LTC 40-2002 NFPA 1710
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CITY OF MIAMI BEACH
Office of the City Manager
Letter to Commission No. 1tJ. 2aJZ-
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To:
Mayor David Dermer and
Members of the City Commission
Date: February 14, 2002
From:
Jorge M. Gonzalez ~
City Manager V U
NFPA 1710
Subject:
The purpose ofthis LTC is to share information regarding the NFPA 1710 and its impact on
localities. Attached for your review is a full copy of the standard, as well as a Decision
Guide created by the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC).
As you know, an Ordinance requiring minimum staffing standards was discussed at the
January 30, 2002 Commission meeting. This issue was placed on the agenda at the
request of Mayor Dermer and was presented by representatives of the International
Association of Firefighters, Local 1510. After considerable discussion, the issue was
referred to the Finance and Citywide Projects Committee prior to First Reading of the
Ordinance at the February 20, 2002 Commission meeting.
In order to fully consider the issue, it is important to understand all of the provisions of
NFPA 1710 and how a locality can meet them. In addition, it is important to evaluate all
Public Safety, legal and financial consideration. In reviewing the Decision Guide, you will
find that NFPA 1710, while complicated, provides a great deal of flexibility for how its
provisions should be met and indicates that implementation is envisioned as a multi-year
process, in fact, the first required report about implementation would not be due until early
2006. Further, the guide reminds us that implementation of NFPA 1710 does not require
adoption of 1710. "It is not necessary, and for legal reasons may not be advisable, for any
department, City, County, District or Town to formally "adopt" NFPA 1710."
The standard prescribes guidelines relative to:
. First Unit response time
. Initial Full Assignment response time
. First-unit staffing/arrival
. Assignment staffing
. Initial Attack time
. Annual Evaluation
. Quadrennial report
4 minutes/90% of the time
8 minutes/90% of the time
4 minimum
14/15
N/A
Yes
Yes
In reviewing our SOG's (Standing Operating Guidelines) and performance, I feel we are
generally in compliance with the above provisions. In fact, for some provisions we
significantly exceed the minimum standard.
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Finally, with respect to minimum staffing, the guide clearly indicates that NFPA 1710 does
not require four persons on every piece of apparatus. One ofthe most significant changes
the IAFC made to the standard was to identify a mechanism that allows alternatives, such
as multiple vehicles to respond and still comply.
The Fire Chief and his staff have identified a range of options for my consideration in
determining how we should implement NFPA 1710. After reviewing these, we will make a
recommendation under separate cover to the Finance and Citywide Projects Committee
and subsequently to the Commission for consideration.
In the meantime, I hope this information will assist you in preparing for the discussion.
Should you require additional information or wish to discuss this further, please feel free to
contact me.
JMG:ptw
Attachments
c: Floyd Jordan
Trish Walker
Jack Richardson
F:/cmgr/$allljorgegonlltc-02lbfoa 171 O.doc
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Copyright @ 2001, National Fire Protection Association, All Rights Reserved
This edition ofNFPA 1710, Standardfor the Organization and Deployment of Fire Suppression
Operations, Emergency Medical Operations, and Special Operations to the Public by Career
Fire Departments, was prepared by the Technical Committee on Fire and Emergency Service
Organization and Deployment - Career and acted on by NFP A at its May Association Technical
Meeting held May 13-17, 2001, in Anaheim, CA. It was issued by the Standards Council on July
13,2001, with an effective date of August 2, 2001.
This edition ofNFPA 1710 was approved as an American National Standard on August 2,2001.
Origin and Development ofNFPA 1710
The development of this benchmark standard is the result of a considerable amount of hard work
and tenacity by Technical Committee members and the organizations they represent. In the case
of this standard, their work is the first organized approach to defining levels of s~rvice,
deployment capabilities, and staffing levels for those "substantially" career fire departments.
Research work.and empirical studies in North America were used by the Committee as a basis
for developing response times and resource capabilities for those services being provided, as
identified by the fire department. Committee members have collectively well over 1000 years of
fire-fighting experience in small, medium, and metro fire departments.
The work done by the Committee provides the user with a template for developing an
implementation plan on the standard. Most importantly, it will provide the body politic and the
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citizens a true picture of the risks in their community, and the fire department's capabilities to
respond to and manage those risks.
Technical Committee on Fire and Emergency ServiceOrganizatioD and Deployment-
Career
Alan V. Brunacini, Chair
City of Phoenix Fire Department, AZ [E]
Richard M. Duffy, Secretary
International Association of Fire Fighters, DC [1]
(Alt. to IAFF Reps.)
Terry Allen, City of Cambridge, Ontario, Canada [E]
Rep. NFP A Fire Service Section and OAFC
Robert C. Barr, Firescope, Inc., MA [SE]
Wayne Bernard, City of Surrey Fire Department, British Columbia, Canada [E]
Rep. Fire Chiefs' Association of British Columbia
William L. Bingham, City of Boynton Beach, FL [U]
Rep. International Fire Marshals Association
Diane Breedlove, City of Sugar Land, TX [C]
Kenneth E. Buzzell, United Firefighters of LA City, CA [L]
Rep. International Association of Fire Fighters
Ross Chadwick, City of Denton, TX [E]
Welling S. Clark, lIT Industries, CO [RT]
John L. Cochran, U.S. Fire Administration, MD [SE]
Dennis R. Compton, Mesa Fire Department, AZ [E]
Rep. International Association of Fire Chiefs
Don R. Forrest, United Firefighters of Los Angeles City, C~ [L]
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Lawrence D. Garcia, City of Wichita, KS [E]
Rep. International Association of Fire Chiefs
Harold B. Hairston, City of Philadelphia Fire Department, P A [E]
Rep. Metropolitan Fire Chiefs
Patrick K. Hughes, North Richland Hills Fire Department, TX [U]
Rep. International Fire Service Accreditation Congress
William D. Killen, U.S. Department of the Navy, DC [U]
John K. King, City of Detroit Fire Department, MI [L]
Cortez Lawrence, Auburn Public Safety Department, AL [E]
Jim Lee, Toronto Professional Fire Fighters' Association, Ontario, Canada [L]
Rep. International Association of Fire Fighters
Valerie Lemmie, City of Dayton, OH [C]
David McCormack, International Association of Fire Fighters, DC [LJ
Larry Mullikin, Stillwater Fire Department, OK [M]
Christopher E. Platten, Wylie, McBride, Jesinger, Sure & Platten, CA [SE]
Franklin D. Pratt, Los Angeles County Fire Department, CA [SE]
Gary Rainey, Miami Dade Fire Rescue, FL [L]
Ken Riddle, City of Las Vegas Fire Department, NV [U]
Nick Russo, Department ofFirelRescue & Emergency Services, MA [E]
Rep. International Association of Fire Chiefs
Mark A. Sanders, Cincinnati Fire Fighters Union, OH [L]
Patrick Smith, U.S. Department of Energy, ID [U]
Charles C. Soros, Spencer Safety Products Co., W A [M]
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Rep. Fire Department Safety Officers Association
Edward L. Stinnette, Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department, VA [E]
Alternates
Ricky Black, City of Southlake, IX [E)
(Alt. to C. Lawrence)
Sallie Clark, Colorado Springs, CO [RT]
(Alt. to W. S. Clark)
Brian D. Johnson, International Association of Fire Chiefs, CO [E)
(Alt. to D. R. Compton, L. D. Garcia, N. Russo)
Steve Kreis, City of Phoenix Fire Department, AZ [E)
(Alt. to A. V. Brunacini)
Don N. Whittaker, Bechtel BWXT Idaho, LLC (BBWI), IO [U]
(Alt. to P. Smith)
Milt Wilson, City of Oshawa, ON [E]
Rep. NFP A Fire Service SectionlOAFC
(Alt. to T. Allen)
Stephen N. Foley, NFPA Staff Liaison
Committee Scope: This Committee shall have primary responsibility for documents on the
organization, operation, deployment, and evaluation of substantially all career public fire
protection and emergency medical services.
This list represents the membership at the time the Committee was bal/oted on theflnal text of this
edition. Since that time, changes in the membership may have occurred. A key to classifications is
found at the back of the document.
NOTE: Membership on a committee shall not in and of itself constitute an endorsement of the
Association or any document developed by the committc=e on whicb the member serves.
NF'PA 1710
Standard for the
Organization and Deployment of Fire Suppression Operations, Emergency Medical
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Operations, and Special Operations to the Public by Career Fire Departments
2001 Edition
NOTICE: An asterisk (*) following the number or letter designating a paragraph indicates that
explanatory material on the paragraph can be found in Annex A.
A reference in brackets [ ] following a section or paragraph indicates material that has been
extracted from another NFP A document. The complete title and edition of the document the
material is extracted from is found in Annex B. Editorial changes to extracted material consist of
revising references to an appropriate division in this document or the inclusion of the document
number with the division number when the reference is to the original document. Requests for
interpretations or revisions of extracted text shall be sent to the appropriate technical committee.
Information on referenced publications can be found in Chapter 2 and Annex B.
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1.1" Scope.
1.1.1 This standard contains minimum requirements relating to the organization and deployment
of fire suppression operations, emergency medical operations, and special operations to the
public by substantially all career fire departments.
1.1.2 The requirements address functions and objectives of fire department emergency service
delivery, response capabilities, and resources.
1.1.3 This standard also contains minimum requirements for managing resources and systems,
such as health and safety, incident management, training, communications, and pre-incident
planning.
1.1.4 This standard addresses the strategic and system issues involving the organization,
operation, and deployment of a fire department and does not address tactical operations at a
specific emergency incident.
1.2 Purpose.
1.2.1" The purpose of this standard is to specify the minimum criteria addressing the
effectiveness and efficiency of the career public fire suppression operations, emergency medical
service, and special operations delivery in protecting the citizens of the jurisdiction and the
occupational safety and health of fire department employees.
1.2.2 Nothing herein is intended to restrict any jurisdiction from exceeding these minimum
requirements.
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1.3 Equivalency.
Nothing in this standard is intended to prohibit the use of systems, methods, or approaches of
equivalent or superior performance to those prescribed in this standard. Technical documentation
shall be submitted to the Authority Having Jurisdiction to demonstrate equivalency.
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2.1 General.
The documents or portions thereof listed in this chapter are referenced within this staDdard and
shall be considered part of the requirements of this document.
2.1.1 NFPA Publications.
National Fire Protection Association, 1 Batterymarch Park, P.O. Box 9101, Quincy, MA
02269-1901.
NFPA 295, Standardfor Wildfire Control, 1998 edition.
NFPA 403, Standardfor Aircraft Rescue and Fire-Fighting Services at Airports, 1998 edition.
NFPA 472, Standardfor Professional Competence of Responders to Hazardous Materials
Incidents, 1997 edition.
NFP A 1221, Standard for the Installation, Maintenance, and Use of Emergency Services
Communications Systems, 1999 edition.
NFP A 1500, Standard on Fire Department Occupational Safety and Health Program, 1997
edition.
NFP A 1561, Standard on Emergency Services Incident Management System, 2000 edition.
NFPA 1670, Standard on Operations and Trainingfor Technical Rescue Incidents, 1999 edition.
2.1.2 Other Publications.
2.1.2.1 U.S. Government Publications.
U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402.
Title 29, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 1910.120, "Hazardous Waste Operations and
Emergency Response," 1986.
. Title 29, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 1910.146, ~'Permit~Required Confmed Space."
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3.1 General.
The definitions contained in this chapter shall apply to the terms used in this standard. Where
terms are not included, common usage of the terms shall apply.
3.2 NFP A Official Definitions.
3.2.1 * Approved. Acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction.
3.2.2* Authority Having Jurisdiction. The organization, office, or individual responsible for
approving equipment, materials, an installation, or a procedure.
3.2.3 Shall. Indicates a mandatory requirement.
3.2.4 Should. Indicates a recommendation or that which is advised but not required.
3.3 General Definitions.
3.3.1 Aid.
3.3.1.1 * Automatic Aid. A plan developed between two or more fire departments for immediate
joint response on first alarms. [1142:1.4]
3.3.1.2* Mutual Aid. Reciprocal assistance by emergency services under a prearranged plan.
[402: 1.4]
3.3.2* Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting. The fIre-fighting actions taken to rescue persons and
to control or extinguish fire involving or adjacent to aircraft on the ground. [1500: 1.5]
3.3.3* Aircraft Rescue and Fire-Fighting (ARFF) Vehicle. A vehicle intended to carry rescue
and fire-fighting equipment for rescuing occupants and combating fires in aircraft at, or in the
vicinity of, an airport. [1002:1.4]
3.3.4* Airport Fire Department Personnel. Personnel under the operational jurisdiction of the
chief of the airport fire department assigned to aircraft rescue and fIre fighting or other
emergency response activities. [403: 1.3]
3.3.5* Alarm. A signal or message from a person or device indicating the existence ofa fire,
medical emergency, or other situation that requires fire department action. [1221: 1.4]
3.3.6* Apparatus. A motor-driven vehicle or group of vehicles designed and constructed for the
purpose of fighting fires. [295: 1.3]
3.3.6.1 Fire Apparatus. A fire department emergency vehicle used for rescue, fire suppression,
or other specialized functions. [1404: 1.4]
3.3.6.2 Quint Apparatus. A fire department emergency vehicle with a permanently mounted fire
pump, a water tank, a hose storage area, an aerial device with a permanently mounted waterway,
and a complement of ground ladders.
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3.3.6.3 Specialized Apparatus. A fire department emergency vehicle that provides support
services at emergency scenes, including command vehicles, rescue vehicles, hazardous material
containment vehicles, air supply vehicles, electrical generation and lighting vehicles, or vehicles
used to transport equipment and personnel. ·
3.3.7 Attack.
3.3.7.1 Initial Attack. Fire-fighting efforts and activities that occur in the time increment
between the arrival of the fire department on the scene of a fire and the tactical decision by the
incident commander that the resources dispatched on the original response will be insufficient to
control and extinguish the fire, or that the fire is extinguished.
3.3.7.2 Sustained Attack. The activities offire confinement, control, and extinguishment that
are beyond those assigned to the initial responding companies.
3.3.8* Company. A group of members: (1) Under the direct supervision of an officer; (2)
Trained and equipped to perform assigned tasks; (3) Usually organized and identified as engine
companies, ladder companies, rescue companies, squad companies, or multi-functional
companies; (4) Operating with one piece offire apparatus (engine, ladder truck, elevating
platform, quint, rescue, squad, ambulance) except where multiple apparatus are assigned that are
dispatched and arrive together, continuously operate together, and are managed by a single
company officer; (5) Arriving at the incident scene on fire apparatus.
3.3.9 Emergency Incident. A specific emergency operation. [1500: 1.5]
3.3.10 Emergency Medical Care. The provision of treatment to patients, including first aid,
cardiopulmonary resuscitation, basic life support (EMT level), advanced life support (Paramedic
level), and other medical procedures that occur prior to arrival at a hospital or other health care
facility. [1581:1.3]
3.3.11 Emergency Operations. Activities of the fue department relating to rescue, fire
suppression, emergency medical care, and special operations, including response to the scene of
the incident and all functions performed at the scene. [1500: 1.5]
3.3.12 Fire Chief. The highest ranking officer in charge ofa fire department. [1201:1.7]
3.3.13 Fire Department Member. See 3.3.29 Member. [1500:1.5]
3.3.14 Fire Department Vehicle. Any vehicle, including fire apparatus, operated by a fue
department. [1002:1.4]
3.3.15 Fire Protection. Methods of providing for fire control or fire extinguishment. [801:1.5]
3.3.16* Fire Suppression. The activities involved in controlling and extinguishing fires.
[1500: 1.5]
3.3.17* First Responder (EMS). Functional provision of initial assessment (i.e., airway,
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breathing, and circulatory systems) and basic first-aid intervention, including CPR and automatic
external defibrillator (AED) capability.
3.3.18 Forcible Entl")'. Techniques used by fire personnel to gain entry into buildings, vehicles,
aircraft, or other areas of confinement when normal means of entry are locked or blocked.
3.3.19* Hazard. The potential for harm or damage to people, property, or the environment.
[1500: 1.5]
3.3.20 Hazardous Material. A substance that presents an unusual danger to persons due to
properties of toxicity, chemical reactivity, or decomposition, corrosivity, explosion or detonation,
etiological hazards, or similar properties. [1500: 1.5]
3.3.21 * High Hazard Occupancy. Building that has high hazard materials, processes, or
contents.
3.3.22 Incident Commander. The fire department member in overall command of an
emergency incident. [1500: 1.5]
3.3.23* Incident Management System (IMS). An organized system of roles, responsibilities,
and standard operating procedures used to manage emergency operations. [1021:1.4]
3.3.24 Incident Safet)' Officer. An individual appointed to respond or assigned at an incident
scene by the incident commander to perform the duties and responsibilities of that position as
part of the command staff. .
3.3.25 Initial Full Alarm Assignment. Those personnel, equipment, and resources ordinarily
dispatched upon notification of a structural fire.
3.3.26 Initial Rapid Inten'ention Crew (IRIC). Two members of the initial attack crew who
are assigned for rapid deployment to rescue lost or trapped members.
3.3.27 Life Support.
3.3.27.1 Advanced Life Support (ALS). Functional provision of advanced airway management,
including intubation, advanced cardiac monitoring, manual defibrillation, establishment and
maintenance of intravenous access, and drug therapy.
3.3.27.2* Basic Life Support (BLS). Functional provision of patient assessment, including basic
airway management; oxygen therapy; stabilization of spinal, musculo-skeletal, soft tissue, and
shock injuries; stabilization of bleeding; and stabilization and intervention for sudden illness,
poisoning and heat/cold injuries, childbirth, CPR, and automatic external defibrillator (AED)
capability .
3.3.28* Marine Rescue and Fire Fighting. The fire-fighting action taken to prevent, control, or
extinguish fire involved in or adjacent to a marine vessel and the rescue actions for occupants
using normal and emergency routes for egress.
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3.3.29* Member. A person involved in performing the duties and responsibilities of a fire
department under the auspices of the organization. [1500: 1.5]
3.3.30 Officer.
3.3.30.1 * Company Officer. A supervisor ofa crew/company of personnel.
3.3.30.2 * Supervisory Chief Officer. A member whose responsibility is to assume command
through a formalized transfer of command process and to allow company officers to directly
supervise personnel assigned to them.
3.3.31 * Public Fire Department. An organization providing rescue? fire suppression,
emergency medical services, and related activities to the public.
3.3.32 Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP). Any facility where 911 calls are answered,
either directly or through re-routing. [1221:1.4]
3.3.33* Rapid Intervention Crew (RIC). A dedicated crew of fire fighters who are assigned for
rapid deployment to rescue lost or trapped members.
3.3.34 Related Activities. Any and all functions that fire department members can'be called
upon to perform in the performance of their duties. [1500: 1.5]
3.3.35 Rescue. Those activities directed at locating endangered persons at an emergency
incident, removing those persons from danger, treating the injured, and providing for transport to
an appropriate health care facility. [1410:1.3]
3.3.36* Special Operations. Those emergency incidents to which the fire department responds
that require specific and advanced training and specialized tools and equipment. [1561: 1.3]
3.3.37* StatT Aide. A fire fighter or fire officer assigned to a supervisory chief officer to assist
with the logistical, tactical, and accountability functions of incident, division, or sector
command.
3.3.38 Standard Operating Procedure. An organizational directive that establishes a standard
course of action.
3.3.39 Structural Fire Fighting. The activities of rescue, fire suppression, and property
conservation in buildings, enclosed structures, aircraft interiors, vehicles, vessels,. aircraft, or like
properties that are involved in a fire or emergency situation. [1500: 1.5]
3.3.40 Tactical Considerations. Specific fire..fighting objectives that will present an unusually
significant fire or life safety hazard when they are conducted in a: fire or other emergency.
3.3.41 Team. Two or more individuals who have been assigned a common task and are in
communication with each other, coordinate their activities as a work group, and support the
safety of one another.
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3.3.42 Time.
3.3.42.1 Alarm Time. The point of receipt of the emergency alarm at the public safety answering
point to the point where sufficient information is known to the dispatcher to deploy applicable
units to the emergency.
3.3.42.2 Call Processing Time. See 3.3.42.3 Dispatch Time.
3.3.42.3* Dispatch Time. The point of receipt of the emergency alarm at the public safety
answering point to the point where sufficient information is known to the dispatcher and
applicable units are notified of the emergency.
3.3.42.4 Response Time. The time that begins when units are en route to the emergency incident
and ends when units arrive at the scene.
3.3.42.5 Turnout Time. The time beginning when units acknowledge notification of the
emergency to the beginning point of response time.
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4.1 Fire Department Organizational Statement.
4.1.1 * The authority having jurisdiction shall maintain a written statement or policy that
establishes the following:
(1) Existence of the fire department
(2) Services that the frre department is required to provide
(3) Basic organizational structure
(4) Expected number of fire department members
(5) Functions that fire department members are expected to perform
4.1.2* The fire department organizational statement shall include service delivery objectives.
4.1.2.1 These objectives shall include specific response time objectives for each major service
component (Le., fire suppression, EMS, special operations, aircraft rescue and fire fighting,
marine rescue and fire fighting, and/or wildland fire fighting) and objectives for the percentage of
responses that meet the response time objectives.
4.1.2.1.1 The fire department shall establish the following time objectives:
(1) One minute (60 seconds) for turnout time ,
(2)* Four minutes (240 seconds) or less for the arrival of the first arriving engine company at a
fire suppression incident and/or 8 minutes ( 480 seconds) or less for the deployment of a full
first alarm assignment at a fire suppression incident
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(3) Four minutes (240 seconds) or less for the arrival of a unit with first responder or higher level
capability at an emergency medical incident
(4) Eight minutes (480 seconds) or less for the arrival of an advanced life support unit at an
emergency medical incident, where this service is provided by the fire department
4.1.2.1.2 The fire department shall establish a perfonnance objective of not less than 90 percent
for the achievement of each response time objective specified in 4.1.2.1.1.
4.1.2.1.3 The fire department shall evaluate its level of service and deployment delivery and
response time objectives on an annual basis. The evaluations shall be based on data relating to
level of service, deployment, and the achievement of each response time objective in each
geographic area within the jurisdiction of the fin: department.
4.1.2.1.4 The fire department shall provide the authority having jurisdiction with a written
report, quadrennially, which shall be based on the annual evaluations required by 4.1.2.1.3.
4.1.2.1.4.1 The quadrennial report shall define the geographic areas and/or circumstances in
which the requirements of this standard are not being met.
4.1.2.1.4.2 This report shall explain the predictable consequences of these deficiencies and
address the steps that are necessary to achieve compliance.
4.2 Fire Suppression Services.
The fire department organizational statement shall set forth the criteria for the vario~ types of
fire suppression incidents to which the fire department is required to respond.
