Response time analysis falmouth fire revision

RESPONSE TIME ANALYSIS FALMOUTH FIRE 1

A RESPONSE TIME ANALYSIS

OF THE

FALMOUTH (MA.) FIRE RESCUE DEPARTMENT

Glen A. RogersFalmouth Fire Rescue Department

Falmouth, Massachusetts

CERTIFICATION STATEMENT

I hereby certify that this paper constitutes my own product, that where the language of other is et forth, quotation ,marks so indicate, and that appropriate credit is given where I have used the language, ideas, expressions, or writings of another.

Signed____________________________________________________________


ABSTRACT

The Falmouth (Ma.) Fire Rescue Department (FFRD) did not have an accurate picture of

response times for fire and emergency medical responses. Analysis was conducted to discover

national and regional response criteria, ascertain current and historical FFRD response times,

discover prior analysis of FFRD responses and develop a ‘real time’ analysis of FFRD response

times. Descriptive and historical research methods were used throughout the research.

The technological expertise of the Falmouth’s IT Division and GIS Division created a

method to extract data as well as represent that data in GIS mapping. Attendance at CPSE’s

CFAI Self-Assessment Workshop, Standards of Cover Basic Workshop and Peer Assessor

Workshop provided background in evaluating response times and fire service criteria. FFRD

dispatch personnel were interviewed and observed. Multiple professional publications were

researched pertaining to emergency response.

Research questions explored important national and regional fire/ems response criteria

as well as the basis for these criteria, current FFRD response times and historical response

samplings, computer modeling results of independent sources for FFRD response times, and

exploring emergency service gaps in the community.

Analysis of FFRD responses for 2009 revealed an 87% response of 6 minutes or

less to emergency incidents. This percentage is a .6% decline from 2004 and 1999 and a 3%

decline from 1994. In the period from 1994 and 2009 FFRD incidents increased by 57%.

Emergency service gaps of over 6 minutes were found in the geographical center of Falmouth.

This researcher recommends that the FFRD continually monitor response times and strive

to meet a 90% under 6 minute response time, monitor call processing times, establish a standard

of cover, establish a emergency fire/ems unit in the Hatchville area and evaluate community ISO

reports and improve the community ISO rating.


CONTENTS

ABSTRACT 2

INTRODUCTION 4

BACKROUND AND SIGNIFICANCE 5

LITERATURE REVIEW 10

PROCEDURES 21

RESULTS 22

DISCUSSION 43

RECOMMENDATIONS 48

REFERENCES 49

APPENDIX A 55

APPENDIX B 56

APPENDIX C 57

APPENDIX D 58

APPENDIX E 59

APPENDIX F 60

APPENDIX G 61

APPENDIX H 62

APPENDIX I 63

APPENDIX J 64

APPENDIX K 65

APPENDIX L 66

APPENDIX M 67


INTRODUCTION

The Falmouth (Ma.) Fire Rescue Department (FFRD) did not have an accurate picture of

response times for fire and emergency medical responses. This purpose of this research was to

utilize descriptive and historical research to conduct an in-depth analysis of the Falmouth Fire

Rescue Department responses and to answer the following questions:

1. What are the important national and regional fire and emergency medical response criteria

and what is the basis for these criteria?

2. What are the current FFRD response times? What are the samplings of past FFRD response

times?

3. What are the results of prior computer modeling of response times?

4. Are there any emergency service gaps within the geographic boundaries of Falmouth?

In 1919, a young and brash newcomer to Falmouth, Ray D. Wells, became Chief of the

Falmouth (Ma.) Fire Department. Chief Wells eradicated 13 village hand drawn ‘hose wagon’

stations located across the farmlands of town and set about establishing 5 fire stations, with

motorized apparatus, in strategic response areas. These Ahrens-Fox and Model T fire apparatus

could respond quicker and farther than the hand drawn carts and revolutionized fire response for

the citizens of Falmouth. (Todd, 1993)

Ninety years have brought additional services such as emergency medical, larger and

faster apparatus, modern and expansive road networks as well an increase in population from

3,500 to well over 35,000. Yet, there has been no reduction, expansion or in-depth analysis of how

effective these stations locations are to servicing the public with timely emergency fire and

medical services. The locations of those 1919 firehouses still serve the town to this day.


The Falmouth Fire Rescue Department has been documenting vehicle response data since

the mid 1980’s. Several studies have also been commissioned to survey the station locations and

model response data as well. However no information has ever been gathered to actually use this

reported data and computer modeling to see how the department is actually performing or to make

recommendations for improvement.

BACKGROUND AND SIGNIFICANCE

The Falmouth Fire Rescue Department protects the citizens, visitors and structures in the

Town of Falmouth. The town was incorporated in 1686 as part of the Plymouth Bay Colony

formed by the Pilgrims who sailed from England. Located on the peninsula of Cape Cod off the

southeastern tip of Massachusetts, the town comprises 44 square miles with a year round

population of 33,451 and a summer population of 108, 500. (Falmouth Chamber Commerce,

2010)

The median age of the community is 45 thereby signifying a significant retirement

community. There are 20,000 housing units grouped around several unique villages which

provide the large town with a small town feel. A renowned scientific presence, the Woods Hole

Oceanographic Institution and Marine Biological Laboratory, is clustered in the town’s Woods

Hole village. The community has many public and private schools, nursing and assisted living

facilities and a 95 bed hospital.


