidents where trench or excavations have collapsed or underground construction requires special sheeting and shoring operations; these incidents may also require atmospheric monitoring and/or rope rescue to recover victim(s); also may include a pit or ravine in which a victim cannot exit; also may include a medical emergency where the victim is in an unshored trench or excavation
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W 40 1 WATER/ICE RESCUE
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any situation where person(s) visible and trapped or stranded in water or on an ice covered lake, pond, river or pool
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2 01 1 SPECIAL (FIRE ONLY)
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includes any fire not classified in other sections (i.e.: telephone poles, electrical poles, porta-johns, etc.)
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2 11 1 STRUCTURE FIRE
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includes all structures other than commercial or high rise
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2 13 1 VEHICLE FIRE
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includes any vehicle fire outside of a structure or vehicle fires reported out
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2 14 1 BRUSH FIRE
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includes all woods, grass, trees, field fires and fires of same nature, or out on arrival
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2 15 1 OUTDOOR/REFUSE
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includes all yard storage, fences, etc.
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2 40 1 HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS
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includes standby for downed power lines, transformers, lightning strikes with no fire, hazard control (not involving 10-50) etc.
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2 41 1 CHIMNEY FIRE
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includes fires that are contained completely within a chimney and does not cause damage to structure. If damage occurs to structure, this should be coded as structure fire
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2 42 1 VEHICLE ACCIDENT
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includes overturned, trapped, over embankment, hazard control for 10-50 only
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2 43 1 EXCESSIVE HEAT
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includes calls where there is no evidence of flame production, but there is evidence of melting or excessive heat
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2 44 1 HAZARDOUS MATERIAL/UNKNOWN
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includes all calls where hazardous materials not leaking or outside natural gas leaks
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2 56 3 ILLEGAL BURNING
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includes illegal burnings that are being controlled (attended or unattended)
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2 59 3 PUBLIC SERVICE
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includes water shut off, tree removal from roadway, etc.
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2 61 1 SMOKE INVESTIGATION
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includes all calls where smoke or smell are present (outside only) and fits no other category
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2 71 3 REDUCED FALSE ALARM
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this is where you know it is a false alarm and you send a unit to take a report
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6 20 3 EMS WALK-IN CALLS
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this code will be used when there is and EMS walk-in to a fire station that does not require an ambulance to respond (just firefighters on duty handling patient care).
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6 50 1 MEDICAL 10-50
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includes all 10-50's where fire is sent for medical reasons (this code does not have to automatically be entered)
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Appendix B - County of Chesterfield Emergency Operations Plan, Part I
FUNCTIONAL APPENDIX 5: FIRE SERVICE
MISSION
To prevent and suppress fires and respond to hazardous materials incidents, thereby preventing or minimizing the loss of life and property, and to assist with rescue, warning, and other operations as required in time of emergency.
ORGANIZATION
The Fire Chief or a Fire Department representative will coordinate the response of the Fire Department and will be a part of the EOC staff which will assist with the overall direction and control of emergency operations.
The Chesterfield Fire Department is staffed with approximately 334 full-time personnel and 380 volunteer firefighters.
CONCEPT OF OPERATIONS
The Chesterfield Fire Department is capable of suppressing all types of fires and responding to a hazardous substances incident (see Functional Annex Hazardous Materials Emergency Plan).
Should an emergency demand greater resources than are available within the County, fire departments in nearby jurisdictions will assist. Likewise, the Chesterfield Fire Department will assist other jurisdictions when needed. All such assistance should be in accordance with existing mutual aid agreements.
The Chesterfield Fire Department maintains its own equipment and supplies.
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ACTIONS - FIRE SERVICE
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Normal Operations
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Develop and maintain plans and procedures to provide fire services in time of emergency
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Review and update plans and procedures, as time permits
2. Increased Readiness - A natural or man-made disaster is threatening the local area
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Alert on-duty personnel
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Identify status of vehicles and equipment.
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Emergency Operations
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Mobilization Phase - Conditions continue to worsen requiring full-scale mitigation and preparedness
activities
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Alert personnel to stand-by status
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Begin to implement record keeping of all incurred expenses for fire and hazardous materials related incidents and continue for the duration of the emergency
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Check firefighting and communications equipment.
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The Fire Chief or his representative should report to the EOC and assist with emergency operations
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As the situation worsens, alert and assign duties to all personnel. Fire department personnel may be requested to assist with warning and evacuation
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Response Phase
Disaster strikes. An emergency response is required to protect lives and property.
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Follow established procedures in responding to fires or hazardous materials incidents
2. For other disasters:
a . Continue to assist with evacuation as required
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Assist with ground search and rescue, if requested
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Record disaster-related expenses for fire service functions.
4. Recovery
a. Continue to provide essential services as required.
b. Continue search and rescue operations, if required.
c. Assist with cleanup operations
d. Assist with the inspection of damaged facilities, if applicable.
e. Compile and submit records of disaster-related expenses for fire service functions.
EOP Appendix 5
5-2
August 5, 1997
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Appendix C - Storm Readiness Survey of Chesterfield Fire Department Officers
TO: All Chesterfield Fire Department Career Officers
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FROM: Senior Captain Robert P. Avsec
DATE: October 28, 1999
SUBJECT: Survey for Executive Fire Officer Program Applied Research Project (ARP)
I am currently working on my ARP for the course, Executive Analysis of Fire Department Operations in Emergency Management. The topic of my ARP is, “Chesterfield Fire Department Response to Severe Storm Emergencies.” One of my goals for this project is to develop a model policy and operating guidelines to improve our organization’s ability to manage emergencies and resources during severe storms. As part of my research for this project I am surveying all junior and senior career officers gain their assessment of how well prepared they and the department are to respond to severe weather emergencies. (For this survey, severe weather is defined as severe thunderstorms, tropical storms and hurricanes, and tornados.) Please print this e-mail attachment, answer the following questions, and return the hard copy survey to me at the AO Office, Fire Station 15, before November 15, 1999.
What is your current position in the organization? First-line Supervisor (Lieutenant, Captain)
Middle Manager (Sr. Battalion Chief, Battalion Chief, Senior Captain)
Please rate your response to these statement using the following scale:
1-You strongly disagree with the statement.
2-You disagree with the statement.
3-You have no opinion regarding the statement.
4-You agree with the statement.
5-You strongly agree with the statement.
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1. I feel the organization has a plan for safe, effective, and efficient response to severe storm emergencies.
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1 2 3 4 5
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2. I am trained and prepared to manage emergency response resources at my level in the organization.
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1 2 3 4 5
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3. I understand the hazards and special operations and resource management necessary for response to storm related emergencies.
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1 2 3 4 5
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4. I receive adequate training for response to storm related emergencies.
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1 2 3 4 5
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I have completed the following training pertinent to storm related emergency response:
National Fire Academy, Command and Control of Natural and Man-Made Disasters
National Fire Academy, Executive Analysis of Fire Service Operations in Emergency Management
Emergency Management Institute, IEMC: All Hazards-Preparedness and Response
Emergency Management Institute, IEMC: Hurricane-Preparedness and Response
Appendix D - Chesterfield Fire Department, Operational Policy #13
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