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Home My WebLink AboutSOG 205.06 REVISED 1-2009-Staging` ! I I IFire-Rescue 205.06 - Staging: Levels I & II Effective: 5/1/1999 Revised: 8/1/1999, 1/5/2009 Replaces: I. Guiding Philosophx Safe and effective incident mitigation efforts require effective command and control. This includes efficient organization of responding companies and personnel within an effectively communicated Incident Action Plan. Orderly staging and subsequent deployment of on -scene forces makes development and implementation of this plan possible. II. Purpose The purpose of this policy is to provide a standard system of initial placement for responding apparatus, personnel, and equipment prior to assignment at tactical incidents. III. Goals The goals of this policy are to: A. List the benefits of effective staging practices. B. Communicate guidelines for Level I & II staging. C. Clarify staging expectations for Staff Officers. IV. Definitions A. Fast Action Strategy - command decision made within the Offensive Mode of operation where the initial Incident Commander makes a conscious decision to initiate immediate intervention activities inside the hazard zone rather than establish a stationary command post. B. Sta2in2 - status of organizational resources after arrival, but prior to assignment on an emergency incident. C. Stnin2 Area - location where incident personnel and equipment are awaiting assignment by the Incident Commander. D. Staging Area Manager — Officer in charge of coordinating Staging Area personnel, apparatus, units and activities. V. Benefits of Effective Staaina Practices A. Effective utilization of staging procedures will: 1. Prevent excessive apparatus congestion at the scene. 2. Allow time for Command to evaluate conditions prior to assigning companies. 3. Place apparatus in an uncommitted location close to the immediate scene to facilitate more effective assignment by Command. 4. Reduce radio traffic during the critical initial stages of the incident. 5. Allow Command to formulate and implement a plan without undue confusion and pressure. 6. Provide a resource pool from which Command may assign units and resources as needed. VI. Level I Staain A. L� , v III ,1 1. 4l al' _r �,y.. Ih�� m m +'4.��. ��. �� III w'�W i �,.�'�� i. �.�� III VIII III ";� Ii�� '��„��"�� i�� III ��. ��I ";��4�Lw,'!';'q III VIII �'�.�� VIII �"'� 4�I,� III � '�� i1„lliu11 i„i During any multi -company response, all companies should continue responding to the scene unless directed to cancel by Fire Communications, based on the initial report from the first arriving unit on the scene. In situations where the simultaneous arrival of first -due companies is possible, the affected Officers shall utilize radio communications to coordinate activities and eliminate confusion. It will be the responsibility of the dispatcher to confirm the arrival and assumption of Command by the first on -scene unit. B. Once a unit announces arrival on the scene, Level I Staging will be implemented in the following manner: 1. For Fires and Hazardous Materials Incidents: a. The first arriving ,)v'(1,Y11v',E company will respond directly to the scene and initiate appropriate operations. If the engine company is first on scene, assumes Command, and initiates a Fast Action strategy, then other engine companies will continue responding to the scene until a stationary Command Post has been established. b. The first arrivmgj Z i":, company will stage in direction of ., � travel to the scene one block away. They will announce their arrival as staged on -scene so that Command may commit them to an assignment. ��`�� will go directly to the c. The first arriving i i scene, establish a stationary Command Post, and indicate their actions by radio. d. After stationary Command has been established, ALL OTHER UNITS, including Chiefs Officers, will stage in their direction of travel, uncommitted, approximately one block from the scene until assigned by Command. A position providing a maximum of possible tactical options with regard to access, direction of travel, water supply, etc., should be selected. Command will be sensitive SOG 205.06 — Staging: Levels 1 & 11 Page 2 of 4 to the overall needs of the incident, including investigations and preservation of evidence, whenever possible. 2. For Multi-Comnanv Response to Medical Emergencies: e. In addition tot e above, the first arriving 141`10 �1JV1,7' will go 11 directly to the scene and place their unit in a location that will provide maximum access for medical/rescue support, not impede the entry or movement of other units, and indicate their action by radio. The first arriving 1' .../'� 4 "� d! J will ALSO go directly to the scene and park their apparatus in a manner that will allow quick and unobstructed exit for patient transportation. g. All other companies will stage in their direction of travel, approximately one block from the incident. h. Staged companies or units will, announce their arrival and report their company designation and their staged location/direction ("Engine One, Walnut at Mulberry"). i. Staged companies will stay off the air until orders are received from Command. If it becomes apparent Command has forgotten the company is in a staged position, the ranking officer on the unit shall contact Command and remind him/her of their staged status. j . Staging procedures attempt to reduce unnecessary radio traffic, but in no way should reduce effective communications or the initiative of officers to communicate. If staged companies observe critical tactical needs, they will advise Command of such critical conditions and their associated actions. VII. Level II Staain A. Level II Staging is utilized when Command desires to maintain a reserve of resources on -scene, and when the need to centralize resources is required. Level II Staging places all reserve resources in a central location, and automatically requires the implementation of a Staging Area Manager. B. Level II Staging should be implemented for all greater alarm incidents, multiple alarm medical or hazardous materials incidents, or other incidents in which Command desires to centralize resources, or simply to park apparatus in a central, unobstructed location. C. Companies which are already staged (Level I) or enroute to Level I staging, will remain in Level I unless otherwise directed by Command. All other responding units will proceed to the Level II Staging Area. When activating Level II staging, Command will give an approximate location for the Staging Area. D. The Staging Area should be some distance away from the Command Post and the emergency scene to reduce site congestion, but close enough for prompt response to the incident site. SOG 205.06 — Staging: Levels 1 & 11 Page 3 of 4 E. Command should consider Level H Staging when calling for additional resources. This is more functional than calling for Level II staging while units are enroute. The additional units will then be dispatched to the Staging Area. F. Command may designate a Staging Area and Manager who will be responsible for the activities outlined in this procedure In the m°t .l�im nce ii!I .l�igym: h itn %'r ed l' n411 i'heStilTin;g 1redt, 111itniiP:Ter itnd n411 niilpl ft il;�pn nnlndl iY';pn 111IT v iid The arrival notification will be made to Command on the assigned tactical channel. G. Due to the limited number of aerial companies, an Aerial Operator will transfer responsibility for staging to the first arriving Engine Company Officer. The Staging Area Manager will assign his/her company members as needed to assist with staging operations, or assign them to another company. H. All responding companies will stay off the air, respond directly to the designated Staging Area, and the ranking officer will report in person to the Staging Area Manager. The crew will standby in proximity of their unit with crew intact and warning lights turned off until assigned incident mitigation or support duties, or released from the scene. I. When assigned to on-site duties, companies leaving staging will communicate directly with Command or their assigned Branch/Division/Group Supervisor for instructions. J. Once Level II staging is implemented, all communications involving staging will be between the Staging Area Manager and Command or Logistics. Command will assign an appropriate radio channel for staging operations. VIII. Staging Expectations for Staff Officers A. Arrival on the scene of Staff Officers can enhance the Command organization and incident management. Unless arriving Staff Officers have predetermined responsibilities (i.e., Investigator, Safety Officer, Haz Mat Group), these individuals should assume a Level I staged position and announce their staged arrival on the tactical channel. This includes Staff Officers of all ranks. B. Vehicle parking at the site can be limited. Staff Officers should leave their vehicles in the Staging Area, or park well off the road (i.e., parking lots) so as not to restrict on-site access by fire apparatus and med units. SOG 205.06 — Staging: Levels 1 & 11 Page 4 of 4