The town government is headed by a town manager overseen by a 5 member board of

selectmen. The community incorporates a biannual representative town meeting to approve the

town budget and vote on major matters within the town. Taxes are raised primarily via property

taxes, vehicle excise taxes and other assorted fees. (Falmouth Chamber Commerce, 2010)

The Falmouth Fire Department was established as a volunteer firefighting unit in 1897

utilizing 13 far flung stations with hand drawn hose reels and ladder carriages. The volunteers

could only ‘run’ a mile or so with the wagon like apparatus and the water supply was limited

hence the fire and life safety protection was minimal.

In 1919, the town hired a young summer visitor from Worcester, Ma., Ray D. Wells, to

be the first full time Fire Chief. Over the next 10 years Chief Wells abolished the 13 hand drawn

stations and established 5 stations in the significant villages of Woods Hole, Falmouth center,

East Falmouth, West Falmouth and North Falmouth. All stations were within 1 mile of the

shoreline of town where the majority of the population lived. Each of these stations was outfitted

with motorized apparatus and with at least one 24 hour a day person as a driver. (Todd, 1993)

The Ahrens Fox and Model T apparatus significantly changed the response times and

efficiency of the fire service of that day. As a matter of fact the establishment of those stations

and was so revolutionary that they remain in the same exact locations 90 years later.

Much has changed in those intervening years. The town’s population has grown from

3,500 to nearly 35,000 year round. The populated areas of town are denser and the sprawl of

citizens has covered the entire town. Commercially the town currently houses a significant

scientific and oceanographic community, several major and minor shopping malls and 10

nursing and assisted living facilities.


The Falmouth Fire Rescue Department (FFRD) of modern times is a full service

emergency service providing 5 advanced life support ambulances, 5 fire engines, and 1 aerial

ladder working within a $6 million municipal budget. The department also supports a 3 person

fire prevention and life safety division providing fire inspection, code enforcement and fire

education. Fire Suppression and Emergency Medical Services are provided by trained

firefighter paramedics and emergency medical technicians. The department has 4 groups of 15

personnel (minimum of 10 personnel) from 5 stations. Each group is led by a shift Captain and

Lieutenant. Command staff includes the Chief of Department, 2 Deputy Fire Chiefs, 1

Emergency Medical Supervisor, Fire Prevention Officer and 2 fire prevention inspectors.

Civilian personnel include 2 mechanics, 1 fire alarm supervisor and 6 dispatchers.

The FFRD responded to 5717 combined EMS and Fire incidents in calendar year 2009.

75% of those calls were for EMS related causes with the remaining 25% being fire alarms,

miscellaneous assistance, and small and large fires (FFRD, 2009). In calendar year 1989, the

department responded to 3,296 incidents (FFRD, 1989). 1969 calendar year recorded 1127

incidents to the department (FFRD, 1969). Despite the obvious increase in incidents the

department still operates from the same fire station locations. One fire station is staffed by a

single firefighter. The same staffing that existed 90 years ago. Another station has 1 person 50%

of the time. The interior of the town has no fire rescue station. This area is portioned out to the

nearest station located towards the shoreline.


The Falmouth Fire Rescue Department currently does not have an accurate picture of

response times for fire and EMS responses. Without an accurate picture of response times there

is no benchmark to measure service, no awareness of service gaps nor a basis for a ‘standard of

cover’. Measuring service against national and regional fire and EMS response criteria is vitally

important. There is presently no way to know if the dollars being expended are ‘hitting the mark’

when it comes to standards of saving lives and protecting property. This paper will research

national data on flashover, fire development, cardiac and brain survival, regional and EMS

response norms and emergency vehicle travel times and compare the FFRD to this data.

Important chronological times, such as time of a call, time on the air, time on arrival,

have been reported within the FFRD for many decades via various EMS, non fire and fire reports.

Both fire and non-fire reports have been filed for individual calls for well over 40 years. The

department has participated in the computerized National Fire Incident Reporting System for

over twenty years. The FFRD also has an ‘in house’ computerized “non-fire” incident form

cataloguing chronological times and other important information for each non-fire and EMS

incident. Additionally, each medical transport requires a patient medical care form to be completed

with the patient’s information and department transport times and mileages. Neither of these

reporting forms has been culled for response time statistics. This research will analyze response

data from ‘in house’ system and the NFIRS from 2009, 2004, 1999 and 1994.


In addition a few studies have been accomplished utilizing computer modeling of response

times for station location analysis. The 1990 Massachusetts Municipal Association “Study of the

Falmouth Fire Department” will be researched for response time and station location research.

The 1996 report on “Fire Station Location Study” by Pyrotech Consultants will be researched for

computer modeling of response times and station locations.

The results of the FFRD response times will be compared and contrasted with the finding

of the MMA and Pyrotech studies to research accuracy of the data.

To date there has not been any ‘real time’ tracking of response times to develop a fractal

analysis to form a baseline for performance standards or at a minimum validate the current level

of service. Research findings will develop an analysis to be used to for a ‘standard of cover’

according to the Center for Public Safety Excellence’s Commission on Fire Accreditation

International.

Additionally service gaps beyond locally acceptable response time will be identified in

order to enhance strategic planning within the department.

Response times to emergency medical and fires that mirror national criteria to the closest

degree are paramount to reducing the loss of life to children and the elderly. The sooner the FFRD

knows where and how it is responding to emergencies the sooner it can improve on service where

needed. Quick response with trained personnel and proper equipment save lives and keeps

firefighters safe. This research will delve into current standards and how the FFRD has performed


up to 2009 as far as response times. With this data as a baseline, the department can build upon and

track, on a yearly basis, emergency response and thereby stay in front of the emerging issues such as the

effect of rapid fire destruction of lightweight construction on firefighter safety and the effect of

wildland/urban interface fires on property. These issues are directly related to the United States Fire

Administration’s operational objectives (USFA, 2009).

