Citywide Coverage

[Extra One & One]

I see a lot of questions and comments about responses and coverage assignments during big fires. I understand that there is some type of computer (CAD) that recommends responses and coverage assignments. Does anyone know how far down the CAD recommends assignments/coverage? I’d be interested to know the answer, including the following:

1. Does the CAD assign units from other boroughs throughout an incident no matter how big, or only during the first few alarms? (Ex: The CAD may recommend E95 going into the Bronx on the initial assignment.)

2. If the CAD system stops recommending at some point and human interaction is necessary, who coordinates that? (Ex: B28 and B51 relocated to the Bronx.)

3. Is there anyone looking at the whole city from an “aerial” view to see if there are any gaps or imbalances in the city as a whole? (Ex: I am thinking of the 5 alarm+ fire in Brooklyn on 3/11/26. Perhaps as much as 20 to 25 percent of the on-duty force was there (+/- 500 personnel). Who might be monitoring to see: “We only have a handful of tower ladders in Brooklyn. Let’s relocate some.” OR “Staten Island, you’ve sent 5 pieces, stop after 6.” OR “We have committed 1/3 of the on-duty resources and we may have to do a recall of off-duty members.”

I understand each borough has a supervisor on-duty to help coordinate that borough’s coverage, but is there someone who helps coordinate the 5 supervisors for overall coverage? Does the FDOC get involved?

 

[NikFDNY]

Take my answers with a grain of salt but

1. Does the CAD assign units from other boroughs throughout an incident no matter how big, or only during the first few alarms? (Ex: The CAD may recommend E95 going into the Bronx on the initial assignment.)

2. If the CAD system stops recommending at some point and human interaction is necessary, who coordinates that? (Ex: B28 and B51 relocated to the Bronx.)

For relocations; FireCad System looks for open response neighborhoods, i.e areas that are covered by 2 Engines or 2 Ladders which are first or second due together on more than seven boxes. When such a condition is found FireCAD notifies the Decision Dispatcher indicating the companies comprising the open response neighborhood. He/She can then select those companies, or query FireCAD for two levels of relocation recommendation. FireCAD however does not make recommendations to relocate battalion chiefs, and such relocations are done by the Dispatcher to ensure that three congruent battalion areas are not vacant.

3. Is there anyone looking at the whole city from an “aerial” view to see if there are any gaps or imbalances in the city as a whole? (Ex: I am thinking of the 5 alarm+ fire in Brooklyn on 3/11/26. Perhaps as much as 20 to 25 percent of the on-duty force was there (+/- 500 personnel). Who might be monitoring to see: “We only have a handful of tower ladders in Brooklyn. Let’s relocate some.” OR “Staten Island, you’ve sent 5 pieces, stop after 6.” OR “We have committed 1/3 of the on-duty resources and we may have to do a recall of off-duty members.”

In the PSACs there a map that shows the first due coverage maps, forgot the colors but it would be green if available and red? if operating at an incident. I wasnt lucky enough to be in PSAC when there was a ongoing job but I would assume that a relocator would turn that specific area back green. I know there was a map for Engines and Trucks can remember if battalions had a map.

Its also important to note that there likely wasnt 500 personel working at the exact same time, maybe 300 on scene at its peak, but units eventually go back in service as others continue to operate

The dispatchers/FDOC would also be able to see the percentages of units unavailable, thus why one of the criteria for fallback

 

[Skyler Fire]

I see a lot of questions and comments about responses and coverage assignments during big fires. I understand that there is some type of computer (CAD) that recommends responses and coverage assignments. Does anyone know how far down the CAD recommends assignments/coverage? I’d be interested to know the answer, including the following:

1. Does the CAD assign units from other boroughs throughout an incident no matter how big, or only during the first few alarms? (Ex: The CAD may recommend E95 going into the Bronx on the initial assignment.)

2. If the CAD system stops recommending at some point and human interaction is necessary, who coordinates that? (Ex: B28 and B51 relocated to the Bronx.)

3. Is there anyone looking at the whole city from an “aerial” view to see if there are any gaps or imbalances in the city as a whole? (Ex: I am thinking of the 5 alarm+ fire in Brooklyn on 3/11/26. Perhaps as much as 20 to 25 percent of the on-duty force was there (+/- 500 personnel). Who might be monitoring to see: “We only have a handful of tower ladders in Brooklyn. Let’s relocate some.” OR “Staten Island, you’ve sent 5 pieces, stop after 6.” OR “We have committed 1/3 of the on-duty resources and we may have to do a recall of off-duty members.”

I understand each borough has a supervisor on-duty to help coordinate that borough’s coverage, but is there someone who helps coordinate the 5 supervisors for overall coverage? Does the FDOC get involved?

All depends on who’s available at the time. That’s why dispatcher don’t always use that because if they know companies are going to be clearing from a run they can send someone else instead of what it says. If they know they are gonna need tower ladders they might relocate TLs to Sticks so they are closer.

 

[Extra One & One]

All depends on who’s available at the time. That’s why dispatcher don’t always use that because if they know companies are going to be clearing from a run they can send someone else instead of what it says. If they know they are gonna need tower ladders they might relocate TLs to Sticks so they are closer.

NikFDNY and Skyler Fire - Thanks, that’s all good information and makes sense.