- Joined
- Dec 20, 2006
- Messages
- 1,469
Modified Response Plan
Introduction
The FDNY has employed a variety of modified response policies for over a decade. Some of the policies currently in effect include: 10-20 signal, ERS Box no contact and reduced response to Class E & J alarms (ABC 5-94).
Each of these policies has effectively reduced the number of lights and sirens responses each year. The department would like to expand the use of modified response by limiting the use these devices to additional incident types.
The Department will implement a pilot program that changes the response mode of units assigned to certain call types.
? Single units responding to Group 1 call-types will respond in the 10-20 mode.
? Second and third due units in Group 2 call-type will respond in the 10-20 mode, unless the 10-20 is cancelled.
? BARS alarms will be responded to by the first due engine only in emergency mode.
? Class E & J alarms will be responded to by the first due engine/ladder in emergency mode as per ABC 5-94
All traffic regulations would be observed by these units essentially following procedures outlined in the department?s 10-20 policy. This change could almost cut in half, the number of lights and sirens responses to select call types.
Accident Reduction
Accident statistics for 2nd and 3rd due units are difficult to measure due to the methods used in compiling and recording the data. The following is a conservative estimate, obtained from the Safety Command, on the number of accidents involving the 2nd and 3rd due units. Unfortunately, this data could not be categorized by incident, so it is unknown what the nature of the response was when the accident occurred.
2008 Total Accidents - 684
2009 Total Accidents - 668
2008 2nd due accidents ? 106
2008 3rd due accidents ? 29
2009 2nd due accidents ? 124
2009 3rd due accidents - 24
In 2009 an accident involving the 2nd due ladder and 3rd due engine responding to a reported gas leak resulted in a major accident causing severe injury to firefighters and significant damage to the apparatus. The potential savings to the department by averting just a single accident could be in the millions of dollars.
In addition to accident reduction, the expanded use of modified response may provide the following benefits:
? Reduce fuel and maintenance costs as apparatus burn more fuel in the response mode and travel further to reach their destination
? Improve unit coverage as second and particularly third due units will remain closer to their first due response areas when the disposition of the incident is obvious on arrival.
? Second and third due units will be available for priority reassignment, if necessary (structural fire, cardiac, etc).
? Reduce the effect of ?pushing? vehicles into traffic and the probability of secondary accidents.
? Reduce noise pollution ? quality of life
Where practical, this proposal seeks to expand modified response by identifying call types that could be classified as non emergencies or where a limited use of lights and sirens, based on the call type, would be appropriate.
According to statistics obtained from the FDNY Risk Management Plan and the Management Indicator Reporting System (MIRS), the number of non-fire emergencies has increased dramatically in recent years. Non-fire emergencies have gone from 123,762 in 1993 to an expected 230,000 in 2010. Many of the non-fire emergencies would be candidates for inclusion in the program.
Broadening Modified Response
A pilot program will be implemented in the Borough of Queens for a 3 month period to evaluate the impact of modified response. The policy will curtail the use of lights and sirens to select non-fire emergencies during single and multi-unit responses.
1. Purpose
1.1 To evaluate the impact of a modified response plan on fire operations as it relates to accident and injury prevention, unit availability and response times. Responding with lights and sirens is one of the most dangerous activities undertaken by firefighters. National studies indicate limiting the use of lights and sirens responses to true emergencies can significantly reduce the number and severity of apparatus accidents and firefighter injuries. This is particularly true in the case of intersection accidents.
1.2 The policy goal is to increase responder and civilian safety by reducing accident
exposure and still provide a high level of service to the public.
2. Definitions
2.1 Emergency Mode ? An emergency vehicle responds with all appropriate warning devices (i.e., lights and sirens) operating and displayed.
2.2 Signal 10-20 ? Responding units are to proceed at reduced speed. No warning devices are to be used and all traffic regulations are to be observed. Under Modified Response, second and third due units will respond without the use of lights and sirens in the 10-20 mode.