LITERATURE REVIEW

A review of literature addressing response times steers the researcher to two distinct

branches of delivery-fire and emergency medical response times. On a national level the

literature of National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the American Heart Association

(AHA) present important standards.

The NFPA has vigorously researched and documented other’s research on fire dynamics

as they relate to fire propagation and time sequencing. Additional NFPA research has developed

standards relating to fire response chronology. AHA’s own research and research from other

medical societies are reported through AHA concerning cardiac and brain survival. Neither of

these agencies’ standards are ‘law’ however due to their high level of research and peer review

they both represent the “gold” standard and are referred to liberally both civil and criminal law.


NFPA 1710 Standard for the Deployment of Fire Suppression Operations, Emergency Medical

Operations and Special Operations to the Public by Career Fire Departments (NFPA, 2001,

revised 2009) is focused on emergency service delivery by career fire departments thereby

applying to the Falmouth Fire Rescue Department. Another NFPA standard, 1720, is focused on

Volunteer Fire Departments. NFPA 1710 sets the bar for the minimum requirements of career

departments in delivering fire, ems and special operations. A 32 member committee, chaired by

Chief Alan Brunacini of the Phoenix Arizona Fire Department extensively studied and researched

the definitions, organization, services provided and systems used by full time fire and rescue

services before establishing a codified standard.

The fire suppression objectives are established around a 2,000 sq. ft., 2 story, single

family home with no cellar or basement and not factoring in any exposure issues. This scenario

represents a low hazard occupancy thereby generating a fairly standardized emergency response

(NFPA 1710, 2009). Research for this level of response was based on numerous experiments on

flashover of fire, fire propagation, civilian deaths, and dollar losses. The level of dollar loss and

loss of life clearly rises after the fire stage defined as ‘flashover’. Flashover simply means the

total envelopment of the room, area or building in fire. Survival of humans in these conditions is

nil (Managing Fire Services, 2002). Fire propagation experiments have shown consistently that

flashover occurs generally within 10 minutes after the initiation of the fire. Response of first

arriving units within 10 minutes of the start of a fire places resources where needed to save life

and property from flashover.


Response times are addressed in terms of a “cascade of events” (NFPA, 1710) from a

normal ‘pre-event’ phase thru the start of the emergency situation to notification of the emergency

dispatch center and on thru the fire departments actions to control the event and back to a normal

‘post-event’ phase. The handling of the call at the emergency dispatch center will be covered in

the following review of literature while the fire departments actions responding are specifically

addressed in NFPA 1710. Actions after arrival at the scene to mitigate the emergency are widely

variable and not covered in any NFPA standard and also are not a part of this research paper. NFPA

1710 also dictates a yearly review of response times for the fire department. Standard 1710 focuses on

turnout time and travel time. Turnout time is defined as that time frame in seconds for the personnel to

react to the alarm, ‘gear up’ and board the apparatus. The standard sets 80 seconds or 1 minute 20

seconds for turnout time and 240 seconds or 4 minutes for travel time to the scene of the emergency for

the first arriving apparatus and 480 seconds or 8 minutes for the arrival of the full first alarm

assignment. Thereby the total maximum time for the fire department’s response to a fire at a 2,000 ft.

single family dwelling fire is 5 minutes and 20 seconds (NFPA 1710, 2009).

Standard 1710 also ‘sets the bar’ for the fire department’s response to emergency medical

responses utilizing the same ‘cascade of events’. Focus is on turnout time and travel time. The

ems objectives are established around a medical scenario representing the most serious medical

emergency, that of ventricular fibrillation, or cessation of pulse in a human being. The American

Heart Association has thoroughly documented that automatic external defibrillators give patients


the best chance of survival. This chance of survival decreases as each minute passes after the cessation

of pulses. When no CPR is performed the chances for survival go down 7-10 % for each minute to

defibrillation. The 50% survival rate is therefore hit at 5 minutes from arrest to AED without CPR. With

CPR the survival chances decrease 3-4% with each minute thereby time to first arriving AED and the

50% mark is elongated to nearly 12 minutes (AHA, 2009).

The first arriving fire/EMS unit, with an automatic defibrillator, is recommended to be on

scene within 240 seconds, or 4 minutes, to 90% of these incidents. Advanced Life Support

(ALS) provides added life saving services and medications provided by trained personnel. These

services should arrive within 480 seconds (8 minutes), 90% of the time if an AED was first on

scene. ALS should arrive in 240 seconds with a defibrillator if they are the first to arrive (NFPA

1710, 2009).

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) ‘cascade of events chart’ for total

response time to emergency incidents also deals with the actual handling of alarms and calls for

emergency assistance. NFPA standard 1221, Installation, Maintenance, and use of Emergency

Services Communications Systems, specifically addresses alarm transfer time (one button

transfer from a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) to an emergency dispatch center), alarm

answering time and alarm processing time.

Standard 1221 7.4.1 dictates answering emergency calls within 15 seconds for 95% of the

calls, 99% within 40 seconds. This level should be verified monthly. Standard 1221 7.4.2 directs

a 90% of alarm or call processing within 60 seconds and 99% within 90 seconds. Records of

these times are to be maintained and clocks are recommended to be synchronized weekly within

5 seconds of multiple clocks within the system (NFPA 1221, 2010).


The International City Managers Association, in their text Managing Fire Services as

edited by Fire Chief Dennis Compton and consultant John Granito, address all aspects of the

large and small fire services from budgeting to communications centers. This resource

specifically addresses response times in a chapter on “Organizing and Deploying Resources”.