4.3 Emergency Medical Services.
4.3.1 The fire department organizational statement shall set forth the criteria for the various
types of emergency medical incidents to which the fire department is required and/or expected to
respond.
4.3.2 The fire department organizational statement shall ensure that the fire department's
emergency medical response capability includes personnel, equipment, and resources to deploy
at the first responder level with automatic external defibrillator (AED) or higher treatment level.
4.3.2.1 Where emergency medical services beyond the first responder with automatic
defibrillator level are provided by another agency or private orgariization, the authority having
jurisdiction, based upon recommendations from the fire depart,ment, shall include the minimum
staffing, deployment and response criteria as required in Section 5.3 in the following:
(1) The frre department organizational statement
(2) Any contract, service agreement, governmental agreement, or memorandum of understanding
between the authority having jurisdiction and the other -agency or private organization
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to ensure uniform operations.
4.8.3 Companies responding to mutual aid incidents shall be equipped with communications
equipment that allow personnel to communicate with incident commander and division
supervisors, group supervisors, or sector officers.
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5.1 Purpose.
5.1.1 The services provided by the fire department shall include those activities as required by
Chapter 4.
5~1.2 The procedures involved in these services, including operations and deployment, shall be
established through written administrative regulations, standard operating procedures, and
departmental orders.
5.2* Fire Suppression Services.
Fire suppression operations shall be organized to ensure that the fire department's fire
suppression capability includes personnel, equipment, and resources to deploy the initial arrivin&
company, the full initial alarm assignment, and additional alarm assignments. The fire
department shall be permitted to use established automatic mutual aid and mutual aid agreements
to comply with the requirements of Section 5.2.
5.2.1 Staffing.
5.2.1.1 * On-duty fire suppression personnel shall be comprised of the numbers necessary for
fire-fighting performance relative to the expected fire-fighting conditions. These numbers shall
be determined through task analyses that take the following factors into consideration:
(1) Life hazard to the populace protected
(2) Provisions of safe and effective fire-fighting performance conditions for the fire fighters
(3) Potential property loss
(4) Nature, configuration, hazards, and internal protection of the properties involved
(5) Types of fireground tactics and evolutions employed as standard procedure, type of apparatus
used, and results expected to be obtained at the fire scene
5.2.1.2* On-duty personnel assigned to fire suppression shall be organized into company units
and shall have appropriate apparatus and equipment assigned to such companies.
5.2.1.2.1 * The fire department shall identify minimum company staffing levels as necessary to
meet the deployment criteria required in 5.2.3 to ensure that-a sufficient number of members are
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assigned, on duty, and available to safely and effectively respond with each company.
5.2.1.2.2 Each company shall be led by an officer who shall be considered a part of the
company.
5.2.1.2.3* Supervisory chief officers shall be dispatched or notified to respond to all full alarm
assignments.
5.2.1.2.4 The supervisory chief officer shall ensure that the incident management system is
established as required in Section 6.2.
5.2.1.2.5* Supervisory chief officers shall have staff aides deployed to them for purposes of
incident management and accountability at emergency incidents.
5.2.2 Operating Units. Fire company staffing requirements shall be based on minimum levels
for emergency operations for safety, effectiveness, and efficiency.
5.2.2.1 Fire companies whose primary functions are to pump and deliver water and perform
basic fire fighting at fires, including search and rescue, shall be known as engine companies.
5.2.2.1.1 These companies shall be staffed with a minimum of four on-duty personnel.
5.2.2.1.2 In jurisdictions with tactical hazards, high hazard occupancies, high incident
frequencies, geographical restrictions, or other pertinent factors as identified by the authority
having jurisdiction, these companies shall be staffed with a minimum of five or six on-duty
numtbers.
5.2.2.2 Fire companies whose primary functions are to perform the variety of services associated
with truck work, such as forcible entry, ventilation, search and rescue, aerial operations for water
delivery and rescue, utility control, illumination, overhaul, and salvage work, shall be known as
ladder or truck companies.
5.2.2.2.1 These companies shall be staffed with a minimum of four on-duty personnel.
S.2.2.2.2 In jurisdictions with tactical hazards, high hazard occupancies, high incident
frequencies, geographical restrictions, or other pertinent factors as identified by the authority
having jurisdiction, these companies shall be staffed with a minimum of five or six on-duty
personnel.
5.2.2.3 Other types of companies equipped with specialized apparatus and equipment shall be
provided to assist engine and ladder companies where deemed necessary as part of established.
practice.
5.2.2.3.1 These companies shall be staffed with a minimum number of on-<iuty personnel as
required by the tactical hazards, high hazard occupancies, high incident frequencies, geographical
restrictions, or other pertinent factors as identified by the authority having jurisdition.
5.2.2.4 Fire companies that deploy with quint apparatus, designed to operate as either an engine
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company or a ladder company, shall be staffed as specified in 5.2.2. If the company is expected
to perform multiple roles simultaneously, additional staffing, above the levels specified in 5.2.2,
shall be provided to ensure that those operations can be performed safely, effectively, and
efficiently.
5.2.3 Deployment.
5.2.3.1 Initial Arriving Company.
5.2.3.1.1 The fire department's fire suppression resources shall be deployed to provide for the
arrival of an engine company within a 4-minute response time and/or the initial full alarm
assignment within an 8-minute response time to 90 percent of the inCidents as established in
Chapter 4.
5.2.3.1.2* Personnel assigned to the initial arriving company shall have the capability to
implement an initial rapid intervention crew (IRIC).
5.2.3.2 Initial Full Alarm Assignment Capability.
5.2.3.2.1 * The fire department shall have the capability to deploy an initial full alarm
assignment within an 8-minute response time to 90 percent of the incidents as established in
Chapter 4.
5.2.3.2.2 The initial full alarm aSsignment shall provide for the following:
(1) Establishment of incident command outside of the hazard area for the overall coordination
and direction of the initial full alarm assignment. A minimum of one individual shall be
dedicated to this task.
(2) Establishnient of an uninterrupted water supply of a minimum 1480 L/min (400 gpm) for 30
minutes. Supply line(s) shall be maintained by an operator who shall ensure uninterrupted
water flow application.
(3) Establishment of an effective water flow application rate of 1110 L/min (300 gpm) from two
handlines, each of which shall have a minimum of370 L/min (100 gpm). Attack and
backup lines shall be operated by a minimum of two personnel each to effectively and
safely maintain the line.
(4) Provision of one support person for each attack and backup line deployed to provide hydrant
hookup and to assist in line lays, utility control, and forcible entry.
(5) A minimum of one victim search and rescue team ~hall be part of the initial full alarm
assignment. Each search and rescue team shall consist of a minimum of two personnel.
(6) A minimum of one ventilation team shall be part of the initial full alarm assignment. Each
ventilation team shall consist of a minimum of two personnel.
(7) If an aerial device is used in operations, one person shall function as an aerial operator who
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shall be to the first responder! AED level. The authority having jurisdiction shall determine if
further training is required.
5.3.3 EMS System Functions.
5.3.3.1 The five basic functions within a career fire department EMS system shall be as follows:
(1) Initial response to provide medical treatment at the location of the emergency (first responder
with AED capability or higher)
(2) BLS response
(3) ALS response
(4) Patient transport in an ambulance or alternative vehicle designed to provide for uninterrupted
patient care at the ALS or BLS level while en route to a medical facility
(5) Assurance of response and medical care through a quality management program
5.3.3.2 The fire department shall be involved in providing any or all of the functions as
identified in 5.3.3.1(1) through 5.3.3.1(5).
5.3.3.3 Staffing.
5.3.3.3.1 On-duty EMS units shall be staffed with the minimum numbers of personnel necessary
for emergency medical care relative to the level of EMS provided by the fire department.
5.3.3.3.2 EMS staffing requirements shall be based on the minimum levels needed to provide
patient care and member safety.
5.3.3.3.2.1 Units that provide emergency medical care shall be staffed at a minimum with
personnel that are trained to the first responder! AED level.
5.3.3.3.2.2 Units that provide BLS transport shall be staffed and trained.at the level prescribed
by the state or provincial agency responsible for providing emergency medical services licensing.
5.3.3.3.2.3 Units that provide ALS transport shall be staffed and trained at the level prescribed
by the state or provincial agency responsible for providing emergency medical services. licensing.
5.3.3.4 Service Delivery Deployment.
5.3.3.4.1 The fire department shall adopt service delivery objectives based on time standards for
the deployment of each service component for which it is responsible.
5.3.3.4.2 The fire department's EMS for providing first responder with AED shall be deployed to
provide for the arrival of a first responder with AED c~mpany .within a 4-minute response time to
90 percent of the incidents as established in Chapter 4.
5.3.3.4.3* When provided, the fire department's EMS for providing ALS shall be deployed to
provide for the arrival of an ALS company within an 8-minute response time to 90 percent of the
incidents as established in Chapter 4.
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shall maintain primary control of the aerial device at all times.
(8) Establishment of an IRIC that shall consist of a minimum of two properly equipped and
trained personnel.
5.2.3.3 Additional Alarm Assignments.
5.2.3.3.1 The fire department shall have the capability for additional alarm assignments that can
provide for additional personnel and additional services, including the application of water to the
fire; engagement in search and rescue, forcible entry, ventilation, and preservation of property;
accountability for personnel; and provision of support activities for those situations that are
beyond the capability of the initial full alarm assignment.
5.2.3.3.2 When an incident escalates beyond an initial full alarm assignment or when significant
risk is present to fire fighters due to the magnitude of the incident, the incident commander shall
upgrade the IRIC to a full rapid intervention crew(s) (RIC) that consists of four fully equipped
and trained fire fighters.
5.2.3.3.3 An incident safety officer shall be deployed to all incidents that escalate beyond an
initial full alarm assignment or when significant risk is present to fire fighters. The incident
safety officer shall ensure that the safety and health system is established as required in Section .
6.1.
5.3* Emergenc~' Medical Sen'ices.
5.3.1 Purpose. EMS operations shall be organized to ensure that the fire department's emergency
medical capability includes personnel, equipment, and resources to deploy the initial arriving
company and additional alarm assignments. The fire department shall be permitted to use
established automatic mutual aid or mutual aid agreements to comply with the requirements of
Section 5.3.
5.3.1.1 The purpose of this section shall be to provide standards for the delivery of EMS by fire
departments.
5.3.1.2 The fire department shall clearly document its role, responsibilities, functions, and
objectives for the delivery of EMS.
5.3.2* System Components.
5.3.2.1 The basic treatment levels within an EMS system, for the purposes of this standard, shall
be categorized as first responder, basic life support (BLS), and advanced life support (ALS). The
specific patient treatment capabilities associated with each level shall be determined by the
authority having jurisdiction for the approval and licensing of EMS providers within each state
and province.
5.3.2.2 The minimal level of training for all fire fighters that respond to emergency incidents
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5.3.3.4.4 Personnel deployed to ALS emergency responses shall include a minimum of two
members trained at the emergency medical technician - paramedic level and two members
trained at the emergency medical technician - basic level arriving on scene within the established
response time.
5.3.4 Quality Management.
5.3.4.1 The fire department shall institute a quality management program to ensure that the
service has appropriate response times as required in 4.1.2.1.1 for all medical responses.
5.3.4.2 All first responder and BLS medical care provided by the fire department shall be
reviewed by the fire department medical personnel. This review process shall be documented.
5.3.4.3 All fire departments with ALS services shall have a named medical director with the
responsibility to oversee and ensure quality medical care in accordance with state or provincial
laws or regulations. This review process shall be documented.
5.3.4.4 Fire departments providing ALS services shall provide a mechanism for immediate
communications with EMS supervision and medical oversight.
5.4 Special Operations Response.
5.4.1 Special operations shall be organized to ensure that the fire department's special operations
capability includes personnel, equipment, and resources to deploy the initial arriving company
and additional alarm assignments providing such services. The fire department shall be permi.tted
to use established automatic mutual aid or mutual aid agreements to comply with the
requirements of Section 5.4.
5.4.2 The fue department shall adopt a special operations response plan and standard operating
procedures that specify the role and responsibilities of the fue department and the authorized
functions of members responding to hazardous materials emergency incidents.
5.4.3 All fire department members who are expected to respond to emergency incidents beyond
the first responder operations level for hazardous materials response shall be trained to the
applicable requirements of NFP A 472, Standard for Professional Competence of ~esponders to.
Hazardous Materials Incidents.
5.4.4 All fire department members who are expected to respond to emergency incidents beyond
the confined space operations level for confmed space operations shall be trained to the
applicable requirements of NFPA 1670, Standard on Operations and Trainingfor Technical
Rescue Incidents.
.
5.4.5 The fire department shall have the capacity to implement an RIC during all special
operations incidents that would subject fire fighters to immediate danger of injury, or in the event
of equipment failure or other sudden events, as required by NFP A 1500, Standard on Fire
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Department Occupational Safety and Health Program.
5.4.6 If a higher level of emergency response is needed beyond the capability of the fire
department for special operations, the fire department shall determine the availability of outside
resources that deploy these capabilities and the procedures for initiating their response. The fire
department shall be limited to performing only those specific special operations functions for
which its personnel have been trained and are properly equipped.
5.5 Airport Rescue and Fire-Fighting Services.
5.5.1 Airport fire departments shall adopt operations response plan and standard operating
procedures (SOPs) that specify the roles and responsibilities for non-aircraft incidents as required
by 5.1.2.
5.5.2 Airport rescue and fire-fighting operations shall be organized to ensure that the fire
department's capability includes personnel, equipment, and resources to deploy the initial
arriving company, the full initial alarm assignment, and additional alarm assignments as required
in 5.2.3.
5.5.3 Airport fire departments shall have access to special tools, equipment, supplies, personal
protective equipment (PPE), and other airport resources that are required to perform operations
safely and effectively in their assigned roles and responsibilities.
5.5.4 Deployment.
5.5.4.1 The airport fire department's ARFF resources shall deploy the required number of
vehicles as required for the airport assigned category as established by NFP A 403, Standard for
Aircraft Rescue and Fire-Fighting Services at Airports.
5.5.4.2 Airport fire department companies equipped with specialized apparatus and equipment
shall be provided to assist ARFF companies where deemed necessary as identified in 5.5.1.
5.5.4.3 Airport fire department companies that deploy to structural incidents on airport property
shall meet the response time requirements of 4.1.2.1.1.
5.5.4.4 Airport fire department companies that deploy to emergency medical incidents on airport
property shall meet the response time requirements of 5.3.3.4.
5.5.4.5 The airport fire department shall be permitted to use established automatic mutual aid or
mutual aid agreements to comply with the requirements of Section 5.5.
5.5.5 Staffing.
5.5.5.1 Airport fire department ARFF companies shall be staffed as required by NFP A 403,
Standardfor Aircraft Rescue and Fire-Fighting Services at Airports.
5.5.5.2 Airport fire department companies that deploy to structural incidents on airport property
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shall meet the staffing requirements of 5.2.1.
5.5.5.3 Airport fire. department companies that deploy to emergency medical incidents on airport
property shall meet the staffing requirements of 5.3.3.3.
5.5.6 Emergency Operations.
5.5.6.1 At all emergency scene operations, an Incident Management System shall be used that
meets the requirements of Section 6.2.
5.5.6.2 * Incident command shall be established outside of the hazard area for the overall
coordination and direction of the initial full alarm assignment.
5.5.6.3 An individual shall be dedicated to this task of Incident Commander.
5.5.6.4 An incident safety officer shall be deployed to all incidents that escalate beyond a full
alarm assignment or when there is a significant risk t~ fire fighters. The incident safety officer
shall ensure that the safety and health system is established as required in Section 6.1.
5.6* Marine Rescue and Fire-Fighting (MRFF) Services.
5.6.1 MRFF operations shall be organized to ensure that the fire department's marine capability
includes personnel, equipment, and resources to deploy to the alarm assignments associated with
a marine emergency incident. .
5.6.2 The fire department shall adopt a marine operations response plan and SOPs that specify
the roles and responsibilities of the fire department and the authorized functions of members
responding to marine emergencies.
5.6.2.1 Fire department marine SOPs shall be coordinated with the applicable agencies, such as
the port or harbor authority and supporting agencies.
5.6.3 Marine fire departments shall have access to special tools, equipment~ supplies, PPE, and
other marine resources that are required to perform operations safely and effectively in their
assigned roles and responsibilities.
5.6.4 Staffing.
5.6.4.1 On-duty marine personnel shall be comprised of the numbers necessary for safe and
effective fire-fighting performance relative to the expected MRFF conditions.
5.6.4.1.1 These numbers shall be determined through task analyses as required for types of
marine vessels and through additional task analyses that take the following factors into
consideration:
(1) Life hazard to the populace protected
(2) Provisions of safe and effective fire-fighting performance conditions for the fire fighters
(3) Potential property loss
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(4) Nature, configuration, hazards, and internal protection of the properties involved
(5) Types of tactics and evolutions employed as standard procedure, type of marine vessel used,.
and results expected to be obtained at the fire scene
(6) Requirements of the regulatory authorities having jurisdiction over navigable waters, ports,
and harbors
5.6.4.2 On-duty personnel assigned to marine fire fighting shall be organized into company units
and shall have appropriate vessels and equipment assigned to such companies.
5.6.4.2.1 Each marine company shall be led by an officer who shall be considered a part of the
company.
5.6.5 Operating Units.
5.6.5.1 * Fire companies whose primary function is to deliver and pump water and extinguishing
agents at the scene of a marine incident shall be known as marine companies.
5.6.5.2 These companies shall be staffed with a minimum number of on-duty personnel as
required by the tactical and occupancy hazards to which the marine vessel responds. and by the
regulatory authorities having jurisdiction over navigable waters, ports, and harbors.
5.7 Wildland Fire Suppression Services.
5.7.1 Wildland fire suppression operations shall be organized to ensure that the fire department's
wildland fire suppression capability includes personnel, equipment, and resources to deploy
wildland direct operations that can address marginal situations before they get out of control and
wildland indirect fire-fighting operations that can be assembled and placed into operation against
major wildland fires.
5.7.2 Fire departments performing wildland operations shall adopt a wildland fire-fighting
operations response plan and SOPs that specify the roles and responsibilities of the fire
department and the authorized functions of members responding to wildland flre emergencies.
5.7.2.1 All wildland fire suppression operations shall be organized to ensure compliance with
NFPA 295, Standard/or Wildfire Control.
5.7.3 Fire departments performing wildland operations shall have access to special tools,
equipment, supplies, PPE, and other wildland resources that are required to perform operati~ns
safely and effectively in their assigned roles and responsibilities.
5.7.4 Staffing.
5.7.4.1 On-duty wildland fire-fighting personnel shall be comprised of the numbers necessary
for safe and effective fire-fighting performance relative to the expected wildland flre-fighting
conditions.
Copyright NFP A
5.7.4.1.1 These numbers shall be determined through task analyses that take the following
factors into consideration:
(1) Life hazard to the populace protected
(2) Provisions of safe and effective fire-fighting performance conditions for the fire fighters
(3) The number of trained response personnel available to the department including mutual aid
resources
(4) Potential property loss
(5) Nature, configuration, hazards, and internal protection of the properties involved
(6) Types of wildland tactics and evolutions employed as standard procedure, type of apparatus
used, and results expected to be obtained at the fire scene
(7) Topography, vegetation, and terrain in the response area(s)
5.7.4.2 On-duty personnel assigned to wildland operations shall be organized into company
units and shall have appropriate apparatus and equipment assigned to such companies.
5.7.4.2.1 The fire department shall identify minimum company staffing levels as necessary to
meet the deployment criteria to ensure that a sufficient number of members are assigned, on
duty, and available to safely and effectively respond with each companr.
5.7.4.2.2 Each company shall be led by an officer who shall be considered a part of the
company.
5.7.4.2.3 Supervisory chief officers shall be dispatched or notified to respond to all full alarm
assignments. The supervisory chief officer shall ensure that the incident management system is
established as required in Section 6.2.
5.7.5 Operating Units.
5.7.5.1 Fire companies whose primary function is to deliver and pump water and extinguishing
agents at the scene of a wildland fire shall be known as wildland companies.
5.7.5.1.1 These companies shall be staffed with a minimum of four on-duty personnel.
5.7.5.2 Engine and ladder (truck) companies that respond to wildland frre-fighting and/or urban
interface wildland fire-fighting incidents shall be staffed as required by 5.2.2.
5.7.5.3 Other types of companies equipped with specialized apparatus and equipment for
wildland fire fighting, including aircraft, heavy equipment, mini pumpers, and fast attack
vehicles, shall be provided to assist wildland engine and ladder companies where deemed
necessary as part of estllblished practice.
5.7.5.3.1 These companies shall be staffed with a minimum number of on-duty personnel'as
required by the tactical, topographical, environmental, fuel (vegetation), and occupancy hazards.
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S. 7.6 Deployment.
S.7.6.1 Required Number of Vehicles. The fire department's wildland resources shall deploy
the required number of vehicles as required for a direct and/or an indirect attack.
S. 7 .6.1.1 * Prior to the initiation of any wildland fire attack, the fire department shall have the
capacityto establish a lookout(s), communications with all crew members, escape route(s), and
safety zone(s) for vehicles and personnel.
5.7.6.2 Direct Attack.
5.7.6.2.1 The fire department shall have the capability to safely initiate a direct wildland attack
within 10 minutes after arrival of the initial company or crew at the fire scene.
S. 7 .6.2.2 One individual in the first arriving company or crew shall be assigned as the incident
commander for the overall coordination and direction of the direct attack activities.
5.7.6.2.3 The direct wildland attack shall include the following:
(1) Establishment of an effective water flow application rate of 111 Llmin (30 gpm) from at least
two 150 m (500 ft) 1 Y2 in. diameter attack handlines from two engines. Each attack handline
. shall be operated by a minimum of two personnel to effectively and safely deploy and
maintain the line.
(2) Provision, of one operator who shall remain with each fire apparatus supplying water flow to
ensure uninterrupted water flow application.
(3) Provision of a wildland crew leader or company officer with each crew who shall be
responsible for overall supervision of each of the crew and for maintaining personnel
accountability and crew safety.
5.7.6.3 Indirect Attack.
5.7.6.3.1 The fire department providing wildland fire suppression operations shall have the
capability to deploy an indirect attack, including application of water to the fire, engagement in
search and rescue and preservation of property, accountability for personnel, and provision of
support activities for those situations that are beyond the capability of the direct attack.
S. 7 .6.3.2 An incident safety officer shall be deployed to all incidents that escalate beyond a
direct attack alarm assignment or when there is a significant risk to fire fighters.
5.7.7 Nonwildland Emergencies.
5.7.7.1 Wildland companies that deploy to structUral incidents shall meet the response time
requirements of 4.1.2.1.1.
5.7.7.2 Wildland companies that deploy to emergency medical incidents shall meet the response
time requirements of 4.1.2.1.1.
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6.1 Safety and Health System.
A fire-fighter occupational safety and health program shall be provided in accordance with
NFP A 1500, Standard on Fire Department Occupational Safety and Health Program.
