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Houston Fire Department

Homeland Security and Disaster Response

The top program accomplishments for the Houston Fire Department for fiscal years 2018 through 2019 involved policy and program improvements in six distinct categories; Health and Safety, Fleet and Equipment, Homeland Security/Disaster Response, Deployment Protocols, Professional Development and Facilities. Due tremendous support from the Mayor’s office and budget approvals from Houston City Council, State and Federal Grants, as well donations through the Fire Fighter Foundation of Houston and other donors, we have made significant progress in providing Houston firefighters with the tools and equipment necessary to safely perform their job and care for the community we serve.

A major investment in the high-water response program has been made since Hurricane Harvey to address the Houston Fire Department’s need for flood response equipment, assets and trained personnel.

The City of Houston is subject to flooding that may result in casualties and/or damage to property. The most frequent flood hazard in Houston is flash flooding. Riverine flooding and dam/levee failure are possible but considered less likely due to adequate maintenance practices. The most common flash flooding service demand is stranded motorist resulting from street-level flooding.

Below is a summary of funding allocation:

From FY18 through FY19, approximately $2.3M has been invested into development and improvement of the High-WaterRescue and Response program.

Grants and Donations:

• Evacuation Boats $196,000

• Rescue Boats $78,000

• High Water Vehicles$319,012

General Fund Allocations:

• Evacuation Boats$132,000

• Rescue Boats$52,000

• High Water Vehicles$398,765

• Wave Runners$39,000

• Prime Movers$800,000

Training: Established and 80-member Water Strike Team

• Basic Flood Water and Evacuation Boat Training

• Swift Water Ops/Technician Rescue Boat Training

• High-Water Vehicle Operation Training

• Personnel Equipment and Tools

• Total investment $320,000

Response/Deployment Model

In light of concerns that it is common to see the HFD over-deploy multiple firefighting apparatus to non-life-threatening medical emergencies, in seemingly a waste of taxpayer dollars, modifications have been made to our deployment protocols. The goal of the modifications is to send the most appropriate resource, in the correct amount, and maintain a more cost-effective service.

Accomplishments:

  • Ambulance Unit Response: o Medical incident types with a high statistical probability to result in transport to a medical facility have been modified to deploy only an ambulance unit. The standard will apply unless the nearest ambulance will have an extended response.

  • Fire Apparatus Response: o Medical incident call types with low statistical probability to result in transport to a medical facility will receive a single apparatus response. The modification will allow crews to obtain the appropriate patient refusal of transport and keep ambulance units in service for more serious call types. o Elevator malfunction incidents without report of injuries or other medical concerns will receive a single fire apparatus response. Elevator stuck with report of injuries will continue to receive a full response. o Sparking electrical outlet call types without report of visible flame will receive a single fire apparatus response.

    • Strategic Needs: o A primary requirement for maximum system effectiveness is replacement of the 20-year-old computer aided dispatch (CAD) system and concentrate on finding a system that will make the department more efficient and help it fulfill its mission of protecting the public. o Incorporated into the CAD replacement project should be an Automated Vehicle Locator (AVL) system and a Medical Priority Dispatch System (MPDS).  AVL: AVL provides a geospatial reference (on a map) to the location of assets and can quickly provide a view of utilization and availability. AVL is a function that helps to identify and dispatch the closest unit to the emergency incident.  MPDS: Transitioning to a MPDS is the most practical and efficient approach to ensure that dispatch and consequent unit response is done with regard to sound evaluation and prioritization. MPDS will allow 911 call takers to more accurately interrogate the caller, provide more pertinent information to responders, give direct aid to patients through the callers in a safe and efficient manner, make sound, sensible decisions about EMS responses, and make the most efficient use of our human and material resources in dispatch and response.

    Homeland Security/Disaster Response

    Accomplishments:

  • Water Strike Team: In the last year, we developed, trained and equipped an 80-member auxiliary flood response team available to staff and deploy additional high-water equipment and assets recently acquired by the HFD
  • Wildland Firefighting Team: In the last year, we developed, trained and equipped a 42member Wildland Firefighting team. We have affiliated with the Texas Forrest Service/TIFMAS for manpower and apparatus asset response to disasters and major emergencies in our region.
  • Active Shooter Training: Developed a training curriculum and trained instructors to deliver an Active Shooter response training course. The department-wide training will be delivered over the next 18 months.

    • Strategic Needs: Incident Management Teams: Training to develop internal personnel to function as support or comprehensive incident management staff in response to local, regional, or national emergencies or disasters.