Staging

Level 2 Staging- Determined by the IC

1. Level 2 Staging places all resources in a central location and automatically requires the implementation of a Staging Area Manager. 2. Level 2 Staging should be implemented for all greater alarm incidents. Level 2 staging should be considered for First Alarm assignments to hazardous materials incidents, or other incidents in which Command desires to centralize resources in an advantageous location. 3. Command may designate a Staging Area Manager who will be responsible for the activities outlined in this procedure. In the absence of such an assignment, the first fire officer to arrive at the Staging Area will automatically become the Staging Area Manager and will notify Command on arrival. The arrival notification will be made to Command on the assigned tactical channel

Additional Considerations

1. Staging is automatically established whenever multiple resources are responding to the same incident. The Staging Area should be away from the Command Post and from the emergency scene in order to provide adequate space for assembly and for effective apparatus movement. 2. The Staging Area should be some distance away from the emergency scene to reduce congestion, but close enough for prompt response to the incident site. The IC may implement Level 2 Staging when calling for additional resources. The additional units will be dispatched to the Staging Area. Responding units should monitor both the command and tactical. 3. Companies which are already staged (Level 1) or en-route to Level 1 Staging, will stay in Level 1 unless otherwise directed by Command. All other responding units will proceed to the Level 2 Staging Area. When activating Level 2 Staging, Command will give an approximate location for the Staging Area. 4. The Staging Area Manager will be responsible for the functions describe in Firescope's Field Operation Guide (FOG), ICS 420-1, Staging Area Manager (STAM) checklist.

Level 1 Staging- Determined by responding apparatus

1. The first due apparatus will proceed directly to the emergency scene in order to provide a Report on Conditions and Establish Command. Once Command is established, all other responding resources will proceed to Level 1 Staging. Upon arrival, the staging apparatus will announce that they are in Level 1 Staging and switch to the Incident Tactical Frequency. 2. Once switched over, units may advise the IC that they are in Staging on the Tactical Frequency and wait for assignment. 3. Units will stage in their direction of travel, uncommitted, approximately one block from the scene until assigned by the IC. A position providing a maximum of possible tactical options regarding access, direction of travel, water supply, etc., should be selected. At no time should units self- assign.

Purpose

1. The purpose of this procedure is to provide a standard system of initial placement for responding companies within San Luis Obispo County prior to receiving tactical assignments at an incident

Scope

This procedure applies to all fire agencies' within in San Luis Obispo County responding to incidents with multiple resources.

Effective utilization of this procedure will

a. prevent excessive apparatus congestion at the scene. b. allow time for Incident Command to evaluate conditions prior to assigning companies. c. place apparatus in an uncommitted location close to the immediate scene. d. produce more effective communications by virtue of reducing radio traffic during the critical initial stages of operations.