6.2* Incident Management System.
6.2.1 An incident management system shall be provided in accordance with NFPA 1561,
Standard on Emergency Services Incident Management System, to form the basic structure of all
emergency operations of the fire department, regardless of the scale of the department or the
emergency.
6.2.2* An effective incident management system shall be designed to manage incidents of
different types, including structure fires, wildland fires, hazardous materials incidents,
emergency medical operations, and other types of emergencies that could be handled by the
department.
6.3 Training Systems. .
The fire department shall have a training program and policy that ensures that. personnel are
trained and competency is maintained to execute all responsibilities consistent with the
department's organization and deployment as addressed in Chapters 4 and 5.
6.4 Communications Systems.
6.4.1 The fire department shall have a reliable communications system to facilitate prompt
delivery of public fire suppression, emergency medical services, and special operations.
6.4.2 All communications facilities, equipment, staffing, and operating procedUres shall comply
with NFP A 1221, Standard for the Installation, Maintenance, and Use of Emergency Services
Communications Systems.
6.4.3 Operating procedures for radio communications shall provide for the use of standard
protocols and terminology at all types of incidents.
6.4.3.1 Standard terminology, in compliance with NFPA 1561, Standard on Emergency
Service~ Incident Alanagement System, shall be established to transmit information, including
strategic mod~s of operation, situation reports, and emergency notifications of imminent hazards.
6.5* Pre-Incident Planning.
The fire department shall set forth operational requirements to conduct pre-incident planning.
Particular attention shall be provided to all target hazards.
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Annex A is not a part of the requirements of this NFP A document but is included for
informational purposes only. This annex contains explanatory material, numbered to
correspond with the applicable text paragraphs.
A.I.l The standard includes minimum requiretnents that are intended to provide effective,
efficient, and safe protective services that operate on a sound basis to prevent fires and reduce
risk to lives and property, to deal with incidents that occur, and to prepare for anticipated
incidents. It sets minimum standards considered necessary for the provision of public fire
protection by career fire departments. It addresses the structure and operation of'organizations
providing such services, including fire suppression and other assigned emergency response
responsibilities, which include emergency medical services and special operations.
A.l.2.1 A fundamental concept of fire risk is associated with modem society. Public fire service
organizations are expected to reduce the risk within their areas of jurisdiction by taking measures
to prevent the outbreak of fires, to limit the extent and severity of fires, to provide for the
removal or rescue of endangered persons, to control and extinguish fires that occur within the
jurisdiction, ~d to perform other emergency response operations and delivery of emergency
medical services.
The cumulative effects of preventive efforts, risk reduction and control, and fU'esuppfession
capabilities result in variable levels of risk to the jurisdictions and their residents.
The risk remaining after deducting the cumulative effect of the public fire service organization's
efforts is the responsibility of each individual, including owners, operators, occupants, and casual
visitors to properties. It should be noted that fire risk cannot be completely avoided or
eliminated.
A.3.2.1 Approved. The National Fire Protection Association does not approve, inspect, or
certify any installations, procedures, equipment, or materials; nor does it approve or evaluate
testing laboratories. In determining the acceptability of installations, procedures, equipment, or
materials, the authority having jurisdiction may base acceptance on compliance with NFP A or
other appropriate standards. In the absence of such standards, said authority may require
evidence of proper installation, procedure, or use.. The authority having jurisdiction may also
refer to the listings or labeling practices of an organization that is concerned with product
evaluations and.is thus in a position to determine compliance with appropriate standards for the
current production of listed items.
A.3.2.2 Authority Having Jurisdiction. The phrase "authority having jUrisdiction" is used in
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NFPA documents in a broad manner, since jurisdictions and approval agencies vary, as do their
responsibilities. Where public safety is primary, the authority having jurisdiction may be a
federal, state, local, or other regional department or individual such as a fire chief; fire marshal;
chief of a fire prevention bureau, labor department, or health department; building official;
electrical inspector; or others having statutory authority. For insurance purposes, an insurance
inspection department, rating bureau, or other insurance company representative may be the
authority having jurisdiction. In many circumstances, the property owner or his or her designated
agent assumes the role of the authority having jurisdiction; at government installations, the
commanding officer or departmental official may be the authority having jurisdiction.
A.3.3.1.1 Automatic Aid. The capabilities of personnel and equipment for a predetermined
response to a neighboring jurisdiction upon receipt of an alarm, this process is accomplished
through simultaneous dispatch, is documented in writing, and is included as part of a
communication center's dispatch protocols. .
A.3.3.1.2 Mutual Aid. A written policy or contract that allows for the deployment of personnel
and equipment to respond to an alarm in another jurisdiction, this is part of the written
deployment criteria for response to alarms as dispatched by a communication center. (See also
3.3.1.1.)
A.3.3.2 Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting. Such rescue and fire-fighting actions are performed
both inside and outside of the aircraft.
A.3.3.3 Aircraft Rescue and Fire-Fighting (ARFF) Vehicle. The apparatus is typically
equipped with a large water tank (commencing at 1000 gal and extending to over 6000 gal); a
supply of fire-fighting extinguishing agents; remote-controlled large roofturret(s), extendable
turret nozzle(s), and bumper turret(s) (ground sweep nozzles) that are used for the discharge of
extinguishing agent; and pre-connected handlines.
A.3.3.4 Airport Fire Department Personnel. These individuals can also be responsible for
additional fire protection and suppression, emergency medical, and other emergency response
within the boundaries of the airport facility.
A.3.3.5 Alarm. In some jurisdictions this is referred to as an incident or call for service.
A.3.3.6 Apparatus. Examples include fire engines, water tenders, and ladder trucks.
A.3.3.8 Company. For fire suppression, jurisdictions exist where the response capability of the .
initial arriving company is configured with the response of two apparatus. In some jurisdictions,
apparatus is not configured with seated and belted positions for four personnel and therefore . .
would respond with an additional vehicle in consort with the initial arriving engine to carry
additional personnel. This response would be to ensure that a minimum of four personnel are
assigned to and deployed as a company. The intent of this definition and the requirements in the
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standard are to ensure that these two (or more) pieces of apparatus would always be dispatched
and respond together as a single company. Some examples of this include the following:
(1) Engine and tanker/tender that would be responding outside a municipal water district
(2) Multiple-piece company assignment, specified in a fire department's response SOPs, such as
an engine company response with a pumper and a hose wagon
(3) Engine with a vehicle personnel carrier
(4) Engine with an ambulance or rescue unit
"Company," as used in this standard, is synonymous with company ~it, response team, crew,
and response group, rather than a synonym for a fIre department.
A.3.3.16 Fire Suppression. Fire suppression includes all activities performed at the scene of a
fire incident or training exercise that expose fire department members to the dangers of heat,
flame, smoke, and other products of combustion, explosion, or structural collapse.
A.3.3.17 First Responder (EMS). The first responder also assists higher level emergency
medical service providers.
A.3.3.19 Hazard. Hazards include the characteristics of facilities, equipment systems, property,
hardware, or other objects; and the actions and inactions of people that create such hazards.
A.3.3.21 High Hazard Occupancy. Also included would be high-risk residential occupancies,
neighborhoods with structures in close proximity to one another, special medical occupancies,
high-rise occupancies, and hazardous materials occupancies. -
A.3.3.23 Incident Management System (IMS). Such systems are often referred to as incident
command systems (ICS).
A.3.3.27.2 Basic Life Support (BLS). Basic life support personnel also assist higher level EMS
providers.
A.3.3.28 Marine Rescue and Fire Fighting. Marine companies can be utilized for special
operations, including a platform for dive and scuba operations and for providing a secure water
Supply for land-based operations.
A.3.3.29 Member. A fIre department member can be a full-time or part-time employee or a paid .
or unpaid volunteer, can occupy any position or rank within the fire department, and can en~age
in emergency operations.
A.3.3.30.1 Company Officer. This person can be someone apI>ointed in an acting capacity. The
rank structure could be either sergeant, lieutenant, or captain.
A.3.3.30.2 Supervisory Chief Officer. A supervisory chief officer is above that of a company
officer, who responds automatically and/or is dispatched to an alarm beyond the initial alarm
}
Copyright NFP A
.J
capabilities, or other special calls. In some jurisdictions this is the rank of battalion chief, district
chief, deputy chief, assistant chief, or senior divisional officer (UK fire service).
A.3.3.31 Public Fire Department. The term fire department includes any public~ governmental,
private, or military organization engaging in this type of activity.
A.3.3.33 Rapid Intervention Crew (RIC). The RIC report directly to the incident commander
or operations chief. This dedicated crew is not to be confused with the IRlC.
A.3.3.36 Special Operations. Special operations include water rescue, extrication, hazardous
materials, confined space entry, high-angle rescue, aircraft rescue and fire fighting, and other
operations requiring specialized training.
A.3.3.37 Staff Aide. This member is assigned to a supervisory chief officer who assists at
incident scene operations, which can include personnel accountability, communications, and
other logistical and administrative support. I,n addition, this member can assist in coordinating
training activities, respond to citizen inquiries, coordinate staffing issues and sick leave
follow-up, and resource allocations for facilities and apparatus under the supervisory chief
officer's jurisdiction. Staff aides can be known as field incident technician, staff assistant,
battalion fire fighter, or battalion adjutant.
A.3.3.42.3 Dispatch Time. Dispatch times are addressed in NFPA 1221, Standardfor the
Installation, Maintenance, and Use of Emergency Services Communications Systems. These
include call-taking and call-processing requirements.
A.4.1.1 The authority having jurisdiction generally has the responsibility to determine the
following:
(1) Scope and level of service provided by the fire department
(2) Necessary level of funding
(3) Necessary level of personnel and resources, including facilities
In order to provide service, the authority having jurisdiction should have the power to levy taxes
or solicit funding, to own property and equipment, and to cover personnel costs. The authority
necessary is conveyed by law to a local jurisdiction.
In addition, the governing body also should monitor the achievement of the management goals of
the department, such as fire prevention, community life safety education, fire suppression,
employee training, communications, maintenance, and department administration.
The organizational statement is a very important basis for many of the provisions of this
standard. The statement sets forth the legal basis for operating a fire department, the
organizational structure of the fire department, number of members, training requirements,
expected functions, and authorities and responsibilities of various members or defined positions.
Copyright NFP A
"
A key point is to clearly set out the specific services the fire department is authorized and
expected to perform. Most fire departments are responsible to a governing body. The governing
body has the right and should assert its authority to set the specific services and the limits of the
services the fire department will provide, and it has the responsibility to furnish the necessary
resources for delivery of the designated services. The fire department should provide its
governing body with a specific description of each service with options or alternatives and an
accurate analysis of the costs and resources needed for each service.
Such services could include structural fire fighting, wildland fire fighting, airport/aircraft fire
fighting, emergency medical services, hazardous materials response7 high angle rescue, heavy
rescue, and others.
Spelling out the specific parameters of services to be provided allows the fire department to plan,
staff, equip, train, and deploy members to perform these duties. It also gives the governing body
an accounting of the costs of services and allows it to select those services they can afford to
provide. Likewise, the governing body should identify services it cannot afford to provide and
cannot authorize the fire department to deliver, or it should assign those services to. another
agency.
The fire department should be no different than any other government agency that has the
parameters ~fits authority and services clearly defined by the governing body.
Legal counsel should be used to ensure that any statutory services and responsibilities are being
met.
The majority of public fire departments are established under the charter provisions of their
governing body or through the adoption of statutes. These acts define the legal basis for
operating a fire department, the mission of the organization, the duties that are authorized and
expected to be performed, and the authority and responsibilities that are assigned to certain
individuals to direct the operations of the fire department.
The documents that officially establish the fire department as an identifiable organization are
necessary to determine specific responsibilities and to determine the parties responsible for
compliance with the provisions of this standard.
In many cases, these documents can be part of state laws, a municipal charter, or an annual
. budget. In such cases, it would be appropriate to make these existing documents part of the
organizational statement, if applicable.
A.4.I.2 There can be incidents or ~eas where the response criteria are impacted by
circumstances such as response personnel who are not on duty, nonstaffed fire station facilities,
natural barriers, traffic congestion, insufficient water supply, and density of population or
property. The reduced level of service should be documented in the written organizational
J
Copyright NFPA
statement by the percentage of incidents and geographical areas for which the response time
criteria are achieved.
A.4.I.2.I.l(2) This service delivery requirement is intended to have a fire department plan and
situate its resources to consistently meet a 4-minute initial company fire suppression response
and an 8-minute full alarm frre response assignment. However, it is recognized that while on
some occasions (for example, a company is out of service for training) the initial company
response may not be met in the 4-minute requirement, the 8-minute criterion must always be met.
A.4.4.2 Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations require that all fire
departments be trained to respond to hazardous materials incidents at the first responder
operations level.
Title III of the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986 (SARA), known as the
Emergency Planning and Right-to-Know Act, established requirements for federal, state, and
local governments and indl.JStrial facilities regarding emergency planning for spills or other
releases, and community right-to-know reporting of hazardous and toxic chemicals.
The Emergency Planning and Right-to-Know Act of 1986 covers the following four major areas
that will provide the fire service and communities with a broad perspective on the chemical
hazards within the local area and those at individual facilities:
(1) Sections 301 through 303 - emergency planning
(2) Section 304 - emergency release notification
(3) Sections 311 and 312 - community right-to-know reporting requirements
(4) Section 313 -toxic chemical release inventory
A.4.8.1 Where appropriate, the mutual aid agreement should include automatic responses on
frrst alarms (automatic aid). This concept contemplates joint response of designated apparatus
and personnel on a predetermined running assignment basis.
Mutual aid concepts should be considered on a regional basis. In an effective mutual aid
arrangement, each fire department should retain reserves of personnel and apparatus.
Traditionally and legally, overall command of the incident is vested with the senior officer of the
jurisdiction experiencing the emergency.
Some areas use consolidated dispatching to coordinate the response of frre companies to assist an
outside fire department. The management of responses can be made easier by utilizing
computerization, "running cards," and other advance planning.
A.S.2 Suppression capability is an expression of how much fire-fighting power can be put into
action when there is a fire. It includes the amount of apparatus, equipment, and personnel
available; the time needed to respond and place equipment in action; the water supply; the
Copyright NFP A
application of strategy and tactics; the level of training; and all of the components that add up to
effective fire ground operations.
A.5.2.I.l For more information, see NFPA 1250, Recommended Practice in Emergency Service
Organization Risk Management; FEMA, National Fire Academy, "Fire Risk Analysis: A
Systems Approach"; Phoenix, AZ Fire Department, "Fire Department Evaluation System
(FIREDAP). "
A.5.2.I.2 For further information on companies, see 3.3.8 and A.3.3.8.
A.5.2.1.2.1 An early aggressive and offensive primary interior attack on a working fire, where
feasible, is usually the most effective strategy to reduce loss of lives and property damage. In
Figure A.5.2.1.2.1 the line represents a rate of fire propagation, which combines temperature rise
and time. It roughly corresponds to the percentage of property destruction. At approximately 10
minutes into the fire sequence, the hypothetical room of origin flashes over. Extension outside
the room begins at this point.
100
90
80
~
70 2
..
60-3
~
50~
40 .;-
1:
30 ~
If.
20
10
o
o 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 a 9 10 11 12 13 14 1516
Minutes
FIGURE A.S.2.1.2.1 Fire propagation curve.
Consequently, given that the progression of a structural fire to the point of flashover (i.e., the
very rapid spreading of the fire due to superheating of room contents and other combustibles)
generally occurs in less than 10 minutes, two of the most important elements in limiting fire
spread are the quick arrival of sufficient numbers of personnel and equipment to attack and
Copyright NFP A
. .
.\
.
extinguish the fIre as close to the point of its origin as possible. For more information, refer to
Fire Service Today,. "Reduced Staffing: At What Cost," and NIST, "Hazard I Fire Hazard
Assessment Method." Also, refer to National Fire Academy, "Fire Risk Analysis: A Systems
Approach," and Office of the Ontario Fire Marshal, Shaping the Future of Fire Ground Staffing
and Delivery Systems within a Comprehensive Fire Safety Effectiveness Model.
The ability of adequate fire suppression forces to greatly influence the outcome of a structural
fIre is undeniable and predictable. Data generated by NFP A provides empirical data that rapid
and aggressive interior attack can substantially reduce the human and property losses associated
with structural fIres (see Table A.5.2.i.2.i).
Table A.5.2.1.2.1 Fire Extension in Residential Structures 1994--1998
Rate per 1000 Fires
Civilian Injuries
Confined to the room of origin
Beyond the room but confmed to the floor
of origin
Beyond the floor of origin 26.54 63.48 31,912
Note: Residential structures include dwellings, duplexes, manufactured homes (also called mobile homes),
apartments, row houses, townhouses, hotels and motels, donnitories, and barracks.
Source: NFP A Annual Fire Experience Survey and Na(ional Fire Inciqent Reporting System.
2.32
19.68
35.19
96.86
Dollar Loss per
Fire
3,185
22,720
Extension
Civilian Deaths
A.5.2.1.2.3 The assignment of specific response districts to command officers should be based
on the number of companies, workload, and response distances. Department administrative
procedures should indicate clearly the jurisdiction of command officers.
A.5.2.1.2.5 For further information on staffaides, see 3.3.37.
A.5.2.3.1;2 NFP A 1500, Standard on Fire Department OccupationalSafety and Health
Program; 29 CFR 1910.134; and U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety & Health
Administration, Memorandum for Regional Administration and State Designees; Response to
IDLH or Potential IDLH Atmospheres.
The initial rapid intervention crew (IRIC) and the rapid intervention crew (RIC) members are
equipped with the fire fighters' protective ensemble, including protective clothing and equipment
as required by NFPA 1500.
A.5.2.3.2.1 For the purposes of this standard, the initial full alarm assignment capability is for a
response to a structural fire in a typical 264 m2 (2000 ft2), two-story, single-family occupancy
without a basement and with no exposures (detached home). All communities respond to fire
Copyright NFP A
"f
incidents in this type of structure on a regular basis and therefore the hazards presented by this
scenario are not unusual.
Other occupancies and structures in the community that present. greater hazards should be
addressed by additional fire fighter functions and additional responding personnel on the initial
full alarm assignment. For further information on the classification of hazards, see NFP A Fire
Protection Handbook, 18th edition.
A.5.3 An EMS is defined as a comprehensive, coordinated arrangement of resources and
functions that are organized to respond in a timely, staged manner to medical emergencies,
regardless of their cause. The term system can be applied locally, at the state, province, or
national level. The fundamental functions of an EMS system are the following:
(1) System organization and management
(2) Medical direction
(3) Human resources and training
(4) Communications
(5) Emergency response
(6) Transportation
(7) Care facilities
(8) Quality assurance
(9) Public information and education
(10) Disaster medical services
(11) Research
(12) Special populations
A.5.3.2 The following four functions do not necessarily exist as separate elements in aparticular
system:
(1) The first responding unit can be an ALS ambulance that can provide ALS treatment and
ambulance transportation.
(2) The fIrst responding unit can be a fire suppression unit that can provide both initial and
advanced level medical care.
(3) ALS can be provided by the ambulance or by.an additional' fire suppression unit or a unit that
is dedicated to ALS response only.
(4) The system may not have ALS treatment capability - only a fire apparatus with fire fighters
trained as first responder AED can respond.
...
Copyright NFP A
4
A.S.3.3.4.3 The American Heart Association recommends the minimum required personnel for
an emergency cardiac care response. In those systems that have attained survival rates higher
than 20 percent for patients with ventricular fibrillation, response teams include, as a minimum,
two ALS providers and two BLS providers. See "Guidelines 2000 for Cardiopulmonary
Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiac Care," JAMA.; "Basic Trauma Life Support for Paramedics
and Other Providers," ACEP; "Pre-Hospital Trauma Life Support," ACS; "Pediatric Advanced
Life Support," AHA; and "Emergency Care and Transportation of the Sick and Injured," AAOS.
A.S,5.6.2 The U.S. Air Force has defined the areas involved in the emergency within 240 m (75
ft) of the aircraft as immediately dangerous to life and health (lDLH).
A.S.6 For additional information on marine fire fighting, see NFPA 1405, Guidefor
Land-Based Fire Fighters Who Respond to Marine Vessel Fires.
A.S.6.S.1 For additional information on marine rescue and frre-fighting vessels, see NFP A
1925, Standard on Marine Fire-Fighting Vessels.
A.S.7.6.I.l A system developed by Chief Paul Gleason of the United States Forest Service
addresses specific mandatory fire orders in a system termed LCES, which stands for lookout(s),
communication(s), escape route(s), and safety zone(s). These four items are to be implemented as
an integrated system by a single resource unit, a strike team, or a full assignment. The
implem~ntation of LCES is a minimum safety requirement prior to the initiation of any wildland
fire-fighting operations.
A.6.2 Emergency incidents can involve operations that vary considerably in their complexity
and scale. The control of these incidents depends on the planned, systematic implementation of
an effective frreground organization to accomplish identified objectives. Every fire department,
regardless of size, needs a proper system to regulate and direct emergency forces and equipment
at both routine and major incidents. The incident management system forms th~ basic structure
of operations, regardless of scale. An effective system is designed to manage incidents of
different types, including structure fires, wildland fires, hazardous materials incidents, and
medical and other emergencies.
A.6.2.2 Unlike fire incidents where command is normally predicated by rank structure, EMS
patient care is based upon statutory recognition of the individual with the highest level of
medical certification. It is recommended that departments adopt protocols that define the degree
of both member and nonmember involvement in direct patient care based upon local standards,
medical control, and statutory requirements.
A.6.S For additional information, see NFP A 1620, Recommended Practice for Pre-Incident
Planning.
Copyright NFP A
. .
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=: ~~~,.~ "" ~ ~~~ =-. ~, ~ ~,.~ ~ -~ ." ~ " ;; ~~:_.,.,...,.. ~,~~" ~v _, '-'" ,,: "'- -..; _
, <c . \{.1\7\1;" ,. i .) 'k~ :F.I.~'f'mv~ ." &]r:t' ~7\,- ?i.v;;Y , ,
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B.l Referenced Publications.
The following documents or portions thereof are referenced within this standard for
informational purposes only and are thus not part of the requirements of this document unless
also listed in Chapter 2.
B.1.1 NFP A Publications. National Fire Protection Association, 1 Batterymarch Park, P.O. Box
9101 , Quincy, MA 02269-9101.
NFP A 1221, Standard for the Installation, Maintenance, and Use of Emergency Services
Communications Systems, 1999 edition.
NFP A 1250, Recommended Practice in Emergency Service Organization Risk Management,
2000 edition.
NFPA 1405, Guidefor Land-Based Fire Fighters Who Respond to Marine Vessel Fires, 2001
edition.
NFP A 1500, Standard on Fire Department Occupational Safety and Health Program, 1997
edition.
NFP A 1620, Recommended Practice for Pre-Incident Planning,' 1998 edition.