ICMA states that “Time is also a big factor in saving lives because once respiratory and cardiac

functions cease, four to six minutes is as long as a human being can survive without intervention

and resuscitation” (Managing Fire Services, P 121). In addition the ICMA addresses fire station

locations in this chapter. Fire Stations need to be located in an ‘orderly pattern’ to respond in a

‘timely manner’ with ‘short travel distances’. Computer modeling and historical data on response

times aid decision makers on fire station placement. (MFS, 2002)

ICMA and the Urban Institute published a 3rd edition of How Effective are your

Community Services: procedures for performance measurement in 2006 delineating ‘measures’

for community services. Measure 20 deals with the ‘percentage of times that are less than a

specified amount’ for fire responses set by a community however the group recommends

utilizing NFPA and Insurance Services (ISO) guidelines. The measures are on response times

from the receipt of the call, dispatch, turnout time and travel time. Emergency Medical Services

measures are inclined to measure how many critically ill or injured patients arrive at the hospital

alive and how many leave alive. This data is to measure survival rates. The text also

recommends the use of geographical information systems (GIS) to evaluate response times in a

community.


The 3rd edition of Principles of EMS Systems printed in 2006 by the American College of

Emergency Physicians and edited by Dr. John Brennan and Dr. Jon Krohmer joins in the

discussion with a section on ‘Response Times and System Status Management’. The group

states adamantly that the speed of response is the most critical factor in successful resuscitation.

Survival decreases 10% every minute without care. EMS should be able to deliver basic life

support (BLS) in 3-4 minutes and ALS in 6-8 minutes. The best practice is BLS in 4 minutes and

ALS in 8 minutes. This text also recommends a ‘fractal response time’ measurement. Each

response is measured by the minute, categorized by the minute and a percentage of the total calls

for each minute are calculated. A 90th percent measurement is mentioned as the most common

measurement tool.

The Fire Suppression Rating Schedule (FSRC) of the Insurance Service Office (ISO) is

the chief means of setting commercial and homeowners building insurance policies. The ISO’s

rating schedule traces its roots back to 1909 and the ‘Municipal Inspection and Grading System’

and since 1971 ISO has been the leading source of information on property and casualty risk.

The agency’s FSRC evaluates many aspects of a fire department’s services from Fire alarm and

communications, training and station distribution to the water supply system in the community.

The Falmouth Fire Rescue Department underwent an in depth review from the ISO in 2007 and

received a “4” rating on a 1-10 scale for Public Protection Classification with 1 being the

highest rating and 10 being no protection. The insurance rating was established and ISO reports

were issued to the Fire Chief and Town Administrator. This report, and the prior 1994 report;

have seen very little action toward improvement of the rating.


The FSRC most directly assesses response times under items 560 Distribution of

Companies and 561 Credit for Distribution. The rating is for first due engine companies within

1½ miles and ladder companies within 2 ½ miles of the ‘built upon’ area of the community. A

map of the community with fire stations designated as well as hydrants is used with 1 ½ mile and

2 ½ mile polygons drawn.

Hydrants within the radius are counted and a numeric formula is computed to achieve a

point system relating to how much of the ‘built upon’ area of town is covered by fire stations.

The 1 ½ mile distance presents an approximate travel time of 4 minutes and a 2 ½ mile distance

of 6 minutes within the most built up area of town indicated by those areas with hydrants.

Falmouth received 1.74 points out of a maximum of 4 points. The 2007 report recommended 7

engine companies while the 1994 report pointed to 6. The FFRD has 5 engine companies.

The “Center for Public Safety Excellence” (CPSI) is a non-profit agency that promotes

excellence in public safety through a partnership with prestigious professional fire service

associations such as the International City Managers Association, Insurance Service Office,

International Association of Fire Chiefs, International Association of Firefighters and the United

States Fire Administration. CPSI promotes fire service excellence thru performance standards in

its’ Commission on Fire Accreditation International (CFAI) and Commission on Professional

Credentialing (CPC).


The CFAI presents a process for professional accreditation that begins with a self

assessment of the fire department via a team approach working on measurable goals and

objectives of how the department is currently performing. The next step in the process is to

develop a ‘standard of cover’ outlining such areas as existing deployment, identifying risk,

service level objectives and performance for the individual community. Most importantly the

performance objectives are drawn up by the community team reflecting the national standards.

The final process is to obtain a ‘peer assessment’ from a team of fire service professionals whom

assess the performance of the department on an in-depth level based on these performance

measures (CFAI Self Assessment manual, 2006).

The ‘standard of cover’ brings together the standards of the NFPA 1221, 1710 and 1720

recognizing the science behind the justification of fire propagation and emergency medical

survival. CFAI also sees different levels of service based upon the density of the community

metropolitan, urban, suburban, rural and wilderness. The communities can also fractal the

priority of the calls thereby focusing on ‘real’ emergency standards.

Falmouth has not developed a ‘standard of cover’ nor begun a self assessment. The

author has attended the CFAI 3 day workshop covering the self-assessment, standard of cover

and peer assessor series in 2008. However, in a review of the 2006 edition of the Self

Assessment Manual, a review of the response time analysis recommends a collection and

analysis of ‘hard data’ to gather in-house data and compare to national levels. Community


baselines are to be established reflecting the density and population of the area. One reference in the

manual applies to Falmouth in the sense of a ‘suburban’ area with a population of nearly 30,000 and a

density of 1,000 per square mile. The ‘benchmark’ for a suburban area like Falmouth would be 5

minutes travel time for the first due engine or EMS with a baseline of 70% achievement within 6

minutes with a 50 second differential. Dispatch times are 60 seconds for 90% of the responses and a

turnout time of 60 seconds in the day time and 90 seconds after midnight. Thereby the total response

time, 90% of the responses, should be 7-7 ½ minutes. In a denser area of a community, such as the core

or downtown area of Falmouth and Woods Hole area, the travel time should be 1 minute faster due to

the density of the population and structures or 6- 6 ½ minutes.