3. Response Type
3.1 Group 1
The following incidents are classified as modified single unit emergencies and assigned as single unit responses. Responding units would operate in the 10-20 mode while responding to these select call types. Signal 10-84 would be transmitted upon arrival.
Group 1 Call Type
3.1.1 Water leaks
3.1.2 Trees down (no wires affected)
3.1.3 Lock-ins (no reported food on the stove or other associated emergency)
3.1.4 Salvage Truck
3.1.5 ERS no contact (23:00 to 08:00 hr)
3.2 Group 2
The following incidents are classified as modified multi-unit emergencies requiring the response of multiple units. Units that are assigned first-due on the MDT shall respond in the Emergency Mode Second and third due units shall respond in the 10-20 mode. All units are required to transmit signal 10-84 upon arrival at the reported location.
Response to BARS alarms will be a single unit response - first due engine only (emergency mode) for the duration of the pilot period.
Response to Class E & J alarms will be the a single unit response - first due engine/ladder (emergency response) as per ABC 5-94 for duration of pilot period.
Group 2 Call Type
3.2.1 Odors - gas, fumes, etc., other the smoke
3.2.2 Sprinkler/valve alarm
3.2.3 Automatic alarms ? Class 3
3.2.4 Electrical emergencies
3.3.5 Manhole emergencies
3.3.6 BARS ? first due engine only (emergency mode)
3.3.7 Class E & J alarms ? first due engine/ladder response (emergency mode
Note:
When a battalion chief or company officer receives additional information regarding the incident from the dispatcher, he/she may cancel the 10-20 response mode. Dispatcher
shall announce that the 10-20 response is cancelled and that all units should respond in the emergency mode.
3.3 First arriving officer will make an evaluation of the incident and transmit the appropriate signal as per existing department policy. Units not on scene will either continue into the incident or be placed 10-8 (in-service) based on the evaluation and signal transmitted by the first arriving officer.
4. Training
4.1 The Bureau of Communications would be required to review, evaluate and train dispatchers in the new policies as dispatch is a critical component in the policy.
4.2 The office of the Queens Borough Command will meet with Battalion and Deputy Chiefs to explain the details of the pilot program and address any concerns.
4.3 Training programs will be conducted through the medium of company drills monitored by Battalions and Divisions. Company drill periods on the 9x6 and 6x9 tours shall include a review of the modified response policy, with records of training sessions recorded in the company journal.
4.4 Sufficient lead-time of at least two weeks prior to the implementation of the program should be allowed to insure all members are trained in the new policy. Records of training are to be recorded by unit officer and forwarded to the Queens Borough Command upon completion of the training period.
4.5 Copies of the policy should be kept at the teleprinter in the house watch as well as the dashboard of the apparatus to insure units respond in the proper mode.
4.6 Daily safety message transmitted by the Queens Communication Office will include a brief reminder that the pilot program is in effect and units are to respond as per the pilot program protocol.
5. Program Monitoring
5.1 Battalion and Deputy Chiefs will complete monthly evaluation reports on the effect of the policy. These reports shall be forwarded to the Bureau of Operations through the Borough Command.
5.2 Each unit shall keep a separate CD-14 (Company Operations Record) in addition to their existing CD-14 to track responses made under the pilot program. Units shall indicate on the additional CD-14 all modified response assignments and whether they were first, second or third due, as well as, the disposition of the incident.
5.3 At the completion of each month, a copy of the dedicated CD-14 will be forwarded to Battalions and Divisions for evaluation prior to forwarding to the Queens Borough Command.
5.4 Any unusual occurrence resulting from the program will be reported immediately through the chain of command, to the Queens Borough Command or Command Chief on Duty
6. Cancellation of Policy
6.1 Borough supervising dispatcher can cancel the pilot program due to periods of heavy fire traffic affecting unit availability, or where a ?FALLBACK? procedure has been implemented.
