INCORPORATED LANDS

INCORPORATED LANDS

INITIAL ATTACK-MUTUAL AID TO MUNICIPALITIES Utah’s municipalities are protected by a variety of Fire Service organizations ranging from fully paid to a combination paid and volunteer to fully volunteer. It is commonly recognized that under certain circumstances a single entity may not have the resources to handle some incidents on its own. Fire Service organizations commonly render mutual aid to one another. Mutual aid is a force multiplier that can be pivotal in the success or failure of initial attack. Successful, aggressive initial attack can prevent catastrophic wildfires.

FFSL Role in Mutual Aid: • Direct fire suppression assistance with engines and personnel • Liaison for local and federal agencies that may be threatened • Maintain information flow to Interagency Fire Center • Provide tactical advice, present options and coaching to local entity • Bridge between communications systems VHF-800 MHz • Monitor triggers and accept Delegation of Authority if necessary • Work on task books and other practical training opportunities with local personnel • Assist with fire cause and origin determination • Assure proper use of preplanned aircraft (if any) • Monitor federal response as it pertains to the minimum billing threshold • Maintain positive professional relationships

Coding Time: Split Funded Personnel that have a county base code such as wardens, assistant wardens and seasonals should charge to their county base code on all private land fires incorporated and unincorporated unless delegated to the Division. If delegated charge all time to 1810. FMO’s, Area Managers, Dispatchers etc. should charge all in-state fires to unit 1810 in all cases.

Care should be taken to not to spend an excessive amount of time on mutual aid assignment after containment. Mop up, patrol and checking the fire should be the responsibility of the municipality.

Municipal fires should follow the standard naming convention using landmarks as the basis for the name. Avoid using “500 West” as it could be easily duplicated in multiple jurisdictions. Remember, the name could be in the news, use good common sense.

DIRECTION • Firefighter and public life safety should be the number one priority for all responding agencies in all cases. • The Fire Warden should be dispatched to assess the situation if they are requested. • Jurisdiction should be established and confirmed with the Interagency Fire Center with

GPS coordinates as soon as possible. • Determine if the fire poses an immediate threat to unincorporated lands or federal land.

If so, boundary line protocol should be used. See AOP on FFSL Enterprise website.