Utilizing External Personnel During Fires/Disasters

Presentation by Bart Clark, C.M.P.Presentation by Bart Clark, C.M.P.

Manager, Protective ServicesManager, Protective Services

Sturgeon County Fire ChiefSturgeon County Fire Chief

About Sturgeon County

located just north of Edmontonlocated just north of Edmonton encompasses 911square milesencompasses 911square miles mix of oil & gas, farming, country mix of oil & gas, farming, country

residentialresidential Approx. 19,000 rural residentsApprox. 19,000 rural residents

About Sturgeon County

2500 Oil & Gas locations2500 Oil & Gas locations Over 80 rural residential subdivisionsOver 80 rural residential subdivisions Sturgeon County has co-terminus Sturgeon County has co-terminus

boundaries with 15 other municipalitiesboundaries with 15 other municipalities On-Call (part-time) Fire departments On-Call (part-time) Fire departments

located in Bon Accord, Calahoo, located in Bon Accord, Calahoo, Gibbons, Legal, Morinville, Namao, and Gibbons, Legal, Morinville, Namao, and RedwaterRedwater

Fire Services

Fulltime Fire Chief and Deputy Fire Fulltime Fire Chief and Deputy Fire ChiefChief

200 part-time firefighters in seven fire 200 part-time firefighters in seven fire departments.departments.

8 pumper trucks, 5 water tankers, 3 8 pumper trucks, 5 water tankers, 3 mini-pumper 4 x 4 fast attack units, 3 mini-pumper 4 x 4 fast attack units, 3 quad wildland unitsquad wildland units

Sturgeon County Case Study

Wednesday, May 29th at approximately Wednesday, May 29th at approximately 10:30 a.m., our 9-1-1Call Answer Centre 10:30 a.m., our 9-1-1Call Answer Centre received a report of a wildland fire north of received a report of a wildland fire north of Township Road 570 on Range Road 224.Township Road 570 on Range Road 224.

6 Redwater firefighters, 1 pumper, and 1 6 Redwater firefighters, 1 pumper, and 1 tanker dispatched to fire location.tanker dispatched to fire location.

Redwater Fire Chief reports back that we had Redwater Fire Chief reports back that we had a very large out of control forest fire. a very large out of control forest fire.

First in fire unit

Calls for Assistance Made

Calls for assistance sent out to Bon Accord, Calls for assistance sent out to Bon Accord, Calahoo, Fort Saskatchewan, Gibbons, Calahoo, Fort Saskatchewan, Gibbons, Namao, Radway, Strathcona County, Namao, Radway, Strathcona County, Thorhild Fire Departments and to Sturgeon Thorhild Fire Departments and to Sturgeon County Fire Chief.County Fire Chief.

County Peace Officers dispatched to secure County Peace Officers dispatched to secure roadways, site security.(identified in MEP)roadways, site security.(identified in MEP)

Command Post established at SW corner of Command Post established at SW corner of Township Road 572 and Range Road 221.Township Road 572 and Range Road 221.

May 29 @ 1030 hours

Swirling winds out of NW blowing @ 60-75 Swirling winds out of NW blowing @ 60-75 KPH. Wind gusts to 85 KPH.KPH. Wind gusts to 85 KPH.

RH 21%, Temp. @ +26CRH 21%, Temp. @ +26C Redwater Fire Department dispatched 1-3200 Redwater Fire Department dispatched 1-3200

gal Tanker, 1-1000 Gal Pumper, and crew of gal Tanker, 1-1000 Gal Pumper, and crew of 6 firefighters to scene.6 firefighters to scene.

Fire Command System established. Level 1 Fire Command System established. Level 1 & 2 staging locations established. Fire & 2 staging locations established. Fire Sectors assigned to incoming fire crews.Sectors assigned to incoming fire crews.

Emergency Operations Centre

Complex Fire-Incident Command CommencedComplex Fire-Incident Command Commenced 1700 hours-Sturgeon County establishes their 1700 hours-Sturgeon County establishes their

Emergency Operations Centre. Emergency Operations Centre. EOC in effect until June 5.EOC in effect until June 5.

Fire spotting in multiple directions, sparks traveling Fire spotting in multiple directions, sparks traveling 500 meters and resulting in fires. “Out of Control”500 meters and resulting in fires. “Out of Control”

2,000 acres involved. 2,000 acres involved. 82 homes are located within a 6-km radius.82 homes are located within a 6-km radius. Residents within 750 meters of the fire area have Residents within 750 meters of the fire area have

been evacuated.been evacuated. 1815 hours-1815 hours-2 homes lost to fire2 homes lost to fire..

