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Chapter 8 Fire Department Support Functions
Chapter 8
Fire Department Support Functions
Introduction
• Fire department operations can be divided into several areas, which can be further divided into those that are incident focused and those that are not
• Not all personnel who work for the fire department respond to incidents
• Without support functions, personnel in the fire stations would not have the equipment, training, and facilities they need to perform
• Support personnel do not engage in firefighting
DISPATCH
• Receives requests for emergency services• Alerts the station crew• Police may dispatch fire personnel in small
department• Volunteers are issued pagers• Dispatcher may be firefighter or civilian
Learning Objectives 1 through 3Support Functions
The Need, Duties, and Responsibilities
EXPANDED DISPATCH
• Beyond immediate capabilities of dispatch center• Large or complex incidents• Some departments have mobile command post• Allows regular dispatcher to be undisturbed• Radio traffic switched to a designated channel
Learning Objectives 1 through 3Support Functions
The Need, Duties, and Responsibilities
GEOGRAPHIC AREA COORDINATION CENTER (GACC)
• Expanded dispatch center• Used by federal wildland firefighting agencies• Numerous resources respond quickly and efficiently• Closest available resource can be dispatched in
region• Necessary to track availability
Learning Objectives 1 through 3Support Functions
The Need, Duties, and Responsibilities
ALARM BOXES
• Before 9-1-1, fire alarm box was common
EMS TWO-WAY COMMUNICATIONS
• Dispatcher can ask about exact problems
• May train in emergency medical dispatch
Learning Objectives 1 through 3Support Functions
The Need, Duties, and Responsibilities
LANGUAGE-BARRIER ISSUES
• Many people in the community do not speak English
• May not be able to translate for them
PRIVATE ALARM COMPANIES
• Alarm is received then fire department is contacted• Departments may charge after several false alarms
Learning Objectives 1 through 3Support Functions
The Need, Duties, and Responsibilities
LOOKOUTS
• Used to report fires in forest areas
• Early lookout towers: 75 feet high on metal legs
• Employee stayed in tower morning to dusk
• Modern lookouts include living quarters
• Two or three lookouts can give an accurate location
Learning Objectives 1 through 3Support Functions
The Need, Duties, and Responsibilities
MAPS
• Departments need updated maps on a regular basis New streets added Property ownership Vacant lots Determine acreage burned
Learning Objectives 1 through 3Support Functions
The Need, Duties, and Responsibilities
GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEM (GIS)
• Maps entered into a computer• Tied to databases with required information
GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM (GPS)
• Can map a fire quickly and easily• Helps determine share of jurisdiction’s suppression
costs
Learning Objectives 1 through 3Support Functions
The Need, Duties, and Responsibilities
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS CONTROL UNIT
• Ensures compliance with legal and code requirements
• Maintains business plans and material inventories• Can send information to the field• Right to Know laws
Require filing business plan and inventories
Learning Objectives 1 through 3Support Functions
The Need, Duties, and Responsibilities
INVESTIGATION UNIT
• Arson• Arson bureau
Under fire prevention chiefor its own unit
• Arson investigators• Cost recovery
Learning Objectives 1 through 3Support Functions
The Need, Duties, and Responsibilities
PERSONNEL
• Personnel clerk • Jurisdiction-wide personnel department• Personnel analyst may write job descriptions• Involved with active recruiting of prospective
firefighters
Learning Objectives 1 through 3Support Functions
The Need, Duties, and Responsibilities
INFORMATION SYSTEMS
• Department manages many types of information• Information systems bureau developed• Data management personnel• Systems analyst maintains the computer operating
system for the department
Learning Objectives 1 through 3Support Functions
The Need, Duties, and Responsibilities
BUSINESS MANAGER
• Usually a civilian position with financial expertise
• Prepares final budget
• Tracks all expenditures
• Versed in laws that govern the fire department
• Day-to-day accounting activities
Learning Objective 4Managerial and Technical Support Functions
FIRE BUSINESS MANAGEMENT
• Contracts signed for use of privately owned equipment
• Contracts for vendors at an incident Helicopters, air tankers, water tenders
• Equipment time recorders
• Check-in personnel
Learning Objective 4Managerial and Technical Support Functions
TECHNICAL SUPPORT
• Legal services
• Investigative technical support
• National Weather Service
• Hazardous materials
• Emergency medical services
Learning Objective 4Managerial and Technical Support Functions
WAREHOUSE/CENTRAL STORES
• Items needed on regular basis
• Central receiving facility
• May make repairs
• SCBA repair technician
Learning Objective 4Managerial and Technical Support Functions
U.S. FOREST SERVICE
• Warehouse at each ranger district headquarters Supplies needs of all personnel Cache of fire tools must be maintained
• After fire season, staff maintains equipment
• Plants trees and works on other projects
Learning Objective 4Managerial and Technical Support Functions
REPAIR GARAGE
• Civilian employees
• Specialized knowledge of fire pumps
RADIO SHOP
• Radio technicians install and maintain all radio equipment
Learning Objective 4Managerial and Technical Support Functions
ADJUTANT/AIDE
• Assigned to assist chief officer
• Performs requests made by the fire chief
• Opportunity to learn more about the department
• Can help prepare for a promotion
Learning Objective 4Managerial and Technical Support Functions
Summary
• Must be able to receive calls for service and dispatch• To control hazardous materials in the jurisdiction, the
hazardous materials control unit is set up• Responsibility of fire department to investigate all fires• Fire department needs to hire, retain, and provide
benefits to its personnel• Provision of supplies and repair of vehicles is a
necessity• Fire department requires specialized technical support
