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Permalink Reply by Dustin J. Millis on January 22, 2009 at 3:48am

Box alarms are EXTREMELY important. I didnt think there were too many dept's that didnt have them in place because everyone needs help and there is nothing wrong with asking for it. Call early and call often!!!!!! Anyway, there are two different types of alarms that you can run--- Box alarms, and automatic mutual aid

Box alarms--Since i'm sure you already know what a box alarm is, im not going to explain its function, rather I will say that to set up a box alarm system, you must decide what neighboring dept's you want aid from on what types of calls and also what specific apparatus they will be bringing to your scene. For example--
Hebron Fire 1st alarm
Engine and Tanker from Boone Grove
Airiel from Four Seasons
Engine from Kouts
(Obviously you can get more aid by striking more alarms)

After your dept. decides what it wants to recieve, you must clear it with the depts that you have chosen to be on your alarm. They will most likely agree without hesitation. After approval from your chosen dept's, you go to your dispatcher and advise them of the updated alarm plan. That way when you say "Dispatch, Hebron Command striking a 1st alarm" They know exactly who to dispatch.

Now, Automatic mutual aid is another route to consider. This involves the same steps as setting up a box alarm, however; automatic mutual aid is dispatched along with your dept automatically. Your command officer does not have to strike an alarm, although you still can if more aid is needed, but when a call comes in for a structure fire for Hebron; Boone Grove and Kouts are dispatched at the same time.

The setback to the automatic aid is that three dept's end up responding to false alarms however; the neigboring dept's in my area have decided is much more beneficial to have the automatic aid when you really need it and just put the annoying false alarms behind you. Like I said "Call early and call often!!!!!!!"

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Permalink Reply by C.Reed 9-26 on January 22, 2009 at 3:52am

A box alarm is the compliment of apparatus that you would need for a specific situation for a particular place. Be it a geographic region, section of a town, or even a particular building.
The way our box system works is that instead of the home company being dispatched and when they go enroute asking dispatch to dispatch additional stations or companies for help; they are automatically dispatched at the same time.
The area and apparatus I'm describing are similar to my home.

Example 1. Structure fire in a small rural village in your coverage area. Probably need 3 engines 3 or 4 tankers (tenders are dipped in BBQ sauce) 1 rescue and 1 ambulance. Your Station (A) has 1 engine, 1 tanker, a rescue and a brush truck. You can either call for mutual aid (stations B & C and the ems squad) when you go enroute, wait for the other stations to be dispatched, get to the hall and go enroute. OR have them on the move the same time that you are.

Example 2. Station B doesn't do extrication. They can be dispatched for an MVA; arrive on scene; see that they are in over their heads, then call for help. Or with a box alarm. Have A's rescue heading your way from the start.

Example 3. Station A, the one horse town, doesn't have a truck (tower, stick, whatever) BUT they have a large cogeneration facility that was transformed into a tomato greenhouse. A isn't going to spend the $$$ to have a truck that they may need for one building. This building may get a special box assignment. Stations A,B,C and D that has one of the few trucks in the area, will all be dispatched simultaneously. Better than arriving on scene and realizing you need to get on the roof and having to wait for the truck to come from "in town".

Box assignments work well because they have your resources available from the start. They are a huge time saver and brain saver. Your help is on the way automatically. Box alarms, being preplanned, save the OIC from thinking "who's the closest that can help?". And knowing your companies box alarms and other boxes you're assigned to , either geographical or a particular location, you have and idea when you're in for.

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Permalink Reply by Trainer on January 22, 2009 at 7:13am

I’d keep it simple; there will come a time that you’ll need to recall from memory. Residential, commercial, and then special needs maybe hazmat and technical rescue or a tender only box and the one I like to refer to as the oh-shit box, major disaster. You should also take it to at least 3 levels, most prefer 5.

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Permalink Reply by Christopher Parker on January 23, 2009 at 1:25am

Thanks to all of who applied to my question! I will take all of the posted information and try to make my Fire Chief understand the importance of having box assignments and or alarms and with all of the equipment comming and maintaing a standard of manpower! again thanks to all who assisted with information.

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Permalink Reply by Christopher Parker on January 24, 2009 at 10:13pm

Any information that you could pass would be helpful would be appreciated. thanks

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