FIRE PROTECTION

FICTITIOUS COUNTY EMERGENCY OPERATIONS PLAN
Updated: March 18, 2006

I. PURPOSE

 This Annex provides for the coordination of fire protection activities to ensure the safety of life and property within the County during emergency situations.
 
II. SITUATION AND ASSUMPTIONS
 
  A. Situation 

Fire prevention and control operations are daily problems faced by fire service personnel. Several hazards become more significant during emergency situations including civil disturbances and hazardous materials accidents. 
 
  B. Assumptions 
Existing fire personnel and equipment will be able to cope with most emergency situations through the use of existing mutual aid agreements. When additional support is required, assistance can be obtained from state and federal agencies.
 

III.

 CONCEPT OF OPERATIONS
 
  A. During emergencies, the fire service must be prepared to support operations utilizing available expertise, equipment and manpower. 
 
  B. In an emergency which requires a number of emergency services (eg., fire, rescue, law enforcement ) to respond, all units, regardless of service, will be coordinated by an Incident Commander.
 
  C. If fire or threat of fire is involved, the Fire Chief or designee of the district in which the fire or threat has occurred, is the Incident Commander and will coordinate their activities with the Emergency Operations Center when activated. The exception to this is when a woodland fire is occurring and the N.C. Forest Service maintains Incident Command. Unified Command will take place when a woodland fire threatens structures. 
 
  D. If no fire or threat of fire exists, the Incident Commander will be determined by prior mutual consent of the chiefs of emergency services on the scene and will be dependent upon the agency with the most involvement.
 
  E. Under the North Carolina Hazardous Material Right to Know Law, the Fire Chief should survey facilities within his jurisdiction to identify types and volumes of hazardous materials located within the County. He should consider this information when developing response plans for hazardous materials accidents within the district. Coordination of facility emergency response plans with the local Emergency Operations Plan will be included in fire service planning. The Fictitious County Local Emergency Planning Committee or the Emergency Management Coordinator has the responsibility for the development of the county response plan in addition to development of site specific plans for industries that pose a significant hazard to the community because of the materials on site. 
 
  F. When responding to a situation involving hazardous materials the fire departments will observe standard operating procedures set up by their individual department and dependent on their level of training.  
 
  G. Determining that a release of hazardous materials has occurred will be dependent on the information received by the Emergency Communications Center from a facility or transportation incident. Upon arrival of the emergency responders further determination will be made as to the extent of spread and amount of release as well as confirmation of the name of the product.
 
IV. DIRECTION AND CONTROL
 
  A. Direction and Control of local fire departments is exercised by the executive branch of government under the supervision of the Fire Marshal. Each fire department exercises control over its personnel through a board of directors who uses an officer system for management. 
 
  B. Coordination of fire service in an emergency is accomplished by the Fire Marshal, utilizing mutual aid agreements developed with local units; and statewide, through the State Emergency Response Team.
 
  C. When the EOC is activated, the County Fire Marshal will normally be located in the Emergency Operations Center to support the coordination of fire fighting forces. 
 

V.

 CONTINUITY OF GOVERNMENT
 
  The line of succession for fire is:
 
    1. Fire Marshal
    2. Assistant Fire Marshal
    3. President - Fictitious County Fireman’s Association