"Fallback"

"Fallback" is a means of limiting response to emergency situations when significant resources have already been committed to one or more incidents.  Here's a quote from member MP1234's post on Jan 4, 2014:

Quote:

"FALLBACK" Definitions as of 4/13/11
FALLBACK consists of three Steps:

A. Step 1: Discontinues single Engine response to NO-Contact ERS boxes between 2300 and 0800 hours.

B. Step 2: Requires the dispatch of one Engine Company to all electromechanical boxes.

C. Step 3: Requires the dispatch of two Engines, one Ladder, and a Battalion Chief to all reported incidents requiring a structural response (telephone/ERS).  If information received indicates the need for a greater response, the dispatcher may send a full first alarm assignment.

NOTE: FALLBACK procedure may be instituted step-by-step, with time allowed for observation between steps; or, Step 2 or 3 could be opted for at the outset with Step 2 including Step 1; and Step 3 including Steps 1 and 2. 

Unquote.

 
Thanks Raybrag, please see my questions below.

"Fallback" is a means of limiting response to emergency situations when significant resources have already been committed to one or more incidents.  In other words, the dispatch to an new emergency in a different location than the big event happening elsewhere and earlier is lower than usual.  yes?   Here's a quote from member MP1234's post on Jan 4, 2014:

Quote:

"FALLBACK" Definitions as of 4/13/11
FALLBACK consists of three Steps:

A. Step 1: Discontinues single Engine response to NO-Contact ERS boxes between 2300 and 0800 hours.  What is a NO-Contact box?

B. Step 2: Requires the dispatch of one Engine Company to all electromechanical boxes. Why? What's the significance of the box?  

C. Step 3: Requires the dispatch of two Engines, one Ladder, and a Battalion Chief to all reported incidents requiring a structural response (telephone/ERS).  Is this the "less-than" response? If information received indicates the need for a greater response, the dispatcher may send a full first alarm assignment.

NOTE: FALLBACK procedure may be instituted step-by-step, with time allowed for observation between steps; or, Step 2 or 3 could be opted for at the outset with Step 2 including Step 1; and Step 3 including Steps 1 and 2. 

Unquote.

 
Noni the Civilian said:
Thanks Raybrag, please see my questions below.

"Fallback" is a means of limiting response to emergency situations when significant resources have already been committed to one or more incidents.  In other words, the dispatch to an new emergency in a different location than the big event happening elsewhere and earlier is lower than usual.  yes?  

Basically, YES.  Example:  there's a working 3-alarm box, a working 2-alarm box, and two 1-alarm boxes (10-75s) in Queens.  Fallback Step 3 would probably be implemented for subsequent calls in Queens and announced over the department's frequencies. I'm not sure who has the authority to declare Fallback steps, but it may be the supervising dispatcher in the affected borough.

Here's a quote from member MP1234's post on Jan 4, 2014:

Quote:

"FALLBACK" Definitions as of 4/13/11
FALLBACK consists of three Steps:

A. Step 1: Discontinues single Engine response to NO-Contact ERS boxes between 2300 and 0800 hours.  What is a NO-Contact box?

No contact box:  A fire alarm box on the street has been pulled, but there is no contact with the individual who pulled it.

B. Step 2: Requires the dispatch of one Engine Company to all electromechanical boxes. Why? What's the significance of the box?  

Here's the definition of an electromechanical box:  http://purvispublicsafety.com/solutions/call-box-systems/

C. Step 3: Requires the dispatch of two Engines, one Ladder, and a Battalion Chief to all reported incidents requiring a structural response (telephone/ERS).  Is this the "less-than" response? If information received indicates the need for a greater response, the dispatcher may send a full first alarm assignment.

The response to alarms in New York City varies with the type of call.  A reported structure fire would normally have a response of 3 engines, 2 ladders and a Battalion Chief. Lesser responses would be for other incidents such as a medical call, vehicle fire/accident, etc.