Events-May 29th

Reception Centre for evacueesReception Centre for evacuees Evacuees booked into motels.(staff coordinated)Evacuees booked into motels.(staff coordinated) Command requests air support from Alberta Forestry in Lac La Command requests air support from Alberta Forestry in Lac La

Biche.Biche. No choppers available at this time. All air support being utilized No choppers available at this time. All air support being utilized

for northern Alberta fires.for northern Alberta fires. Fire breaks are unable to hold fire. Fire “Out of Control”Fire breaks are unable to hold fire. Fire “Out of Control” One private wildland contractor hired with a skidder and a 4-One private wildland contractor hired with a skidder and a 4-

man crew of type 3 firefighters.(identified in MEP)man crew of type 3 firefighters.(identified in MEP) Town of Gibbons and Redwater assisting. Fire size increasing.Town of Gibbons and Redwater assisting. Fire size increasing. Roadblocks establishedRoadblocks established

Events-May 30th

4 skidders on site, 150 firefighters, 2 mini-pumpers, 4 4 skidders on site, 150 firefighters, 2 mini-pumpers, 4 tankers, 8 pumpers 1 private chopper from B.C. tankers, 8 pumpers 1 private chopper from B.C. hired, 4 dozers on site, quads. (identified in MEP)hired, 4 dozers on site, quads. (identified in MEP)

2 more homes lost to fire this day.2 more homes lost to fire this day. Lac La Biche Forestry unable to supply firefighters or Lac La Biche Forestry unable to supply firefighters or

air support at this time. (identified in MEP)air support at this time. (identified in MEP) Contact made with Parks Canada ( part of Contact made with Parks Canada ( part of

Federal/Provincial protocol)Federal/Provincial protocol) Elk Island National Park-2 water trucks and Elk Island National Park-2 water trucks and

specialized wildland fire staff have been dispatched.specialized wildland fire staff have been dispatched.

Local Resources “Stretched”

County volunteer firefighters are tiring out.County volunteer firefighters are tiring out. Many fires occurring throughout county. As many as Many fires occurring throughout county. As many as

7 other fires happening at same time7 other fires happening at same time. All neighboring . All neighboring fire departments are overwhelmed with fire calls.fire departments are overwhelmed with fire calls.

Multiple agencies involved in helping. Over 200 Multiple agencies involved in helping. Over 200 external personnel on site during the busiest times.external personnel on site during the busiest times.

Local industries-Agrium, Williams, and Degussa Local industries-Agrium, Williams, and Degussa offered assistance in form of equipment & staff. offered assistance in form of equipment & staff. (Identified in MEP)(Identified in MEP)

Salvation Army Mobile kitchen on site.Salvation Army Mobile kitchen on site.

Local Resources were Overwhelmed

Positive Results Using External Personnel Incident Command System Controlled the ChaosIncident Command System Controlled the Chaos Parks Canada staff provided valuable expertise as Sector Parks Canada staff provided valuable expertise as Sector

Commanders, Operations & Logistics Commanders. Commanders, Operations & Logistics Commanders. First 6 hours of the fire, the command post received over 400 First 6 hours of the fire, the command post received over 400

telephone calls, and over 1000 radio transmissions, plus face-telephone calls, and over 1000 radio transmissions, plus face-to-face discussions with every agency that arrived to assist.to-face discussions with every agency that arrived to assist.

Resources overwhelmed as other emergencies continued to Resources overwhelmed as other emergencies continued to occur: for example, occur: for example, during one 2-hour periodduring one 2-hour period, we responded to , we responded to 2 wildland fires, 2 injury accidents, plus 1 structure fire in other 2 wildland fires, 2 injury accidents, plus 1 structure fire in other parts of the County.parts of the County.

All external personnel under supervision at all timesAll external personnel under supervision at all times

Using External Personnel SUPERVISE all external personnel, whether they are digging SUPERVISE all external personnel, whether they are digging

out fire, hauling water, working in rehab, staffing security points, out fire, hauling water, working in rehab, staffing security points, making meals.making meals.

Only hire pre-approved external personnel, use pre-authorized Only hire pre-approved external personnel, use pre-authorized rate schedules, sign off all daily logs.rate schedules, sign off all daily logs.

Utilize experienced staff to supervise sectors.Utilize experienced staff to supervise sectors. Armed forces personnel from the Edmonton Garrison, and Dept. Armed forces personnel from the Edmonton Garrison, and Dept.

of National Defence were supervised by a District Fire Chief.of National Defence were supervised by a District Fire Chief. The Salvation Army supervised the Rehab Sector.The Salvation Army supervised the Rehab Sector. Road Block/checkpoints supervised by County Peace Officers.Road Block/checkpoints supervised by County Peace Officers. An on-site Financial Officer must sign off all daily logs.An on-site Financial Officer must sign off all daily logs. Daily cost accounting is essential, Record everything!Daily cost accounting is essential, Record everything! Keep accurate time slips, records of all purchases, clerk on site.Keep accurate time slips, records of all purchases, clerk on site.