In 1990, the Massachusetts Municipal Association was commissioned by the Town of

Falmouth to perform a “Report Relative to the Fire Department” (MMA, 1990) studying the

resources and assets of the department, emergency medical services, personnel and staffing and

organizational structure. The study yielded 34 recommendations ranging from vehicles and

equipment, stations, standards and planning, dispatch function, EMS, staffing and administration.

The study pointed out as a standard that brain damage is permanent in 4 minutes and heart attack

victims are unlikely to survive without ALS or BLS within that time. Additionally trauma cases

would need EMS care in 4 minutes.


This study did not delve too deeply into response times however it was one of the first

‘outside’ in-depth analysis of the department and its services and provided an example to town

government of the assets and vulnerabilities of the fire department. The MMA study did study

road distances between stations and make recommendations. Consolidation of 2 stations was

investigated however the travel distances were deemed on a ‘margin of acceptability’ and that

the current station location presented a better response pattern. One note of interest was that the

1990 study looked into an additional 6th station however recommended against the addition since

‘growth’ didn’t indicate the need. Growth patterns were recommended to be monitored in the

‘next several years’ to see if the 6th station was needed. Twenty years hence this research will

investigate the ‘growth’ in terms of fire/rescue response.

As part of an analysis of a 1929 headquarters fire station, the Town of Falmouth obtained

the services of Pyrotech Consultants of Sandwich, Massachusetts in 1996. This study was

commissioned to examine the condition of the old station to determine the feasibility of

rehabilitation or new construction, the space needs of the department, provide a preliminary

drawing of a station, determine the best location for a station based on computer modeling of

response times, pinpoint deficiencies in response coverage and additional equipment needed for

the next 20-40 years.


The study used standard time temperature curve for fire propagation, response time

sequencing, road network and speed data to justify the response time modeling. A 1 minute

dispatch and turnout time was used in conjunction with a 5 minute travel time to summate a 6

minute response time standard for the mapping (Pyrotech, 1996).

Chronological times and incident locations were reviewed via Falmouth Fire Rescue

Incident reports. Calendar year 2009 documented 5717 total incidents, calendar year 2004

documented 5339 incidents, calendar year 1999 documented 4269, calendar 1994 documented

3285 for a total of 18,610 incidents reviewed (FFRD, 2010). The review was accomplished and

cross checked via computer, hand tally and visual confirmation of chronological times, incident

locations and incident types as part of the literature review. An extensive portion of this research

preparation involved actual data collection and compilation of fractal performances.

The Falmouth Fire Rescue Department has been recording response data concerning fire

and EMS responses for many decades. Paper reports were completed up to 1990 and this

researcher found these reports difficult to compile and accurately portray. The department has

recorded response times since 1990 via a computerized fire and non fire format. Data from the

first few years of collection was found to be not accurate due to the large learning curve within

the department personnel. Incident reports beyond 1993 were found to be accurate. Although

these reports were completed for each incident no response time data was ever evaluated. This

current research will utilize this historical information, compare it to standards, identify

deficiencies and develop recommendations.


PROCEDURES

Many hours of consultation and cooperation between this researcher, Town of Falmouth

Information Technology Technician, June Grunin, and Town of Falmouth Geographical

Information System Administrator, Bob Shea, devised a program to extract, organize and

represent response times for every incident in the research years of 2009, 2004, 1999 and 1994.

This new program also calculates data for any designated year or for the current day or hour

greatly enhancing operational review of department performance. (Appendix A) Each incident

can be ordered by station district, apparatus and or time. Data points were extracted for input into

GIS X-Y coordinate mapping to present a clear visual representation of each response by

chronological ranges.

Response times for entire department incidents for the years 2009, 2004, 1999 and 1994

were calculated and converted to 6 minute fractal percentages. Over 18,500 incidents were

analyzed to separate non emergency calls from the total calls. This process was necessary to

obtain a true representation of the emergency response fractal.

This researcher also attended the Center for Public Safety Excellence’s Commission on

Fire Accreditation International’s Self Assessment Workshop, Standards of Cover-Basic

Workshop and Peer Assessor Workshop in September of 2007. This workshop was held on West

Barnstable, Massachusetts comprising 24 hours of instruction on the standards and processes

involved in obtaining professional accreditation from CPSE.


This researcher also observed and interviewed 3 full time and 3 part-time dispatchers in

the Falmouth Fire Rescue Department to ascertain the exact processes involved in the call taking,

apparatus assignment, and radio dispatch of emergency and non-emergency incidents. Additional

hours were spent listening to live radio dispatch and transmissions between units of the FFRD in

order to verify actual response time scenarios.

The procedures for this research also included reading and taking notes from professional

journals, texts, and consultant’s studies all relating to the existing national and regional standards

on response time and the current professional discussions on fire and emergency medical

response times. These national and regional standards where then compared to the performance

of the FFRD.

RESULTS

RESEARCH QUESTION #1 What are the important national and regional fire and EMS

response criteria? What is the basis for these criteria?

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) was established in 1896 with a mission

of “reducing the worldwide burden of fire and other hazards on the quality of life by providing

and advocating consensus codes and standards, research, training and education”. Membership

in the NFPA comprises over 75,000 individuals internationally. 6,000 of these members have

seats on consensus committees that develop 300 plus codes and standards. The consensus

process is accredited with the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). The NFPA is

recognized throughout the world as the foremost authority on fire protection and fire prevention

(NFPA, 2010).


