Create table in the following section:
-78. SPECIALIZED EQUIPMENT
.01 SPECIAL EQUIPMENT
[DO STAFFING LEVELS ON ALL RESOURCES NEED TO BE UPDATED IN THIS SECTION?]
01 GENERAL A. Engine 4 personnel - full staff 3 personnel (or less) - NAV with OCDS - Only become involved in an emergency incident when it could save a life or when lack of action would bring discredit upon the Department. Notify Battalion Chief of circumstances and duration. Battalion Chief will arrange for detail as appropriate until regular staffing is hired. B. Task Force/Light Force 9 - 10 personnel - full staff 8 personnel - 200 Series engine closed. OCDS and Battalion Chief notified. If duration is more than 2 hours, Division notified. With ::8 personnel run as a light force or 2 engines. Both engines may be staffed and truck removed from service with OCDS approval. 7-6 personnel - close engine. OCDS and Battalion Chief notified. If duration is more than 2 hours, notify Division. Run as a light force with truck and 200 Series Engine. 5 personnel - run either as a light force or engine. OCDS, Battalion Chief and Division notified. (200 Series Engine may run with engine as a 2-piece company.) Same notification as 8 and 7-6 staffing. 4 personnel - run engine only. OCDS, Battalion Chief, and Division notified. C. Squad 4 personnel - may run with hazmat, engine, or light force to provide staffing.
1, 2/1-49.22 - COMBUSTIBLE GASES At any emergency where combustible gases are present or suspected of being present, the Incident Commander may obtain combustible gas indicators by contacting OCDS. (Refer to Vol. 3, 6/11-01.80).
3, 6/11-01.80 COMBUSTIBLE GAS INDICATORS: Combustible gas indicators are assigned to all Battalion sedans, Fire Boats 2 and 4, and to the Fire Prevention Bureau.
Upon Notification from Operations Control Dispatch that such equipment is needed, responsible officers shall see that response is made with a qualified operator. Such response shall be emergency, unless otherwise notified.
Combustible gas indicators may be loaned directly from field units to members of the Fire Prevention Bureau who have been properly instructed in their use.
Responsible officers shall contact OCD immediately, whenever this equipment is:
A. Unavailable, (loaned out, inoperative, sent in for repair, reassigned, etc.). B. Returned from loan or repair. Combustible gas indicators shall be checked monthly and the results of such check shall be recorded on the F-973, (Equipment Check Record). For additional information regarding combustible gas indicators, refer to Vol. 3, 6/2-01.17.
For repair, refer to Vol. 4, 8/3-96.50.
VOL 1, 2/1-56.50
The following steps shall be taken:
VOL 1, 2/1-63.01
-63. FIRE INVESTIGATION .01 GENERAL The primary responsibility for determining the most probable cause of the fire rests with the Incident Commander.
CAUSE DETERMINATION:
Investigations are initiated to determine the cause of the fire; and, for criminal fires, to establish the "Corpus Delicti" (body of the crime). Cause investigation has as its main purpose the determination of how the fire started: what was ignited, how, and why. Upon such determination, the cause is categorized into one of four major groupings:
A. Incendiary Fire. An incendiary fire is one set by a human being, deliberately and with intent to do so. "Incendiary," as used includes: arson fires (willfully and maliciously set); unlawful fires (recklessly set); possession of flammable or explosive materials, e.g., firebombs; and attempted arson. It does NOT include illegal burning or juveniles playing with fire. B. Suspicious Fire. A suspicious fire is one where circumstances and logic indicate an incendiary fire, and/or an accidental cause cannot be eliminated. C. Undetermined Fire. An undetermined fire is one where there is more than one viable cause, none of the possible causes indicate an incendiary fire or the specific cause or opinion as to cause cannot be established. D. Other Known Cause Fire. Another known cause fire is one caused by chance, by natural causes, by design or mechanical failure/malfunction, or by the non-intentional act (or failure to act) of a human being. .10 IMMEDIATE ARSON INVESTIGATION UNIT RESPONSE The Incident Commander shall request the immediate response of an Arson Investigation Unit when any of the following conditions exist:
A. Incendiary or Suspicious Fires (or attempt of same) when, in the Incident Commander's opinion, Arson Investigation Section assistance is indicated. B. Juvenile fires when, in Incident Commander's opinion, Arson Investigation Section assistance is indicated. 1. Fire set willfully and maliciously by juveniles shall be classified as incendiary. 2. Incidents resulting from immature judgment of juveniles. C. Fatalities or probable fatalities. EXCEPTION Those deaths due to automobile, aircraft crashes, etc., do not require immediate A-Unit response. D. Serious Burns. Note Serious Burns shall be defined as the following: 1. Serious burns to the face, throat, or neck. 2. Signs of respiratory involvement. 3. Any child with burn area of 10% or more. 4. Any adult with burn area of 20% or more. 5. Deep extensive burns to hands and feet. 6. Any electrical burns. E. Explosion. EXCEPTION Those explosions due to known accidental causes do not require immediate A-Unit response. F. Greater Alarm Fires when more than 10 companies are working. G. Special Incident: In case of borderline incidents, the Incident Commander shall contact the Arson Investigation Section by telephone. H. A suspect is in custody at the scene. I. The Incident Commander has an eye witness of the arson crime at the scene. J. Undetermined fires with loss of $25,000 or more. K. The presence of police units on the scene does not relieve the Incident Commander of the responsibility for requesting A-Unit response when any of the above conditions exist. .20 RADIO DESIGNATION Arson Investigation Units shall be referred to as an "A-Unit" in radio messages.