NFP A 1925, Standard on Marine Fire-Fighting Vessels, 1998 edition.
NFP A Annual Fire Experience Survey and National Fire Incident Reporting System.
Fire Protection Handbook, 18th edition, 1997.
Fire Service Today, Gerard, J.C. and A.T. Jacobsen, "Reduced Staffing: At What Cost,"
September 1981.
B.1.2 Other Publications.
B.l.2.1 AMA Publication. American Medical Association, 515 North State Street, Chicago, IL
60610.
"Guidelines 2000 for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiac Care." 1992.
Journal of the American Medical Association, 268(16) (October 28).
B.l.2.2 CFAI Publication. Commission on Fire Accreditation International, 4500 Southgate
Place, Suite 100, Chantilly, VA 20151. .
Fire and Emergency Service Self Assessment Manuals, National Fire Service Accreditation
Program.
B.1.2.3 FEMA Publication. Federal Emergency Management Agency, Washington, DC 20002.
Copyright NFP A
.
"Fire Risk Analysis: A Systems Approach," NF A-SM-FRAS, National Emergency Training
Center, National Fire Academy, July 20, 1984.
8.1.2.4 NIST Publication. National Institute of Standards and Technology, Bldg. 820, Rm. 164,
Gaithersburg, MD 20899.
"Hazard I Fire Hazard Assessment Method," U.S. Department of Commerce, June 1991.
8.1.2.5 U.S. Government Publications. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC
20402.
Memorandumfor Regional Administration and State Designs; Response to IDLH or Potential
IDLH Atmospheres, Department of Labor, Occupational Safety & Health Administration.
Title 29, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 1910.134, "Respiratory Protection,"1998.
8.1.2.6 Other Publications.
"Guidelines 2000 for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiac Care," JAMA,
August 2000.
"Basic Trauma Life Support for Paramedics and Other Providers," American College of
Emergency Physicians; John Campbell (ed); 1997.
Office of the Ontario Fire Marshal, Shaping the Future of Fire Ground Staffing and Delivery
Systems ,within a Comprehensive Fire Safety Effectiveness Model, 1993.
"Pre-Hospital Trauma Life Support," American College of Surgeons; Paturaas, Wertz and
McSwain (eds); 1999.
"Pediatric Advanced Life Support,~' American Heart Association; Besson (00); 1997.
Phoenix, AZ Fire Department, "Fire Department Evaluation System (FIREDAP)," December
1991.
"Emergency Care and Transportation of the Sick and Injured," American Association of
Orthopedic Surgeons; Browner (ed); 1999.
8.2 Informational References.
The following documents or portions thereofare listed here as informational resources only.
, '
They are not a part of the requirements of this document.
8.2.1 IAFF Publications. International Association of Fire Fighters, 1750 New York Avenue,
NW, Washington, DC 20006.
Department of Research and Labor Issues, "Effectiveness of Fire-Based EMS," 1995.
Department of Research and Labor Issues, "Safe Fire Fighting Staffing," 1993.
8.2.2 U.S. Government Publications. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C.
Copyright NFP A
-...---- -
.~
~'-, ....
,
20402.
Title 29, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 1910.120, "Hazardous Waste Operations and
Emergency Response," 1986.
Title 29, Code of Federal Regulations (OSHA), Part 1910.156, "Fire Protection; Means of
Egress; Hazardous Materials."
8.3 References for Extracts.
The following documents are listed here to provide reference information, including title and
edition, for extracts given throughout this standard as indicated by a reference in brackets [ ]
following a section or paragraph. These documents are not a part of the requirements of this
document unless also listed in Chapter 2 for other reasons.
8.3.1 NFP A Publications. National Fire Protection Association, 1 Batterymarch Park, P.O. Box
9101 , Quincy, MA 02269-9101.
NFPA 295, Standardfor Wildfire Control, 1998 edition.
NFPA 402, Guide for Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting Operations, 1996 edition.
NFPA 403, Standardfor Aircraft Rescue and Fire-Fighting Services at Airports, 1998 edition.
NFPA 801, Standardfor Fire Protectionfor Facilities Handling Radioactive Materials, 1998
edition.
NFPA 1002, Standardfor Fire Apparatus Driver/Operator Professional Qualifications, 1998
edition.
NFPA 1021, Standardfor Fire Officer Professional Qualifications, 1997 edition.
NFPA 1142, Standard on Water Suppliesfor Suburban and Rural Fire Fighting, 2001 edition.
NFPA 1201, Standardfor Developing Fire Protection Servicesfor the Public, 2000 edition.
NFP A 1221, Standard for the Installation, Maintenance, and Use of Emergency Services
Communications Systems, 1999 edition.
NFP A 1404, Standardfor a Fire Department Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus Program,
1996 edition.
NFPA 1410, Standard on Trainingfor Initial Emergency Scene Operations, 2000 edition.
NFP A 1500, Standard on Fire Department Occupational Safety and Health Program, 1997 _
edition.
NFPA 1561, Standard on Emergency Services Incident Management System, 2000 edition.
NFPA 1581, Standard on Fire Department Infection Control Program, 2000 edition.
Copyright NFP A
International Association of Fire Chiefs
NFPA 1710:
A Decision Guide
International Association of Fire Chiefs
4025 Fair Ridge Drive
Fairfax, VA 22033
(703) 273-0911
Foreword
Chief Mike Brown, IAFC President
The debate about whether NFPA 1710 should become a national standard for
staffing and deployment in career fire departments generated important ques-
tions. Will this apply to my department? How will we be able to meet 1710's
provisions? When will we have to comply? ICHIEFS helped craft the stan-
dard, and now we're here to help address those important questions in detail.
Some of the elements in question-EMS training and staffing require-
ments, for instance-the technical committee left open to local interpretation
on purpose; the intention was to maintain the very flexibility that local government factions complain
is missing.
On the other hand, the NFPA Standards Council itself dictated one of the standard's biggest seman-
tic hurdles; it insisted upon the term "substantially all career" to identify what departments should
adopt 1710, then never defined "substantially."
And what about the staffing provision language? In section 5.2.2, NFPA 1710 refers to four (or
five) fire fighter minimum staffing. It seems to dictate four-person minimum staffing on every engine,
and it sent blood pressures and rhetoric to new heights. However, section 5.2.2 is modified by the
definition of "company" (section 3.1.8), which includes "a group of members. . . dispatched and arriv-
ing together, continuously operating together and.. . managed by a single company officer..." That defi-
nition allows local authorities to assemble a four-person company using multiple-vehicle staffing, for
instance, or using mutual aid.
The IAFC asked a representative from each division of the International Association of Fire Chiefs
to participate in a task force to develop a comprehensive informational guide. The document presented
represents the answers, guidance and interpretation that resulted from the intense discussions among
task-force members. Believe me, we handled the hard questions. As I mentioned, every IAFC divi-
sion-including those that opposed the standard-was represented on the task force. Two ofthe task-
force members were also members of the NFPA 1710 technical committee, and they provided detailed
answers to some of the most vexing questions regarding the standard. You'll fmd them in this guide.
As president of the International Association of Fire Chiefs, I'm proud to say we participated in
representing the interests of the fire service and furthering the interests of fire chiefs. The board be-
lieves our participation resulted in a document that provides local governments enough flexibility to
address the standard in multiple ways. We came away with very significant modifications to the stan-
dard.
I want to thank the IAFC's elected leaders, the headquarters staff and all the IAFC members who
helped in the development of 1710, particularly the technical committee members. [Chief Dennis
Compton, Chief Nick Russo, Chief Larry Garcia, Commissioner Harold Hairston, Deputy Chief Ken
Riddle, and IAFC Assistant Executive Director Brian Johnson as their alternate.] It's important to note
that we didn't instruct our appointed representatives how to vote. Still, every one ofthem supported
NFPA 1710. I believe, as they do, it was the right thing to do.
I also want to thank the members of the task force. Their answers, guidance and resources offered in
this decision document will help fire chiefs and local government officials understand NFP A 1710. We
believe they will help true leaders improve the level of fire protection and emergency medical services
in their communities. Remember, there's a difference between management and leadership. Manage-
ment is managing people and organizations the way they are. Leadership is leading people and organi-
zations where they need to be.
Through its leadership, the International Association of Fire Chiefs helped to design NFPA 1710 in
a manner the fire service can utilize, and we're proud of that. With this document, we'll help you decide
the best way to use it in your community-and the best way to lead the fire service where it needs to be.
vffJ/C~
Chief Michael R. Brown
IAFC President
Task Force Members
. Chairman
Chief Michael Brown
Kitsap (WA) Fire District #7
. Canadian Division
Chief Wayne Morris
Calgary (CAN) Fire Department
. Eastern Division
Chief Floyd Madison
Rochester (NY) Fire Department
. Great Lakes Division
Chief Dale Duermit
Sharonville (OH) Fire Department
. Missouri Valley Division
Chief Steve Westermann
Central Jackson County (MO) Fire Protection District
. New England Division
Chief Nick Russo
Hull (MA) Fire-Rescue and Emergency Services
. Southeastern Division
Chief Richard Burch
Roanoke County (VA) Fire and Rescue
. Southwestern Division
Chief Ronnie James, Ret.
Emergency Services Training Center-Texas A&M
. Western Division
Chief George Dunkel
St. Helens (OR) Rural Fire District
. Technical Experts:
Chief Jay Reardon
Northbrook (IL) Fire Department
Dr. Frank Pratt
Los Angeles County (CA) Fire Department
Director John Rukavina
Wake County (NC) Department of Public Safety
Items Covered In This Guide
Background: How did we get here?
· Retrospective look at 30+ years of
staffing & deployment
· NFPA 1500 & 1200
Adoption vs. Implementation
· Advantages/disadvantages of adoption
· Implementing without adopting
Comparison of NFPA 1710 & 1720
· Determining which standard fits your
department
· Matrix comparing both standards
"Substantially All Career" or Volunteer?
· Examples & rationale for determining
Staffing
· Four-person companies
· Using single apparatus
· Using multiple apparatus
· Automatic & mutual aid
Response Times
· Call processing time
· Turnout time
· Four-minute & eight-minute criteria
· Pre-emptive instructions
EMS Requirements
· BLS & ALS transport staffing set by
state licensing agency
· ALS staffing at the scene
· Private ambulance, third service
provider, automatic & mutual aid all
allowed
Data Collection
· Samples of simple & complex collection
systems
· Sample forms & graphs
· What incidents are not part of the 90%
response benchmark
Legal Issues
Expert advice on:
· Adopting or not
· Standard vs. OSHA regulation-Can it
really happen?
Implementation Resources
· CFAI Accreditation
· CFAI Self-Assessment Guide
· Oregon State Deployment Process
Sample Timeline for Implementation
· Adopting the standard in late 2001
· First report delivered to AHJ in early
2006
Informing your city manager & elected
officials
· PowerPoint presentation explaining the
standard will be available online
· Full Decision Guide available online
Table of Contents
Chapter One: Introduction: How Did We Get Here? .......................................................9
Chapter Two: Does 1710 'Substantially' Apply to Me? .................................................. 14
Chapter Three: Legal Implications-An Overview........................................................ 16
Chapter Four: Fire Suppression............................ ........................................................ 19
Chapter Five: EMS........................ ................................................................................ 28
Chapter Six: Sample Timeline for Implementation ........................................................ 32
Chapter Seven: Organizational Statement, Data Collection & Reporting ...................... 33
Chapter Eight: Other Tools and Resources ...................................................................66
Appendices
Appendix A: Sample compliance matrix
Appendix B: Burning Issues series: James O. Page's response to
the Wall Street Journal article
The following appendix material Is available online at www.ICHIEFS.org:
Appendix C: Chapter three, Commission on Fire Accreditation International,
Fire and Emergency Service Self Assessment Manual,
National Fire Service Accreditation Program
Appendix D: Chapter six, Commission on Fire Accreditation International,
Fire and Emergency Service Self Assessment Manual,
National Fire Service Accreditation Program
Appendix E: Risk Hazard and Value Evaluation (RHAVE)
Appendix F: Oregon Fire Chiefs' Association, Oregon Deployment Process
Appendix G: Klamath County (OR) Fire District No.1 Deployment Process
Appendix H: International Association of Fire Fighters,
Department of Research and Labor Issues,
"Safe Fire Fighting Staffing," 1995
Appendix I: Office of the Ontario Fire Marshal,
Shaping the Future of Fire Ground Staffing and Delivery Systems
within a Comprehensi~e Fire Safety Effectiveness Model, 1993
Appendix J: Dallas (TX) Fire Department Staffing Level Study, June 1984
Appendix K: Excerpt from Phoenix (AZ) Fire Department,
"Fire Department Evaluation System (FIREDAP)," December 1991
Appendix L: Federal Emergency Management Agency,."Fire Risk Analysis: A Systems Approach,"
NETC, NFA-SM-FRAS, July 20, 1984
Appendix M: Links to various Internet sites
Chapter One
Introduction
In anticipation ofNFPA 1710 becoming a national standard, the IAFC began working on this decision
guide. This guide provides the IAFC's interpretation of the standard, supported by direct references
from the standard; background information; links to the empirical data referenced in the standard; and
samples of data useful for developing reports.
As may be the case with technical standards, there may be differing interpretations of the spe-
cifics ofthe standard. The NFPA has a process in place to address conflicting interpretations. A Formal
Interpretation is submitted to the NFPA. This involves balloting the responsible NFPA technical com-
mittee. This requires an extended processing time and may not result in an answer if consensus cannot
be established. For more information on Formal Interpretations, refer to Section 6 ofthe NFPA Regula-
tions Governing Committee Projects.
Toward the end of the standards-making process, many fire chiefs (and even more municipal
government representatives) wondered aloud: "How did we get here?" One could argue that the pro-
cess started when the National Fire Academy first opened its doors; one of its first classes dealt with
risk assessment, after all. Another view begins the deployment standard timeline in 1987, when a
technical committee inserted staffmg and deployment language into the proposed NFPA 1500. In 1992,
NFPA's membership voted down that specific language during the annual meeting in New Orleans.
During this same time frame, in 1987, the IAFC formed a task force for the development of a
comprehensive process, which today is known as the Commission on Fire Accreditation International
(CFAI). After nine years of extensive work, a task force comprised of more than 150 fire service profes-
sionals developed the Fire Emergency Self Assessment Process, which organizations can use to evalu-
ate all aspects of organizational performance. It should be noted that this project began with a memo-
randum of understanding with the International City/County Management Association for the develop-
ment of this process. Today, the CFAI has accredited more than 50 fire agencies worldwide, has more
than 200 organizations that are in the process, and recently the Department of Defense has adopted as
its policy that all fire and emergency providers within the DoD will use the accreditation process.
In 1995, the NFPA Standards Council moved forward on the development of NFPA 1200, the
Standard for Organization, Operation, Deployment and Evaluation of Public Fire Protection and Emer-
gency Medical Services. After receiving more than 20,000 comments on the draft standard, including
55 from the IAFC, the NFPA 1200 technical committee voted to return the document to the Standards
Council, effectively killing it.
At that time, the IAFC testified before the Standards Council and asked that it not move forward
with a deployment standard. But late in 1998, when it became evident that NFPA was going to develop
NFPA 1710 and 1720 as separate deployment standards, the IAFC Board of Directors made a con-
scious decision to participate.
"We did so because we knew the standard would be better with our involvement than it would be
without us," said Chief Mike Brown, president of the IAFC. "So we appointed some of our best fire
chiefs to sit on the technical committees. Because we had seats at the table, ICHIEFS was able to
recommend many changes, particularly to 1710. Because we were there, because we were part of the
NFPA consensus process, we were able to make 1710 better. Compare the original language to the
standard that passed in Anaheim, and you'll see what I mean."
Fire chiefs and local government officials will also be left with complex decisions to make about
finite resources; no NFPA standard could change that basic fact. However, the IAPC recognizes that there
is a gap between the flexible (if sometimes vague) text that makes up NFPA 1710 and the environment to
which most fire chiefs are accustomed-that of clear, well-defmed SOPs, SOGs, checklists and rules.
NFPA 1710: A Decision Guide
9
The IAFC decided to help our members close that gap with this document, NFPA 1710: A
Decision Guide. Our answers, guidance and interpretation begin right here with easy-to-follow an-
swers to the following key questions about NFPA 1710.
Note: Observations about the legal effects and consequences are offered for general informa-
tion purposes only; obtain more specific legal advice from an attorney licensed to practice in
your jurisdiction.
Answers to Key Questions
1. Does 1710 apply to me?
2. If 1710 applies to me, do I have to adopt it?
3. Do I have a responsibility to understand 1710 well enough to explain it to my manager/
mayor/boss?
4. Should NFPA 1710 be a part of long-range planning activities for my department?
5. What are the legal implications of 171 O?
6. In a nutshell, what does 1710 require?
7. Can my department use mutual- or automatic-aid agreements to meet 1710?
8. Where did the staffing numbers come from?
9. Does 1710 give credit for fire suppression systems, emergency medical dispatch or
other ways to directly affect an emergency outcome?
10. I know 1710 is a consensus document, but I strongly disagree with it. Can my
community develop its own equivalent standard?
11. What about turnout time?
Q: Does 1710 apply to me?
A: According to a recent NFPA survey (not related to the standard), NFPA 1710 will apply to approxi-
mately 3,300-3,600 of the 30,500 fire departments in the United States. Some jurisdictions in Canada
also adopt or implement the NFPA standards. The key to determining 1710's applicability to your
department rests with your local analysis and conclusion about whether it is, in NFPA's terminology,
"substantially all career."
Here are two quick questions to help you decide:
Do the volunteer fire fighters supplement the career fire fighters?
Yes - The department is probably "substantially all career."
Do the career fire fighters supplement the volunteer fire fighters?
Yes - The department is probably not "substantially all career."
For more discussion on the matter, see chapter two ofthis guide.
Q: If 1710 applies to me, do I have to adopt it?
A: Unless there's a provision of any collective bargaining agreement with your fire fighters to which
your department is a party that requires adoption ofNFPA standards, NO. While there may be state or
local laws that require adoption of an NFPA fire-preventionlfrre-code standard, there are no federal or
10
NFPA 1710: A Decision Guide
state laws that mandate automatic local adoption of 1710. Check to see if your department has a self-
imposed internal rule or sOP/saG that "adopts" new NFPA standards as they are published.
For more discussion on the matter, see chapter three of this guide.
Q: Do I have a responsibility to understand 1710 well enough to explain it
to my manager/mayor/boss?
A: In a word, yes. The incredible amount of inaccurate information about 1710's components only
heightens the importance of this responsibility.
Q: Should NFPA 1710 be a part of long-range planning activities for my
department?
A: If you determine that 1710 applies to your department or is likely to in the foreseeable future, yes.
NFPA 1710 envisions implementation as a multi-year process. Even for those departments that adopt
1710 immediately, the first required report about implementation wouldn't be due to the authority
having jurisdiction (AHJ) until early in 2006.
Remember, implementation ofNFPA 1710 does not require adoption ofNFPA 1710. It is not nec-
essary, and for legal reasons, may not be advisable, for any department, city, county, district or town to
formally "adopt" NFPA 1710.
For more details, see chapters three and six of this guide.
Q: What are the legal implications of 17101
A: There are several legal implications, but we'll address one that seems to be causing the most con-
cern: the potential for negligence lawsuits. Here is task force member John Rukavina's take: "Assum-
ing for the moment that state law will even allow a community or fire department to be sued-some
states won't-a person who sues a city, town, county or fire department corporation for negligence has
to prove several key factors.
One of those factors is if the standard in question even applies. If a standard called for four fire
fighters on every company, and one of several companies sent to a fire had only three fire fighters on
board, the injured person must be prepared to prove that there was a direct "causal relationship" be-
tween the fact that there was a missing fire fighter and the injury. Without that causal relationship, the
standard is irrelevant."
For more discussion on the matter, see chapter three of this guide.
Q: In a nutshell, what does 1710 require?
A: Here's a matrix that describes the nuts and bolts of 1710:
First-unit response time* 4 minutes/90% of the time
Initial Full Assignment response time** 8 minutes/90% of the time
First-unit staffing/arrival 4 minimum
Assignment staffing 14/15
Initial attack time N/A
Annual evaluation Yes
Quadrennial report Yes
*BLS response time is 4 minutes. Does not include 60-seconds turnout time or PSAP/911 call processing
time.
**ALS response time is 8 minutes. Does not include 60-seconds turnout time or PSAP/911 call
processing time.
NFPA 1710: A Decision Guide
11
NFPA 1710 assumes equipment ordinarily dispatched, but not less than one engine or quint capable
of establishing a minimum of 400 gpm uninterrupted water supply at a minimum 300 gpm initial flow
for two handlines and sufficient tools and equipment to support the activities listed above. This stan-
dard leaves to the AHJ the discretion to deploy the appropriate numbers and types of fire apparatus,
depending on the community's ability and incident demand.
For more discussion on the requirements, including 1710's approach to EMS, see chapters four,
five and seven of this guide.
Q: Can my department use mutual- or automatic-aid agreements to meet
1710?
A: Yes. Such agreements can apply to all aspects of emergency response, including suppression, EMS,
hazmat, technical rescue and all other specialized areas addressed in the standard.
For more discussion on the issue, see chapters three, four and five of this guide.
Q: Where did the staffing numbers come from?
A: Staffing is calculated by task assignment to deploy an initial fire attack. If an initial attack is de-
ployed, a total of 14 individuals are required to be on the scene within the eight-minute criterion, not
including an additional minute for the turnout time. If an aerial device is placed in service, a total of 15
individuals is required, which takes into account the aerial operator.
For more discussion and a sample deployment diagram, see chapter four of this guide.
Q: Does 1710 give credit for fire suppression systems, emergency medical
dispatch or other ways to directly affect an emergency outcome?
A: Pre-arrival intervention can be used to meet the intent of the standard. For example, if a dispatcher
instructs a citizen who successfully administers the Heimlich maneuver to a victim, the clock stops.
The AHJ makes the decision whether an alarm activation is an emergency response, thus determining
if it is to be included in 1710 statistics.
Q: I know 1710 is a consensus document, but I still disagree with it. Can
my community develop its own equivalent standard?
A: Your community can develop its own standard. Such a standard could, for example, distinguish
between response staffing for a report of fire in a sprinklered building and a report of fire in a non-
sprinklered building. (NFPA 1710 does not draw this distinction.) To be legally defensible, any com-
munity standard should itself be based on reasonable and rational principles-principles that could be
explained satisfactorily to a jury.
When the Standards Council approved the standard in July, it inserted language addressing equiva-
lency:
1.3 Equivalency. Nothing in this standard is intended to prohibit the use of systems,
methods, or approaches of equivalent or superior performance to those prescribed in this
standard. Technical documentation shall be submitted to the authority having jurisdiction to
demonstrate equivalency.
The Standards Council included this to give the local authority having jurisdiction more flexibility.
