Escondido Fire Department 38% effective, according to the experts!
How safe is your Family and aren't they worth more than 38% effectiveness?
Staffing levels within the Escondido Fire Department have dwindled even when experts have concluded that 5 person crews are 100% effective, 4 person crews are 65% effective and 3 person crews fall to 38 % effectiveness.
An Austin, TX Fire Department study concluded that reduced staffing means" A higher risk for victims due to delays..." (that's you). The study also showed that when crews were reduced to 3 firefighters the result has been increased use of sick leave due to stress as well as a doubling of the overtime budget and a complete loss of morale.
The International Association of Fire Chief's own documentation warns about the reduction of members per unit and that the number of units has reached dangerously low levels and further proclaims " To accept or support further reductions is inappropriate." They also recommended that the minimum personnel should be five members per unit. The National Fire Protection Association, U.S. Fire Academy, the International City Management Association, Metropolitan Fire Chief's, FEMA, OSHA, John Hopkins University, Ontario Fire Marshal study and fire departments from around the country including Austin TX, Columbus OH, Dallas TX, Providence RI and Seattle WA are of the opinion that 4 firefighters per truck and ladder truck is minimum.
International City Management Association
Managing Fire Services 2nd edition
1. Fire suppression operations have three basic functions: (1) RESCUE; (2) work involving ladder, forcible entry, and ventilation; and (3) the application of water. To raise ladders, ventilate, search, and RESCUE simultaneously takes quick action by at least FOUR and often EIGHT or more firefighters, each under the supervision of an officer.
2. If about SIXTEEN trained firefighters are not operating at the scene of a working fire within the critical time period, then DOLLAR LOSS and INJURIES are significantly INCREASED as is fire spread.
3. As firefighting tactics were conducted and judged for effectiveness;
5 -person companies were 100% effective.
4 -person companies were 65% effective.
3 -person companies were 38% effective.
International Association of Fire Chiefs
Metropolitan Fire Chiefs Division
In order to permit the effective operation of fire companies at the scene of a structure fire, the minimum number of personnel on both engine and ladder companies should be five members per unit.
The Metro Chiefs recognize that current economic difficulties are affecting public safety organizations nationwide but these factors do not alter the tasks that must be accomplished at the fire scene.
The decline in the number of members per unit, as well as the reduction in the number of fire companies in cities, have already reached a dangerously low level. To accept or support further reductions is inappropriate.
Fire Protection Handbook
1. Seriously UNDERSTAFFED fire companies generally are limited to the use of small hose streams until additional help arrives. Often this action may be totally ineffective in containing even a small fire and in conducting effective RESCUE operations.
NFPA 1410
National Fire Protection Association
Training Standard on Initial Attack
1. It is STRONGLY recommended that interior fire fighting operations NOT be conducted without an adequate number of qualified fire fighters.......
2. It is recommended that a MINIMUM acceptable fire company staffing level consist of FOUR members responding or arriving with each engine or aerial ladder company responding to ANY type of fire.
NFPA 1500
National Fire Protection Association
Standard on Fire Department Occupational Safety and Health Program
1. It is recommended that a MINIMUM acceptable fire company staffing level should be FOUR members responding on or arriving with EACH engine and each ladder company responding to ANY type of fire.
2. During actual emergencies, the effectiveness of companies can become CRITICAL to the safety and health of fire fighters. Potentially FATAL work environments can be created very rapidly in many fire situations.
Fire Department Study
1. As the numbers of fire fighters decrease without eliminating any of the tasks to be accomplished the Department must DELAY some of the required tasks or attempt to perform all tasks UNSAFELY with INADEQUATE staff.
2. The study’s conclusion regarding three-person crews stated:
At this level there was little margin for error and any appreciable delay in arrival might place the control of the fire beyond their capability.
Firefighters operating in understaffed environments are too often expected to perform beyond their capabilities.
3. The Dallas study, in addressing this issue, indicated that inadequate staffing resulted in:
 | A cumulative effect by combined delays and lost functions on the part of each crew resulting in an even greater loss of overall effectiveness; |
| Increased physiological stress on fire fighters as they try to compensate for the lower staffing level; and |
| Increased risk to the fire fighters when aggressive procedures are undertaken without the support necessary to complete them safely. |
The NATIONAL FIRE ACADEMY report on the Dallas study stated:
A smaller workforce doing the same as a larger workforce of the past will result in increased injuries to the back and knees. The cost to the city and department are heavy.
Fire Department Study
The study was conducted to determine whether FOUR-person companies were safer and more effective than THREE-person companies.
The report stated:
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In the two-story residential fire the efficiency or time improvement between 3 person and 4 person crews was 73%. |
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In the aerial ladder evolution the efficiency improvement between 3 and 4 person crews was 66%. |
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In the engine company high rise fire the time improvement between 3 and 4 person crews was 35%. Average improvement in efficiency was 58%. |
The Austin study concluded that increased staffing levels from 3 to 4 provided substantial benefits such as:
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A smaller number of multiple alarms; |
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Lower fire damage and dollar loss; |
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Fewer injuries/deaths for civilians and firefighters; |
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Fewer Worker’s Compensation claims; |
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Retainment of tax base properties; and |
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Lower civil liability for the City and Dept. |
Upon its conclusion, the Austin study found that inadequate staffing directly caused the following problem:
A higher risk for victims due to delays which are indirectly related to the likelihood of survival.