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CENTRAL CALAVERAS FIRE &
RESCUE
PROTECTION DISTRICT
P.O. Box 2, 19927 Jesus
Maria Road, Mountain Ranch, Ca 95246 Office: (209) 754-4330 FAX: (209) 754-3906 www.centralcalaverasfire.org |
Standard of Response Coverage 2007
Our Mission…
Protect & enhance the well-being of our
residents, businesses, customers and partners.
We will accomplish this by…
Delivering exceptional service and compassionate
solutions as a cohesive team with dedication, vigilance and pride.
Organizational Principles
Support a safe healthy and diverse workplace-
Establish and maintain the highest quality fire
suppression program-
Establish a strong community relations program,
particularly in the area of public education and fire prevention-
Promote lifelong learning with emphasis for high
professional standards and higher education-
The CCFRPD has an estimated population of 5,000 and
covers approximately 200-square miles. We responded to 419 emergencies,
including 66 fires and 222 medical calls in 2006. The fire district
provides around the clock emergency services to our constituents. The Fire
Chief is responsible for the overall administration of the CCFRPD along with a
five-member board of directors. The annual estimated budget for 2006-2007 is
approximately $427,000.00. The fire district is staffed by trained fire
protection personnel and is organized into four major elements,
Operations/Suppression, Prevention, Training and Safety.
CCFRPD is a “combination-paid/volunteer” fire
protection district and currently staffed with four paid firefighters, a paid
fire chief, and a part-time administrative assistant, one volunteer company
officer and sixteen volunteer firefighters/emergency medical services personnel,
one cadet/explorer. Firefighters are expected to perform at the Fire
Fighter-I/II level, Hazardous Materials (Operations Level) and meet CICCS
Firefighter (Type-II) level as a minimum. Firefighters respond to a variety of
different incidents, to include structural fire and wild land fire operations,
rescue operations, hazardous materials incidents, and emergency medical
services. All emergency operations are managed utilizing NFPA 1561 Incident
Management System.
Utilizing vehicular assets and installed supportable
systems, our firefighters control, neutralize, mitigate, and /or extinguish any
fire or emergency situation occurring within the CCFRPD boundaries. Assistance
from other agencies may be necessary to successfully mitigate some incidents.
Firefighters also perform limited containment and control measures at hazardous
materials incidents (defensive). Mutual aid or emergency contract authority may
be requested for incidents beyond the capabilities of this fire district.
We provide first responder emergency medical
assistance under the supervision of the Mountain Valley Emergency Medical
Services Agency, Modesto, California. The CCFRPD does not provide ambulance
transport; a contract ambulance company provides that service. In addition, the 911 Dispatch Center
(CDF/Cal-Fire/San Andreas & Calaveras County Sheriff’s) Communication
Center serves as Public Safety Answering Point for 9-1-1 calls and is the
interface between the law enforcement desk and the local hospitals. Medical
assistance may require rescue, extrication, or firefighting actions to be
carried out simultaneously to ensure the best possible assistance to the victim
(s).
All fire district personnel work together to
provide company fire inspections of the target hazards areas and to educate the
members of the community in sound fire/safety practices. In addition, the
county fire prevention planner assigned to the Calaveras County Building
Department performs technical reviews of building renovations and construction
projects.
There are five fire stations operating with
the CCFRPD. Fire Station 1 (Headquarters) houses a 1000 GPM Pumper
(E-121), a 3000-gallon water tender (WT-121) a light rescue unit Rescue-121,
one utility vehicle (U-121) and Chief-120, a command vehicle. Fire Station 2
houses one type-III engine, 500 GPM Pumper, E-122. Fire Station 3 houses a 500
GPM Pumper (E-123) and a light rescue squad (R-123). Fire Station 4 houses a
500 GPM Pumper (E-124), Patrol-124 a fast attack unit, HazMat Decon-2, an MCI
OES/County Decon Unit/Trailer and one Utility vehicle (U-124S). Fire Station 5
houses a 1000 GPM Pumper (E-125) and a fast attack unit (Patrol-125).
The concept of the engine/squad at the district is to provide suppression and specialized rescue services with one vehicle. There is a complete inventory of specialized tools and equipment that is maintained on each vehicle.
CCFRPD paid staff’s work schedule is 24-hr shifts,
365 days a year effective September 16th 2006. Augmented by
available volunteer fire personnel. Volunteer fire/ems personnel respond for
which they receive a stipend for services rendered for each response. Paid
staff supplement fire district response and are paid overtime at their going
rate, if available.
Minimum proficiency training and frequencies are
specified in the annual fire districts training scheduled and SOG Manual.
Qualified persons provide all training and education. All exercises are
conducted within the established standard operating guidelines, are supervised
by qualified instructors, and have a designated safety officer for all
evolutions. All firefighters maintain current certification in self-contained
breathing apparatus, CPR, EMS First Responder /EMT (in some cases) and
Hazardous Materials Operations level. We maintain several specialized teams to
include wildfire response team, over the bank rescue personnel. Members receive
specialized training of at least 12 hrs annually.