12
NFPA 1710: A Decision Guide
If a community decides to develop an equivalent standard the fire department must develop the techni-
cal documentation and provide it to the AHJ or local government. To the extent that any community
develops its own standard, that community assumes full responsibility for complying with its own
standard. The IAFC believes that a "bogus" or "paper" standard, intended to simply endorse a
community's fire response status quo and avoid the issues raised by 1710, is professionally as bad a
strategy as ignoring NFPA 1710.
An example of an equivalent standard is the Commission on Fire Accreditation International (CFAI)
accreditation. The CF AI fire and emergency self assessment process provides a standard of response
coverage system that assists in the evaluation of resource deployment in relation to risk. In addition, the
CFAI in conjunction with the U.S. Fire Administration has developed a computer-based modelling
program call Risk Hazard and Value Evaluation (RHAVE). RHAVE is a set of tools and methods to
help the fire service and community leaders make objective, quantifiable decisions regarding their fire
and emergency service needs.
For more discussion, see chapter three of this guide.
Q: What about turnout time?
A: There is a 60-second turnout time that adds one minute to the four-minute and eight-minute response
time provisions, making it a total of five minutes and nine minutes from the time a company is dis-
patched until it arrives on scene.
NFPA 1710: A Decision Guide
13
Chapter Two
Does NFPA 1710 'Substantially' Apply to Me?
Albert Einstein once said, "If you can't explain something simply, you don't understand it well enough."
Unfortunately, he's not here to take a crack at the myriad ways a community can evaluate whether
its fire department is "substantially all career" (1710) or "substantially all volunteer" (1720). There is
no specific definition and no reference to combination departments in either document.
Based on the results of a recent NFPA survey (not related to the standard), NFPA 1710 will apply to
approximately 3,300-3,600 ofthe 30,500 fire departments in the United States. Some jurisdictions in
Canada also adopt or implement the NFPA standards. The key to determining 1710's applicability to
your department rests with your local analysis and conclusion about whether it is, in NFPA's terminol-
ogy, "substantially all career." Here are two quick questions to help you decide:
Do volunteer fire fighters supplement career fire fighters?
Yes - The department is probably "substantially all career."
Do career fire fighters supplement volunteer fire fighters?
Yes - The department is probably not "substantially all career."
That said, there are other questions to consider that may help your community defme "substantially."
· Who takes the first attack line into the structure?
· What percentage of the calls are run by career/volunteer?
· Are the staff receiving more than nominal compensation (paid on call)?
· Do the staff respond from the station or from home?
Here's another interesting variation: Can a fire department fall under both 1710 and 1720?
· Can a department be "substantially all career" for EMS and "substantially all volunteer" for suppres-
sion or vice versa? Yes, provided your system design is delineated in your organizational statement.
See chapter six of this guide for more details about the organizational statement.
· Can a department be "substantially all career" during the day and "substantially all volunteer"
at night? Yes, provided your system design is delineated in your organizational statement. See
chapter seven of this guide for more details about the organizational statement.
Here is a basic matrix that compares NFPA 1710 to NFPA 1720:
1710
1720
First-unit response time*
Initial Full Assignment response time**
First-unit staffing/arrival
Assignment staffing
Initial attack time
Annual evaluation
Quadrennial report
4 minutesl900/0
8 minutesl900/0
4 minimum
14/15
N/A
Yes
Yes
N/A
N/A
N/A
5
2 minutes/900/0
No
No
*BLS response time is 4 minutes. Does not include 6o-seconds turnout time or PSAP/911 call processing
time.
**ALS response time is 8 minutes. Does not include 60-seconds turnout time or PSAP/911 call
processing time.
14
NFPA 1710: A Decision Guide
As mentioned earlier in the document, the NFPA Standards Council required the "substantially"
term. The NFPA 1710 technical committee discussed a range of definitions, from precise staff numbers
to permanently-assigned positions. Reportedly, the committee leaned toward a strict-numbers approach:
If a department has 30 career/29 volunteers, it's substantially all career. However, because the technical
committee did not define it in the standard, the task force simply offers the suggestions above to help
each community examine the issue and decide for itself.
NFPA 1710: A Decision Guide
15
Chapter Three
Legal Implications-An Overview
As we mentioned earlier, John Rukavina joined the IAFC's task force as a technical expert; that is, as a
fire chief and an attorney. He wrote an article titled "1710 legal questions answered" that appeared in
the February 2001 issue of Fire Chiefmagazine. With the kind permission of Fire Chief, we reprint the
entire article here and examine the wisdom of adoption vs. implementation and the prospect of OSHA
adapting 1710 as a regulation.
1710 legal questions answered
By John Rukavina, Director
Wake County (NC) Department of Public Safety
Historically, the fire department has been the quintessential "local service," where maximum discretion
is left to local officials.
The general duty standard requires employers covered by OSHA to maintain a workplace free from
"recognized hazards."
Fire chiefs across the United States are waiting to see if the National Fire Protection Association
proceeds this May with adoption ofNFPA 1710, Organization and Deployment of Fire Suppression,
Emergency Medical Operations, and Special Operations to the Public by Career Fire Departments.
Some chiefs are looking forward to its adoption, relieved at the prospect of a national consensus
standard that will help shoulder their budget-time "burden of proof' and establish a lawsuit-proof fire
service management path. Others are concerned thatNFPA 1710 will result in the creation of new legal
risks for departments and communities that won't meet it...in the foreseeable future.
Is either group right? To coin a phrase, yes and no.
Q: If NFPA adopts 1710, is there a law that requires a city, county, town or
fire department to adopt it?
A: I'm not aware of any state with a law that requires adoption of any new standard. In fact, such a law
would probably be considered an unconstitutional delegation of power; courts would frown on a legis-
lature that authorized automatic adoption of any standard without at least some public review.
At the local level, though, there's no telling what city councils, town boards and county commissions
have done in the way of automatic adoption of an NFPA standard. Where such automatic-adoption situa-
tions exist, they're usually a self-inflicted wound, imposed by the fire chief on himself or herself.
Q: Can a city, fire department or fire chief be held liable If company staff-
ing standards differ according to community risk (more staffing in areas
with more risk) and a fire in a low-risk area causes damage?
A: With few historical exceptions, the answer to that question is no. In fact, courts have traditionally
given great deference to "legislative decisions" made by local elected officials. For example, if a city
council or town board decides not to build a fire station in a neighborhood that has petitioned for one,
or decides not to hire the 10 additional fire fighters the chief has recommended in the budget, judges
steer clear of substituting their judgment for the council's or board's in matters of budget and policy.
But if a community itself establishes its own (or adopts another) standard of staffing, fire station
16
NFPA 1710: A Decision Guide
placement or training, and if damage from a subsequent fire can be traced to failure to live up to that
local standard, courts are not reluctant to impose liability on the community for failing to meet its own
"standard of care."
Q: If NFPA adopts 1710, is a community that doesn't operate according to
1710 standards breaking the law?
A: No. But that community is assuming some additional legal risk.
When a person sues a city, town, county or fire department corporation for negligence (assuming
for the moment that state law will even allow a community or fire department to be sued-some states
won't)-that person is saying that he or she is prepared to prove the following:
1. The community or fire department owed a duty of care to that person.
2. That duty of care was breached. (The community or department violated the duty.)
3. That breach of duty was the "proximate" (foreseeable) cause of an injury.
4. The person actually suffered an injury. ("Injury" in this legal sense can be a physical
injury or a financial loss.)
The general assumption of the law is that everyone owes everyone else a duty to behave in a reason-
able way. So a big part of a negligence lawsuit is defining what a "reasonable" fire officer, fire chief or
community would have done. In defining "reasonable," lawyers will ultimately look to the fire service
at large to see if there's general agreement on relevant standards of behavior.
NFPA standards are among those that would be cited as representative of a fire service standard of
behavior, so if the local fire department's own standard was different--or, as is more often the case, the
local department had no standard-the injured person would argue that a relevant NFPA standard
should be admitted into evidence so the jury can "benchmark" the fire department's act or omission
against the relevant NFPA standard to help it make a decision.
Note, though, that only relevant standards will playa role. If a standard called for four fire fighters on
every company, and one of several companies sent to a fire had only three fire fighters on board, the
injured person must be prepared to prove that there was a direct "causal relationship" between the fact that
there was a missing fire fighter and the injury. Without that causal relationship, the standard is irrelevant.
Q: If a fire fighter is injured while fighting a fire, can he or she successfully
sue the incident commander, the chief, the department or the city if the fire
fighter can prove that the injury was caused, say, by on-scene staffing lev-
els lower than those established in NFPA 171 O?
A: It depends on state workers comp law, but in most (though not all) states, the answer is no.
In most states, workers comp is, in effect, no-fault insurance. In exchange for the certainty of com-
pensation, workers can't sue their employers, and employers can't blame the workers for their own
"contributory negligence" in the cause oftheir injuries. (In a few of those "no-fault" states, courts will,
in effect, go through that "no-fault" curtain to get at an employer that disregards worker safety in a
manner so truly outrageous that it borders on criminal behavior.)
The most accurate answer to this question is best obtained from a fire department's local work-
ers comp expert, usually an attorney specializing in workers comp practice, or a risk manager.
NFPA 1710: A Decision Guide
17
Q: What about OSHA?
A: Good question. First, in about half the states, federal occupational safety and health laws don't
apply to local government employees (and thus fIre fIghters who are employed by a town, city or
governmental fIre district). As in the case of workers comp, a few states have adopted their own laws
-and their own safety standards-that apply to fire fIghters.
In what the federal Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) calls "state plan states," the other
roughly one-half of the states, rules identical to (or tougher than) federal OSHA rules do apply to local
government employees, including fIre fighters. In those states, OSHA's "general duty standard" ap-
plies.
This general duty standard requires employers covered by OSHA to maintain a workplace that not
only meets formal OSHA standards, but is also free from "recognized hazards" that cause (or are likely
to cause) death or serious injury to workers.
So whom does OSHA look to for identifIcation ofthose "recognized hazards"? Under the general
duty standard, OSHA uses the negligence "duty of care" model and looks to industry practice (or to
standards developed by organizations like NFPA) when a workplace death or injury occurs, and there's
no formal OSHA standard that regulates the workplace behavior or environment that caused the death
or injury. (Some readers may recall that, a few years prior to OSHA adoption of its "two-inltwo-out"
standard, OSHA officials announced that OSHA would apply NFPA 1500 minimum-safety-staffmg
recommendations as general duty standards.)
As in the case of workers comp issues raised by adoption of NFPA 1710, the best answers to
OSHA/NFP A 1710 questions will come from local OSHA practitioners.
Adoption ofNFPA 1710, assuming that it occurs, will represent a major change in the American
fire service. Historically, the fire department has been the quintessential "local service," where maxi-
mum discretion is left to local elected officials in determining the appropriate level of community
investment (and, too often by default, acceptance of fIre risk) in public fIre protection.
Many fire chiefs will fInd themselves responsible for managing this historic shift, mediating be-
tween the proverbial irresistible force ofNFPA 1710 and the immovable object oflocal willingness (or
ability) to pay.
But then, no one ever said being fIre chief would be easy.
John Rukavina is director of public safety for Wake County, N.C., and holds a law degree from the
University of Minnesota. He was a 1993 FEMA Fellow at Harvard University's Kennedy School of
Government and is a graduate of the National Fire Academy's Executive Fire Officer Program. He has
taught for the National Fire Academy, at IAFC conferences and for the Institutes of Government at the
universities of North Carolina and Georgia.
@ 2001 Fire Chief, a PRIMEDIA company. All rights reserved. Reprinted with permission.
18
NFPA 1710: A Decision Guide
Chapter Four
Fire Suppression Staffing & Response Times
Now we're getting to the heart of the standard. In this chapter, we're going to address some of the
biggest questions, misconceptions and misunderstanding surrounding 1710. We believe that after we
explain the specific language ofthe standard and connect some disparate dots, the flexibility IAFC was
able to secure will become more apparent. Among the topics we'll address:
· Four-person companies;
· U sing single apparatus;
· Using multiple apparatus;
· Automatic and mutual aid;
· Fire-suppression response times; and
· Turnout and response times.
NFPA 1710 Does NOT Require Four People on Every Rig
One ofthe biggest misconceptions about NFPA 1710 usually manifests itself when a fire chief or city
manager says in varying degrees of desperation or anger: "My community just can't afford to put four
people on every rig! How are we supposed to implement 171O?"
Here is IAFC President Mike Brown's response: "Let me say this very clearly: NFPA 1710 does
NOT require four people on every piece of apparatus. In fact, that was one of the most significant
changes the IAFC made to the standard. We identified a mechanism that allows multiple vehicles to
respond and still comply. Or you can use multiple station responses. You can use automatic and mutual
aid agreements. We believe there is sufficient flexibility in 1710 to allow most career fire departments
to significantly meet 1710's recommendations."
The task force concurred. In section 5.2.2, NFPA 1710 does refer to four (or five) fire fighter minimum
staffing requirements. However, section 5.2.2 is modified by the defmition of "company" (section 3.1.8),
which includes "a group ofmembers...dispatch(ed) and arriv(ing) together, continuously operat(ing) to-
gether and. . . managed by a single company officer. . ." That definition allows local authorities to assemble a
four-person company using multiple-vehicle staffmg, for instance, or using mutual aid.
Here are the exact, specific, right-here-in-black-and-white references from NFPA 1710 with em-
phasis added in italics to make the case:
5.2.2 Operating Units. Fire company staffing requirements shall be based on minimum lev-
els for emergency operations for safety, effectiveness, and efficiency.
5.2.2.1 Fire companies whose primary functions are to pump and deliver water and perform
basic fire fighting at fires, including search and rescue, shall be known as engine companies.
5.2.2.1.1 These companies shall be staffed with a minimum of four on-duty personnel.
5.2.2.1.2 In jurisdictions with tactical hazards, high hazard occupancies, high incident frequen-
cies, geographic restrictions, or other pertinent factors as identified by the authority having
jurisdiction, these companies shall be staffed with a minimum of five or six on-duty members.
3.1.8* Company. A group of members (1) Under the direct supervision of an officer; (2) Trained
and equipped to perform assigned tasks; (3) Usually organized and identified as engine companies,
ladder companies, rescue companies, squad companies, or multi-functional companies; (4) Oper-
ating with one piece of fire apparatus (engine, ladder truck, elevating platform, quint, rescue, squad,
ambulance) except where multiple apparatus are assigned that are dispatched and arrive together,
continuously operate together, and are managed by a single company officer, (5) Arriving at the
incident scene on fire apparatus. "Company," as used in this standard, is synonymous with company
unit, response team, crew, and response group, rather than a synonym for a fire department.
NFPA 1710: A Decision Guide
19
Some 1710 opponents have resisted this interpretation, complaining that there are too many restrictions
placed on the multiple-apparatus component to make it viable. While it's true that the restrictions may
require fire chiefs to modify elements of their operations--change dispatch procedures so two separate
vehicles are dispatched at the same time if that's not the case now, for instance--that's just one example of
local control retained. Or just create an automatic aid agreement (covered later in this chapter) that calls for
joint response of designated apparatus and personnel.
This language is more flexible than it started, by the way. Before the IAFC sought and achieved consen-
sus on the topic, the initial language called for the multiple vehicles to be "housed together, dispatched
together, and arrive together." Because the IAFC was at the table, we were able to remove the "housed
together" element, thus offering fire chiefs and local government officials more options for compliance.
Bottom line: If your AIU decides against four-person engines, there are several alternatives. Exercise
your local control. Exercise your creativity. Start with the various methods suggested in the standard's own
supplementary annex.
From NFPA 1710 Annex A Explanatory Material
Annex A is not a part of the requirements of this NFPA document but is included for informational purposes
only. This annex contains explanatory material, numbered to correspond with the applicable text paragraphs.
A.3.1.8 Company. For fire suppression, jurisdictions exist where the response capability of the
initial arriving company is configured with the response of two apparatus. In some jurisdictions,
apparatus is not configured with seated and belted positions for four personnel and therefore
would respond with an additional vehicle in consort with the initial arriving engine to carry addi-
tional personnel. This response would be to ensure that a minimum of four personnel are as-
signed to and deployed as a company. The intent of this definition and the requirements in the
standard are to ensure that these two (or more) pieces of apparatus would always be dispatched
and respond together as a single company. Some examples of this include the following:
(1) Engine and tanker/tender that would be responding outside a municipal water district
(2) Multiple piece company assignment, specified in a fire department's response SOPs,
such as an engine company response with a pumper and a hose wagon
(3) Engine with a vehicle personnel carrier
(4) Engine with an ambulance or rescue unit
So, that's how it's presented in the standard and its supplemental material. The IAFC's task force came
up with some additional resources, including a shorthand matrix for complying with four-person staff-
ing and some additional examples.
First-arriving unit
Total of four fire fighters = company
Assembled by single apparatus or multiple apparatus
**Respond from same location or various locations
Simultaneous dispatch
One-minute (60 seconds) turnout
Four-minute (240 seconds) travel
Arrive together
Ninety-percent performance
Upon arrival, assemble under command of one company officer
Document training together
Automatic and mutual aid agreements can be constructed to comply
Examples
(1) Four people on a company
(2) Two-person fire apparatus, two-person medic
**(3) Two-person fire apparatus town A, two-person fire apparatus town B
20
NFPA 1710: A Decision Guide
**5.2* Fire Suppression Services. Fire suppression operations shall be organized to ensure
the fire department's fire suppression capability includes personnel, equipment, and resources
to deploy the initial arriving company, the full initial alarm assignment, and additional alarm
assignments. The fire department shall be permitted to use established automatic mutual
aid and mutual aid agreements to comply with the requirements of Section 5.2.
Automatic and mutual aid
Because we just mentioned automatic and mutual aid as ways to comply with the four-person company
provision, we'll address them here in a question-and-answer format.
Q: Does this discussion cover all aspects of emergency response covered
in 1710?
A: Yes, this section applies to suppression, EMS, hazmat, technical rescue and all other specialized
areas addressed in the standard.
Q: Can I use automatic and mutual aid agreements to comply with 1710?
A: Yes. Agreements with other public entities, such as those with police departments for EMS/AED
response, and public/private partnerships, such as those with industrial brigades, may qualify as per-
mitted by the state licensing authority or as otherwise authorized by the state or province.
Q: What paperwork is required to make automatic and mutual aid official?
A: All mutual aid agreements must be in writing and must have a clause that establishes the respective
liability ofthe parties involved in the agreement. (See NFPA 1710 sections 4.8.1,4.8.2, and 4.8.3, cited
below for your convenience, for other areas regarding mutual aid. We've also included a sample mutual
aid document for your review in chapter seven of this guide.)
4.8 Intercommunity Organizations
4.8.1 * Mutual aid, automatic aid, and fire protection agreements shall be in writing and shall
address issues such as liability for injuries and deaths, disability retirements, cost of service,
authorization to respond, staffing, and equipment, including the resources to be made avail-
able and the designation of the incident commander.
4.8.2 Procedures and training of personnel for all fire departments in mutual aid, automatic
aid and fire protection agreement plans shall be comprehensive to produce an effective fire
force and to ensure uniform operations.
4.8.3 Companies responding to mutual aid incidents shall be equipped with communications
equipment that allow personnel to communicate with incident commander and division super-
visors, group supervisors, or sector officers.
From NFPA 1710 Annex A Explanatory Material
Annex A is not a part of the requirements of this NFPA document but is included for informational purposes
only. This annex contains explanatory material, numbered to correspond with the applicable text paragraphs.
A.4.8.1 Where appropriate, the mutual aid agreement should include automatic responses
on first alarms (automatic aid). This concept contemplates joint responses on designated
apparatus and personnel on a predetermined running assignment basis.
Mutual aid concepts should be considered on a regional basis. In an effective mutual aid arrangement,
NFPA 1710: A Decision Guide
21
each fire department should retain reserves of personnel and apparatus. Traditionally and legally, overall
command of the incident is vested with the senior officer of the jurisdiction experiencing the emergency.
Some areas use consolidated dispatching to coordinate the response of fire companies to assist an
outside fire department. The management of responses can be made easier by computerization, "run-
ning cards," and other advance planning.
Initial Full Alarm Assignment
Like it or not, NFPA 1710 is about numbers. Earlier in this chapter, we covered the various ways fire depart-
ments can choose to assemble the first four-person company at a fire suppression incident. Now we're going
to address in great detail how many personnel the standard calls for on an initial full alarm assignment. Here
is the task force's interpretation of 1710's staffmg for an initial full alarm assignment:
Section ref.
5.2.3.2.2 (a)
5.2.3.2.2 (b)
Responsibility/position
Incident commander - minimum of one person
tl
1
Min. 400 gpm uninterrupted water supply
Pump operator
1
5.2.3.2.2 (c)
Two hand lines with combined min. 300 gpm flow
with minimum of two personnel on each line
Attack line
Backup line
2
2
5.2.3.2.2 (d)
One support person for each attack & backup
line (hydrant hook-up, help lay line, utility control
forcible entry)
Attack line support
Backup line support
1
1
5.2.3.2.2 (e)
A minimum of one victim search & rescue
team with a minimum of two personnel
2
5.2.3.2.2 (f)
A minimum of one ventilation team with a
minimum of two personnel
2
5.2.3.2.2 (h)
An Initial Rapid Intervention Crew (IRIC)
with a minimum of two personnel
2
Total if aerial device notin operation:
H
5.2.3.2.2 (g)
If an aerial device is in operation, one person
must maintain primary control of the
turntable at all times
1
Total if aerial device is operational:
fi
Supervisory chief officers shall have staff
aides assigned to them for purposes of
incident management and accountability
at emergency incidents*
* If your staff a/de Is dedicated to the incident commander, staffing will total 16
5.2.1.2.5*
1
5.2.3.3
The fire department shall have the capability for additional alarm assignments
that can provide for additional personnel and additional services, including a
dedicated safety officer and two additionallRIC members.
22
NFPA1710: A Decision Guide
This diagram shows one of many variations possible given 1710's initial full alarm staffing requirements.
Example:
Organization of 8-Minute Initial Attack
Line 2
Rapid
intervention team
. Firefighter
. Firefighter
Line 1
loo-gpm minimum
(300-gpm combined
flow from both lines)
11Oo-gpm minimum
/ (3oo-gpm combined
flow from both lines)
I
I
\
\
\
,
. Pump operator
30-minute uninterrupted
water supply at 400 gpm
Search and
rescue team
o Firefighter
o Firefighter
Aerial apparatus
Ventilation
team
~ Firefighter
~ Firefighter
"
"
.-..
"
Chief
ENG 1
ENG2
AMB
TRKl
TRK2
Chief
Total personnel with
an operating aerial
4.
30
2.
3~
20
1*
......
""
-^- Incident
W commander
"
..... Incident
commander's aide
15
NFPA 1710: A Decision Guide
23
The task force offered these examples as variations of the initial full alarm assignment available to
local authorities.
