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Purpose
To outline proper procedures, providing for a structured response by the SJRFD to a crash or other emergency on or off the St. John’s International Airport property.
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Background
The successful conclusion to any emergency at the St. John’s Airport depends upon cooperation and coordination of both the Airport Emergency Services Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) and the SJRFD. A quick response and efficient deployment of equipment and personnel are essential to limit the life hazard in the event of an Air Crash or other emergency.
This replaces SOP # 11, dated 1996-05-21.
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Policy Statement
| Activation of Calls to Airport Properties |
| 1. | Call to the SJRFD 911 Communication Centre from the Security Operations Center with a 10 Code number. |
| 2. | If the call is received at SJRFD 911 Communications Centre from outside Airport property, the Communication Centre dispatchers will contact Airport Fire Department via speed line (758-8557). |
 | Note:
If the number is busy due to an emergency then contact may be made with Security Operations Center at 758-8510 or by use of two-way radio frequency. Three (3) Airport Crash Vehicles have the SJRFD radio frequency. Contact may also be made with the Airport Fire Chief’s cell phone (24-7) at 685-8554. |
| Request for Stand-by Status of the SJRFD |
From time to time the SJRFD 911 Communications Center may be notified by an Airport Fire Officer, either by 10 code (10-80) or via two-way radio requesting SJRFD be placed on a stand-by status. The 911 dispatcher shall notify the OIC (Central Station) advising him of the situation. No response is required.
Stand-by will be instituted when an aircraft approaching the airport is known, or is suspected, to have developed some defect but the trouble would not normally involve difficulty in effecting a safe landing. |
| Ten Code for Airport Response |
| 10-80 | The Airport Fire Department is notifying us that they have a potential problem with an aircraft. They are “NOT” requesting a response at this time. The 911 dispatcher should notify the OIC (Central Station) of the situation. |
| 10-81 | The Airport Fire Department is notifying us they have a small aircraft emergency, and are requesting one (1) Engine and one (1) Rescue. Dispatch should transfer this caller through to the HSC and then notify the S/S on call. |
| 10-82 | The Airport Fire Department is notifying us that they have a large aircraft emergency and are requesting two (2) Engines and two (2) Rescues. Dispatch should transfer the caller through to the HSC and then notify the S/S on call. |
| Note:
Response to structure fires, alarm bells ringing, bomb scares, code four medical, etc. will be as per regular response procedures. |
Staging Area
The staging area shall be the parking lot of the Airport Control Tower next to the Airport Fire Department, unless the SJRFD is advised via two-way radio by the Airport Fire Officer (Red Command) of a different staging area. |
Communications
The Airport Crash Vehicles have the SJRFD channel (Shea Heights) in all trucks. They do not have the capability to go to the SJRFD working channel.
The designation for Airport Fire OIC is “RED COMMAND.”
The designation for the SJRFD Fire Officer is “AIRPORT COMMAND” when responding to an aircraft emergency. For structural or other type response follow appropriate standard operating procedures. |
| SJRFD Response Equipment to Airport Property |
| 10-81 Emergency/Crash |
Airport Fire Department | SJRFD - 1 Engine, 1 Rescue | S/S SJRFD |
Airport Fire Department | SJRFD - 2 Engines, 2 Rescues | S/S SJRFD |
Airport Fire Department | SJRFD - 2 Engines, 1 Rescue, 1 Aerial | S/S SJRFD |
Airport Fire Department | SJRFD - 1 Engine, 1 Rescue
(only when requested by RNC) | S/S SJRFD |
Airport Fire Department | SJRFD - 1 Engine, 1 Rescue
HazMat Command Vehicle
HazMat Team | S/S SJRFD |
Note: No agency is to proceed airside unless properly escorted.