.40 PRESERVING AND GUARDING EVIDENCE When requesting immediate Arson response, the Incident Commander shall be responsible for directing the following:
A. Do not use wet water. Do not overhaul until premises are released by Arson Investigator. B. Concerted effort to preserve evidence of incendiary fires. C. Preserving and guarding fire scene and evidence until arrival of Arson Investigator(s). 1. Incident Commander shall place a member in charge of the scene, with instructions to prevent the disturbance of conditions surrounding the fire and to deny entrance to those persons not authorized by the Incident Commander (including owners and occupants). 2. Members at the scene shall not discuss those aspects of the fire which are under investigation, unless done with permission of the Incident Commander. D. Absent an "A-Unit" response, any evidence of incendiary fires shall be documented in detail for possible future use. 1. Retain evidence in custody of Fire Department. 2. Document evidence in journal. 3. In comment section of F-902, state: Evidence is in custody at fire station. Type of evidence is as follows. .50 REPORTING PROCEDURES The Incident Commander is responsible for entering and/or code-a-phoning all 902 incident reports to the Arson Investigation Section prior to end of duty shift.
.60 WE TIP When the Incident Commander or Arson Investigator determines that a fire has been intentionally set and that there is a need for a "We Tip" Program, they shall:
A. Obtain permission from the owner of the property to post the scene. B. Place "We Tip" posters where they are readily visible. In addition to posting the scene, "We Tip" business cards may be handed out. C. When Code-A-Phoning reports, notify Arson Section that the location has been posted. D. Arson Section shall notify "We Tip" of the posting and, in addition, contact the Public Service Unit and provide the following information for a possible press release and notification of the broadcast media: 1. Date of incident 2. Time 3. Address 4. Brief description of the circumstances Posters, when placed at a fire scene, shall be removed no later than 90 days after the incident. "We Tip" posters and business cards shall be ordered from Supply and Maintenance as needed.
.80 NOTIFICATION UPON RETURN TO QUARTERS The Incident Commander shall follow the instructions set forth in the Procedures Section of the Field Incident Code Book.
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74. AIR OPERATIONS .01 REQUESTING DEPARTMENT HELICOPTERS The Incident Commander of an emergency may request the use of helicopters and helicopter support equipment anytime they may be needed. This equipment is automatically dispatched to certain fires in the mountain area. When helicopters are requested, the Incident Commander of the emergency should state the intended needs, so that the helicopter will have the proper equipment such as stretchers, water tanks, cargo baskets, etc. A support company and helicopter tenders will be dispatched when needed.
.03 EMERGENCY HELISPOTS AND STAGING AREAS A. Predetermined Helispots: The map identification symbol of predetermined helispots is a triangle with the Battalion number and a letter (A, B, C, etc.). The letter corresponds to the location published on the list of "Emergency Helispots and Staging Areas" which is filed in all Building Inventory Books. For example, Helispot 12-A is Green Verdugo Helispot, located in Battalion 12. The map symbol used is a triangle with the Battalion number and the letter inside as shown here:
This symbol immediately identifies the general location of the helispot by Battalion. B. Predetermined Staging Areas: The Map Symbol for predetermined staging areas is a circle. Predetermined staging areas are identified by the letter "S" printed in the circle above the Battalion number and the letter which corresponds to the location published on the list of "Emergency Helispots and Staging Areas". For example, Staging Area 1-A is located in Battalion 1. This symbol immediately identifies the general location of the staging area by Battalion. 12A S 1A .20 HELICOPTER PHYSICAL RESCUES Members should be guided by the following information when utilizing helicopters in rescue operations:
A. Two helicopters are normally used for night time physical rescue operations where restricted visibility is a problem. One helicopter remains in the air and lights the area for the other helicopter and personnel involved in rescue operations. B. If a landing site is in proximity to the victim, it is best to request the large helicopter as these are better suited for transportating injured persons as the response time is considerably shorter. C. If rescue operations utilize the litter, they must be accomplished with the helicopter in a "hover" (no landing site proximate to the victim). The member who requests such a helicopter should request the helicopter hoist. The appropriate helicopter fitted for this type of rescue operation will be dispatched. .40 FLIGHT COMMAND The Pilot of any helicopter shall be responsible for the aircraft. The Pilot shall be in complete command of the aircraft and have the authority to veto any proposed operation which, in the Pilot's opinion, would be unsafe.
