The LAFD Task Force Concept Works for Haz-Mat Incidents
MANAGEMENT
During the August 1965 Watt’s riot in Los Angeles, CA, the task force concept of fire attack was originated.
Companies were joined together (e.g., two engines, one truck) to control the many fires that burned throughout the riot area. This operational concept provided an added degree of safety during riot conditions and a quick, coordinated attack with maximum gallons per minute delivery. It also provided leadership and direction from one officer.
The initial success of Los Angeles City Fire Department’s (LAFD) task force concept has continued through present operations, which include “heavy-duty task forces” (three engines and one truck) and “light forces” (one engine and one truck).
The term task force is also used in the western version of the incident command system terminology to depict a group that is given a specific mission to carry out with a specific group of resources. Usually, the task force’s mission is limited in time duration, and the group is disbanded once objectives have been achieved.
EMERGENCY INCIDENT OPERATIONS
In the management of hazardous material incidents, there is a great need for a variety of resources. In prior years, LAFD’s hazardous materials response was the mobile lab. This unit was staffed by two fire prevention bureau inspectors using a variety of equipment and protective clothing. They responded in a van-type apparatus and were supported by fire suppression companies at the emergency scene.
As industry and technology progressed, our environment became more complex and more hazardous. In 1982/1983, we were experiencing a greater number of incidents involving chemicals. This increase required LAFD to make some operational changes in their response capability. This was the birth of the hazardous material squads.
Placed geographically throughout the city, three hazardous material squads were in service to assist the incident commander at any type of incident and in any type of tactical mission like hose line placement, ventilation, search and rescue, and other fireground operations.
When the need for hazardous materials incident handling capability grew greater, the members of these squads received additional training in chemistry and tactical operations pertaining to a hazardous materials incident. The inventories on these squads also changed to a variety of hazardous materials protective clothing and equipment. These squads were staffed by one captain and three firefighters.
In 1983/1984, the number of incidents involving hazardous materials were still on the increase. We were experiencing one incident per week. These incidents and their related tactical considerations (entry teams, decontamination teams, support teams, and perimeter control teams) were consistently requiring additional fire companies to support mitigation efforts. These additional resources also provided an improved level of safety.
It was during this time that LAFD decided to apply the task force concept to hazardous materials incident management. In January 1985, the Hazardous Materials Task Force (HMTF) became an official part of the department. LAFD now has three Hazardous Materials Task Forces located in Central City, Hollywood, and San Fernando Valley.
The HMTF consists of one squad (one Level 1 captain and three firefighters); one truck company (one Level 2 captain, an apparatus operator, and three firefighters); and one two-piece engine company (one Level 1 captain, two engineers, and two firefighters). In case of a confirmed hazardous materials incident, in addition to the first responding units, LAFD dispatches one Hazardous Materials Task Force, one battalion chief, and one rescue ambulance. Additional resources are special requested by the incident commander and include: one emergency medical service (EMS) supervisor, law enforcement supervisor, additional fire suppression companies, and the Hazardous Materials Response Unit (HMRU).
The HMRU is the newest apparatus for our hazardous material operations, and replaces the old mobile lab. Two of these units were purchased to provide citywide coverage. Some of the key items on these HMRUs are: a Class A motor home design; two generators, one 7.0 KW and one 3.5 KW; and for chemical analysis, a gas chromatograph and an on-board computer. The design of this vehicle will allow standard command post operations in the front area and chemical analysis in the rear area.
The total response capability of the LAFD hazardous material operations now consists of the HMTF and the HMRU, plus any additional suppression companies, chief officers, and EMS support units.
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS MANAGEMENT
In January 1985, the management of all hazardous material operations was streamlined by a coordinated committee approach and placed under the direct control of the operations commander, Deputy Chief Darrel Thompson. Eight chief officers were assigned a variety of hazardous materials related subjects to manage, which include: training, special and on-going; planning, future plans in all subjects; tactical operations, coordinating the three HMTFs and other resources; budget and equipment, budget planning and equipment specifications and implementation (coordinated with our Division of Supply and Maintenance); agency coordination, coordinating with other support agencies; local codes and ordinances, right-to-know laws and enforcement inspections. A computer based information system and media relations are also addressed by the department’s hazardous material operations.
