(Part II)
| Frank C. Schaper |
Accountability Simplified: The Dispatcher's Role
| Frank C. Schaper is a Deputy Fire Chief for the St. Louis Fire Department. With 27 years experience at St. Louis Fire, Schaper developed and implemented the department's training programs. He is also an adjunct instructor with the National Fire Academy. |
This article can be found on
page 96 of the Nov/Dec 1997
issue of 9-1-1 Magazine.
" Dispatch to Hogan Street Command."
"Go ahead Dispatch, this is Command."
"Hogan Street Command you are at your twenty minute MARC. Provide a progress report and account for all your personnel."
"Clear Dispatch. We have rescued two occupants. I have three preconnects off, fire on the first floor with heavy smoke throughout the building. I am accounting for all firefighters at this time."
"Clear Command, message received. Two rescues, fire and heavy smoke, accountability in progress."
The first-in engine company reported a working fire at 0605 prompting the dispatcher to set the accountability timer for 0625. When the time piece rang twenty minutes later, the dispatcher was calling the incident commander to provide an update on the fire situation and account for all personnel on the fire ground. The I.C. poled all sectors for an accountability.
"Rear Sector to Command. I am missing Engine 24. Everyone else is accounted for."
"Command clear, you are missing Engine 24."
As the other sector officers reported in, Command knew there was a problem. An engine company was missing.
"Command to Dispatch. We are missing Engine Company 24. Their last assignment was on the second floor rear. Search and rescue in progress."
"Clear Command, you are searching for Engine 24."
Several calls by the I. C. to the captain of Engine 24 went unanswered necessitating the deployment of the squad for a search and rescue mission. While the squad made its way to the second floor, the I.C. ordered everyone off the radios except for emergency traffic. Periodically the I.C. would radio Engine 24 trying to raise them. The situation was tense.
"Dispatch to Command, we heard Engine 24 on channel 2. They're on the roof."
"Command clear. Command to Roof Sector - are the 24s with you?"
"Clear Command. They are on the roof with me. We are all O.K. and coming down."
"Command clear. Command to the Squad, all fire fighters are accounted for, come on out."
Fortunately, this scenario had a happy ending. Utilizing a simplified accountability system developed and implemented by the St. Louis Fire Department, the I.C. knew there was an engine company missing in action. Search and rescue was quickly deployed.
Engine 24 was ordered to ventilate and search the rear of the second floor. They finished their task and were about to return down when they found a scuttle to the roof. They decided to force their way up and out. Meanwhile, the accountability check was in progress. Because they were not on the fire ground channel, Engine 24 missed the roll call and came up missing. An alert dispatcher heard them on the dispatch channel and notified Command. Roof Sector was aware the company was missing and quickly verified the 24s whereabouts once the missing company showed up on the roof. Now all firefighters were accounted for - no firefighters injured or killed - everyone safe. Had it not been for the 20-minute MARC accountability system however, this may not have been the case. Certainly firefighters have been injured and killed in cities where this system was not used.
The system is simple to use and easy to implement. The system relies on the use of the Incident Command System, standard operating procedures, and trained dispatchers for its success. The key to the program is the dispatchers however, who keep the time clock and request the accounting from command twenty minutes into the incident.
The system is based on the following:
1. Though a hectic place, the dispatch office should be the keeper of the clock. The chances of "tunnel vision" or time slipping away on the fire ground is great. The I.C. has a lot on his mind. Time is not one of them. Dispatchers should keep the clock for the I.C.
2. Many firefighters are lost in the first twenty minutes of a fire leading to injury or death. Utilizing a MARC system activated by dispatchers lessens the chances of loosing a firefighter during the heat of battle.
3. Thirty-minute self-contained breathing apparatus, when used during the heat of battle, run out of air in less than twenty minutes. Firefighters should be exiting the building for a tank change at this time. If they're not, they may be in trouble. Better check on them.
4. Buildings are not made to burn for twenty minutes. If the fire is not out in twenty minutes, the I.C. should review the fire situation considering the possibility of building collapse and evacuate the firefighters from the burning building.
For more information about the 20-minute MARC, contact the author, care of 9-1-1 Magazine.
Part I of this article appeared on page 58 of the Sept/Oct 1997 issue of 9-1-1 Magazine and is currently available on this web site.
