DEPARTMENT: Fire
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Charles N. Hood
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City Wide
SUBJECT:
Professional Services Contract - Hazard Zone Incident Commander Certification
SUMMARY:
The San Antonio Fire Department has acquired a web based incident command training system (Blue Card) that will address several of the findings of the State Fire Marshal’s investigative report concerning the Line of Duty Death of firefighter Scott Deem.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
After the Line of Duty Death of firefighter Scott Deem the Texas State Fire Marshal’s Office determined that the San Antonio Fire Department was in need of a formalized, best standard practice incident command training program. The Blue Card training program was selected as the program that best suited to address this need.
The Blue Card training program provides online interactive scenario training through a 4-day course in which all participants are required to sit in the different command positions. Each student is evaluated in the role of the initial arriving Incident Commander (Engine 1 officer) and as the second arriving Incident Commander (Battalion 1 response chief) during the evaluation process. The student must fill both of the Incident Commander roles for each of the programs 5 basic building types. The 5 basic building types are: residential, multi-unit residential, strip malls, commercial buildings, and big box structures. By the end of the course, participants are more prepared and confident to take command of fires and emergency situations. The Blue Card program also comes with Standard Operating Guidelines to ensure consistency in regards to fire-ground organization, terminology, methodology, as well as tactics and strategies concerning dangerous occupancies like high-rise and commercial fires.
The four main components of the Blue Card Training and Certification program include:
• Completion of the 40-50 hour online training program (cognitive portion of the program)
• Completion of the Simulation Evaluation Session (Manipulative portion of the program)
• Continuing Education (CE) and 3 year re-certification process
• Instructor training and support program
The Blue Card training program will be ongoing, and will initially train all personnel who may be placed into a command role. The program will require maintenance their skills through continuing education and recertification every three years. Training of personnel promoting into command level positions will be conducted as necessary.
ISSUE:
The State Fire Marshal’s investigative report concerning the Line of Duty Death of firefighter Scott Deem identified 11 findings. Out of the 11 recommendations 9 of those can be addressed through the implementation of the Blue Card program. Prior to the implementation of the Blue Card program, the San Antonio Fire Department (SAFD) had no formal education and training concerning incident command. SAFD has a requirement to have members take National Incident Management System (NIMS) training courses; however, these courses do not prepare an incident commander to assume command of a fast-moving emergency at the local government level.
The Blue Card program will provide the SAFD with a training and certification solution that teaches Incident Commanders and other officers how to standardize local incident operations using a combination of online and in-class simulation training.
ALTERNATIVES:
The alternative would be to conduct no formalized incident command training pending the identification of other available options.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This contract with Across the Street Productions to provide a web based incident command training system (Blue Card) for the San Antonio Fire Department for a period of three (3) years with two (2) additional one-year options to renew for an estimated annual amount of $149,220.00. Funding for FY 2019 is available in the FY 2019 General Fund Budget with additional funding for future fiscal years subject to the appropriation of funds.
RECOMMENDATION:
This item is for briefing purposes only.