Training
Training is obviously a priority issue in any hazardous materials program. The coordinating committee was charged with the development and implementation of an annual training plan. Training is tailored to all fire suppression companies and special companies like the HMTFs.
Photos courtesy of LAFD.
There is a great concern among the department’s officers that proper hazardous materials training be provided for first responders. The first responder will set the stage for the rest of the incident. They must be able to “lay the groundwork” for a successful resolution of the incident and a “safe” environment for firefighters. We have a saying out here on the West Coast, “We don’t take victims to the incident.”
The first responder training package contains:
- Incident command system operational plans, scene organization, functions, duties, and responsibilities.
- The Department of Transportation’s EMERGENCY RESPONSE GUIDEBOOK, how to apply the information.
- Placard and labeling information.
- Incident tactics and strategy.
- Field exercises, using a variety of scenarios.
- Case studies of actual incidents. This includes a description of the incident, resources used, problems encountered, actions taken, and recommendations for improvements.
NOTE: Case studies are developed by careful documentation. This documentation includes videos and photos of the incident.
The training for our HMTFs and the HMRU includes:
- Training by outside specialists in all aspects of operations involving hazardous materials;
- A variety of seminars;
- Courses at the National Fire Academy;
- Courses at the California Fire Academy. A new hazardous materials technician course is being developed. It is planned to “certify” members who have completed this course.
EMS personnel also participate in LAFD’s basic hazardous materials training program to prepare them for a “first responder” scenario. Although single function EMS personnel do not operate in hazardous areas, their special skills are needed to handle medical problems, without their running the risk of becoming additional victims or becoming contaminated.
Fire Prevention Bureau
In 1985, the new hazardous materials section was added to LAFD’s Fire Prevention Bureau. The section is currently staffed by a battalion chief, a sufficient number of first-line supervisors, and several inspectors.
The hazardous materials section handles a large part of LAFD’s administration of the right-to-know ordinance for hazarous materials storage. The current fire prevention/inspection system requires maintenance of over 300,000 properties in the city; and these records are manually maintained on cards filed in headquarters and fire stations.
Up-to-date, centrally located, easily accessible property records and hazardous materials information can assist the fire department in improving fire prevention, planning and training activities, and in protecting fire service personnel, the public, and the environment.
Therefore, LAFD has begun to develop a system, the Property Record and Hazardous Materials Information System (PRHMIS), that will automate fire prevention activities and meet the legal requirements of public access to hazardous materials storage information (right-to-know ordinance).
The primary goal of PRHMIS is to enhance the department’s ability to provide an effective fire prevention and public safety system. Specifically, PRHMIS should:
- Provide information on hazardous materials/situations for the protection of fire service personnel and the public.
- Assist fire service management in the effective utilization of emergency and non-emergency resources and in the evaluation of fire prevention activity effectiveness.
- Aid fire service personnel at the scene of an emergency incident by providing property description data and emergency procedure information.
- Provide a means for meeting proposed legal requirements for public access to information on hazardous materials storage information.
- Improve and assist fire prevention activities.
- Improve the effectiveness of emergency preparedness planning.
Through an interface with the existing Field Incident Reporting System, PRHMIS will provide LAFD with information relating fire prevention activities with incident activities. This information will assist management in evaluating fire prevention effectiveness and the use of emergency and nonemergency resources.
Tactical operations
Tactical operations planning will be an on-going project, which includes improving the department’s decontamination procedures and capabilities. LAFD is currently investigating the possibility of a decontamination van or trailer. Conceptually, a contaminated person would enter the rear of the van, go through a series of decontamination showers, and exit a “clean” person. Holding tanks for contaminates would be provided.
Media relations
Media relations can play a very important role in any hazardous materials incident. The relationship between the department and the media can make your operation look real good or real stupid. LAFD routinely establishes a “media area” for its public information officer to meet the press. Under no circumstances is the media permitted into the “warm” or “hot” areas of the incident.
SUMMARY
The task force concept does work in LAFD. The department has used it for its field operations and in its administrative/planning approach to hazardous materials. It is a management concept that has proven its benefit in improved fire department operations.
