HFD Civil Disorder Emergency Operations (II-29)

Flashcards based on the Houston Fire Department's policies and procedures for Civil Disorders and Emergency Operations as outlined in Reference No. II-29.

Civil Disorder (CD)

Any public disturbance involving acts of violence by assemblages of three or more persons, which causes an immediate danger of or results in damage or injury to the property or person of any other individual.

Command Post

The location where command of units/apparatus takes place, which in civil disorder cases is typically jointly established with law enforcement under the NIMS framework of Unified Command.

Strike Team

Multiple units, often five in number, of the same resource category with an assigned leader (e.g., 5 BLS ambulances led by a Team Commander).

Task Force

Any combination of single resources, typically two to five, assembled for a tactical need, such as a Fire Control Task Force consisting of a District Chief, Ladder, Engines, EMS unit, and police escort.

Team Commander

The District Chief, or other officer, responsible for directing the operations of a Strike Team or a Task Force.

Unified Command

An incident management approach enabling multiple organizations to perform functions of the Incident Commander jointly while maintaining authority and using a single Incident Action Plan (IAP).

Level I Staging

The initial staging position approximately $\frac{1}{4}$ mile away from the dispatched area where companies wait until a Level II Staging area is determined.

Level II Staging Area

A safe area designated by the IC, potentially remote from the Command Post, where companies assemble into Strike Teams and Task Forces.

Hot Zone

An area deemed unsafe that requires a police escort and where single resource response is strictly prohibited.

Warm Zone

The area surrounding the Hot Zone where forward-staged assets, decontamination stations, triage, and treatment divisions are established.

Cold Zone

The safe area outside of the warm zone where the Command Post, Level II staging, and helicopter landing zones are located.

Tactical Talk Group (TAC channel)

The designated communication frequency used by the Shift Commander to maintain contact with OEC and Team Commanders during civil disorder incidents.

Hit-and-run approach

The operational strategy for structure fires during civil unrest involving quick knockdown and containment followed by immediate withdrawal without performing salvage or overhaul.

Riot control agents

Substances such as pepper spray or tear gas used for crowd dispersal that require victim decontamination prior to EMS treatment and transport.

OEC

The entity responsible for dispatching 'Civil Disorder Emergency' as a group call, relocating companies from troubled areas, and notifying high-level HFD officials.

Shift Commander

The HFD representative who participates in Unified Command, evaluates situational guidelines, and designates staging areas and operational zones.

Formal Rehab

A process established by the Shift Commander to provide necessary relief for personnel operating at a civil disorder scene.