7. Statistical Data
7.1 Responses made by units in a 10-20 mode under group 1, would not be included in a units overall response time calculations. These responses would have to be extracted from the response time calculations.
7.2 All accidents in the pilot area should be tracked and categorized by:
? How the incident was dispatched (reported condition)
? How unit was assigned (1st, 2nd, 3rd due)
? If accident occurred in modified response mode
? Nature and severity of the accident
? Final disposition of incident
7.3 The Safety Command should take an active role in developing the statistical data necessary to evaluate the program and measure its effectiveness.
Conclusion
The intent of the program is to provide an increased measure of safety to both firefighters and civilians while maintaining the highest level of service to the public. According to the NFPA (National Fire Protection Association), units using lights and sirens have a three time greater risk of being involved in an apparatus accident then units not utilizing lights and sirens.
While units are responding in a more cautious manner on the road, it is essential that normal turnout procedures be followed, regardless of the nature of the call. Once again, the intent of the program is to provide for a safe response, not a slow response.
Exhibit A
General Response Policy to Class 3 Alarms
Source: Bureau of Communication, Henry Dingman
1) Private House or Private unit within a Multiple Dwelling = 1 Engine, 1 Ladder
2) Public Area with in Multiple Dwelling = 1 Engine, 1 ladder, 1 BC
3) Class E & J alarms = 3 Engines, 2 Ladders, 1 BC
4) Class E & J alarm Pilot Program (ABC 5-94) = 1 Engine or 1 Ladder with DRB for the
BC
5) Public Assembly: Schools, Hospitals, Nursing Homes, etc = 3 Engines, 2 Ladders,
1 BC
6) General Commercial (valve/automatic) 1 Engine, 1 Ladder, 1 BC
7) Commercial (store) manual: 3 Engine, 1 Ladder, 1BC
Other combinations and Enhanced Alarms are as per Pre-Incident Guides (PG) or CIDS on case by case basis mandating: minimum 3 Engine, 2 Ladder, 1 BC response.
Introduction
The FDNY has employed a variety of modified response policies for over a decade. Some of the policies currently in effect include: 10-20 signal, ERS Box no contact and reduced response to Class E & J alarms (ABC 5-94).
Each of these policies has effectively reduced the number of lights and sirens responses each year. The department would like to expand the use of modified response by limiting the use these devices to additional incident types.
The Department will implement a pilot program that changes the response mode of units assigned to certain call types.
? Single units responding to Group 1 call-types will respond in the 10-20 mode.
? Second and third due units in Group 2 call-type will respond in the 10-20 mode, unless the 10-20 is cancelled.
? BARS alarms will be responded to by the first due engine only in emergency mode.
? Class E & J alarms will be responded to by the first due engine/ladder in emergency mode as per ABC 5-94
All traffic regulations would be observed by these units essentially following procedures outlined in the department?s 10-20 policy. This change could almost cut in half, the number of lights and sirens responses to select call types.
Accident Reduction
Accident statistics for 2nd and 3rd due units are difficult to measure due to the methods used in compiling and recording the data. The following is a conservative estimate, obtained from the Safety Command, on the number of accidents involving the 2nd and 3rd due units. Unfortunately, this data could not be categorized by incident, so it is unknown what the nature of the response was when the accident occurred.
2008 Total Accidents - 684
2009 Total Accidents - 668
2008 2nd due accidents ? 106
2008 3rd due accidents ? 29
2009 2nd due accidents ? 124
2009 3rd due accidents - 24
In 2009 an accident involving the 2nd due ladder and 3rd due engine responding to a reported gas leak resulted in a major accident causing severe injury to firefighters and significant damage to the apparatus. The potential savings to the department by averting just a single accident could be in the millions of dollars.
In addition to accident reduction, the expanded use of modified response may provide the following benefits:
? Reduce fuel and maintenance costs as apparatus burn more fuel in the response mode and travel further to reach their destination
? Improve unit coverage as second and particularly third due units will remain closer to their first due response areas when the disposition of the incident is obvious on arrival.
