Automatic Mutual Aid Part II

[JBJ1202 27]

I've read the previous post on AMA and i have a few ideas i would like to throw out there.

Example One:

Dept A has an automatic commercial fire alarm. Dept B is half the distance away from the alarm than Dept A... would it be overkill to send Dept A (same district) and Dept B (closer station)?

Example Two:

Dept A has a MVA w/ injuries on an interstate in the vicinity of Dept B district line. We all know highway calls are never where they are said to be, mostly poor information from the caller, so would sending Dept A and Dept B assure the incident is more efficently responded to. (Traffic, wrong direction, wrong locations major factors on the highway calls)

You can give all the examples you want.. but isnt the most efficent response the most effective one too? If that means that more resources and manpower are involved than so what.. at least you are assuring the best protection possible members of your community and in your neighboring communities as well.

Any additional thoughts on this topic?

[CTFF 65]

Example one: No, it is not overkill to send both Dept's to the call you described. How are the people going to feel about your fire Dept when you don't even resond to their calls? If I am paying taxes to a an city/town and they provided fire service yet those guys never show up how happy am I going to be?

example two: Sending units coming from opposite directions on a highway MVA is a very good idea based on all the reasons you gave. When people are in real trouble they want help, they are not that concerned where it comes from.

[RocklandFires 44]

Example one: No, it is not overkill to send both Dept's to the call you described.  How are the people going to feel about your fire Dept when you don't even resond to their calls?  If I am  paying taxes to a an city/town and they provided fire service yet those guys never show up how happy am I going to be? 

example two:  Sending units coming from opposite directions on a highway MVA is a very good idea based on all the reasons you gave.  When people are in real trouble they want help, they are not that concerned where it comes from.

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Prime example of why my fire department and Tarrytown both respond to accidents on the Bridge. You just never know who is going to get stuck in traffic. Better to be safe then sorry.

[IzzyEng4 427]

Dispatcher's creed:

"WHEN IN DOUBT, SEND THEM OUT!"

[TimesUp 148]

If the fire is in your district, town or city does'nt that dept have an obligation to fight the fire. Those home owners have been paying thier taxes which pay your salery or for your equipment etc. Of course if there is a peice of apperatus which is closer than your first due it would be a good idea to start it out.

The problem comes when both depts respond in full. Now two depts are tied up and someone's district is left uncovered. Bad allocation of manpower.

Or if you dept relies on the other to cover a certain area. When there is a fire and you depend on them to respond you come to find out they can't respond for any number of reasons. It becomes more than the closest company goes, there are some logistcs and lots of constant communication involved.

Edited April 8, 2007 by ltrob

[Guest alsfirefighter]

Example One:

Dept A has an automatic commercial fire alarm. Dept B is half the distance away from the alarm than Dept A... would it be overkill to send Dept A (same district) and Dept B (closer station)?

Example Two:

Dept A has a MVA w/ injuries on an interstate in the vicinity of Dept B district line. We all know highway calls are never where they are said to be, mostly poor information from the caller, so would sending Dept A and Dept B assure the incident is more efficently responded to. (Traffic, wrong direction, wrong locations major factors on the highway calls)

#1: Brother I like you're thought process. IMO yes it can be overkill depending on what is sent. Dept. A and B I have no problem with both being dispatched...as long as its not overkill with the units, all going "code 3" for something that is not a true emergency.

As far as the comment, what would people think about your fire department if you don't respond to calls. My experience would show that most people wouldn't know what fire department showed up as long as something red, (or other colors for those of you whom are "off"), has hose and/or ladders. I respond as part of my ALS district into another fire district...they wouldn't know if I was from that district, the department I actually work for or tinbuktu.

#2: This makes sense, again as long as good resource management comes into play. All too often I've seen this become a mess when both departments end up on one side when the accident is found and creates an even worse mess then just the accident in itself. Resource management...if you have them responding with you, you must trust their abilities....again I can understand if you want a representative from the district there, but I for one wouldn't assume command from the original IC and if more resources were not needed I wouldn't commit my apparatus and resources.

[helicopper 1,050]

example two:  Sending units coming from opposite directions on a highway MVA is a very good idea based on all the reasons you gave.  When people are in real trouble they want help, they are not that concerned where it comes from.

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Makes all the sense in the world as long as the units on the opposite side don't stop in the left lane and start jumping over the barrier (or worse stopping on the shoulder and crossing lanes of traffic like Frogger). This creates more havoc than it helps!

If it's on your side, deal with it. If it's on the other side consider yourself lucky, go home and wait for the next one!

ALS is right - it's all about resource management! Someone please manage!!!