Dispatch procedures

DISPATCH
Procedures:
Runcards for each unique management block have been prepared with the
specified types and numbers of initial attack resources to be used for a fire within
the block. Central Oregon Interagency Dispatch, utilizing the closest appropriate
forces, will respond with the closest resource regardless of Agency.
During a multiple fire situation, such as a widespread lightning storm, initial
attack response may vary depending on availability of resources. The Floor
Coordinator, in a joint decision with the Center Manager, will implement
“Lightning” ispatching. The dispatcher will continue to use the dispatch cards as
guidelines and attempt to meet suggested response levels using any method
available. The dispatcher/floor coordinator will maintain close coordination with
fire managers in these situations. Lightning Dispatching will be announced over
the affected frequencies preceded by ONE tone. Conversely, a return to Runcard
Dispatching will be announced over the affected frequencies preceded by ONE
tone.
In addition, Lightning or Runcard (Zone) Dispatching will be announced during
the reading of the morning and afternoon COIDC weather broadcasts.
In addition, COIDC will:




issue a block of numbers for the breakout unit to assign to the incidents.
continue to manage all resources not assigned to the breakout unit, any
requests for resources, from outside the breakout unit area, will be placed
with Central Oregon Interagency Dispatch Center.
maintain control and flight following on all Aircraft.
notify all cooperating agencies of the change in dispatching procedures.
Protocol
Central Oregon ispatch will be addressed as “ispatch” by field personnel and
will respond to radio calls with “ispatch.”
Each initial attack unit will establish radio contact with Central Oregon Dispatch
when they leave their station to go to their work area and when they leave their
work area to return to their station. Dispatch will be notified when the units
make major location changes. They will also notify Dispatch when they will be
out of communications or if there is a change in availability.
At the direction of the Division Chief or Division Duty Officer, Central Oregon
Dispatch will provide communications coverage until field personnel have
1
returned to their respective compounds. PRD after hours coverage will be
pursuant to their agreement with Prineville 911.
Initial Attack/Tone Out Procedures:
OI will utilize tone outs for “General Messages of Importance” and “Initial
Attack ispatching”
One tone for:




General message
General weather forecast
Red Flag Warning or Fire Weather Watch (Red Flag Warning notice will be
documented and filed at COIDC).
Changing from Runcard (Zone) Dispatch protocols to Lightning Dispatch protocols.
Three tones for IA Dispatch
Upon receipt from a lookout or field unit of a report of a fire, the dispatcher will assign an
incident number









Transmit 3 alert tones
Identify units to be dispatched
Type of incident and incident number
Location by township, range, section and sub-section
Descriptive location by landmark
Command Frequency
Tactical Frequency
Air to Ground Frequency
“!ll units dispatched, please acknowledge and advise if en-route.”
Central Oregon Area Shared Resources






Redmond Interagency Hotshot Crew
Prineville Interagency Hotshot Crew
One Type Three Helicopter
One Type One Helicopter
Sixteen Smokejumpers and two 330 Sherpas based at Redmond.
1 Type 2 Helicopter- 18 rappellers
The Northwest Region operates one of its two smokejumper bases
at Redmond. Requests for smokejumpers will be made through
Central Oregon Interagency Dispatch. Smokejumpers are assigned
to the user Unit until released.
2






2 King Air 90 leadplanes
1 twin engine Air Attack Platform
2 Air Tankers
Various Contract Crew/Engines/ and Tenders
The Regional Fire Cache - 3000 person
2 Single Engine Air Tankers (Prineville)
Fire Reports:
Individual fire reports for all statistical fires will be completed by the I.C. and
finalized by COIDC. The fire reports will be reviewed by the designated unit Fire
Manager prior to submission to COIDC. Fire reports should be in COIDC within 5
days of the fire being declared out. For fires which containment, confinement or
surveillance is determined to be the suppression tactic, a copy of all daily Wildfire
Situation Analysis will be attached to the fire report. See page 25 and 26 for a
copy of the actual report.
“SPECI!L” !RE!S
Sage Grouse Priority Areas (see page 22)
Wildland Fire Use
Resource Natural Areas
BLM Wilderness Study Areas (See page 20 and 21)
BLM Wilderness
Pringle Experimental Forest
Bend Watershed
WEATHER
Weather forecasts for Central Oregon are issued by Pendelton Fire Weather
Office.
Weather forecasts will be broadcast at 1100 and 1615 hours during fire season.
The broadcast will also include Preparedness Level, Staffing Class, Ignition
Component, Burning Index, Energy Release Component, Industrial Fire
Precaution Level, Risk and either Lightning or Runcard Dispatching.
Red Flag Warnings or Fire Weather Watches, issued outside the normal
Forecast period, will be broadcast as an Emergency message on all primary
frequencies.
3
WEATHER ZONES
4
5
6