KITCHENER FIRE DEPARTMENT OPERATING PROCEDURE
Subject: NOTIFICATION - FIRST RESPONSE FOR IMMEDIATE NEED
Page: 1 of 2 Prepared By: G. Mann
Date Prepared: 2001-04-01 No: SUP - 114
Approved By: Date Revised: 2006-09-21 SECTION: SUPPRESSION
1. PURPOSE:
1.1 To ensure the proper procedures are identified and carried out when persons are displaced from their homes as a result of a
fire or other occurrences producing similar consequences and are in immediate need of shelter, clothing and food.
1.2 In the event of a fire (or other occurences producing similar consequences)resulting in displaced persons who are in immediate
need of shelter, clothing and food, quick and appropriate assistance shall be rovided by or on behalf of the Social Services’ Department through the Red Cross.
2. RESPONSIBILITY:
2.1 The On-scen Fire Commander, through Fire Dispatch, is responsible for calling-out the Canadian Red Cross Society in
Waterloo Region through their emergency pager number.
2.2 The Regional Municipality of Waterloo Social Services’ Department through the Canadian Red Cross Society shall provide
quick and appropriate assistance to people who are unable to reach their homes due to a natural hazard, which results in displaced persons who are in immediate need of shelter, clothing and food.
2.3 The Senior Police Official at the emergency site is responsible for collecting as soon as practical, the names, addresses and
telephone numbers of all persons displaced including those individuals prior to them self-evacuating.
3. PROCEDURE:
3.1 Level One Response
3.1.1 Upon determining that a situation will result in displaced persons, the Incident Commander will immediately
request Grand River Transit to provide a bus (or buses) as needed.
3.1.2 Communications, at the request of the Incident Commander,shall call-out the Canadian Red Cross Society in
Waterloo Region through their emergency pager numbers located in the red first response Protocol file.
3.1.3 Within one hour of Red Cross’ emergency pager being activated, the Red Cross, through their Fire Recovery
Program, will respond to the emergency site (with one or both of their Red Cross vans), and provide assistance for up to 72 hours for 50 people.
3.1.4 Upon arrival at the emergency site, the Red Cross volunteers will identify themselves to both the Fire and Police On-Scene Commanders, and will be easily recognized by their Red Cross vests. Red Cross volunteers will proceed to assess the imminent needs of displaced persons and will arrange for lodging, clothing and food for up to the 72-hour period.
3.1.5 In the case whereby persons are not able to return to their home due to extensive fire damage, the Social Services
Department, through the Director of Employment & Income Support Division (or alternate) will be contacted by the Red Cross’ Team Leader and appraised of the situation, as soon as practical.
3.1.6 Upon receiving a telephone call from the Red Cross Team Leader, the Social Services Department will immediately
implement provisions for emergency housing, etc., and will meet displaced persons at their emergency-lodging site at a time established in conjunction with the Red Cross Team Leader.
3.2 Level 2 Response
3.2.1 In the case where more than 50 people have been displaced from a fire, whereby emergency shelter, clothing and
KITCHENER FIRE DEPARTMENT OPERATING PROCEDURE
Subject: NOTIFICATION - FIRST RESPONSE FOR IMMEDIATE NEED
Page: 2 of 2 Prepared By: G. Mann
Date Prepared: 2001-04-01 No: SUP - 114
Approved By: Date Revised: 2006-09-21 SECTION: SUPPRESSION
feeding is required, the Social Services Emergency Response Plan will be implemented. The Fire Service will be required to page the Red Cross for immediate need at the fire site, while the Waterloo Regional Police Service’s Duty Officer is responsible for immediately selecting a reception/ evacuation centre. The Reception/ Evacuation Centre Opening Protocol, as detailed in the Social Services Emergency Response Plan shall be implemented by Waterloo Regional Police Service.
3.2.2 Social Services’ Emergency Response Plan details the Roles and Responsibilities of the Commissioner, Social Services Support Group, Reception/ Evacuation Centre Manager and Supervisors, and the duties of Volunteer Agencies, including the Red Cross.
4. REFERENCE:
4.1 Red Cross Fire Recovery Program
4.2 Regional Municipality of Waterloo, Fire Recovery Interim Protocol - December 20, 2000.
4.3 Regional Municipality of Waterloo, First Response Protocol - Shelter, Food, Clothing.
4.4 Social Services Emergency Response Plan (2002) (SSERP)
4.5 Communications First Response Protocol File