NFPA’s standard 1221, Installation and maintenance, and use of emergency services

communications systems, was originally started in 1898 as a fire signaling standard. The

standard has been updated and revised multiple times in the intervening years in recognition of

the progress of technology involved with emergency communications systems. The latest edition

of 1221 was issued in June of 2009. The 13 member committee represented a host of fire service,

emergency communications and private interests to provide a fair and balanced standard. (NFPA

1221, 2010)

The purpose of the standard is:

1. To specify operations, facilities and communications systems that receives alarms

from the public.

2. To provide requirements for the retransmission of such alarms to the appropriate

emergency response agencies.

3. To provide requirements for dispatching of appropriate emergency response personnel.

4. To establish the required levels of performance and quality of installations of

emergency services communications systems.

The standard’s application is to dispatch systems, telephone systems, public reporting

systems, one way and two way radio communications between the public and emergency

response agencies, within emergency response agencies and among emergency response

agencies (NFPA 1221, 2010).


NFPA 1221 specifically addresses the communications portion of the emergency incident

and not the response of the agency. Section 7.4 Operating Procedures directly addresses

communications center chronological performance standards.

1.4.1 Ninety five percent (95%) of alarms received on emergency lines shall be answered

within 15 seconds, and 99 percent all alarms shall be answered within 40 seconds

Compliance with 7.4.1 shall be evaluated monthly using data from the previous month.

1.4.2 Ninety percent (90%) of the emergency alarm processing shall be completed within 60

seconds, and 99 percent of alarm processing shall be completed within 90 seconds.

Compliance with 7.4.2 shall be evaluated monthly using data from the previous month.

7.4.4 Where alarms are transferred from a primary public safety answering point (PSAP) to a

secondary answering point, the transfer shall not exceed 30 seconds for ninety five

percent (95%) of all alarms processed.

7.4.7 Records of dispatch of emergency response units to alarms shall be maintained and shall

identify the following: 1. Unit designation for each emergency response unit 2. Time of

dispatch acknowledgement by each unit 3. Enroute time of unit 4. time of arrival of each

unit 5. time of patient contact, if applicable 6. Time each unit returned to service. (NFPA

1221, 2010)


Additionally the standard outlines record keeping for emergency dispatch under sub

section 12.5. Operational Records

12.5.1 Call and dispatch performance statistics shall be compiled and maintained in accordance

with Section 7.4

12.5.2 Statistical Analysis for call and dispatch performance measurement shall be done

monthly and compiled over a 1 year period.

12.5.2.1 A management information system (MIS) program shall track incoming calls and

dispatched alarms and provide real-time information and strategic management reports.

(NFPA 1221, 2010)

NFPA 1710 is the standard for Organization and Deployment of Fire Suppression

Operations, Emergency Medical Operations, and Special Operations to the Public by Career

Fire Departments. NFPA 1720 sets the standard for the same operations by Volunteer Fire

Departments. NFPA 1710 was first issued in 2001 and recently updated in June 2009 by 27

members representing career fire departments, labor representative, fire chiefs, and city

mangers from the United States and Canada. The Falmouth Fire Rescue Department is a full

career department and is therefore falls under the NFPA 1710 standard. (NFPA 1710, 2009)

NFPA 1710 sets a recognized level of service based on research for the level of service,

deployment capabilities and staffing levels for career departments responding to fires,

emergency medical incidents and special operations.


The NFPA clearly defines a situation it calls a ‘cascade of events’ when referring to

response time in total. This ‘cascade of events’ applies to fire, medical and special operations.

(Appendix B) The cascade begins with a state of normalcy interrupted by an emergency event

starting, the discovery of such an event. These 3 events, as well as the final 2 of the ‘cascade’-

recovery and return to a state of normalcy- are not controllable by emergency responders

however fire prevention and medical emergency prevention do have some effect.

The intervening portions of the ‘cascade’ effect response times and are somewhat

controllable by emergency responders. There are 3 phases defined by the NFPA as parts of the

whole response time equation. Phase 1 is ‘alarm handling’ which is alarm transferring,

answering and processing of the call. This phase is directly addressed in NFPA 1221. Phase 2

is ‘turn out time’ and ‘travel time’ which is covered in NFPA 1710. Turnout time is the time

frame allowed for forces to receive notification of the incident, obtain protective gear and

mount emergency vehicles. Travel time is that time interval for driving from the emergency

station to the scene of the emergency. (NFPA 1710, 2009)

Phase 3 the action initiating and intervention phase such as water being placed on the fire

or medical aid being rendered to a patient. The section on ‘control and mitigation of event’ is

also impacted by ems and fire forces however there are many variables to this section to

thereby difficult to define.


The firefighting benchmark is based upon a structure fire in a 2000 sq. ft 2 story single

family dwelling with no basement and no fire exposure issues to other structures. This

scenario is considered a Low Hazard Occupancy by the 12th edition of the National Fire

Protection Handbook published in 2008. The benchmark is set to the stage of fire known as

‘flashover’. Flashover is a fire condition in which gas (air) temperatures are over 500 degrees

Celsius and the compartment has become totally involved in fire and superheated air. This

stage of fire is non-survivable to humans. The NFPA’s Fire Analysis and Research Division

has researched and presented a fire propagation curve for the example dwelling. The curve

depicts the percent of destruction of property at 50% at 8 minutes (Appendix C). This point

delineates the fire confined to the room of origin and expanding beyond the room of origin

(NFPA 1710, 2009).

