Info on LA Dispatch Algorithms

Info on LAFD First Alarms

posted to a newsgroup by Brian Humphrey, LAFD PSO

from socalscan on Jan 6, 2002 - here is a lttle info about first alarms from the Los Angeles City Fire Department --------------------------- I think it was somebody in this forum that asked me about LAFD's FIRST ALARM ASSIGNMENTS. I rarely have time for such replies, but it happend to be on my clipboard - so here it is. DETERMINATION OF FIRST ALARM ASSIGNMENT: The following shall be used to determine first alarm assignments to a structure: ------------------------------ CATEGORY A: Not less than four fire companies, including not less than one truck. CRITERIA: 1. Required fire flow: less than 4500 GPM; and 2. All occupancies not included in Category B or C. DISPATCH: 1. The nearest available light force will always be dispatched. ----------------------------------- CATEGORY B: Not less than six fire companies, including not less than two trucks. CRITERIA: 1. Required fire flow: 4500 GPM and above. 2. Dwellings, apartments, and hotel occupancies four or more stories in height. 3. All commercial and/or industrial properties that exceed: a. More than 15,000 sq. ft. under one roof, on two floors. b. More than 10,000 sq. ft. under one roof on one floor. 4. All Fire Prevention Bureau occupancies in the Public Safety Section: a. Schools, special schools, day nurseries two or more stories; b. Sanatoriums, homes for aged, hospitals, public assemblages, and churches except B?2 occupancies under 100 feet. 5. All assemblage occupancies on second floor or above. DISPATCH: 1. The nearest available light forces will always be dispatched. ---------------------------- CATEGORY C: Not less than four fire companies, including not less than three engine companies and one truck. NOTE: This is a category of special assignments that the computer recognizes, i.e., Brush, Harbor, Airport, etc. ----------------------------- D. AUTOMATIC ALARMS Modified Dispatch. Initial dispatch: one engine and one light force. 1. Automatic alarms include waterflow, bells ringing, smoke detectors and manual pulls. 2. If more than one automatic device is activated at the same address or a second source of alarm or confirmation of an actual incident is received, a full assignment or additional resources shall be dispatched by OCDS. Any responding officer may request additional resources as directed. 3. Automatic alarms identified as requiring a Category "C" or "Special" assignment (brush, fire boats, etc.), shall not be modified on the initial dispatch unless additional information is received by OCDS. E. Required fire flow: The standard used to estimate the number of companies needed to extinguish a fully involved structure fire is 250 GPM per line and two lines (500 GPM) per company. F. Evaluation: The total fire problem shall be evaluated; amount of water required, location of companies, personnel required, special equipment, life hazard, and exposure hazard, etc. DETERMINATION OF EMS INCIDENT ASSIGNMENTS: The following shall be used to determine initial assignments to EMS incidents: A. EMS CATEGORY A: Basic Life Support (BLS) non-urgent. Dispatch: BLS RA when available. B. EMS CATEGORY B: BLS Urgent. Dispatch: BLS RA when available. C. EMS CATEGORY C: Advanced Life Support (ALS) urgent. Dispatch: Closest ALS resource. D. EMS CATEGORY D: ALS Life-threatening. Dispatch: Closest resource and ALS resource. Stay Safe!

posted to a newsgroup by Brian Humphrey, LAFD PSO

Q - What is the determinant for 1st responder (i.e. engine/light force/PM engine)? A - The LAFD Dispatch algorithm is a full page of text that drills down to a nine box decision tree. That sounds easy enough, but it takes me at least 4 hours to explain the whole concept in a classroom setting. Yep, just that one page of text to people who already have tremendous insight into our Department <sigh>. Thankfully, the computer is able to easily transition the input of variables through the logic process. The nine "EMS algorithm type" boxes mentioned earlier (with no corollary to and not to be confused with EMS incident types), include algo's One and Six below: ------------------ [1] Any Unit in .3, else EMT-RA in 5, else E/T in District, else E in 5 , else AE/PE in 5, else PA in 5 else, Closest EMT-RA/E/T/AE/PE/PA ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Here is my translation ......"in 5" must mean within 5 minutes of the scene - Algorithm 1 seems to be for the lowest priority EMS call for the least severe injuries {minor injuries} - basically its says send (first choice) any really close unit, or (second choice) a Rescue Amb within 5 minutes travel time, or (third most preferred choice) a Engine or Truck that is located in the District, or an (4th choice) Engine within a 5 minute travel time, or a (5th choice) Assessment Engine or a Paramedic engine with a less than 5 minute response time, or (6th choice) any unit] - basically they are trying not to commit ALS resources to this call........ Peter S ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: -------------------------- [6] Any Unit in .3, THEN (Unit here satisfies corresponding Unit below) PA or PE or AE (no limit) if PA, add closest E/T/AE/PE if PE, add closest EMT-RA in 5, else closest EMT-RA,PA if AE, add closest PA In all cases, add E/T if closer by .7 of closest Unit ------------------------ :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Here is my translation - Algorithm 6 seems to be for the highest priority calls (most serious injuries and illnesses) - get the closest unit rolling and then add paramedics and then add transport units - Peter S :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: The other algorithms are far more obtuse. I'm sure that some folks have questions about these, but you'll have to send me e-mail and await a reply. I'm currently more than a year behind on replying to casual inquiries by those who are non-stakeholders. Q - Does the RA have to be coming from "x-number of companies away" on a run card assignment? Or is a call type criteria or both? A - For EMS Incidents, the driver and determinent are decided by one of 33 incident types and 6 determinents within our Medically Prioritized Dispatch System. That is a 40 hour class <grin> Q - When is LAFD being spotlighted on anymore TV specials (i.e. The Bravest, Paramedics etc)? A - Many are surprised to learn that we are not now or have we ever actively "pursued" coverage in such programs. If they come to us, we'll certainly consider offering polite and professional assistance. While such programs seem exciting, they do represent a significant strain on staff with virtually no return on investment. Ideally, all of endeavors that *we* pursue will represent an appreciable and quantifiable benefit to the taxpayers of Los Angeles, their Fire Department and its members. That's not to say that agencies that participate in such programs or the projects themselves are bad. Rather, it is a matter of *them* coming to *us* with a proposal. Nothing like that is presently in the works, though there is a LOT of stuff in the can that has yet to air. That includes a somewhat goofy portrayal of the LAFD in Arnold's newest: http://collateraldamage.warnerbros.com Stay Safe and Be Well, Brian ----------------------- As an aside as to how dynamic the dispatch process is for any progressive life safety agency, did I mention that LAFD's EMS Dispatch algorithms will change immensely (as a matter or routine quality enhancement) on February 13th? Whether military or life safety, today's C4I (Computerized Communications, Command, Control and Intelligence) infrastructure is so dynamic as to render written synopses incomplete and at times irrelevant.