Roll Call or PAR procedure

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Permalink Reply by Nick Miller on February 25, 2009 at 8:32pm

At our volly department, we usually don't have too many POVs on scene. Our SOPs state that personnel place their PAR tags on the apparatus PAR tag, for whichever vehicle they are riding. When the first due engine arrives, The command board is "guarded" by the Engineer, until the first arriving Chief is on scene. Any additional apparatus that respond (2nd due, Mutual Aid, etc..) are placed on the board in order of assignment. Personnel that arrive POV are placed in a special section on the board listed as "reserve", until they are given an assignment, and work as a company. They may function as RIC, RIT, FAST, or any other assignment as needed, and certified to do. This allows Companies to operate more efficiently and does not pose a hazard with Accountability. Mutual Aid personnel that arrive POV are designated according to assignment, and also operate under the "reserve" section as they arrive on scene.

Our first arriving engine officer gives the B.I.R. (Brief initial Report) upon arriving (similar to a size-up), then passes command to the first arriving Chief Officer. Additional Companies also report to the first due Engineer, and await assignment based on the situation (Our SOPs designate assignments based upon the nature of the call).

Example 1, Response SOPs:

First Alarm (Smoke Showing):
Initial Resources: 1 Chief, Engine 21, Engine 22, Engine 23, Tanker 24, Rescue 26

"Engine 21 arriving scene, 1 1/2 story wood-frame, truss roof SFD, smoke showing from exposure D. Engine 21 initiating attack, stretching a 1 1/2" line to entrance on exposure A. Engine 21 passing command to next arriving Chief."

Engine 22 knows that their next job is to establish water supply, until Tanker 24 arrives.

Engine 23 is normally assigned as ventilation

Rescue 26 is normally assigned as RIC

The Chief Officer (Fire Chief, DC, or AC) normally responds either POV, or in the Command vehicle shortly after or simultaneously with the first due Engine.

I know that this does not always work with volly Dept.'s. In the event that the Chief would be delayed, the 1st Due Company officer is designated to take IC until a Chief arrives.

PAR checks are one every ten minutes, regardless of the call. All reports are vital to PAR checks (e.g. roof reports, interior reports, etc..) In two stories or more, when units are operating on multiple floors, the officer assigned to interior operations reports how many are on the first story, second, etc..

Example 2, Roll Call:
Command: "Command to Division 1, give me a PAR."
Division 1: "PAR Complete, 4 on the 1st floor, 6 on the second" or on two story structures with balconies "4 up, 4 down"


"Now given the scenario, what procedure do you use that could account for everyone within a reasonable amount of time to ensure you have to make a rescue not a recovery because of the time it took.?"

You can have your geographic assignment (Interior operations or attack, vent, and SAR) officer complete the PAR check in a matter of seconds, then report to the AO or the IC.

Example 3:
Command: "Command to Division 1, I need a PAR."
Division 1,Capt. assigned to Ventilation: "Division 1 to E22 vent crew, give me a PAR."
Vent Crew: "PAR Complete, conditions are improving"
Division 1: "Copy E22 Vent Crew, All accounted for and vent conditions improving."
Division 1: "Division 1 to Command, PAR check complete, E22 reports ventilation successful, conditions improving."
Command: "Copy Division 1, PAR complete and ventilation successful."


My career dept. is similar, and yes, accountability is easier as long as personnel follow the watchbill, and do not trade trucks in the middle of the shift without letting the battalion Chief know first, without his permission. the same rule applies to volly depts. If you respond on that apparatus, you return on that apparatus.



Hope this helps!

Engineer Nick Miller
Engine 21
Valley FD
Apple Grove, Mason County, WV


Formerly
Firefighter-EMT
Engine Co. 4, Battalion 2
St. Andrews FD
Charleston, SC