Time Points & Time Intervals
Event Initiation:
All emergency events follow a specific series of
events. Emergency systems primarily intercede after the “point of awareness” of
the emergency event. An emergency response time continuum is composed of the
following time points and intervals for all emergencies. The event imitation
occurs when factors combine to ultimately result in the activation of an
emergency response system. Precipitating factors can occur seconds, minutes,
hours or even days before a point of awareness is reached. An example is the
patient who ignores chest pain discomfort for days until it reaches a critical
point at which he or she makes the decision to seek assistance (point of
awareness). It is rarely possible to quantify the point at which event
initiation occurs.
Emergency Event:
The emergency event begins at the point when the
need for an emergency response system is identified. These identifiers may
include an individual that recognizes or witnesses a need for an emergency
response or an electrical or mechanical system such as a smoke or heat
detector.
Alarm:
An alarm begins when the emergency response system
is activated. An example is when 911 is initiated by someone in need or when a
local or central alarm is transmitted to a receiving agency.
Notification:
Notification begins when the fire dispatcher
receives the call or alarm.
Alarm Processing:
Alarm processing is defined as the interval of time
between the notification of alarm to the dispatcher and the receipt of the
alarm by the emergency responders. This is the first point at which the actual
recording of time begins in the response time continuum. The Commission on Fire
Accreditation (CFAI) benchmark is 50 seconds.
Turnout Time:
Turnout or
“prep time” is from when the alert tones in the station until units indicate
they are responding to the call. The CFAI benchmark for this time is 60
seconds. Company Officers or Acting Company Officers are instructed to
establish this point by signing out “unit responding (Sample: E-121
Responding)” as the vehicle turns a wheel in transit to an emergency incident,
after dispatches check back.
Travel Time:
This is the point at which the units indicate they
are responding to the call until they indicate arrival at the scene of the
emergency (“on-scene”). Travel time is affected by the location of the
emergency equipment within the district. Factors that effect travel time
include weather, traffic and time of day.
On-Scene Time:
On-scene time is the point at which the responding
unit arrives at the emergency and ends recording of the total response time.
Initiation of Action:
This is the point at which operations to mitigate
the incident begins. Actions may include size-up, resource deployment or when
patient contact is initiated.
Termination of Incident:
Termination is the time at which the emergency
units have completed the assignment and are available to respond to another
request for service or the “available”
time.
Total Response Time:
Total response time is calculated from the
notification point until the units arrive on-scene.
Elements of Response Time:
The recommendation for response time is based on examples provided in the CFAI Handbook. This information suggests that intervention at a structure fire prior to the flashover stage is crucial. Smoke alarm activation or awareness of a fire in progress does not occur until approximately 18-20 minutes after initiation of the event. From this point of awareness and time until notification occurs, conditions deteriorate rapidly with maximum temperatures and flashover occurring within an 8-10 minute time frame. Flashover is that point of a fire’s growth at which there is a significant shift in its threat to life and property. From an emergency medical perspective, the six-minute time frame is used as a means of service level measurement. Brain damage is very likely in cardiac arrest patients after six minutes without oxygen flow to the brain. The CFAI Handbook also refers to a ten-minute frame in which external defibrillation provides for the greatest chance of survival.
Coverage Zones:
In order to provide adequate coverage and response times for the entire fire district, we have established three management areas. The CCFRPD is comprised of approximately 200 square miles. They are:
Zone # 1- Mountain Ranch/Esperanza Area
Zone # 2- Glencoe/Rail Road Flat/Eagle Ridge Ranch/Airport Areas
Zone # 3- Sheep Ranch Area
Distribution of Vehicles:
The fire stations and resources are located to assure a
rapid deployment to minimize and terminate emergencies and are our primary
measurement to evaluate distribution is first-due engine travel times. Proper
distribution is necessary to ensure that first-due emergency vehicles arrive
promptly and are able to mitigate or contain any emergency.
Fire Flow:
Fire flow must be addressed when considering risk factors. Fire flow is an assessment of water supply needed once a structure has become fully involved. This assessment is based on defining the problem that will occur if the structure is totally involved, thereby creating the maximum demand upon fire suppression services. Fire flow calculations should be included with all plan review documents. Responsible agencies (CCWD & CPUD, etc.) maintain the water supply system and perform fire flow testing on our fire hydrants. The water supply system is tested for fire flow and a comparison of available hydrant flow to the required fire flow is required with every new project at the “Findings and Recommendations Stage” of the design analysis.