A March 2004 FEMA and US Department of Commerce report Structural collapse fire

tests: Single Story, Wood Frame Structures conducted multiple full scale fire experiments in

Phoenix Arizona on single story wood frame dwellings. The results of these experiments

presented 700 Celsius in 200 secs. (3 min 20 sec.) for 4 experiments in the room of origin. An

adjacent bedroom reached 600 Celsius in 200 sec (3 Min 20 sec.), 400 sec. (6 min 40), 500

secs. (8min. 20sec) (Appendix D) and 800 secs. (10 min). (NIST, 2004)

NFPA 1710 section 4.1.2.1 allows a maximum of 80 seconds (1 minute 20 seconds) for

fire and special operations ‘turnout time’ and 60 seconds (1 minute) for EMS response ‘turnout

time’. Travel time under the same section for first arriving fire or ems units is 240 seconds (4

minutes). 480 seconds (8 minutes) is set for the benchmark for arrival of full fire and ems

assignment. EMS response at this level should be Advanced Life Support in the form of

paramedics. There is established as a 90% performance objective for turnout and travel time.


The Emergency Medical benchmark is based upon the most serious medical emergency

which is cessation of pulses due to ventricular fibrillation as determined by the American Heart

Association. First arriving medical units must arrive with an Automatic External Defibrillator.

NFPA 1710 section 4.1.2.5 outlines that evaluations be done on an annual basis for total

response time and response time increments. An evaluation of response time data is also part

of the standard for each geographic area of the community.

Overall, the combination of NFPA 1221 and 1710 response time standards delineate 75

seconds (1 minute 15 seconds) for alarm processing, 60-80 seconds (1 minute to 1 minute 20

seconds) for turnout time and 240 seconds (4 minutes) for first unit arrival time and 480

seconds (8 minutes) for full response. The total chronological response time for both fire/ems

first response units is 6 to 6 ½ minutes. A 90% performance objective is set as an acceptable

benchmark.

The American Heart Association (AHA) was formed in 1924 by 6 cardiologists with the

sole purpose to share information and research regarding heart disease. The AHA is an

internationally recognized health agency that provides funding for research into cardiovascular

disease. The AHA also is deeply involved in stroke research as well through a branch

association called the American Stroke Association. Through many years of extensive past

research and ongoing research the AHA has been able to clearly define standards for cardiac

and stroke care in order to increase survival rates for victims. These standards have been able

to address a timeline for survival chances with and without defibrillation for sudden cardiac

arrest. (AHA, 2005)


Sudden cardiac arrest is a serious medical condition resulting in the cessation of pulses

due to an interruption in the electrical activity of the heart. This condition is often times

referred to a ‘heart attack’ although the AHA defines a heart attack as a serious medical

condition also of the myocardium however involving a clot, or blockage, in one or more of the

coronary arteries causing chest pain or a cessation of heart function. This condition is treated

with clot busting drug therapy and other treatments and not defibrillation.

The AHA reports that there are approximately 295,000 cases of SCA outside of the

hospital environment in the United States (AHA, 2005). Unfortunately most of these cases are

non survivable. The greatest chance for survival is through early recognition, early cardio

pulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and early defibrillation. Time is the critical factor. The AHA

reports that with each minute without CPR and defibrillation the chance of survival decreases

7-10% (Appendix E). After 5 minutes the chances of survival are less than 50% and at 6

minutes the chances are less than 40% (AHA, 2005).

The AHA’s research via Recommended guidelines for reporting data from out-of-hospital

cardiac arrest: the Ulstein style (1991) cites 4 clocks of sudden cardiac arrest. These clocks

recognize one clock for the patient from collapse to restoration of respiration a second clock

for dispatch center processing of the call, a third clock for ambulance mobilization and arrival

at the hospital and a fourth clock for hospital care from arrival at the emergency room to

discharge from the hospital. This research paper will be concerned with the dispatch and

ambulance clocks. This ‘Ulstein Style’ reporting also recognizes a ‘call response interval’

which is that chronological time frame from the receipt of the emergency call by dispatchers to

‘wheel stop’ of the first arriving emergency vehicle (Appendix F & G).


The AHA has scientifically found that brain death begins after 4-6 minutes of SCA.

Considering the ‘clocks’ of dispatch and emergency vehicles are a factor in this timeframe the

optimal response for a first unit with a defibrillator to a case of sudden cardiac arrest should be

4 minutes with advanced life support (ALS) provided by paramedics arriving within 8 minutes.

The American College of Emergency Physicians’ Principles of EMS systems (2006)

addresses response times as a ‘response intervals’ meaning the chronological time between 2

points. In the case of emergency response that interval is from the time of call to the time of the

first unit arrival on the scene. The ACEP points out that computing an ‘average’ response time,

adding up all individual response times and dividing by the total calls, results in a number in

which 50% of the calls are longer than the average. Each of these calls is a patient thereby

meaning that 50% of the patients receive a longer response than the ‘average’. The ACEP

recommends a ‘fractal response time’ measurement whereby each minute range of a response

is noted, the number of calls are counted for each minute range and calculated as a percentage

of the total calls. The group recommends a 90% fractal benchmark be used to report response

times.

RESEARCH QUESTION #2 What are the current FFRD response times? What are the

samplings of past FFRD response times?

The Falmouth Fire Rescue Department responded to 5717 total incidents in calendar year

2009. Total incident response times 6 minutes or under were 83.9% while emergency response

times 6 minutes or under were 87% (FFRD, 2009).


These incidents include emergency and non emergency incidents. Emergency incidents

are characterized by a ‘lights and sirens’ response dictated by the information from the caller

as processed by the dispatcher. These responses can range from true medical emergencies such

as Sudden Cardiac Arrest, heart attack, choking, motor vehicle accidents or less serious

incidents such as medical alarms, stubbed toe, urinary tract infection, etc. Fire emergency calls

can range as well from the more serious structure fire with life hazard to the residential fire

alarm. Non emergency calls are non lights and sirens calls such as lifting assistance; lock out,

non specific outside smoke investigation or non symptomatic carbon monoxide alarm

activation.