.60 RESTRICTED AIR TRAFFIC F.A.A. Regulation No. 91.91 permits control of the airspace over a fire area, to prohibit private aircraft which may interfere with Fire Department Air Operations. The local F.A.A. Flight Office will invoke the regulation at the request of the Incident Commander, the Air Operations Branch Director or the Senior L.A.F.D. Helicopter Pilot on the scene. The F.A.A. can only be contacted on a special air control radio frequency or by OCD via telephone.
While F.A.A. Regulation No. 91.91 is in effect, no unauthorized aircraft will be allowed in the area, except that the Incident Commander may permit aircraft used by news media to enter the restricted air space, providing air attack operations are not in progress. Notifications of this permission will be relayed to the media via the proper radio frequency directly from either the Air Operations Branch Director or Senior L.A.F.D. Helicopter Pilot on the scene.
.80 CONTACTING AIRCRAFT If difficulty is encountered in communicating with the Fire Department helicopter by Fire Department radio, or if a need exists for communicating with any other aircraft, messages of an emergency can be relayed through Engine Company 90 or the Commander of Air Operations as both are equipped with a special air control frequency.
VOL 1, 2/1-77.01
-77. SPECIALIZED APPARATUS AND PERSONNEL [edit] .01 BRUSH PATROL APPARATUS Brush Patrol Apparatus have been assigned to designated stations and may be used to respond to grass and brush fires per Bureau policy. [edit] .51 UTILITY APPARATUS
B. Rehab Utility – These vehicles provide food and beverages at emergency and non-emergency events. The food service volunteer program is outlined in Volume 1, 2/1-94.30. [edit] .60 COMMAND POST & COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE RESOURCE (CPCAR) The Hazardous Material Response Units were reconfigured and are now utilized as Command Post and Community Assistance Resources. The apparatus are available for any incident for use as a command post or adjunct to a command post, or to assist displaced business/home owners. The apparatus will continue to be assigned to Fire Stations 3 and 88 and are identified as CPCAR 3 and CPCAR 88. The following equipment is installed in each apparatus:
Individual radio stations with Department and ham radio equipment Fax machine Copy machine Cellular telephone Command post equipment (televisions, dry-ink board, T-Card rack, etc.) Meeting and Plans area Civilians who have been involved in an incident and need to utilize the telephone, fax or copy machine may do so. All members are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the apparatus.
[edit] .85 FOAM CARRIER When a (Foam Carrier) is dispatched to an emergency, an Engine Company shall be dispatched to operate each apparatus dispatched. It shall be the responsibility of the respective Battalion Commander to see that all Companies located in the vicinity of a housed foam carrier apparatus are trained to operate the equipment.
[edit] .92 SCUBA FIREFIGHTERS The Incident Commander may request SCUBA firefighters for emergencies where needed. Such requests should indicate how many divers are needed.
VOL 1, 2/1-80.10
A. A Task Force is normally housed in and responds from the same station. 1. The term Task Force will be used to designate and describe the following combination of personnel with apparatus (i.e., Task Force 1). a. Aerial Ladder Truck Company and two triple combination engines with a minimum staffing of 9. b. Aerial Ladder Truck Company plus one triple combination Engine Company with a minimum staffing of 9. c. The radio identification is "Task Force" (i.e. "Task Force 1"). Note If staffing on a 9 member Task Force is reduced to 8, the Task Force then becomes a Light Force or two Engine Companies, based on the needs of the district as determined by OCD and the concerned Battalion Commander. 2. The term Light Task Force will be used to describe the following combination of personnel with apparatus. a. Aerial Ladder Truck Company and one triple combination engine with a minimum staffing of 5. b. The radio identification is "Light Force" (i.e. "Light Force 1"). Note If staffing on a 5 member Light Force is reduced to 4, the Light Force members shall staff the 200 series Engine. B. Strike Teams (S/T) - to meet the needs of emergency situations - may be formed by the Incident Commander or Operations Control Dispatch. 1. A Strike Team is a specified combination of fire suppression resources and a leader (i.e., 5 engines and B/C = S/T). a. The radio identification is "Strike Team" (i.e. "Strike Team 1001"). C. Tactical Task Force (T/T), Medical Task Force (M/T) - a group of suppression and/or rescue resources, (other than a strike team) with a leader, temporarily assembled for a special mission and disbanded upon completion of the mission. A Tactical Task Force will normally be comprised of 3 engines or one light force and two engines. The Tactical Task Force leader will normally be a Captain II or a Battalion Chief. 1. The radio identification is "Task Force" (i.e. "Task Force 1001"). A Medical Task Force will normally consist of one engine, 2 rescue ambulances (one paramedic and one EMT if available), one Department officer (Medical Task Force Leader) which may be the engine company officer. 2. The radio identification is "Medical Task Force" (i.e. "Medical Task Force 1001").