? Second and third due units will be available for priority reassignment, if necessary (structural fire, cardiac, etc).
? Reduce the effect of ?pushing? vehicles into traffic and the probability of secondary accidents.
? Reduce noise pollution ? quality of life
Where practical, this proposal seeks to expand modified response by identifying call types that could be classified as non emergencies or where a limited use of lights and sirens, based on the call type, would be appropriate.
According to statistics obtained from the FDNY Risk Management Plan and the Management Indicator Reporting System (MIRS), the number of non-fire emergencies has increased dramatically in recent years. Non-fire emergencies have gone from 123,762 in 1993 to an expected 230,000 in 2010. Many of the non-fire emergencies would be candidates for inclusion in the program.
Broadening Modified Response
A pilot program will be implemented in the Borough of Queens for a 3 month period to evaluate the impact of modified response. The policy will curtail the use of lights and sirens to select non-fire emergencies during single and multi-unit responses.
1. Purpose
1.1 To evaluate the impact of a modified response plan on fire operations as it relates to accident and injury prevention, unit availability and response times. Responding with lights and sirens is one of the most dangerous activities undertaken by firefighters. National studies indicate limiting the use of lights and sirens responses to true emergencies can significantly reduce the number and severity of apparatus accidents and firefighter injuries. This is particularly true in the case of intersection accidents.
1.2 The policy goal is to increase responder and civilian safety by reducing accident
exposure and still provide a high level of service to the public.
2. Definitions
2.1 Emergency Mode ? An emergency vehicle responds with all appropriate warning devices (i.e., lights and sirens) operating and displayed.
2.2 Signal 10-20 ? Responding units are to proceed at reduced speed. No warning devices are to be used and all traffic regulations are to be observed. Under Modified Response, second and third due units will respond without the use of lights and sirens in the 10-20 mode.
3. Response Type
3.1 Group 1
The following incidents are classified as modified single unit emergencies and assigned as single unit responses. Responding units would operate in the 10-20 mode while responding to these select call types. Signal 10-84 would be transmitted upon arrival.
Group 1 Call Type
3.1.1 Water leaks
3.1.2 Trees down (no wires affected)
3.1.3 Lock-ins (no reported food on the stove or other associated emergency)
3.1.4 Salvage Truck
3.1.5 ERS no contact (23:00 to 08:00 hr)
3.2 Group 2
The following incidents are classified as modified multi-unit emergencies requiring the response of multiple units. Units that are assigned first-due on the MDT shall respond in the Emergency Mode Second and third due units shall respond in the 10-20 mode. All units are required to transmit signal 10-84 upon arrival at the reported location.
Response to BARS alarms will be a single unit response - first due engine only (emergency mode) for the duration of the pilot period.
Response to Class E & J alarms will be the a single unit response - first due engine/ladder (emergency response) as per ABC 5-94 for duration of pilot period.
Group 2 Call Type
3.2.1 Odors - gas, fumes, etc., other the smoke
3.2.2 Sprinkler/valve alarm
3.2.3 Automatic alarms ? Class 3
3.2.4 Electrical emergencies
3.3.5 Manhole emergencies
3.3.6 BARS ? first due engine only (emergency mode)
3.3.7 Class E & J alarms ? first due engine/ladder response (emergency mode
Note:
When a battalion chief or company officer receives additional information regarding the incident from the dispatcher, he/she may cancel the 10-20 response mode. Dispatcher
shall announce that the 10-20 response is cancelled and that all units should respond in the emergency mode.
3.3 First arriving officer will make an evaluation of the incident and transmit the appropriate signal as per existing department policy. Units not on scene will either continue into the incident or be placed 10-8 (in-service) based on the evaluation and signal transmitted by the first arriving officer.
