STAGING--BASIC OPERATIONAL APPROACH

The objective of Staging procedures is to provide a standard system of initial placement for responding apparatus, personnel, and equipment prior to assignment at tactical incidents.

Effective utilization of these procedures will:

• Prevent excessive apparatus congestion at the scene.
• Allow time for Command to evaluate conditions prior to assigning companies.
• Place apparatus in an uncommitted location close to the immediate scene to facilitate more effective assignment by Command.
• Reduces radio traffic during the critical initial stages of the incident.
• Allow Command to formulate and implement a plan without undue confusion and pressure.
• Provides a resource pool from which Command may assign units and resources at his/her leisure.

Staging involves two levels: LEVEL I and LEVEL II

LEVEL I--STAGING

Level I Staging is automatically in effect for all incidents involving three or more units responding.

During any multi-company response, companies should continue responding to the scene until a company reports on the scene. In situations where the simultaneous arrival of first due companies is possible, the affected officers shall utilize radio communications to coordinate activities and eliminate confusion. It will be the ongoing responsibility of Dispatch to confirm the arrival of the first on-scene unit.

Once a company announces arrival on the scene, Level I Staging will be implemented in the following manner:

For Fires, EMS, Hazardous Materials Incidents, and Special Operations

The first arriving unit will respond directly to the scene and initiate appropriate operations. They shall announce their approach to the scene so that Command may commit them to an assignment.

The senior staff will go directly to the scene and assume a Command location.

All other units, including Rescues and Fire, will stage in their direction of travel, uncommitted, approximately one block from the scene until assigned by Command.

A position providing a maximum of possible tactical options regarding access, direction of travel, water supply, etc., should be selected.

All emergency vehicles will assume Level I staging. If Level II staging has been implemented, utility trucks will go to the Level II staging location.

For Multi-Agency Response to Medical Emergencies

For multi-agency response to medical incidents, in addition to the above, the first arriving ALS unit will ALSO go directly to the scene and place their apparatus in a location that will provide maximum access for medical/Rescue support and not impede the movement of other units and indicate their action by radio.

The first arriving Rescue will ALSO go directly to the scene and park their vehicle in a manner that will allow quick and unobstructed exit for patient transportation.

All other companies will stage in their direction of travel, approximately one block from the incident.

Staged companies or units will announce their arrival and report their company designation and their staged location/direction.

An acknowledgment is not necessary from either the Dispatch Center or Command. Staged companies will stay off the air until orders are received from Command. If it becomes apparent Command has forgotten the company is in a staged position, the company officer shall contact Command and advise him/her of their staged status.

These staging procedures attempt to reduce unnecessary radio traffic, but in no way should reduce effective communications or the initiative of officers to communicate. If staged companies observe critical tactical needs, they will advise Command of such critical conditions and their actions.

LEVEL II--STAGING

Level II Staging is utilized when Command desires to maintain a reserve of resources on-scene, and when the need to centralize resources is required. Level II Staging places all reserve resources in a central location and automatically requires the implementation of a Staging Sector Officer.

Level II Staging should be implemented for all greater alarm incidents, first alarm medical or hazardous materials incidents, or other incidents in which Command desires to centralize resources, or simply to park apparatus in a central, unobstructed location.

Companies which are already staged (Level I) or en-route to Level I Staging, will stay in Level I Staging unless otherwise directed by Command. All other responding units will proceed to the Level II Staging Area. When activating Level II Staging, Command will give an approximate location for the Staging Area and request a separate radio channel for the Staging Sector.

The Staging Area should be some distance away from the Command Post and the emergency scene to reduce site congestion, but close enough for prompt response to the incident site.

Command should consider Level II Staging when calling for additional resources and request a separate radio channel. This is more functional than calling for Level II Staging while units are en-route. The additional units will be dispatched to the Staging Area.

Command may designate a Staging Area and Staging Officer who will be responsible for the activities outlined in this procedure. In the absence of such an assignment, the first Fire Department officer to arrive at the Staging Area will automatically become the Staging Officer and will notify Command on arrival. The arrival notification will be made to Command on the assigned tactical channel.

Staging Officers will assign their unit members as needed to assist with Staging operations, or assign them to another unit.

All responding companies will stay off the air, respond directly to the designated Staging Area, and the Company Officer will report in person to the Staging Officer. The crew will standby their unit with crew intact and warning lights turned off until assigned incident site duties, or released from the scene.

When assigned to on-site duties, companies leaving staging will communicate directly with Command or their assigned sector officer for instructions.

Once Level II staging is implemented, all communications involving staging will be between Staging and Command or Logistics.

STAFF CHIEF OFFICERS AND CAPTAINS

Arrival on the scene of staff Chief Officers and Captains can enhance the Command organization and incident management. Unless arriving staff officers have predetermined responsibilities (i.e., Safety Sector, Haz Mat Sector), these officers should assume a Level I staging posture and announce their arrival on the tactical channel. If the Staging Sector has been assigned a separate radio channel, notification should be on the designated channel.

Vehicle parking at the site can be limited. Staff officers should leave their vehicles in the Staging Sector, or park well off the road (i.e., parking lots) so as not to restrict on-site access by fire and EMS apparatus.