Risk Management of External Personnel/Resources Radios, telephones, fire kits for extra firefighters, wildland fast Radios, telephones, fire kits for extra firefighters, wildland fast

attack units.(identified in MEP) Provide on-site training, PPE.attack units.(identified in MEP) Provide on-site training, PPE.

Know -Not all dozer operators & private contractors follow Know -Not all dozer operators & private contractors follow orders-Identify the trained operators and prevent the use of orders-Identify the trained operators and prevent the use of those poor contractors in future callouts.(identified in MEP)those poor contractors in future callouts.(identified in MEP)

Some agencies are very aggressive and try to “help”.-ex. A local Some agencies are very aggressive and try to “help”.-ex. A local search and rescue agency tried numerous times (tied up 9-1-1) search and rescue agency tried numerous times (tied up 9-1-1) to get permission to come on the fire scene at the Sturgeon to get permission to come on the fire scene at the Sturgeon County 2002 fire disaster . County 2002 fire disaster .

Examples Utilizing External Personnel Reception CentreReception Centre Security PostsSecurity Posts Staging incoming emergency vehiclesStaging incoming emergency vehicles RehabilitationRehabilitation First Aid/TriageFirst Aid/Triage Food ServicesFood Services Maintaining InventoriesMaintaining Inventories

External Resources Pre-Identified

All personnel Must be Pre-Authorized Daily Log Daily Log

Fees and Charges

Use the GuideUse the Guide

INCIDENT COMMAND SYSTEM

Multiple Agencies Involved:

Municipal: Sturgeon County, Thorhild County, Strathcona County, Towns of Bon Accord, Gibbons, Legal, Morinville, Redwater, Radway, Bruderhiem, City of Edmonton, City of Ft. Saskatchewan;

Provincial:-2 MLA’s, Disaster Services, SRD, Alberta Forestry LLB;

Federal: Parks Canada, BC Forestry, National Defence G8 Team, Edmonton Garrison soldiers, RCMP, Salvation Army;

Industries:Agrium, Williams Energy, Degussa;

Contractors & others: dozers, skidders, fixed wing & choppers, water haulers, Hildebrants, Nodwells, caterers, portable toilets, wash stations, security personnel, media personnel, water tank suppliers, fire equipment servicing, fire equipment suppliers

Challenges to Encounter:•Constant pressure to release air support & demobilize due to cost to municipality.

•Constant pressure from municipality to release staff-road building, clerks, summer programs.

•Maintaining sustained responses from volunteer fire departments

•Some Media will attempt to sneak in as citizen volunteers.

•Be carefull when contracting local citizens as equipment operators. Clearing fire breaks is a skill.

Remains of Modular Home

Farm Fuel Drums-some exploded

Don’t Place Personnel at Risk

Positive Results are Pre-planned Planning in evacuation of residents saved lives.Planning in evacuation of residents saved lives. Incident Command System saved property & livesIncident Command System saved property & lives MEP listed who was responsible for site security & road MEP listed who was responsible for site security & road

closuresclosures Extra ordinary resources should be preplanned.Extra ordinary resources should be preplanned. Previous disaster training exercises, lessons learned from Previous disaster training exercises, lessons learned from

2001 fires, current Municipal Emergency Plan2001 fires, current Municipal Emergency Plan Inter-municipal cooperation, business community Inter-municipal cooperation, business community

cooperation & aid need to be developed prior to a disaster.cooperation & aid need to be developed prior to a disaster. Risk Management limits Liability. (a 2001 litigation against Risk Management limits Liability. (a 2001 litigation against

the County ended in the County’s favour after seven years the County ended in the County’s favour after seven years in Discovery)in Discovery)

Liability StatsNO LIVES WERE LOST!Only 4 very minor injuries were sustained during the entire fire. (one minor cut to a hand, one twisted ankle, one minor burn to hand, & one sore back)

78 PROPERTIES WERE SAVED -estimate value of $50 million. (private residences, farms)

Fire destroyed 4 homes-1 “stick built”, 3 modular.

Homeowners losses estimated at $1.5 million.

The 2002 Sturgeon County municipal fire costs exceeded $1,089,900.00. The County recovered 90% due to pre-approved rate structure and resource listing in MEP.

bclark@sturgeoncounty.ab.ca