Examples
(1) Two engine companies, one rescue squad and one ladder company, each with four fire fighters,
and an IC.
(2) Four engines with three fire fighters each, one medic with two fire fighters, and an IC.
Again, staffing is calculated by task assignment to deploy an initial fire attack. If an initial attack is
deployed, a total of 14/15 (based on whether an aerial device is placed in service) individuals are required
to be on the scene within the eight-minute criterion, not counting an additional minute of turnout time.
The standard assumes equipment ordinarily dispatched, but not less than one engine or quint capable of
establishing a minimum of 400 gpm uninterrupted water supply at a minimum 300 gpm initial flow for
two handlines and sufficient tools and equipment to support the activities listed above.
Additional Staffing for High-Risk Operations
NFP A 1710 leaves to the AHJ the discretion to deploy appropriate numbers and types of fire apparatus,
depending on community ability and incident demand. This includes any additional personnel deter-
mined necessary by an objective high-hazard risk assessment.
5.2.2.1 Fire companies whose primary functions are to pump and deliver water and perform
basic fire fighting at fires, including search and rescue, shall be known as engine companies.
5.2.2.1.1 These companies shall be staffed with a minimum of four on-duty personnel.
5.2.2.1.2 In jurisdictions with tactical hazards, high hazard occupancies, high incident fre-
quencies, geographical restrictions, or other pertinent factors as identified by the authority
having jurisdiction, these companies shall be staffed with a minimum of five or six on-duty
members.
5.2.2.2 Fire companies whose primary functions are to perform the variety of services asso-
ciated with truck work, such as forcible entry, ventilation, search and rescue, aerial operations
for water delivery and rescue, utility control, illumination, overhaul, and salvage work, shall be
known as ladder or truck companies.
5.2.2.2.1 These companies shall be staffed with a minimum of four on-duty personnel.
5.2.2.2.2 In jurisdictions with tactical hazards, high hazard occupancies, high incident fre-
quencies, geographical restrictions, or other pertinent factors as identified by the authority
having jurisdiction, these companies shall be staffed with a minimum of five or six on-duty
personnel.
Response Times: Fire Suppression
Let's discuss fire-suppression response times. Among the specifics we'll address:
· Call-processing time;
· Turnout time; and
· Four-minute andlor eight-minute criteria.
We're covering fire and EMS response times separately because the seemingly innocuous "andlor"
construction in the last bullet item only appears on the fire side. More on that shortly. The first bullet
item in the section addresses call-processing time. Mercifully, NFPA 1710 refers to a previous stan-
dard, NFPA 1221, to cover the call-taking and call-processing elements of dispatch times.
24
NFPA 1710: A Decision Guide
From NFPA 1710 Annex A Explanatory Material
Annex A is not a part of the requirements of this NFPA document but is included for infonnational purposes
only. This annex contains explanatory material, numbered to correspond with the applicable text paragraphs.
A.3.1.16 Fire Suppression. Fire suppression includes all activities performed at the scene of
a fire incident or training exercise that expose fire department members to the dangers of
heat, flame, smoke, and other products of combustion, explosion, or structural collapse.
A.3.1.41.3 Dispatch Time. Dispatch times are addressed in NFPA 1221, Standard for the
Installation, Maintenance, and Use of Emergency Services Communications Systems. These
include call taking and call processing requirements.
From NFPA 1221- 4-3.1 The authority having jurisdiction shall ensure that the number of
telecommunicators needed to effect the prompt receipt and processing of alarms shall be as
follows:
(1) In jurisdictions receiving 730 or more alarms per year, at least one telecommunicator shall
be on duty in the communications center.
(2) Ninety-five percent of alarms shall be answered within 30 seconds, and in no case shall
the initial call taker's response to an alarm exceed 60 seconds.
(3) The dispatch of the emergency response agency shall be made within 60 seconds of the
completed receipt of an emergency alarm.
(4) Communication centers that provide emergency medical dispatching (EMD) protocols
shall have two telecommunicators on duty at all times.
As communities evaluate their current response time data in anticipation ofNFPA 1710, many of them may
be unpleasantly surprised to find their PSAPs lag far behind NFPA 1221's requirements. Reportedly, some
half-dozen metropolitan fire departments have discovered average PSAP processing times running in the
three-minute+ range. The use of this standard may help fire departments locate areas of improvement.
Turnout Time
When the IAFC's proposal for adding turnout time was accepted, it successfully changed the original
four-minute response time requirement into afive-minute response time requirement. The standard's
original language had no extra provision to get out of the door; the turnout time was included in the
four-minute response.
3.1.42.5 Turnout Time. The time beginning when units acknowledge notification of the emer-
gency to the beginning point of response time.
'Four minutes and/or eight minutes'
With "substantially" already behind us, we're confident that we'll be able to address the meaning of
"and/or" handily. Good thing, too, because aside from the misconceptions about four-person apparatus,
fire-suppression response times have been causing city managers a great deal of concern. Once chiefs
understand how the construction "and/or" works in 1710, they'll be able to offer acceptable solutions to
their respective authority having jurisdiction.
The fact is that many believe "NFPA 1710 requires a four-minute response time" and don't hear
anything beyond that for 30 minutes or so. Here's "the rest of the story": Not including the 60-second
turnout time, NFPA 1710 allows four minutes or less for the arrival of the first arriving engine company
and/or eight minutes or less for the deployment of a full first alarm assignment at a fire incident. Here
are some potential variations that comply with the standard.
NFPA 1710: A Decision Guide
25
Examples
. A four-person company arriving within four minutes; or
. A combination of fire fighters and a fire officer-a total of four people-arriving
together and working together within four minutes
OR
. A first alarm assignment of four-person companies-a total of 14 people-arriving
within eight minutes; or
. A first alarm assignment consisting of combinations of fire fighters and officers-a
total of 14 people-arriving within eight minutes.
OR
. Any combination of the above solutions.
(See chart, page 23)
4.1.2.1.1 The fire department shall establish the following time objectives of.
(1) The time objective for turnout time shall be one-minute (60 seconds).
(2 )* Four minutes (240 seconds) or less for the arrival of the first arriving engine companyat
a fire suppression incident andlorB minutes (480 seconds) or less for the deployment of a full
first alarm assignment at a fire suppression incident.
4.1.2.1.2 The fire department shall establish a performance objective of not less than 90
percent for the achievement of each response time objective specified in 4.1.3.2.1.
What's that "and/or" part again? The 1710 technical committee knew that there would be times when
the frrst-due engine might be unavailable when a call came in and thus would not meet the four-minute
response time.
Bottom line: A response that misses the four-minute criterion but still assembles the full first
alarm assignment within eight minutes still complies with 1710, thanks to the "and/or" construc-
tion. Don't take our word for it. Here's the exact passage from the standard's supplementary annex with
emphasis added in italics.
From NFPA 1710 Annex A Explanatory Material
Annex A is not a part of the requirements of this NFPA document but is included for infonnational purposes
only. This annex contains explanatory material, numbered to correspond with the applicable text paragraphs.
A.4.1.2 There can be incidents or areas where the response criteria are impacted by circum-
stances such as response personnel who are not on duty, nonstaffed fire station facilities,
natural barriers, traffic congestion, insufficient water supply, and density of population or prop-
erty. The reduced level of service should be documented in the written organizational state-
ment by the percentage of incidents and geographical areas for which the response time
criteria is achieved.
A.4.1.2.1.1 (2). This service delivery requirement is to have fire departments plan and situate their
resources to consistently meet a 4-minute initial company fire suppression response and an 8-
minute full alann fire response assignment. However, it is recognized that while on some occa-
sions (for example, a company is out-of-service for training) the initial company response may not
be met in the 4-minute requirement, but the B-minute criterion must always be met.
This aspect of NFP A 1710 is one of the most crucial and yet one of the most thoroughly ignored or
misunderstood. NFP A 1710 requires a community to perform a risk analysis, determine where it meets
26
NFPA 1710: A Decision Guide
the components ofNFPA 1710-and where it does not-and address both areas in a written plan. We'll
cover such documentation in greater detail in chapter seven of this guide.
We've also assembled two flow charts that illustrate NFPA 1710's response time elements. We'll
address the differences between response time criteria for fire suppression incidents and EMS response
in the next chapter.
Response Time:
Initial Arriving Engine Company
Caller dials
emergency
contact number
Public safety
answering point
(PSAP) receives
call
First arrtving
engine company
enroute
(wheels rolling)
.See NFPA 1221
Response time:
4 minutes
(240 seconds) for
the first arriving
engine company
Response Time:
Initial Full Alarm Assignment
Caller dials
emergency
contact number
Public safety
answering point
(PSAP) receives
call
Emergency
responders
enroute
(wheels rolling)
.See NFPA 1221
Response time:
8 minutes
(480 seconds) for
initial full alarm
assignment
NFPA 1710: A Decision Guide
27
Chapter Five
What Does 1710 Mean By 'EMS'? .
NFPA 1710's approach to EMS-particularly its requirement for two BLS and two ALS providers on
every ALS call, discussed below--drew quite a bit of discussion. Much of the discussion missed the
fact that state rules and laws supercede 1710's requirements. As in other parts of the standard,
1710's deference to the local authority having jurisdiction has been ignored. Generally speaking, NFPA
1710 recognizes five key elements of fire-based EMS. Here's the specific language from the standard
itself with emphasis added in italics.
5.3.2* System Components.
5.3.2.1 The basic treatment levels within an EMS system, for the purposes of this standard,
shall be categorized as first responder, basic life support (BLS), and advanced life support
(ALS). The specific patient treatment capabilities associated with each level shall be deter-
mined by the authority having jurisdiction for the approval and licensing of EMS providers
within each state and province.
5.3.2.2 The minimal level of training for all fire fighters that respond to emergency incidents
shall be to the first responder/AED level. The authority having jurisdiction shall determine if
further training is required.
5.3.3 EMS System Functions.
5.3.3.1 The five basic functions within a career fire department EMS system shall be as
follows:
(1) Initial response to provide medical treatment at the location of the emergency (first re-
sponder with AED capability or higher)
(2) BLS response
(3) ALS response
(4) Patient transport in an ambulance or alternative vehicle designed to provide for uninter-
rupted patient care at the ALS or BLS level while enroute to a medical facility
(5) Assurance of response and medical care through a quality management program
EMS Staffing
Let's answer several specifics regarding the language from the standard itself.
Q: How many people do I have to have on an ALS call?
A: As many as required by your state law or rule. NFPA 1710 does not propose a transport stafImg
standard. BLS and ALS transport staffing are typically established by the state or provincial licensing
agency. To the extent state rules or laws govern EMS staffing, training and response, those rules
or laws supercede NFPA 1710. If your state has no such laws or rules, then NFPA 1710 requires two
BLS and two ALS providers on each ALS call.
Q: How do I determine if a call is BLS or ALS?
A: For purposes of 1710, BLS assessment and local policy and protocols, including dispatch and pre-
arrival instructions, would be the most common determinants of what constitutes an ALS call. Local
28
NFPA 1710: A Decision Guide
medical policy and protocols also define an ALS call. Pre-arrival instructions are subordinate to local
medical policy and protocols.
Q: Can I use automatic and mutual aid agreements to comply with 1710?
What about private and third-party ambulance services?
A: Yes. We covered the topic thoroughly in chapter four. Briefly, all automatic and mutual aid agree-
ments must be in writing and must have a clause that establishes the respective liability of the parties
involved in the agreement. See NFPA 1710 sections 4.8.1, 4.8.2, and 4.8.3, cited in chapter four for
your convenience, for other information about mutual aid. We've also included a sample mutual aid
document in chapter seven of this guide.
Q: Can paramedics on scene come from different units?
A: Yes.
Here are the specific EMS staffmg references from NFPA 1710 with emphasis added in italics:
5.3.3.3.2.1 Units that provide BLS transport shall be staffed and trained at the level pre-
scribed by the state or provincial agency responsible for providing emergency medical ser-
vices licensing.
5.3.3.3.2.2 Units that provide ALS transport shall be staffed and trained at the level pre-
scribed by the state or provincial agency responsible for providing emergency medical ser-
vices licensing.
5.3.3.4.2 The fire department's EMS for providing first responder with AED shall be deployed
to provide for the arrival of a first responder with AED company within a 4-minute response
time to 90 percent of the incidents as established in Chapter 4.
5.3.3.4.4 Personnel deployed to ALS emergency responses shall include a minimum of two
members trained at the emergency medical technician-paramedic level and two members
trained at the emergency medical technician-basic level arriving on scene within the estab-
lished response time.
EMS Response Times
NFPA 1710's response-time language for EMS resembles its fire-suppression incident language; it
calls for a four~minute response time for a first-responder (or better) capability, followed by an eight-
minute response time for arrival of an ALS unit. However, there is no "and/or" construction in the EMS
language.
One reason the "and/or" flexibility doesn't apply to EMS responses may be, ironically enough, in
the empirical data referenced in 1710. Despite charges that 1710 isn't based on science, the logic
behind 1710's EMS staffing and response time is supported with citations from American Heart Asso-
ciation, the Journal of the American Medical Association, the American College of Emergency Physi-
cians, the American College of Surgeons and the American Association of Orthopedic Surgeons.
Here are the specific EMS response-time references from NFPA 1710 with emphasis added in italics:
4.1.2.1.1 The fire department shall establish the following time objectives of:
(1) The time objective for turnout time shall be one minute (60 seconds).
(3 ) Four minutes (240 seconds) or less for the arrival of a unit with first responder or higher
level capability at an emergency medical incident.
NFPA 1710: A Decision Guide
29
(4 ) Eight minutes (480 seconds) or less for the arrival of an advanced life support unit at an
emergency medical incident, where this service is provided by the fire department.
4.1.2.1.2 The fire department shall establish a performance objective of not less than 90
percent for the achievement of each response time objective specified in 4.1.3.2.1.
5.3.3.4.3* When provided, the fire department's EMS for providing ALS shall be deployed to
provide for the arrival of an ALS company within an 8-minute response time to 90 percent of
the incidents as established in Chapter 4.
From NFPA 1710 Annex A Explanatory Material
Annex A is not a part of the requirements of this NFPA document but is included for informational
purposes only. This annex contains explanatory material, numbered to correspond with the applicable
text paragraphs.
A.5.3.3.4.3 The American Heart Association recommends the minimum required personnel
for an emergency cardiac care response. In those systems that have attained survival rates
higher than 20% for patients with ventricular fibrillation, response teams included, as a mini-
mum, two ALS providers and two BLS providers. "Guidelines 2000 for Cardiopulmonary Re-
suscitation and Emergency Cardiac Care," JAMA; "Basic Trauma Life Support for Paramed-
ics and Other Providers," ACEP; "Pre-Hospital Trauma Life Support," ACS; "Pediatric Ad-
vanced Life Support," AHA; and "Emergency Care and Transportation of the Sick and In-
jured," AAOS.
Pre-arrival Intervention
One of the questions from the fIrst chapter asked, "Does 1710 give credit for ... emergency medical
dispatch or other ways to directly affect an emergency outcome?" Our answer again is a qualified
"Yes." Pre-arrival intervention can be used to meet the intent of the standard. For example, if a citizen
successfully administers the Heimlich maneuver on another citizen, the clock stops. The AHJ makes
the decision whether an alarm activation is an emergency response, thus determining if it is to be
included in 1710 statistics.
Here is the task force's interpretation of 1710's EMS staffing and response time provisions:
5.3.3.4.2
5.3.3.4.4 - can be superceded by jurisdictional control
First Responder
BLS
~
1710 provision
Yes
No
Yes
Response time
(does not include
60-second
turnout time)
4 min. (240 sec.)
4 min. (240 sec.)
8 min. (480 sec.)
Staffing
1 (7)
1 (7)
2 EMT-B/2 EMT-P
Transport
Staffing
N/A
state standard
state standard
30
NFPA 1710: A Decision Guide
Response Time:
EMS First Responder (with an AEDJ
Caller dials
emergency
contact number
Public safety
answering point
(pSAP) receives
call
EMS first
responders
enroute
(wheels rolling)
-See NFPA 1221
Response time:
4 minutes
(240 seconds) for
EMS first
responders
Response Time:
ALS Company
Caller dials
emergency
contact number
Public safety
answering point
(PSAP) receives
call
PSAP notifies
emergency
responders
Response time:
8 minutes
(480 seconds) for
an ALS company
-See NFPA 1221
NFPA 1710: A Decision Guide
31
Chapter Six
Sample Timeline for Implementation
NFPA 1710 envisions implementation as a multi-year process. Even for those departments that imple-
ment 1710 immediately, the fIrst required report about implementation wouldn't be due to the authority
having jurisdiction (AHJ) until early in 2006. (See our interpretation of the earliest-possible implemen-
tation/adoption time line below.)
Remember, implementation ofNFPA 1710 does not require adoption ofNFPA 1710. It is not nec-
essary, and for legal reasons, may not be advisable, for many jurisdictions to formally "adopt" NFPA
1710.
Sample Implementation Timeline
NFP A 1710 envisions implementation as a multi-year process. Your community's implementation may
vary depending on AHJ budgetary cycles. The following is a sample ofthe earliest possible implemen-
tation schedule.
· Standard was issued by NFPA in August 2001
· AHJ could make decision re: implementing 1710 as early as Dec. 2001
· Annual internal evaluations for 2002,2003,2004,2005 (ref: 4.1.2.1.3)
· Quadrennial report for the period 2002-2005 (distributed to AHJ) (ref: 4.1.2.1.4). This
report must include areas not currently meeting the standard, predictable consequences
of those deficiencies, and steps necessary to achieve compliance.
NFPA 1710 does NOT require an annual report; it only requires fire departments to gather and
analyze relevant data every year. That said, we believe fire departments should routinely and
regularly share progress reports with aU internal and external constituencies.
This implementation decision guide focuses on structural fIre response and emergency medical ser-
vices. However, 1710 does cover staffing and deployment for aircraft rescue and fire fIghting (5.5),
marine rescue and fIre fIghting (5.6), and wildland fIre suppression (5.7).
We cover the issue of annual evaluations, the quadrennial report and the other paper- and data-trails
required by 1710 in the next chapter.
32
NFPA 1710: A Decision Guide
Chapter Seven
Organizational Statement, Data Collection
and Reporting
Gearing up the paperwork and adapting current data collection procedures can be daunting. In this
chapter, we cover what's required and offer sample documents you can adapt for your own department's
needs. Also, appendices C and D (chapters three and six of the Commission on Fire Accreditation
International Fire and Emergency Service Self Assessment Manual) provide information and material
useful for data collecting and reporting. These documents are part ofthis manual's electronic appendix
available at www.lCHIEFS.org.
Organizational Statement
NFPA 1710 requires all fire departments to develop an organizational statement. This statement must
contain the following seven components:
(Ref: 4.1.1, 4.1.2, 4.1.2.1)
1. Existence of the fire department
2. Services that the fire department is required to provide
3. Basic organizational structure
4. Expected number of fire department members (current authorized and actual staffing)
5. Functions that fire department members are expected to perform
6. Service delivery objectives
7. Response time objectives
Data Collection/Metric Display
In the operational statement, you also need to identify the types of calls that should be included in data
points (determine what is a qualifying event; emergency vs. non-emergency).
EvaluationslReports
4.1.2.1.3 Components of annual analysis
NFPA 1710 does not require an annual report; one is only required to evaluate the data collected. These
internal documents can be used by the fire chief to compile the quadrennial report.
Event types (fire, EMS, hazmat, etc.)
Geographic areas (demand zones)
First-arriving unit response time (90th percentile)
Last-arriving unit response time (90th percentile)
Turnout time (90th percentile)
On-scene staffing, first arriving unit
On-scene staffing, for initial full alarm assignments
Evaluations may be consolidated in the case of multi-agency cooperative agreements (such as com-
bined hazmat teams). Here's a sample template for the annual internal evaluations.
NFPA 1710: A Decision Guide
33
SAMPLE FIRE DISTRICT
ANNUAL RESPONSE REVIEW AND ANALYSIS
CALENDAR YEAR______
Total number of responses
Total number of emergency responses
Total number of structure fire responses
Total number of EMS responses
Total number of hazardous material responses
Total number of technical rescue responses
Total number of ARFF responses
Total number of marine fire and rescue responses
Total number of wildland fire responses
Geographic Area/FMZ/Response Group ____________
Incident Type
Number of Incidents
Number of incidents when first arriving unit response time
was within five (5) minutes/300 seconds:
Percentage of the total:
%
Number of incidents when last arriving unit response was
time within nine (9) minutes/540 seconds
Percentage of the total
%
On scene staffing of four (4) personnel
on first arriving units
% of time.
#
=
On scene staffing of 14/15 personnel,
after arrival of all assigned units
#_-- =
% of time.
34
NFPA 1710: A Decision Guide
4.1.2.1.4: Components of quadrennial reporting
The purpose of the quadrennial report is to identify the areas within a fire department that do not meet
the standard in the following categories:
Event types (fire, EMS, hazmat, etc.)
Geographic areas
First-arriving unit response time (90th percentile)
Last-arriving unit response time (90th percentile)
Turnout time (90th percentile)
On-scene staffing, first arriving unit
On-scene staffing, for initial full alarm assignments
By non-compliant geographic area:
Predictable consequences of deficiencies:
(examples could include increased fire loss, increased fire death and injury rates, economic
impact and increased dollar losses, as derived through a risk analysis)
Steps necessary to achieve compliance
(examples could include addition of fire fighting resources, increased costs to local government
or determination that current level of risk is acceptable) .
You may refer to the CF AI Self Assessment chapters included in the electronic appendices of this guide
for additional information, available online at www.ICHIEFS.org.
Sample Forms
Task force member Jay Reardon, chief of the Northbrook (IL) Fire Department, offered a host ofvalu-
able forms to help chiefs address NFPA 1710's paper and data trail. What follows are the title and
purpose of the various forms, followed by sample forms.
NFPA 1710: A Decision Guide
35
Exhibit #1
Title: Minimum Emergency Shift Staffing - Standard Operating Procedure
Purpose: Policy document reviewed and enacted by authority having jurisdiction. Establishes mini-
mum staffing levels and authority to expend funds (including overtime) to maintain minimum staffing
levels. Document establishes a direct relationship between staffing levels and budget policy or simply
put, the costs of staffing fire and EMS units. Provides the fire chief/AHJ policy direction to maintain
minimum staffing levels and expend funds accordingly.
36
NFPA 1710: A Decision Guide
~LLAGEOFNORTBBROOK
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES
TITLE:
MINIMUM EMERGENCY SHIFT STAFFING
Page lof3
Number:
42-001-02
Revised: 5/31/01
Dept. :
Fire Department
Distribution: Grp. 1,2,3,4 & 5
APPROVAL
Department Head
Village Manager
INDEX:
SOP
MINIMUM EMERGENCY SHIFT STAFFING
POLICY:
The Northbrook Fire Department, as established by Municipal Code, Chapter 12, Article
12, is responsible for fITe protection services, rescue operations, emergency medical services,
and other fITe department and emergency response activities. In order to serve the needs of
the community, it is essential to maintain a daily minimum staffing level.
