Fire Suppression
Southern Platte Fire maintains an adequate complement of staff, supplies, equipment, and apparatus to perform effective fire suppression in the jurisdictions it is committed to serve.
A database is utilized to monitor critical parameters related to fire suppression performance. Data is utilized to define areas of improvement and make subsequent revisions to Standard Operating Guidelines (SOG’s). SPFPD utilizes its Strategic Plan as a document to provide an adequate, effective and efficient fire suppression program within the restraints mandated by the governing bodies.
At the Start of a Fire
The Alarm Sounds
A standard first alarm response for a single-family residence consists of two pumpers, one aerial ladder, one rapid intervention team, two thermal imaging cameras, one staffing unit, one battalion chief and one advanced life support (ALS) transport unit. This brings a minimum of 20 emergency response personnel to the scene. The incident commander, usually a battalion chief, has the prerogative to request additional resources as conditions warrant. Implemented in 2006, an auto-aid agreement was entered into with Kansas City Fire Department (KCFD).
On all second alarm activations, an additional two pumpers, one aerial ladder, Rapid Intervention Team (RIT), one heavy rescue and one additional battalion chief. This will bring an additional 20 firefighters to the scene. All personnel utilize the Incident Management System (IMS) to manage and mitigate all natural or man-made emergencies.
Emergency Response
Suppressing the Fire
Daily emergency response staffing consists of eleven (11) career fire personnel on a 24-hour shift assignment, operating twelve (12) pieces of first-line apparatus, plus one battalion chief command vehicle out of four (4) fire stations. Several of the twelve apparatus are cross-staffed by station personnel to provide enough flexibility to ensure an adequate standard of cover.
Apparatus staffing typically consists of three personnel (one officer, two firefighters) per pumper or aerial, two personnel (one officer, one firefighter) on water tankers or brush units. Command staff vehicles are staffed by one person.