I-9 - NFPA Standards - 2014

A.4.1.2 The succession of command responsibility is necessary to provide for continuity of operations following death, injury, disability, or the absence of individuals. Succession should include the job title designation “acting” but should not imply automatic reassignment or promotion. A.4.2 In many communities, the fire department is assigned primary responsibility for the management of hazardous materials emergencies. In some cases, this includes regulatory responsibilities to identify and minimize risks to the community resulting from the storage, use, transportation, and disposal of hazardous materials. (See 29 CFR 1910.120.) The process used to plan response to these emergencies is also a viable tool for planning response (e.g., fire suppression, EMS, and technical rescue) to other risks within the community. The planning process should be coordinated with community and private sector planning processes that are implemented to meet legal requirements. The resulting comprehensive emergency management plan (CEMP) should be developed by the local emergency planning committee (LEPC) and exercised at least annually. The CEMP should include evacuation plans, intervention strategies, sources of expertise, and specialized assistance and disposal plans. The planning process should identify clearly the AHJ for command responsibility during hazardous materials incidents and other emergency responses to incidents within the community Disaster planning should be coordinated at all levels of government in anticipation of large-scale emergencies. Legislation or legal restrictions could establish the overall controlling authority in disaster operations. All planning and activity should occur within the framework of these restrictions. (See Annex B.) NFPA 1600 is a document that provides additional information to assist users in preparing for, responding to, and mitigating disasters in their jurisdictions. In addition, it covers federal, state, and local disaster agencies’ roles and responsibilities within a comprehensive planning process. See NFPA 1250, which provides additional information and tools to assist in the risk management process. A.4.2.2 A variety of factors should be taken into account, including the size, height, and configuration of buildings; special life risks; exposures between structures; construction types; occupancy classifications; and other hazards. A.4.3.2 Table 4.3.2 outlines demographic areas, as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau; staffing and deployment requirements; and fractal measurements. The suburban area is based on the requirements provided in the report by the Ontario Fire Marshal’s Office, Shaping the Future of Fire Ground Staffing and Delivery Systems within a Comprehensive Fire Safety Effectiveness Model, a report referenced in NFPA 1710, as well. This requirement must be met 80 percent of the time. Rural areas have a lower population density and require six people (two in/two out plus the incident commander and pump operator), a requirement that is derived from the country-UK standards of fire cover and must be met 80 percent of the time. The remote areas reference the OSHA “two in/two out” requirement and the assembly of four persons 90 percent of the time. Travel distances are varied and can be computed utilizing the ISO travel formula. This travel formula is as follows: \[ 1.7 \times \text{distance} + 0.65 = \text{travel time} \] For evaluation of response time objectives based on Table 4.3.2, the fire department needs to record the number of members on the scene at the end of the response time given in the table for each incident. For example, in an urban area, the fire department would record the number of members on scene 9 minutes after the completion of the dispatch notification. They would then determine how many times they had at least 15 members on scene within that 9-minute time interval and calculate a percentage based on the total calls in urban areas. To meet the objective defined in this standard for an urban area, they would need to assemble at least 15 members within 9 minutes for 90 percent of the incidents. A.4.3.3 The AHJ must determine when a station is considered staffed. This can be determined by the number of personnel, response SOPs, local conditions, community risk assessment, and level of service provided. A.4.3.4 The AHJ should determine the number and type of fire company units to be provided. All personnel except those assigned to staff or support units or those serving as chief officers should be assigned to a specific company unit. The fire chief’s responsibility is to ensure that the best use is made of personnel and equipment. See NFPA 1561 for additional information. A.4.3.5 Modern computerized dispatch systems have the capability of providing specific dispatch assignments for individual buildings. Where street fire alarm boxes are provided, a response assignment should be prepared for each box location. Where street boxes are not used, zone numbers should be assigned to different points, sectors, or properties. The number and type of units assigned to a particular incident depend on the availability of units at the time the incident occurs. Dispatchers should be given the authority to use judgment, within departmental guidelines, when they encounter situations or circumstances that demand modification of normal response assignments. Procedures for the redistribution of available companies within the jurisdiction should be established in such a manner as to provide the best possible protection in the event of major incidents or high activity. Mutual aid companies should be used for back-up coverage in these situations. A.4.4.1 Reports on emergencies are essential to providing an accurate record of a department’s activities. Reports also serve as a basis for determining local, state, and national fire trends and for establishing the needs of a fire department. NFPA 901 should be used as the basis for classifying data on emergency incidents. The FEMA National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) should form the basis of an incident reporting system. The purpose of 4.4.1 is to inform fire departments of the importance of having a reporting system, even if such a system is not required by local, state, or provincial law. A.4.5.1 The responsibility for assigning fire companies at an emergency belongs to the incident commander, who establishes priorities and assigns units based on identified objectives. Normally, on a first alarm response, the first engine company and truck company respond directly to the front of the emergency, while other responding units stand by or stage nearby until assigned to a particular task. Whenever an emergency situation demands extended operational activities, additional alarms should be called to provide reinforcements and a reserve supply of personnel and equipment at the scene. Arriving companies that have not been assigned according to standard operating procedures (SOPs) or directions from the incident commander should proceed automatically to a standby or staging position. These units should stop short and remain uncommitted about a block from the scene until assigned by the incident commander. Staging positions should take into account access to potential operating positions, water supply, and traffic