In the FY 00/01 budget, the Village Board approved an increase in the fITe department
staffmg levels. This increase in staffmg established a daily minimum staffmg level of sixteen
(16) emergency response positions.
With the adoption of Resolution 72-R-76, the Village Board approved emergency ambulance
service for the Northbrook Fire Department. The Northbrook Fire Department operates
Advanced Life Support (ALS) ambulances from all stations. As part of the South Lake
County Mobile Intensive Care Unit System (SLC MICUS), commitment letters are revised
and renewed every three (3) years. In the most recent commitment letter, SLC MICUS
guidelines call for a minimum staffing of two (2) paramedics per ALS unit.
NFPA 1710: A Decision Guide
37
VILLAGE OF NORTHBROOK
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES
SOP Number 42-001-02
Page 2 of 3
Date: 5/31/01
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this SOP is to provide standards for minimum emergency staffing levels
that will produce the following benefits:
A.
Maintain an adequate level of personnel for fire suppression, rescue operations, and emer-
gency medical services.
B.
Provide for adequate supervisory staff.
C.
Provide for adequate ambulance staffing by paramedics as defined by SLC standards.
D.
Accomplish items A, Band C in a cost effective manner.
PROCEDURE:
The following guidelines describe the minimum acceptable staffing level per day.
District Chief / Firefighter/Paramedics Firefighters and Total
Company Officers * Firefighter/Engr.
3 6 7 16
A. Total Minimum Staffm~:
There will be a minimum of sixteen (16) shift personnel on duty each day.
B. District Chief/Company Officers:
There will be a minimum ofthree (3) supervisors on duty at all times. There will be one (1) District
Chief or Acting District Chief, and there will be two (2) subordinate officers (Lt/Capt).
C. Paramedics:
There will be a minimum of six (6) firefighter/paramedics on duty per day; a minimum of two (2)
on each ambulance and normally one assigned to each front line engine and truck.
When budgetary constraints require minimum staffmg to drop to fifteen (15), then six (6)
paramedics shall be the minimum on duty. Two (2) paramedics shall be reassigned to each
ambulance.
D. Vehicle Staffmi:
The daily distribution of personnel for the staffing of departmental vehicles will be determined
by the District Chief or Acting District Chief in accordance with department guidelines.
E. Distribution of personnel will usually be as follows:
Engine Company (3)
Truck Company (3-4) (at least one being a paramedic)
Ambulance (2) paramedics
District Chief! Acting District Chief (1 )
38 NFPA 1710: A Decision Guide
VILLAGE OF NORTHBROOK
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES
SOP Number 42-001-02
Page 3 of 3
Date: 5/31/01
F. Exception
1. There may be rare occasions due to circumstances beyond our control (such as injury or medical
emergencies) when we fall below the sixteen (16) position minimum. This situation will only
be tolerated for short periods oftime, typically the time necessary to call in overtime personnel,
and only under special circumstances (such as those listed above).
2. When extreme circumstances dictate, the Chief, Deputy Chief or District Chief (or Acting Dis-
trict Chief) may increase staff to meet community needs. Examples of such needs would be
extreme weather conditions such as major snow emergencies or extreme rainfall where the
ability ofthe department to respond effectively to the community is dramatically reduced due to
the event.
3. The above is not intended to limit the authority of a command officer to marshal resources
necessary to deal with ongoing alarm activity.
4. Budgetary constraints may require minimum staffmg to fall from sixteen (16) to fifteen (15)
total individuals. When a budgetary constraint is evident, fifteen (15) individuals on a shift will
require truck and ambulance company 12 to operate in tandem.
NFPA 1710: A Decision Guide
39
Exhibit #2
Title: Northbrook Fire Department Operating Guidelines Equipment and Task Staffing
Purpose: Internal operational docwnent which establishes minimwn fire/EMS unit staffing assignments and
fire ground tasking assignments when conditions allow during a fire suppression incident.
Also provides guidance when severe weather or unique conditions exist in order to staffup emergency units.
The docwnent is a direct counterpart to the ARJ policy docwnent, allowing for operational implementation. The
docwnent is regulated by the fire chief and may be modified without the review or approval of the AHJ so long
as the requirements and intent of the AID's policy docwnent continue to be met.
The docwnent recognizes the following staffmg level differences:
· Authorized - the total nwnber of individuals assigned per shift.
· Effective - the actual nwnber of personnel that can be expected per shift when scheduled leave is
considered.
.
Minimwns - the minimal amount of staffing which is allowable before off-duty augmentation must
occur (overtime). Usually unscheduled leaves generate the need to hire back. This docwnent facilitates
the authority to expend budget funds as directed by Exhibit #1 - Policy docwnent of ARJ.
Fire ground task minimwn if directed by incident commander.
.
40
NFPA 1710: A Decision Guide
NORTHBROOK FIRE DEPARTMENT D.O.G. Number: 26.2
OPERATING GUIDELINES
SUBJECT: EQUIPMENT & TASK STAFFING Creation Date: 3/28/96
Revision Date: 6/4/01
TITLE: Equipment Staffing Standard Page 1 of 10
Approved By:
Fire Chief Date
26.2.1 PURPOSE
The purpose of this procedure is to provide clear guidelines for the staffing of operation apparatus. These
guidelines will:
A. Provide procedures to insure a minimum level of personnel for fire suppression and rescue
operations.
B. Provide for an adequate number of supervisory personnel at incidents.
C. Be sufficiently flexible so to provide reasonable opportunity to utilize accumulated benefits such as
vacation, personal leave, holiday and re-claim.
The guidelines contained herein are general in nature and do not reflect or represent every conceived
situation. It is not the intent ofthis guideline to limit, mandate or preclude the Officer in Charge response to
any specific situation. However, all units responding to an incident must attempt to fulfill the guidelines
established in this document. Deviations are allowed should circumstances present themselves and a logical
and defensible reason exists for the modification. Situations not described will be handled as warranted by the
circumstances.
NFPA 1710: A Decision Guide
41
NORTHBROOK FIRE DEPARTMENT D.O.G. Number: 26.2
OPERATING GUIDELINES
SUBJECT: EQUIPMENT & TASK STAFFING Creation Date: 3/28/96
Revision Date: 6/4/01
TITLE: Equipment Staffing Standard Page 2 of 10
26.2.2 ENGINE STAFFING
A. Optimal Staffinl: - Four (4)
1 - Officer or Acting Officer
1 - FF/ Driver Operator
1 - FF
1 - FF
B. Minimum Staffinl: - Three (3)
1 - Officer or Acting Officer
1 - FF Driver Operator
1 - FF
C. Substandard Staffin~ - Two (2)
1 - Officer or Acting Officer
1 - FF Driver Operator
1.
A two-person engine will typically occur when a firefighter from the engine is required to
assist the ambulance crew during patient transport.
2.
A two-person engine is not to be considered a full service engine. When a two-person engine
is dispatched to an alarm, additional personnel will also be dispatched to insure a minimum
of three people responding to any alarm. A two-person engine may be dispatched to a detail
without additional personnel being dispatched.
42
NFPA 1710: A Decision Guide
NORTHBROOK FIRE DEPARTMENT D.O.G. Number: 26.2
OPERATING GUIDELINES
SUBJECT: EQUIPMENT & TASK STAFFING Creation Date: 3/28/96
Revision Date: 6/4/01
TITLE: Equipment Staffing Standard Page 3 of 10
26.2.3 AMBULANCE STAFFING
A. Normal Staffm~ - Two (2)
1 - Paramedic
1 - Paramedic
B. Minimum Staffmg
1. Station #11 staffing - Two (2)
1 - Paramedic
1 - Paramedic
2. Station #10 staffing - Two (2)
1 - Paramedic
1 - Paramedic
3. Station #12 staffmg - Two (2)
1 - Paramedic
1 - Paramedic
C. Mutual Aid
NOTE: (Ambulance staffing for a mutual aid call will be the assigned staff at the time of the request.
This will typically be 2 paramedics.
D. Truck sub-standard staffing may require the employment of several ambulance coverage options:
1. Should budgetary constraints require long term sub-standard staffmg then the ambulance and
truck shall respond as a unit, regardless of the type of call in district number 12.
2. In districts other than 12, the truck shall respond as a single unit on code Is, code 2s, and
code 3s.
3. The truck and ambulance shall respond together on all code 4s, regardless of the district.
NFPA 1710: A Decision Guide
43
NORTHBROOK FIRE DEPARTMENT D.O.G. Number: 26.2
OPERATING GUIDELINES
SUBJECT: EQUIPMENT & TASK STAFFING Creation Date: 3/28/96
Revision Date: 6/4/01
TITLE: Equipment StatT'mg Standard Page 4 of 10
26.2.4 TRUCK STAFFING
A. Optimal Staffinji - Four (4)
I - Officer or Acting Officer
I FF /Driver Operator
I FF /Paramedic
I FF /Paramedic
B. Minimum Staffinji - Three (3)
I - Officer or Acting Officer
I - FF !Driver Operator
I - FF /Paramedic
C. Sub-standard Staffmi - Two'" (2)
I - Officer or Acting Officer
I - FF !Driver Operator
'" Note: When budgetary constraints require minimum staffing to drop to *(15) fifteen, then six paramedics
shall be the minimum staffing on duty, with two (2) paramedics assigned to each ambulance. The
Truck staffing shall drop to I Officer and I Firefighter.
44
NFPA 1710: A Decision Guide
NORTHBROOK FIRE DEPARTMENT D.O.G. Number: 26.2
OPERATING GUIDELINES
SUBJECT: EQUIPMENT & TASK STAFFING Creation Date: 3/28/96
Revision Date: 6/4/01
TITLE: Equipment Staffing Standard Page 5 of 10
26.2.5 SQUAD
Typically staffed by recall of off-duty and on-call.
A. Optimal Staffini - Four (4)
1 - Officer or Acting Officer
1 - FF/Driver Operator
1- FF
1- FF
B. Minimum Staffing - Two (2)
1- FF
1 - FF/Driver Operator
C. Staff Distribution
Because of the possible operation of this vehicle with more than four (4) people, the following staff
distribution may be used at the discretion of Command:
2 to 4 People: Operate as one crew with the radio designation "Squad 12"
5 to 7 People: Operate as two crews with the radio designation of "Squad 12A" and "Squad 12B"
(This mode will be used at the discretion of Command. Typically, squad personnel will
remain together as one (1) company.)
NFPA 1710: A Decision Guide
45
NORTHBROOK FIRE DEPARTMENT D.O.G. Number: 26.2
OPERATING GUIDELINES
SUBJECT: EQUIPMENT & TASK STAFFING Creation Date: 3/28/96
Revision Date: 6/4/01
TITLE: Equipment Staffing Standard Page 6 of 10
26.2.6 DISTRICT CHIEF VEmCLE
* There will be a Chief Officer or Captain on duty at all times.
* Budgetary constraints may require a lieutenant to assume a role as the Acting District
Chief when both the District Chief and Captain position is vacant.
46
NFPA 1710: A Decision Guide
NORTHBROOK FIRE DEPARTMENT D.O.G. Number: 26.2
OPERATING GUIDELINES
SUBJECT: EQUIPMENT & TASK STAFFING Creation Date: 3/28/96
Revision Date: 6/4/01
TITLE: Equipment Staffing Standard Page 7 oCtO
26.2.7 STAFF DISTRIBUTION
Vehicle staffing for varying staff levels.
Station #10 Station #11 Station #12
ON-DUTY DIST.CHF ENGINE AMB. ENGINE AMB. TRUCK AMB. SQUAD
22 1 4 3 4 2 4 2 2
21 1 4 2 4 2 4 2 2
20 1 4 2 3 2 4 2 2
19 1 3 2 3 2 4 2 2
18 1 3 2 3 2 3 2 2
17 1 3 2 3 2 4 2
16 1 3 2 3 2 3 2
15 1 3 2 3 2 2 2
NOTE: *
When the fifth Officer is present, he/she shall be assigned to the Truck or Squad.
In the 18 - 22 person scenario, personnel shall man the squad and respond with the
ambulance as the second vehicle.
NFPA 1710: A Decision Guide
47
NORTHBROOK FIRE DEPARTMENT D.O.G. Number: 26.2
OPERATING GUIDELINES
SUBJECT: EQUIPMENT & TASK STAFFING Creation Date: 3/28/96
Revision Date: 6/4/01
TITLE: Equipment Staffing Standard Page 8 of 10
26.2.8 MUTUAL AID
A. MABAS - Minimum staffmg for department apparatus responding to a MABAS box alarm is four (4).
B. Automatic Mutual Aid. Staffing for an engine or truck responding to an Automatic Mutual aid will
be the assigned staff at the time of the request.
C. Special Call Mutual Aid. Minimum staffing for an engine responding to a special call for mutual aid
or assistance is three (3).
D. Special Conditions
1. An Officer shall accompany all department apparatus responding to a MABAS mutual aid
request.
2. A Chief Officer shall accompany any department apparatus manned by an acting company
officer when it is responding to a MABAS or when actually committed to a mutual aid alarm.
3. The Chief and Deputy Chief shall be notified when the District Chief is accompanying
department apparatus out of town.
E. Exceptions - Ambulances responding to any type of mutual aid request shall be manned by two
paramedics. An officer need not accompany the ambulance on these calls.
48 NFPA 1710: A Decision Guide
NORTHBROOK FIRE DEPARTMENT D.O.G. Number: 26.2
OPERATING GUIDELINES
SUBJECT: EQUIPMENT & TASK STAFFING Creation Date: 3/28/96
Revision Date: 6/4/01
TITLE: Equipment Staffing Standard Page 9 of 10
26.2.9 MODIFIED SEVERE WEATHER OPERATIONS
A. Minimum Staffing - with prior approval from the Office of the Chief, minimum staffmg may be
increased for designated periods of time. This will typically be 24 hours or less.
B. Staff Distribution
Staffing Station #10 Station #11 Station #12
Level Engine Amb. Engine Amb. DC Truck Eng/Sqd Amb.
19 3 2 3 2 1 3 3 2
18 3 2 3 2 1 3 2* 2
C. Equipment Response
Code 1 - In-district Ambulance with Squad 12.
Code 2 - (Trouble, CO alarms) Squad 12.
Code 3 - Normal response (2) Engines, (1) Ambulance, Truck 12 and 1102.
Second Code 3 - Engine #12 with mutual aid equipment.
** Personnel staffing the squad shall jump from S-12 to E-12 to provide coverage.
Code 4 - (2) Engines, (2) Ambulances, Truck 12, Squad 12 and 1102.
D. Special
MVI - In-district Ambulance and Squad unless a washdown is needed.
MY! with Entrapment - In-district Ambulance, Engine, Truck 12 and 1102.
Budgetary constraints may require the staf!mg level on the squad to drop to 2 personnel.
* * The presence of an adequate number of POC personnel may negate the need for a jump
company from the squad.
*
NOTES: Paramedic equipment should normally remain on Truck #12.
Auto aid responses will be unaffected.
NFPA 1710: A Decision Guide
49
NORTHBROOK FIRE DEPARTMENT D.O.G. Number: 26.2
OPERATING GUIDELINES
SUBJECT: EQUIPMENT & TASK STAFFING Creation Date: 3/28/96
Revision Date: 6/4/01
TITLE: Equipment Staffing Standard Page 10 oflO
Fire Suppression Incident
Fireground Tasking Minimums
The following fire ground tasks, when assigned by procedure or the incident commander, should be accom-
plished through the following minimum staffmg level assignments.
Supervisors should strive towards compliance to the following tasking minimums. It is understood that
fireground conditions are dynamic and that the ability to always fully comply might not be realistic nor practical.
Function
Incident Commander
ICAide
Engineer
Primary Attack Line
Back-Up Line
Support Personnel
Search and Rescue
Ventilation
Rapid Intervention Team
Remarks
Staffing Target
1
1
1
2
2
2
Incident Management
Plans Chief
Maintain 400 gpm Minimum Capability
Initial Deployment of Suppression (150 gpm capability)
Support of Initial Suppression Line (150 gpm capability)
Hydrant Hook-Up-Laying Lines, Forcible Entry, Utilities.
etc.
Interior, Primary Search Duties
Horizontal, Vertical Mechanical Ventilation Actions
Ability to quickly support a critical need, including
rescue of Firefighters requiring assistance
2
2
2
Fire suppression incidents requiring a Code 4 response will provide adequate staffmg to meet minimum tasking
personnel assignments. The estimated minimum staffing assignment for a Code 4 response is 23 individuals
responding to the incident.
50
NFPA 1710: A Decision Guide
Exhibit #3
Title:
Fire Chief's Daily Briefing Sheet
Purpose: To capture actual daily staffing deployment at station and unit levels. The document becomes
the source for information and effective staffing levels measurements. Effective staffmg levels are displayed
on various charts and graphs, including overtime expended to maintain minimums (see exhibits 6, 7, 8 and 9).
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NFPA 1710: A Decision Guide
Exhibit #4
Title:
Automatic Aid Agreement
Purpose:
A document approved as policy between the AHJs of two jurisdictions to facilitate initial response,
automatic (mutual aid). The actual sequence and response deployment plan of equipment between
two AHJ fire/EMS agencies should be designed by the counterpart fire chiefs. The automatic
aid agreements should allow for operational flexibility and ongoing amendments of the automatic
aid response assignments by the fire chiefs involved and not require recurring policy decisions
by the two AHJs.
NOTE: This is a sample mutual aid agreement. This is not intended to be replicated and used in
other jurisdictions. When developing a mutual aid agreement in your jurisdiction, consult your
legal counsel to ensure the agreement adheres to state and local laws.
AUTOMATIC FIRE MUTUAL AID AGREEMENT
BETWEEN THE VILLAGE OF NORTHBROOK, ILLINOIS AND
THE VILLAGE OF WHEELING, ILLINOIS
In accordance with 65 ILCS 5/11-6-1 of the Illinois Compiled Statutes, which empowers Municipalities to enter
into "Mutual Aid Agreements," and in accordance with the MABAS agreement entered into by the Village of
Northbrook and the Village of Wheeling in 1973, renewed in 1989, the Village of Northbrook and the Village
of Wheeling agree to provide automatic mutual aid to each other on structural fire alarms as follows:
GENERAL CONDITIONS
1. Fire equipment responding on an automatic mutual aid response to the other jurisdiction shall
have a minimum of three (3) fire department personnel.
2. Only one (1) unit from the fire department providing aid shall be required to respond at anyone
time. In the event that the unit due is unavailable (i.e., out of service, committed to another
call), no backup or alternate unit shall be required to respond.
3. At all times, the jurisdiction within which the emergency exists will be in charge and respon-
sible for the operations at the emergency scene. If the automatic aid unit is the first on the scene,
the company officer shall exercise hislher discretion as to the appropriate action to be taken.
Upon the arrival of the first fire officer from the department having jurisdiction, command of
the emergency scene shall be transferred in a smooth and efficient manner to the fire department
whose jurisdiction in which the emergency exists.
4. Each fire department shall be responsible for providing a communications system that allows
the immediate dispatching of all units due to respond from the assisting department, as well as
apparatus to apparatus communications; while enroute to and while on the emergency scene.
5. Each fire department agrees to provide and participate in quarterly training between the two (2)
fire departments.
6. Each jurisdiction agrees that the general provisions of the "MARAS" Mutual Aid Agree-
ment" apply to this agreement, except as modified by this agreement.
52
NFPA 1710: A Decision Guide
7. The Village of North brook shall hold harmless and indemnify the Village of Wheeling for any
claims, actions, cause of actions, or suits arising out of the action of the Village of North brook
under the terms of this agreement including any award, settlement, or judgment and including
reasonable attorney fees and cost.
8. The Village of Wheeling shall hold harmless and indemnify the Village of North brook for any
claims, actions, cause of actions, or suits arising out of the action of the Village of Wheeling
under the terms ofthis agreement including any award, settlement, or judgment and including
reasonable attorney fees and cost.
9. Each jurisdiction agrees to waive all claims against the other party for compensation for any
loss, damage, personal injury or death, occurring as a result of performance in conjunction with
this agreement. General liability insurance, personal injury insurance, and property/vehicle in-
surance shall be the responsibility of each individual jurisdiction.
RESPONSE AREA
I. The Village of Northbrook agrees to provide the Village of Wheeling, subject to the provisions of
paragraph two (2) ofthe general agreement:
A. One (1) engine company, Engine #10, to the following areas:
All commercial, industrial, and multi-family occupancies along Milwaukee Avenue from Wolf
Road (North) to Manchester (South).
Shadow Bend Townhouses (Regent Lane, Summerhill Lane, Linden Lane, Kingswood Lane,
Shadow Bend Drive, Stafford Drive, Forestway Lane, Partridge Lane, Woodmere Lane).
Wheeling Shopping Center (Milwaukee Avenue & Dundee Road).
Riverside Plaza Shopping Center (Milwaukee Avenue & Dundee Road), Cole Taylor Bank!
Office Building (Milwaukee Avenue & Dundee Rd.) Forest View Subdivision.
II. The Village of Wheeling agrees to provide the Village of North brook, subject to the provisions of
paragraph two (2) of the general agreement:
A. One engine company, Engine #24, for Code 3 Alarms to the following:
3900-4050 Dundee Road, Normandy Hills Condominiums
1619-3900 Mission Hills Road, Mission Hills Condominiums 2335 Sanders Road, Utilities
Incorporated
2305 Sanders Road, Illinois Bell Telephone
2211-2215 Sanders Road, Caremark International 2100 Sanders Road, 2100 Building
1 Culligan Parkway, Culligan International
1,2,3 The Court of Harborside, Ancient Tree Condominiums 4201 Lake Cook Road, Lake
Cook Corporate Center
3030-3110 Pheasant Creek & 925 Spring Hill, Pheasant Creek Condominiums
NFPA 1710: A Decision Guide
53
B. One engine company, Engine #24, for Code 4 Alarms to the following:
~orthbrookChids: 55,56,57,58,59,65,67,68,69,75,76,77,78,79,85, 86. 87,88,89.
Minor modifications to the above response area(s), as well as the vehicles assigned, may be made
without further modification to this agreement. However, said modifications must be mutually agreed
upon, in writing, by the two (2) respective fire departments.
TERMINATION OF AGREEMENT
Either the Village of~orthbrook or the Village of Wheeling may terminate this agreement by notifying
the Fire Chief of the other fire department, in writing, sixty (60) days prior to the termination date.
TERM OF AGREEMENT
This agreement shall be effective as of April 01, 1995 at 0700 hours and shall continue in full force
until terminated, in writing, by either party.
Village of Northbrook
Village of Wheeling
jJJL~p~4
&~JJ~k.~
Sheila Schultz. Village President (
.