NOTE: FALLBACK procedure may be instituted step-by-step, with time allowed for observation between steps; or, Step 2 or 3 could be opted for at the outset with Step 2 including Step 1; and Step 3 including Steps 1 and 2. 

Unquote.
Click to expand...

I'm fairly sure that my replies are accurate, but perhaps a more knowlegeable member might verify (or correct) what I've said.  After all, I'm just a buff.  As an aside, there are many street alarm boxes that are out of service in the city, particularly in Queens . . . but they still sit there, many without any notice that they are out of service.  This has been an ongoing problem, particularly since Hurricane Sandy. For more information on FDNY responses, check out http://www.fdnewyork.com/10code.asp
 
I think there may be some slight corrections...in A - Step 1 an ERS box is not Pulled (only a pull box can be pulled)  on a no contact ERS the term is "pushed" as in pushing the button & when the Disp asks what they want the pusher gives no answer or probably already has left......in B- Step 2 an electromechanical box is a pull box not an ERS....as far as the large number of Boxes out in QNS these go back before Sandy to the 2 tornadoes on 9-16-10 & they do go largely unnoticed as being Out Of Service the administration knows but choose to ignore it the reason i suspect is to save the almighty dollar (& waste it somewhere else)....hope this makes sense if any errors feel free to correct this.
 
Fallback was changed recently. Here is the current meaning:
  • Step 1
    Nearest available unit (Engine or Ladder) on electromechanical boxes.
    Class-3 maximum response: 1 Engine, 1 Ladder and 1 BC.
  • Step 2 = Step 1 AND
    Class-3 response: Nearest available Engine or Ladder.
    CO Detector: 1 Ladder or nearest available CO meter equipped unit.
    Water leak: Nearest available Engine or Ladder.
    SOC matrix response that requires a Structural Response: 2 Engines, 1 Ladder, 1 BC and SOC units.
  • Step 3 = Step 2 AND
    Structural Responses: 3 Engines, 1 Ladder and 1 BC (Note: On a verified second source: 3 Engines, 2 Ladders and 1 BC)
    SOC matrix response that requires a Structural Response: 1 Engine, 1 Ladder, 1 BC, nearest available Rescue and Squad and nearest available SOC Support Ladder. (Note: On a verified second source: fill out to normal SOC matrix response)
    Gas Leaks, odors of gas or similar odors: 1 Engine and 1 Ladder.
    Manhole Fires: 2 Engines, 1 Ladder and 1 BC.
    Minimum responses, based on CIDS or Box numbers, are suspended. Responses will be based on information received.
 
FD347 said:
Fallback was changed recently. Here is the current meaning:
  • Step 1
    Nearest available unit (Engine or Ladder) on electromechanical boxes.
    Class-3 maximum response: 1 Engine, 1 Ladder and 1 BC.
  • Step 2 = Step 1 AND
    Class-3 response: Nearest available Engine or Ladder.
    CO Detector: 1 Ladder or nearest available CO meter equipped unit.
    Water leak: Nearest available Engine or Ladder.
    SOC matrix response that requires a Structural Response: 2 Engines, 1 Ladder, 1 BC and SOC units.
  • Step 3 = Step 2 AND
    Structural Responses: 3 Engines, 1 Ladder and 1 BC (Note: On a verified second source: 3 Engines, 2 Ladders and 1 BC)
    SOC matrix response that requires a Structural Response: 1 Engine, 1 Ladder, 1 BC, nearest available Rescue and Squad and nearest available SOC Support Ladder. (Note: On a verified second source: fill out to normal SOC matrix response)
    Gas Leaks, odors of gas or similar odors: 1 Engine and 1 Ladder.
    Manhole Fires: 2 Engines, 1 Ladder and 1 BC.
    Minimum responses, based on CIDS or Box numbers, are suspended. Responses will be based on information received.
Click to expand...

Are the Fallback response matrices built into the CAD system automatically or does the dispatcher have to manually adjust responses during Fallback?
 
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