2015 DFR DEPARTMENTAL MEMORANDUM # 4

DATE:
TO:
SUBJECT:

January 9, 2015
All Dallas Fire-Rescue Members
LODD Committee Recommendations

DALLAS FIRE-RESCUE

The Line of Duty Death Committee (LODD) was formed in September 2014 to review all findings
from the investigations into Firefighter Stanley Wilsons untimely death in 2013. The primary
objectives of the committee included not only reviewing the findings, but also to identify current
processes, and recommend changes if deemed necessary. Ultimately, the goal is to maintain and
enhance firefighter safety.
The committee worked diligently to meet the goal of having the recommendations presented prior to
January 2015. The Fire Chiefs office was briefed on December 17, 2014, and now we are providing
the same information for all members to review (briefing attached).
There are many
recommendations provided, and the departments intent is to move as aggressively as possible,
while making sound decisions on the most optimal process changes. Of all the items listed, they
include short, mid, and long range recommendations. There are some that are cost neutral, and
many that will require funding sources to implement. Our intent from this point is to work with all
necessary stakeholders to move forward.
A very special thanks goes to all committee members that worked on this project. Chaired by
Assistant Chief Fernando Gray, the following members participated:
Assistant Chief Daniel Salazar
Deputy Chief Kenneth Johnson
Deputy Chief Robert Valles
Section Chief James Aulbaugh
Captain Mark Blackburn
Captain Scott Clumpner
Captain Delridge Williams
Lieutenant Armando Garza
Lieutenant Cristian Hinojosa
We are extremely confident that any process changes will make us better and safer as we move into
the future.

Louie Bright, III, Fire Chief

Dallas Fire-Rescue Department
Attachment

Dallas Fire-Rescue Department

LODD Recommendation
Implementation Committee

Agenda

Thanks
Objectives
Subcommittees
State Fire Marshals Report
Findings & Recommendations
DFR Internal Report
Findings & Recommendations
NIOSH
Findings & Recommendations
Subcommittee Assignments
Recommendations
Additional FTEs
Overtime Expenditures
Equipment Acquisition
Cost Neutral Interventions
Questions

Thanks
Time
Commitment
Professionalism

Objectives
Review findings/recommendations from the LODD
reports
Identify current DFR procedures, training lessons,
and technology that are intertwined with the LODD
findings/recommendations
Review/revise/develop processes to implement the
findings/recommendations from the reports
MAINTAIN/ENHANCE FIREFIGHTER SAFETY

Subcommittees

Procedures

Deputy Chief Kenneth Johnson

Section Chief James Aulbaugh
Lieutenant Armando Garza

Training

Deputy Chief Robert Valles

Captain Mark Blackburn
Captain Delridge Williams

Technology

Assistant Chief Daniel Salazar

Captain Scott Clumpner
Lieutenant Cristian Hinojosa
5

State Fire Marshals LODD Report

Findings & Recommendations Summation
Critical areas identified:
1.

Risk Analysis

2.

Fire Ground Communications

3.

Incident Safety Officer

4.

Simultaneous offensive/defensive operations

5.

Span of Control

6.

Process to stop unsafe practices

7.

Recording/monitoring fire ground communications

6

DFR LODD Report

Findings & Recommendations Summation
Critical risk areas identified:
1. Stationary Command Post

2. Size-up & Risk Assessment

3. Communication of Benchmarks & Operational Modes
4. Master Streams and Collapse Hazards
5. Incident Safety Officer
6. Primary/Secondary Searches
7. Command Technician Training
7

NIOSH LODD Report

Findings & Recommendations Summation
Critical risk areas identified:
1. Stationary Command Post

2. Size-up, Risk Assessment, & Situational Awareness

3. Communication of Benchmarks & Operational Modes
4. Master Streams & Collapse Hazards
5. Incident Safety Officer
6. Pre-determined Assignments
7. Sprinkler Systems-Installation & Maintenance
8

Subcommittee Initial Assignments

Procedures Group
Review and revise SOP 600 in regards to Mobile command
Review and Revise Procedures in regards to Risk Analysis to
include how a member can raise safety concerns (MOP 600,
Section 601)

Develop an Incident Safety Officer SOP

Develop a Communications SOP
Develop a Chief's Checklist
Consideration for assistants in each division
Evaluate if current policies regarding pre-determined
assignments are effective

Subcommittee Initial Assignments

Technology Group
Develop a 660 Checklist
Evaluate Dispatch Capabilities
Develop a plan for the radio transmission of benchmarks
Evaluate the need and duties for a on-shift Safety Officer in each
division
Evaluate Simulation Exercise Capabilities
Evaluate Reinstituting Digital signatures
Evaluate Target Solutions software

10

Subcommittee Initial Assignments

Training Group
Develop training related to master stream operations
ISO Training Logistics for all officers
Evaluate providing structural collapse training
Evaluate the number of In-service instructors that we have
Develop a curriculum for Station and District level training
including restructuring of 155
Evaluate the need for Annual test on MOP and SOP
Evaluate the need for Annual ICS refresher course

Train on procedures for conducting effective primary searches of

structures and refine them if deemed appropriate
Evaluate training needs for situational awareness, personal
safety, and accountability

11

Full Committee-Recommendations
Personnel/FTE Requests
Dedicated Incident Safety Officer
(One in each division- Six (6) FTEs)

Professional development/ Simulator staffing

(3 FTEs-1 Captain and 2 Lieutenants)

DFR IT Support
(All IT support should report directly to the DFR
COC. In addition, two additional IT Analysts are
needed.)
12

Full Committee-Recommendations
(cont.)
Requests for Additional Overtime Expenditures
Initial Basic Officer
(40 hours-proposed curriculum developed)
All Officers should be trained as Incident Safety
Officer (ISO)
(Eight hour blocks over 3 days)
Annual 20-hour Officer Development Course for all
officers
(Two 10-hour days on their off shifts)
Prerequisites for promotions-forward to appropriate
committee for review
(Instructor I, Officer I, etc.)

13

Full Committee-Recommendations
(cont.)
Requests for Additional Overtime
Expenditures cont.
Quarterly host a NFA Command and Control
course
Annually provide venues for third
party/specific courses
(ex. Reading Smoke, Truck Operations, High-Rise,
etc.)

14

Full Committee-Recommendations
(cont.)
Equipment Acquisition
Institute fire ground recording
(prototype is in production)

Second screen in the back of the chiefs car

(Tablet or Laptop/Toughbook-also allows
integration with pre-plans software)

Building E should be reallocated for

Simulation/Officer Development

15

Full Committee-Recommendations
(cont.)
Cost Neutral Proposals
Master Stream Operations Course

(Blended Approach)

Search Procedures
(TID Phase I 2015 -repeated every two years)

Annual ICS refresher course

(Online Course)

Revise Daily Training Topics (Form 155)

16

Full Committee-Recommendations
(cont.)
Cost Neutral Proposals cont.
Dedicated tactical dispatcher on multiple alarm
incidents
(Fire Dispatch advises that this can occur with
current staff)
Dispatch checklist
(Draft developed and distributed)
Develop Risk Assessment Procedures
Revise MOP 600.00
Continue Command Tech Training
Develop the ISO MOP
Implement the Incident Commander Checklist

17

QUESTIONS

18