'~a/7
: ."mA/~.a~./
Keith Macisaac, Fire Chief
54
NFPA 1710: A Decision Guide
Exhibit #5
Title:
Definition of Emergency Service Alarms and Fire Suppression Incidents
Purpose:
Provides clarification as a source document defming what is an emergency and what is not.
Also provides clarification as to what a fire suppression incident is and what is not.
Has direct relationship to initial data submitted for NFPA 1710/1720 measurement and
performance regarding first on-scene, last unit on-scene, and fractile performance measurements.
Without a source document defining emergency service alarms and fITe suppression incidents,
all response events, including non-emergent, theoretically are included in the performance
measurement calculations.
TYPE Service Call ES Incident FSllncident Response Data Count
Service Code YES NO YES NO HOT COLD First In Last In
EMS First Response BLS X X X X
EMS First Response ALS X X X X X
EMS ALS Response X X X X X
Invalid Assist X X X
Lock In/Out-No Life Threat X X X
Lock In/Out-Life Threat X X X X
Odor Investigation X X X
CO Detector - No Symptoms X X X
CO Detector - Symptoms X X X X
Citizen Complaint - Investigate X X X
Smoke Detector - No Smoke X X X
Smoke Detector - Smoke X X X X X
Trouble Alarm X X X
Code 3 - Water Flow Alarm X X X X X
Code 3A - Activated Fire X X X X X
Alarm
Code 3 - Structure Fire X X X X X
Car Fire / Truck Fire X X X X
Rubbish Fire X X X X
Change of Quarters X X X
Automatic Aid (out) X X X X
Extra Alarm-Mutual Aid (out) X X X
Code 4 X X X X X
Hazardous Spills X X X X
NFPA 1710: A Decision Guide
55
Exhibit #6
Title:
Average Daily Shift Staffing
Purpose:
To graphically display the daily shift staffmg levels as actually experienced. Includes shift-
staffing experience with hire back overtime. Has direct relationship to policy document (Exhibit
1), Department Operational Guidelines (Exhibit 2), and budget policy. Source document to
develop this graph is Exhibit #3, briefing sheet.
This format may be converted to demonstrate and display effective on-scene staffmg for a fire
suppression incident; however, it uses averaging versus fractile computation methods. Therefore,
it cannot be used in defining percentage performance capabilities.
EXHIBQ' 8
Average Dal'ly Shift Stalling
i 16
...
1.15.5
!
"
.
c
o
8, 14.5
f!
~
<(
15.6
15.6
15
15.2
15
14
96-1997
97-1998 98-1999
Fiscal Year
99-2000
Retirements. vacanckle. Il'lOSIIV olf-duty illneIS and Injuries (FML) hew marglnally effected staHlng bulll1ll1 exceed minlmum Of 14
goal.
56
NFPA 1710: A Decision Guide
Exhibit #7
Title:
Daily Staffing Levels
Purpose:
A counterpart to Exhibit 6, however, the document displays frequency of various staffing levels
at various values. Calculations from this chart demonstrate fractile methods and, therefore, can
be use to calculate percentage performance regarding staffing levels.
This method can be applied in determining effective staffmg on defmed fire suppression and
EMS incidents. The chart then accumulates data counts per incident versus on-duty shifts. Again,
as the chart calculates by fractile methods, the data can be used to determine percentage
performance capability.
Daily Staffing Levels
140
120
120 . . .
~
"i
:J 100
c 'm"..._.mm~,~_,__~.__m'N_.._._mm
C
c(
III 80
c
0
.;
cu
fJ 60
fJ
0
'0 40
...
CII
.a
E 20
:J
Z
0
132
127
.jJ~......
100
5
,53mm
.49mm
96-1997 97-1998 98-1999
Number of shift personnel On- Duty
99-2000
NFPA 1710: A Decision Guide
57
Exhibit #8
Title:
Purpose:
r-"",___"m_..,,,m,,,..
i
117
16
15
14
13
12
11
I 10
I
i
l
Average Monthly Shift Staffing
Shows effective staffing versus a lower control limit that identifies minimum staffmg levels as
defined in AHJ policy (Exhibit 1) and Department Operational Guidelines (Exhibit 2). The
chart can be adjusted to recognize NFPA 1710 task/staffing relationship and can be used to
define levels of compliance over time. The method of calculation is computed by averaging;
however, a second calculation by fractile methods can be applied to measure percentage
performance capabilities.
Conversion can be applied to measure by fire suppressionlEMS incident should the user choose
to do so.
Average Monthly Shift Staffing
ExbJ~.
.._m..m~'___mm'-'---'l
May Jun Jul Aug>Sep Oct NovDecJan FebM:ar Apt I
I
""""'~~2~!~~i.H~~i:;Iy..~~9!f~~~~IL___. . _mm.....J
Performance Sel"\/lce Indicator: To maintain alltafflng level of 14 Indtvtdua" per clay COMlatent with board poUcy.
58
NFPA 1710: A Decision Guide
Exhibit #9
Title:
Purpose:
90000
80000
70000"
Minimum Staffing Overtime Expense
To display the amount of actual dollars budgeted for anticipated overtime (straight projection
line) for unscheduled leave and minimum staffing and actual expenditure experience of cost to
maintain staffmg thresholds.
The graph directly relates to AHJ policy documents (Exhibit 1), the budget and costs associated
with various levels of service. Can assist the AHJ determine projected costs with increased!
decreased staffmg levels.
EXHIBIT'
g Overtime Expense
50000
40000
30000
20000-
10000
o
+~ ')~~
...,~ .,.../6 , t;/" +0-4 <:I' ...,tI' t!' .4> .p
F;:~~~!d'~[~~~99IOO"1
PerfOl'lMflCtl..... tncIJcator: FV ttIOQ. ~ __funding to ...ure MInimum lltaftIng of 141nc11VkfuU per
shift In MOOrdInce with BotIId policy. In 1198-97 minimum staffing budget WD In exoen. of $150,000 budgetIId.
59
NFPA 1710: A Decision Guide
Exhibit #10A & #108
Title:
Twelve-Month Trending
lOA - Receipt of call to first unit on scene.
lOB - Equipment dispatch to first unit on scene.
Purpose:
Metric displays exhibit lOA and lOB utilize averaging versus fractiles to perform the calculation.
Therefore, this chart cannot be used to calculate percentage performance as required by NFPA
1710. The metric display by averaging does provide the capability to determine when the service
delivery system is providing a stable, predictable level of service. The display provides a graphic
"temperature" of the system and time line trends. Also, a service delivery system cannot be
improved until the system is in a predictable, stable state. Therefore, determining fractile
percentage performance cannot be accurately determined until the system being measured is, in
itself, considered predictable and stable.
Special areas of note on exhibits lOA/lOB include:
· One chart (Exhibit lOA) includes dispatch processing time, through first unit on-scene. Chart Exhibit
lOB excludes dispatch processing time and only considers the time between actual fire/EMS dispatch
and first unit on-scene.
Both charts include performance statement indicators of 6 minutes or better and a percentage of perfor-
mance. The performance statement indicator is linked to the budget process.
The graphs include:
An upper control limit (DCL) - 6 minutes.
A lower control limit (LCL) - 4 minutes and 46 seconds which was determined as being the best re-
sponse time performance expected with the agency's actual fire station location plan (accomplished
through computer simulation analysis).
A benchmark (BM), that being the average of other area fire departments' first on-scene response time.
RED Center (Regional Emergency Dispatch) is a local consortium of fire/EMS agencies that share a
common fire/EMS dispatch center.
The mathematical methodology of Exhibits lOA and lOB is by averaging of minutes and seconds from
all emergency responses and first unit reporting on scene. Both graphs include over 3,500 data points for
each of the three 12-month cycles displayed, or simply put, over 10,000 data points per graph.
60
NFPA 1710: A Decision Guide
Exhiblt#10A
12 MONfH TRENDING - NORTIiBROOK (Excluding Expressway)
Receipt Of Call To Farst Unit On The Scene
Penormanee Statement Indicator: Provide a 6 minute and 00 second averlge OIl-scene arrival time, or futer. to 75% of the
emergency service requem: within the V1l1age of North brook (excluding tollway calls).
C"eulated by ...wpaeyrespODsetime averqin.
1 ........................--.........
8.5
+-- ua...u-..__
5.5 ..... .... ........ .......7'"'". .,. ....,.. .;.;.:................. :':';;':l<'~"'"'''''' ........-..
~ ::::f~-' = . ..,-"----;:::::_-...D.,..-
5 - ..,. --. ,.......(O":""'UJf)
- - - . - - - - - - - - - . - - - - - . -. -...--. =.,->-......
..5 ...................._....... .......... _............. ....... n...... ....... n....................... ...............
" ..............................................................-........-...........................
3.5
MAY JUH JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEe JAM FEB MAR APR
The new RED Center avera,ge benchm..k (BM) wu talcu1atedfrom a 12 month R.E.D. Center study.
The actual. 19sr7198 performance average wu 5:21 minute.
The IICtUI1 1998/99 pcrformmce avenae wu 5: 19 minute.
The actull 1999100 performance avenge was 5: 18 minute..
We are con.istently beatina our goal but still are slightly worse than the RED Center ....erqe.
Exhibit #108
12 MONfH TRENDING - NORTHBROOK (Excluding Expressway)
Equipment Dispatch To First Unit On The Scene
Perform.nce Statem e:nt Indicator: Provide a 6 minute and 00 .econd ....erage on-scene arrival time, or faster, to 90% of the
em.ergCll.C:, service requests within the Village of Northbrook (excludina tollway calls).
C8lculated by em..pm:,. rllPon.. time ...,acinl
1 ......................................
8.5 ......,......--.................---.--.. .......,,,--......,,.....,,....... ...."... .............
+-- ua..u......_
5.5 ............................."..........,.......................................,.................
5 ____________~:;:.o..........
- - - . - . - - - . - . - . - - - - - - - - -...--. =.,->-......
4.5 -...::s-;.. ....... .... .,-.". .~.:.~ .;. .;:;.;.:..-.:..~...;-. ~ .:.;.::.:.............. -..--.......
... -.....V.. ...1. . ... .. -:- - ~ ~
4 ..........~.........................................................~"""...............
3.5
MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NO~ DEe JAM FED MAR IIIPR
The new RED Center p"eraae benchmark (BM) was calculated from I. 12 month R.E.D. Center study
The actual 1997198 performlDce avenae was 4:23 minutes.
The actu111998199 perform-lDce &Venae was 4:14 minutes.
The actuaJ 1999100 performlmce averlSe wu 4:09 minute..
Fortbe third strai,ptyearwe have ezceededour respon.e tUne loal.
NFPA 1710: A Decision Guide
61
Exhibit #11A and 118
Emergency Response Time - 12-Month Trend
11 A - includes dispatch processing time to first unit on-scene (77 .48% performance)
lIB - excludes dispatch processing time and includes receipt of call by fIre/EMS unit to first
unit on-scene (92.58% performance)
Title:
Both graphs (Exhibit 11 A and 11 B) use fractile methods of computation in determining percentage
performance. Therefore, the fractile method is the appropriate calculation to determine percentage
performance as required byNFPA 1710/1720.
Purpose:
Fractile methods of calculation ignore averaging, rather fractiles require the counting of events
within various time frequency ranges. The number of events is totaled within various time
frequency ranges to determine percentage performance at various thresholds and ceilings.
An example might include measuring, by fractiles, 1000 events over 10 time ranges, each
separated into one-minute time ranges. The frequency of events where units arrive on an
emergency scene are counted and attributed to the time range where they occurred. A value is
then established as the time threshold (let's say no more than 5 minutes or less for this example).
The number of events under the 5-minutes or less threshold is then divided by the total number
of events to determine the percentage performance of the events at or below the threshold as
compared to all the events being counted.
Illustratively:
Time Range In Minutes
Emergency Events Within Each Time Range
Event Total
50
150
200
300
150
50
25
25
25
25
0-1
1-2
2-3
3-4
Threshold 4 - 5
5-6
6-7
7-8
8-9
10+
Fractile Calculation
850 +
Events at or
Below Threshold
1000
Total Number
of Events
85%
Percent Performance
by Fractiles
Cumulative
50
200
400
700
850
900
925
950
975
1000
Exhibits llA and llB include:
Vertical axis that indicate total number of events and corresponding percentage (%) scale.
Horizontal axis that reflects whole one-minute time ranges and the corresponding total frequency of
when the first emergency fIre/EMS unit arrived on the scene by experience.
A bar graph for each time range reflecting the experience within each time range.
A curved line that reflects a cumulative total of all time range values from 0% to 100%.
62
NFPA 1710: A Decision Guide
EMERGENCY RESPONSE TIME ~ 12 MONTH TREND EXHIIHI'11A
Receipt Of Call To First Unit On The Scene
~_ SIandard lndlcaIor: BuIld on lrequency QlIIClm\l amval. deliver a tlI9I'Vlce capabillly QI 6 minutes and 0 eecondIt or
I8sa. 75'1lo QlIha lime.
Calculated by frequency to Incident loceUon
Number of Incidents
3.000 e. May 1999 thru April 2000
100%
2,500
rJ (lool. 7", or gnHIl!Ir
*' _ l!lllV1OO -,..ny ~ n.
() ~~~orly~A", 80%
-75%
2.000'
1,500
1,000 .
TM~ hU lIIac1utl dllIwfyQl..mo....f "'~..... 0II77,Aft III III ~
:"'., ~... excludtd from....... If 00MldtnMI, ............. IIItllllnlM or .... ,.......... 1llM1ItoIdtnla..
w............ _ ,..........__.... from ",ol... II RED 0tnItr to \!rat unlI 011_ III ~
60%
40%
20%
10+
0%
EMERGENCY RESPONSE TIME. 12 MONTH TREND EXHIBIT 11 B
Equipment Dispatch To First Unit On The Scene
~orm_ Slandllrd Indicalor: a-J on frequancy 01_ arrival. delMlr 8 lIlll\'lce capablllty QI 8 tlllnIJlelI and 0 88COIlQll or
leu. 90% oIlha lime.
3,000
Calculated by frequency to Incident location
Number of Incidents
May 1999 lhru April 2000
C.1o*
2.500 .m
c.:' (lool. 1lO% or """"'"
.. """"" 1_ yoatty poItomI..... 92
q 1~.~!,~~~
91._
2.000 .
1,500
1.000
500
o
i " , 0%
.J1Ll~~_ : ~-10: 10+
..,..~..._.L...)~.......l..........~...~L~~
. , .
. , .
4-5 : 5..a I 1-2 i 6-7
'_~?~::I::..351"""'r'~..~.'.:.'[~.~.....
TlIa ~ ......lICI.... .......,ol_.... __. ....0ll1Ul'Mo III III .......-.
~1MpolIM8..._udtClfrom"''''' lf~,"'_III'_. -......,....--..
1O.tI%.
Woo... ....-.. _......,...._.... from........ lII~to _ ..... on _of-..noY.
100%
.- .... goo~
80%
60%
40%
20%
NFPA 1710: A Decision Guide
63
Exhibit #12
Sample Calculation of Compliance Rate
The data on the following page represent the total calls run by a sample fire department for one month.
Of the 50 total calls, 29 of them fell into the fIrst arriving engine company/BLS category. The 4-
minute response criterion was met for 25 of the 29 calls, signifying a compliance rate of 86% (target
compliance rate is 90%).
The other 21 calls fell into the initial full alarm assignment! ALS category. The 8-minute response
criterion was met for all of these calls, signifying a compliance rate of 100% (target compliance rate is
90%).
64
NFPA 1710: A Decision Guide
Exhibit #12
Sample Recorded
Response Times
7:58
7:44
7:38
7:32
7:18
7:12
7:00
6:55
6:51
6:48
6:44
6:43
6:39
6:19
6:17
6:13
5:47
5:46
5:38
5:26
5:25
5:00
4:24
4:11
4:05
3:59
3:54
3:48
3:44
3:40
3:35
3:31
3:23
3:22
3:14
3:11
3:10
3:04
2:51
2:37
2:36
2:03
2:00
1:58
1:56
1:23
1:21
1:03
1:02
0:58
Sample Calculation of Compliance Rate
Type of Response:
First Arriving Engine/BLS
Type of Response: Compliance:
Initial First Alarm AssignmentlALS Y or N
X Y
X Y
X Y
X Y
X Y
X Y
X Y
X Y
X Y
X Y
X Y
X Y
X Y
X Y
X Y
X Y
X Y
X Y
X Y
X Y
X Y
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
y
Y
Y
Y
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
NFPA 1710: A Decision Guide
65
Chapter eight
The NFPA 1710 standard is based upon a combination of accepted best practices and more than 30
years of study, research, testing and validation. Some have dismissed all of it as dated or inconclusive,
but we thought you should be able to read it for yourself and make your own conclusion. We want you
to have all the information you need to make the best decision for your department, your community
and your citizens.
Therefore, we have assembled many of the most important staffing and deployment studies and
reports to date. We've also included excerpts from one of the most thorough tools available-the CFAI
Fire and Emergency Service Self Assessment Manual-to examine your agency and determine exactly
what level of service you're providing.
We've also included a deployment process offered by the Oregon Fire Chiefs' Association as an
alternative to NFPA 1710. We suggest that you review it and the results of one fire department going
through the process.
Here's a brief overview of the items you'll fmd in the appendices of this document-a few ofthem
printed herein, most found separately on the IAFC Web site:
Appendix A: Sample compliance matrix: A comprehensive matrix designed by NFPA's Stephen
Foley and ICHIEFS to help fire service leaders analyze NFPA 1710 and determine how it ap-
plies to their department and their community.
Appendix B: Burning Issues series: James O. Page's response to the Wall Street Journal: A lot of
what has been reported in the mainstream media about 1710 cribs (intentionally or not) from a
February Wall Street Journal article. The paper's impressive reputation helped make 1710 seem
like an exercise in featherbedding, but it did so because its author used bad data and even worse
logic.
With that in mind, we thought it would be useful to include this thorough de-construction and
rebuttal of the article, courtesy of attorney and publisher Jim Page. If someone starts quoting
figures and arguments from the Wall Street Journal, you'll be ready to set them straight.
The following appendix material is available online at www.ICHIEFS.org.
Appendix C: Chapter three, Commission on Fire Accreditation International, Fire and Emergency
Service Self Assessment Manual, National Fire Service Accreditation Program: When the NFPA
Standards Council added language to 1710 about equivalency, it created an even stronger bridge
to existing self assessment and accreditation models.
The Commission on Fire Accreditation International (CFAI) is a private, non-profit organization
that accredits fire agencies. Its origins date back to a 1988 agreement between the IAFC and the
International City/County Management Association. Both organizations have representation
on the CFAI board.
Chapter three of the document offers chiefs detailed information about strategic planning, risk
assessment, and standards of response coverage.
66
NFPA 1710: A Decision Guide
Appendix D: Chapter six, Commission on Fire Accreditation International, Fire and Emergency
Service Self Assessment Manual, National Fire Service Accreditation Program: Chapter six
covers the vital topic of determining what data one needs to gather and how to present it. The
chapter includes extensive question-and-answer checklists to help focus on information that
needs to be collected during the self-assessment process.
Appendix E: The Risk Hazard and Value Evaluation (RHAVE) is a practical computer-based model
to assist the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) in developing an objective, quantifiable data-
base and risk analysis for its community. This program was developed by the Commission on
Fire Accreditation International and the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA). The software is avail-
able on CD, along with a guidebook, from the USFA by calling (800) 561-3356 between 7:30
a.m. and 4:30 p.m. EST/EDT.
Appendix F: Fire Resources Deployment Process: The Oregon Fire Chiefs' Association designed a
deployment process-the Fire Resources Deployment Process-as an alternative to NFP A 1710
and 1720. We're providing it and one fire department's finished product (Appendix G, Klamath
County (OR) Fire District No.1 Deployment Process) after going through the process as refer-
ence.
Appendix G: Klamath County (OR) Fire District No.1 Deployment Process: This is one fire
department's record after going through the Oregon Fire Chiefs' Association Fire Resources
Deployment Process.
Appendix H: "Safe Fire Fighter Staffing: Critical Considerations": The IAFF's 1995 "Safe Fire
Fighter Staffing: Critical Considerations" offers an excellent overview of staffmg and deploy-
ment studies and reports, including the Dallas study and FIREDAP from Phoenix. We suggest
that you look at the brief synopses in Chapter Two of the IAFF's document, then review the
other appendices of the IAFC Implementation Decision Guide for further details.
Appendix I: Office of the Ontario Fire Marshal, Shaping the Future of Fire Ground Staffing and
Delivery Systems within a Comprehensive Fire Safety Effectiveness Model, 1993
This 6l-page report is based on studies of fire ground effectiveness, initial fire attack staffmg,
response time and what they have termed "calculating intervention time."
The study's authors went through a rigorous process of examining frreground staffing position.
After their initial research and preliminary design, they developed a discussion paper and dis-
tributed it throughout Ontario. They allowed submitters to send back presentations with more
data.
Then, the authors began the validation process. They developed field studies for fire and non-frre
events to determine the number of staff needed on scene. They analyzed the field studies and
validated their position on fire ground staffing.
NFPA 1710: A Decision Guide
67
Appendix J: The Dallas Fire Department Staffing Level Study
Joint report developed by two consultants, McManis Associates and John T. O'Hagan & Asso-
ciates, with the Dallas Fire Department. They examined residential, apartment and high-rise
fire fighting and the number of tasks that needed to be performed during each of those sce-
narios. They further examined the efficiency using three-, four-, and five-person staffmg levels.
Appendix K: Phoenix (AZ) Fire Department FlREDAP
The study's authors examined a number of evolutions to determine the assigned tasks for what
they termed a "benchmark structure fire." (Its defmed benchmark is similar to the defmition of
a benchmark fire in NFPA 1710-a single-family, detached, 2,OOO-square-foot residence.)
After determining which tasks had to occur, they fought simulated benchmark fires using 15
people from two engines, a ladder, a chief officer and a support vehicle: four on each engine,
four on a ladder, two in the chief's vehicle and one in a utility vehicle. They ran the same
evolution using different people and documented the times it took to accomplish each of the
tasks. Then they came up with an average time.
The FlREDAP authors also studied EMS calls and additional-assignment calls. For each type,
they examined all the critical tasks and how much time it took to accomplish them with the
given number of people.
Appendix L: Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), "Fire Risk Analysis: A Systems
Approach. "
NFPA 1710 includes language about risk analysis and examining a community's specific risk.
"Fire Risk Analysis: A Systems Approach" discusses a systematic way of doing risk analysis,
including life risk and community consequences. This document includes good information on
performing such analyses.
Appendix M: Internet resources
· www.ichiefs.org
· www.cfainet.org:· www.iaff.org
· www.nfpa.org
· www.ofca.org
68
NFPA 1710: A Decision Guide
International Association of Fire Chiefs
NFPA 1710:
A Decision Guide
Apendices