We are required to utilize the following standards in
establishing minimum fire flow requirements:
Interior Firefighting (Offensive Operations): 250 GPM from each on-scene company (NFPA)
Master Streams: Minimum of 500 GPM (NFPA)
Hose lines: Maximum of 300 GPM (NFPA)
One & Two-Family Dwellings: Minimum 500 GPM (NFPA)
Standard of Coverage for the CCFRPD
The CCFRPD is an aggressive, full service fire protection district. A first due company shall be able to provide a safe interior attack at a structure fire or basic life support at a medical call. Our non-fire responses are primarily emergency medical calls. For the calendar year 2006, 222 of the 419 emergencies we responded to were medical calls.
Response Time
Travel Time, which states that the first arriving unit will meet a travel time of 5:00 minutes, 90% of the time. Our actual goals at CCFRPD may vary, based on the risk presented and travel distances within the district.
For maximum risks, significant risk, and moderate risks, a goal of a 5-minute travel time is established-
For low risks, a goal of a 13-minute travel time is established (these risks include isolated/remote buildings)-
Each of the facilities within the district has been analyzed to ensure we meet our response times to each type of occupancy regardless of the fire district. Other fire (non-structural) risks were also evaluated and were critical in the development of this document.
Staffing Levels:
Staffing levels will determine the number of personnel available at an emergency scene. Their positions, training specialties and experience level are considered when determining which personnel are assigned to accomplish tasks at an emergency. We have determined that the following types of emergencies require a minimum amount of personnel to ensure a safe and effective outcome.
Structural Responses:
Function: Minimum
Personnel Required:
Incident Management 1
Safety Officer 1
Providing Water Supply 1
Pump Operations 1
Forcible Entry 2
Fire Attack 2
Search & Rescue 2
Ventilation 2
Overhaul 2
Ladder Placement 2
Rapid Intervention/Safety Team 2
Note 1: Any or all of these functions may have to be performed simultaneously to be effective.
Note 2: Initial response to “Maximum” or “Significant” hazards includes a senior fore official and two engine companies and a rescue squad (or three engine companies). For “Typical” or “Remote” hazards, the initial response will require a senior fire official and a single engine company.
Medical Responses:
Function:
Minimum Personnel Required:
Incident Management 1
Safety Officer 1
Patient Assessment 1
Patient Treatment 1
Extrication 2
Immobilization 3 Per Victim
Litter/Gurney Carry 2 Per Victim
Note 1: Any or all these functions may have to be performed simultaneously to be effective.
Note 2: Initial response will require a senior fire official and a single engine company.
Wild land Fire:
Function: Minimum
Personnel Required:
Incident Management 1
Safety Officer 1
Providing Water Supply 1
Fire Attack 2
Overhaul 1
Note: Initial response required for wild and fire incidents include a senior fire official and either two brush trucks or an engine company.
Miscellaneous Response:
Function:
Minimum Personnel Required:
Incident Management 1
Safety Officer 1
Providing Water Supply 1
Pump Operations 1
Fire Attack 2
Overhaul 3
Note 1: Any or all of these functions may have to be performed simultaneously to be effective.
Note 2: Initial response to “Maximum” or “Significant” hazards includes a senior fire official and two engine companies and a rescue squad (or three engine companies). For “Typical” or “Remote” hazards, the initial response will require a senior fire official and a single engine company.
Miscellaneous Rescue Situations:
The CCFRPD will provide technical rescue during non-fire situations. Example: Over-the-Bank. A request through CDF/Cal-Fire Fire Dispatch/San Andreas for a more difficult technical rescue situation i.e. cave rescue, search rescue for a missing person, will be made by the senior fire official. Initial response to these situations will be a single engine company, rescue squad and a senior fire official.
Progression of Emergency Situations:
It is recognized that not all emergencies will be handled by the initial response force. Specifically, a major wildfire within the district will quickly deplete our resources. During situations that exceed the capabilities of the first due apparatus, the senior fire official will call for additional resources, first from within the fire district through the recall of off-duty personnel, then from the mutual aid agreements that are in effect. Request for outside assistance will be made by the senior fire official at scene.
Company Performance Standards:
To determine the necessary standard of coverage, our department had to first determine the times for on-scene performance of minimum company standards to mitigate fire emergencies. After arriving at the scene it is necessary to know that we can initiate operations to mitigate the incident in a timely fashion. The minimum company standards are performance indicators for specific offensive and defensive tactics to extinguish a fire. Each standard requires a certain type of hose evolution necessary to combat specific fire situations. Mitigation of a fire emergency is based upon recommended maximum times for fire ground evolutions as established by NFPA 1410, current edition. All companies are evaluated annually and are required to complete the evolution assigned within the maximum allowed time frame.
Time frames range as follows (NFPA STD) and our fire
district standards (CCFRPD):
NFPA STD
CCFRPD
Forward Lay: 1 pre-connect, 1 back up line 3:00 2:48
Reverse Lay: 1 pre-connect, 1 back up line 4:00 3:18
Double Reverse from Monitor to Hydrant 5:00 4:00
Robert L. Gill, Fire Chief
03/27/2007