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| Roles/Responsibilities - Emergency Crash (10-81 or 10-82) on Airport Property |
| 1. | SJRFD units respond and stage at the Airport Fire Department. Units should stage back from the gate to allow access by the S/S Vehicle (unless requested to respond and/or stage elsewhere by the Airport Fire Officer). |
| 2. | S/S will assume mandatory Incident Command of SJRFD crews, and should work with the Airport Fire Officer. For crash or aircraft fires D/C will respond and work with the Emergency Site Manager (Airport Fire Chief or designate). |
| 3. | S/S assumes the title “Airport Command,” upon arrival, and reports to the Airport Fire Officer for assignment of crews. |
| 4. | Second responding officer and crew (10-82), will stage and await assignment. |
| 5. | In instances of actual crash or fire emergencies the Deputy Chief or designate reports to the Emergency Site Manager position to liaise with the Airport Fire Chief. |
| 6. | Firefighting and rescue duties will be assigned for both Airport and SJRFD firefighters, with Rescue and Firefighting being the first priority. |
| 7. | The Airport Fire Department operates at three (3) different levels for rescue: |
| Level A | provide fire free access for evacuation |
| Level B | rescue crews at the door of the aircraft |
| Level C | rescue crews advance lines into the aircraft |
| 8. | When rescue is to be performed the SJRFD personnel, wearing full protective gear and SCBA, will advance handlines from the Airport Crash Vehicle. Access to the aircraft will be provided by the Airport crash crews. Depending on staffing levels, the airport firefighters may have a handline laid and advanced into the aircraft prior to SJRFD arrival. |
| Note:
City crews are not to cut into any part of the aircraft unless so directed by Airport firefighters. |
| 9. | When rescue is not an issue and firefighting is the main goal, the SJRFD crews are to provide a secure water supply to the Airport Crash Vehicles, either by relay, or shuttle method. |
| Role of St. John’s Regional Fire Department/Airport Fire Personnel |
| Airport Fire Chief | Emergency Site Manager in the Command Post |
| Deputy Chief | Work in the Command Post with the Airport Fire Chief |
| Shift Superintendent | Assumes AIRPORT COMMAND mandatory for crash or aircraft fires |
| Captain | Sector Officer working under Airport Command to provide Tactical Support |
| Lieutenants | Lead Rescue crews in Rescue and Firefighting |
| Firefighters | Perform Rescue and Firefighting (primary), then First Aid (secondary). |
| Structure Fire on Airport Property |
| 1. | SJRFD response shall be as per POG # 08-01-02 - two (2) Engines, one (1) Aerial, one (1) Rescue |
| 2. | Airport Fire Department will respond to scene and report findings to the first responding SJRFD Officer. |
| 3. | First arriving SJRFD Officer assumes “Incident Command” and becomes the Incident Commander. |
| 4. | Normal fireground firefighting tactics will be carried out by the SJRFD crews. |
| 5. | Assistance may be given by the Airport firefighters depending on inbound traffic or emergencies. |
| Bomb Threat at Airport Terminal or Aircraft |
| 1. | Any response from SJRFD will come directly from the RNC Dispatch Center. |
| 2. | When requested to respond to a bomb threat by the RNC, the response will be one (1) Engine, one (1) Rescue from the nearest fire station. |
| 3. | Respond to the area near the incident and stage, allowing for initial size up of the scene. |
| 4. | Await further instructions from the RNC Officer on site. |
| 5. | At no time should SJRFD personnel be engaged in bomb search procedures. |
| 6. | The RNC OIC will advise the SJRFD Officer that the services of the Department are no longer required. |
| 7. | If conditions dictate, the staged Engine may respond to other calls. |
| 8. | This Operational Guideline applies to all areas and buildings within the region serviced by the SJRFD. |
| Emergency/Crash (10-81 or 10-82) off Airport Property |
| 1. | Upon notification of crash through the 911 Communications Center, the SJRFD will respond as per POG # 08-01-02 - two (2) Engines, one (1) Aerial, one (1) Rescue. |
| 2. | Additional equipment may be dispatched on the initial call if the responding OIC or the S/S deems necessary. |
| 3. | First arriving SJRFD Officer assumes “Incident Command” and initiates rescue and firefighting tactics until arrival of S/S. |
| 4. | S/S assumes mandatory Incident Command of SJRFD personnel and works with the incoming Airport Fire Officer |
| 5. | Incident Commander should request the Airport Crash Vehicle depending on the location and nature of the incident. On arrival, the Airport Fire Officer shall report to the Command Post for directions. |
| 6. | Second responding SJRFD crews will stage and await instructions. |
| 7. | Deputy Chief on call will respond, request and setup the Command Post (if the nature of the incident requires the EOC opening, the Deputy Chief will more than likely be assigned the task of Emergency Site Manager by the EOC team). The Airport Fire Chief (or designate) will work with the Deputy Chief from SJRFD command post. |
| 8. | Director (Fire Chief) of the SJRFD reports to EOC Central Fire Station, if activated. |
| 1. | No person shall displace, move or otherwise, interfere with any aircraft or part thereof that has been involved in a crash, or the contents of any such aircraft, without the permission of the Transportation Safety Board (1-613-993-6109). |
| 2. | Exceptions may be made when it is necessary to extricate any person, to prevent destruction by means of fire or any other means, or to avoid danger to any person or property. |
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Approvals
Director/Chief of SJRFD
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Responsibility
St. John's Regional Fire Department
POG # 08-02-07
Approved By:
___________________________ _______________
Michael J. Dwyer, P. Eng Date
Director of Regional Fire Services
(Fire Chief)
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Appendix/Appendices
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