Mutual Aid (Guideline I-09)

This set of vocabulary flashcards covers definitions, roles, and procedures established in the Houston Fire Department's Mutual Aid guideline (I-09), including protocols for automatic response, the Ship Channel, and OEC responsibilities.

Automatic Response Agreement

A mutual aid department dispatched on the original alarm due to a prior agreement.

Fire Zone

An unincorporated area of the County, designated by a number for fire protection, which the City of Houston may agree by contract to provide services to.

Houston Fire Chief Designated Representative

The on-duty OEC Chief Communications Officer.

Mutual Aid Contract

A signed agreement between 2 or more agencies with terms and conditions defined, such as identification of parties, responsibilities, and termination conditions.

Mutual Aid

Assistance given by one department to another department upon request.

Mutual Aid Agreement

A signed agreement between 2 or more agencies wherein equipment, facilities, and trained personnel are available to one another as requested and available.

Outside City Limits (OCL)

The area outside any incorporated limits not protected by the Houston Fire Department.

HFD District Chief (Mutual Aid Dispatch)

Dispatched to a mutual aid incident when 1 or more fire companies are dispatched in the presence of an IDLH to control HFD companies and ensure safety.

EMS Supervisor (Mutual Aid Dispatch)

Dispatched to a mutual aid incident when 2 or more EMS transport units are sent to assist an agency.

OEC Chief Communications Officer (Mutual Aid Receiving)

The official through whom all requests for HFD to receive mutual aid assistance must be processed.

Automatic Response (Criteria)

Dispatched on the original alarm due to excessive response time of first due apparatus, contractual agreements, or to provide assistance at large fires or motor vehicle accidents.

Ship Channel Limited Annexation Area

The 2,500-foot strip on each side of the channel from Fidelity Street to the Fred Hartman Bridge where primary protection is provided by the Port Authority, CIMA, or local fire teams.

Channel Industries Mutual Aid (CIMA)

An organization whose members or local fire departments may request HFD mutual aid within the designated ship channel area.

Aircraft and Rescue Firefighting (ARFF) Equipment

Specialized equipment that may be available for mutual aid depending on location, equipment availability, and maintaining the airport index.

HFD Airport Coordinator

The individual who must be notified of all aircraft incidents in or out of the city that involve a response by the HFD.

Harris County Fire Zone Contract

A signed contract where HFD provides fire protection in county fire zones OCL with response assignments identical to City of Houston assignments.

Fire Investigator Requests (County)

Requests for fire investigators in the county must be referred to the respective County Fire Marshal's Office.

Tap Out

A signal notifying OEC and mutual aid departments that a location has been cleared or the emergency is mitigated; HFD units en route to an OCL tap-out return to service unless requested otherwise.

OEC (Mutual Aid Role)

The key element of the mutual aid program that relays information between HFD and mutual aid officers until direct communications are established.

Patching

The process by which OEC determines appropriate radio frequencies to provide necessary communication for various responding departments.

Radio Identification

The requirement for HFD units responding to a mutual aid event to identify themselves as Houston units, for example, 'Houston Engine 96'.