As the United States is reeling from yet another natural disaster, we must ask an important question: How as first responders do we command these incidents while simultaneously taking care of our members and their families when they are also victims?
All emergencies, including natural disasters, start and end locally. During a natural disaster that strikes our own community, several factors impact our ability to effectively and safely command the incident. There is the emotional impact of worrying about your family and friends and, of course, the long hours and fatigue experienced by first responders. After all, we are typically ready for most events that last 4 to 6 hours, and excel at getting by with minimal staffing and actively engaging in an incident. However, as these events extend into a second and third operational period, our systems become stressed and overwhelmed – and so do our members, who are eager to check in on their own loved ones and property.
Is your organization ready for extended operational periods and the emotional impact of a local natural disaster? Do you have systems in place to address the needs of our community and of your first responders? Is your organization self-sufficient for the first 72 hours?
Most organizations that have a wildland-urban interface threat urge community members to follow the Ready, Set, Go! model of emergency response. This program emphasizes your personable responsibility to protect yourself and property in case of wildfire, prepare a go-bag, prepare your property to be more defensible, and have enough food and water to be self-sustainable for 72 hours.
As fire departments, are we practicing what we preach?
Staffing impact
There will likely be a significant reduction in available staffing due to a natural disaster, as approximately 25% of our local responders will be directly impacted by the disaster, and an additional 25% will be indirectly impacted. Are you ready for this reduction in staffing? Do you have a system in place to protect and serve your own first responders?
Personal impact
It is important to recognize that if you or your family is impacted by the disaster, it will be challenging to focus 100% on the job at hand. Fire department leaders must recognize this as well and build systems to serve not only the responder but their families too. Your system might include go-bags of water, food, blankets, emergency lights, etc., that family members can pick up for their homes. Additionally, most fire stations have backup generators for heat, water, etc. If possible, build a system that provides space for families to stay in the stations or at least shelter temporarily while their first responder serves the community.
Regional partnerships
Build strong regional partnerships beyond your traditional mutual-aid and automatic-aid partners. Partnerships with agencies that are 30-40-plus miles away will be incredibly important during a natural disaster, as your closest partners will likely also be impacted by the incident and unable to assist you.
Staying in service
An organization’s ability to stay in service during natural disasters is critical. Following the Ready, Set, Go! mindset, have you identified critical response components that will be impacted by the incident? Do you have a fuel source for apparatus? Is it on backup power? Do you have IT support and is it robust enough to address a communication system failure? Do you have an internet (voice-over internet protocol – VOIP) phone? How about an analog phone or satellite phone capability?
Technology
While technology is critical to our response efforts, we must prepare to be without some forms of technology, including connectivity, for the first 72 hours of a natural disaster. Having the ability to stand up backup systems via Starlink, satellite phones, analog radio channels, and analog phone lines will be extremely beneficial. Again, have you built the system to support your operations?
Remember, if you build relationships with extended departments, it will be important to have communications for them, printed maps, and the necessary logistical support to keep them operational and not a burden on your department. Bottom line: You must build your system in advance to keep yourself operational.
Command teams
Command team presence is critical during natural disasters. The team will need to be prepared, patient and professional throughout the incident. It is only natural for your command staff to want to be involved with every aspect of the response from start to finish, but they must recognize that the operation will be more efficient if everyone follows the plan. It is essential to have a system in place well in advance of any natural disaster that covers who does what and when. Pre-identify what the workload looks like for each member of the team, plus who has each operational period and in what role. Pre-identifying these items will streamline your operation and lessen the fatigue of your command staff.
Final thoughts
Your organization should never be caught unprepared for a natural disaster. It is not a case of if, but rather when you will be impacted. Take the time now to build systems that will provide for continuity of operations while also taking care of your members and their families. Spending a little time now to identify challenges will improve your response, limit your stress, and demonstrate your organization’s professionalism and care for its members.