4. Training
4.1 The Bureau of Communications would be required to review, evaluate and train dispatchers in the new policies as dispatch is a critical component in the policy.
4.2 The office of the Queens Borough Command will meet with Battalion and Deputy Chiefs to explain the details of the pilot program and address any concerns.
4.3 Training programs will be conducted through the medium of company drills monitored by Battalions and Divisions. Company drill periods on the 9x6 and 6x9 tours shall include a review of the modified response policy, with records of training sessions recorded in the company journal.
4.4 Sufficient lead-time of at least two weeks prior to the implementation of the program should be allowed to insure all members are trained in the new policy. Records of training are to be recorded by unit officer and forwarded to the Queens Borough Command upon completion of the training period.
4.5 Copies of the policy should be kept at the teleprinter in the house watch as well as the dashboard of the apparatus to insure units respond in the proper mode.
4.6 Daily safety message transmitted by the Queens Communication Office will include a brief reminder that the pilot program is in effect and units are to respond as per the pilot program protocol.
5. Program Monitoring
5.1 Battalion and Deputy Chiefs will complete monthly evaluation reports on the effect of the policy. These reports shall be forwarded to the Bureau of Operations through the Borough Command.
5.2 Each unit shall keep a separate CD-14 (Company Operations Record) in addition to their existing CD-14 to track responses made under the pilot program. Units shall indicate on the additional CD-14 all modified response assignments and whether they were first, second or third due, as well as, the disposition of the incident.
5.3 At the completion of each month, a copy of the dedicated CD-14 will be forwarded to Battalions and Divisions for evaluation prior to forwarding to the Queens Borough Command.
5.4 Any unusual occurrence resulting from the program will be reported immediately through the chain of command, to the Queens Borough Command or Command Chief on Duty
6. Cancellation of Policy
6.1 Borough supervising dispatcher can cancel the pilot program due to periods of heavy fire traffic affecting unit availability, or where a ?FALLBACK? procedure has been implemented.
7. Statistical Data
7.1 Responses made by units in a 10-20 mode under group 1, would not be included in a units overall response time calculations. These responses would have to be extracted from the response time calculations.
7.2 All accidents in the pilot area should be tracked and categorized by:
? How the incident was dispatched (reported condition)
? How unit was assigned (1st, 2nd, 3rd due)
? If accident occurred in modified response mode
? Nature and severity of the accident
? Final disposition of incident
7.3 The Safety Command should take an active role in developing the statistical data necessary to evaluate the program and measure its effectiveness.
Conclusion
The intent of the program is to provide an increased measure of safety to both firefighters and civilians while maintaining the highest level of service to the public. According to the NFPA (National Fire Protection Association), units using lights and sirens have a three time greater risk of being involved in an apparatus accident then units not utilizing lights and sirens.
While units are responding in a more cautious manner on the road, it is essential that normal turnout procedures be followed, regardless of the nature of the call. Once again, the intent of the program is to provide for a safe response, not a slow response.
Exhibit A
General Response Policy to Class 3 Alarms
Source: Bureau of Communication, Henry Dingman
1) Private House or Private unit within a Multiple Dwelling = 1 Engine, 1 Ladder
2) Public Area with in Multiple Dwelling = 1 Engine, 1 ladder, 1 BC
3) Class E & J alarms = 3 Engines, 2 Ladders, 1 BC
4) Class E & J alarm Pilot Program (ABC 5-94) = 1 Engine or 1 Ladder with DRB for the
BC
5) Public Assembly: Schools, Hospitals, Nursing Homes, etc = 3 Engines, 2 Ladders,
1 BC
6) General Commercial (valve/automatic) 1 Engine, 1 Ladder, 1 BC
7) Commercial (store) manual: 3 Engine, 1 Ladder, 1BC
Other combinations and Enhanced Alarms are as per Pre-Incident Guides (PG) or CIDS on case by case basis mandating: minimum 3 Engine, 2 Ladder, 1 BC response.