It is important to delineate emergency incidents from non emergency incidents when

calculating response time as the non emergency calls entail a greater response time thereby

skewing any total response time analysis. Emergency lights and sirens response presents a

great danger to responders and the public therefore should be reserved for those calls requiring

a quick response. Unfortunately the initial call to the dispatch center does not provide enough

information on the patient’s condition to downgrade a response. It is also important to note that

the speed of the responding emergency vehicle responding with lights and sirens is the same for

sudden cardiac arrest and a stubbed toe thereby all emergency calls have similar vehicles

speeds when responding.


The 5717 incidents in calendar year 2009 for the FFRD can be broken down as follows:

Station total calls total > than 6 min fractal emergency>6 emergency fractal

1 2875 165 94.3% 105 96.35%

2 246 24 90.25% 16 93.5%

3 695 152 78.1% 130 81.3%

4 231 33 85.8% 29 86.6%

5 1670 545 67.4% 466 72.1%

Total 5717 919 83.9% 744 87%

This researcher chose 5 year increments to obtain an historical sampling of past FFRD

response times. Calendar year 2005, 1999 and 1994 were researched. These years represent the

era of computerized record keeping in the FFRD therefore the data was readily available and

able to be calculated. Incidents reports prior to 1994 were reported via various paper reports

and daily log entries. These reports also lacked data on ‘first unit on scene’ which is an

important data point for measuring performance.


Calendar year 2005 presented 5339 incidents to the FFRD. Performance percentages

were 84.7% total calls 6 minutes and under while emergency only calls were 87.53% (FFRD,

2005).


1 2647 119 95.5%% 92 96.5%%

2 260 32 87.7% 26 90%

3 628 143 78% 124 80.2%

4 234 59 75% 48 80%

5 1560 464 70.26% 376 76%

Total 5339 817 84.7% 151 87.53%


Calendar Year 1999 brought 4269 incidents to the FFRD with a fractal percentage of 84%

for total calls under 6 minutes and 87.6% for emergency calls under 6 minutes (FFRD, 1999).


1 2019 146 92.7% 101 95%

2 233 23 90.1% 14 94%

3 407 76 86.7% 47 88.5%

4 163 35 78 .5% 22 86 .5%

5 1158 424 63.4% 346 70.1%

Total 4269 682 84% 152 87.6%


Calendar year 1994 rung in 3285 incidents to the FFRD with a fractal percentage

calculation of 88.1% of total call 6 minutes or under with 90% of the emergency calls

responding in 6 minutes or under(FFRD, 1994).


1 1661 79 95.2% 65 96%

2 153 15 90.2% 13 91.5%

3 322 44 86.35 11 88.5%

4 160 28 82.5% 22 86.3%

5 989 223 77.5% 192 80.5%

Total 3285 389 88.1% 60 90%


RESEARCH QUESTION #3 What are the results of prior computer modeling of response

times?

In August of 1990 a “Report Relative to the Fire Department” was the culmination of an

intensive study by the Massachusetts Municipal Association Consulting Group, Inc. Dr. John

Granito, a well respected researcher and fire service expert and Deputy Chief Phil McLaughlin,

EMS Deputy Chief of the Philadelphia, Pa. Fire Department were the chief personnel

contracted by MMA to conduct the study. The study looked at the resources and assets of the

department, emergency medical services, personnel and staffing, organization and structure of

the department. Thirty four recommendations were presented to the management of the FFRD

and the town manager.

Research into the 1990 MMA study revealed no computer modeling and only

rudimentary measuring of distances between stations via a ‘windshield survey’. The study

found that the following shortest road distances between stations:

#1 and #5 4.1 miles #1 and #2 2.9 miles

#1 and #4 4.2 miles #4 and #3 3.7 miles


The study also interviewed fire and town management and found that there had been a

proposal to construct a sixth station in the northwest section of town in anticipation of growth

in this section. Some analysis was done on combining stations #3and #4 by the team.

The MMA team did state that ‘a vehicle traveling 30 mph requires two minutes to travel

one mile” (MMA, 1990). Although this is logical it is rudimentary and not a scientific

modeling of response time.

Recommendations from the team in 1990 did however come to some conclusions on the

number of stations based on the geography and road network as well as population and building

growth. MMA stated that the current number of stations was a better option for the town than

combining 2 of the western stations, #3 and #4. This is based on the rudimentary travel time

calculation of 30 mph covering 1 mile in 2 minutes. “The distances are on the very margin of

acceptability” (MMA, 1990). Additionally, the study recommended against a 6th station as

growth at that time did not warrant the increase however “growth should be monitored over the

next several years to determine if such a station is warranted” (MMA, 1990).

In May of 1996, a Fire Station Location Study was prepared by Pyrotech Consultants of

Sandwich, Ma. headed by Fire Protection Engineer Anthony Caputo. This in-depth fire station

location study was primarily conducted as an outgrowth of the 1990 MMA study

recommending more study on


the space needs of the fire headquarters, Station #1. This study intensively analyzed the

headquarters station, future equipment needs and possible sites for a new station. The process

for investigating possible sites of a new station involved the first computer modeling of FFRD

fire station locations with graphical representations of computer predicted response times. The

computer analysis computed all the data necessary to accurately show response times such as

one way roads, varying roads speeds dependant on road topography, placement of stop signs

and traffic lights, etc.

The group included explanations of response times and response components, time

temperature curve for fire growth and CPR survival rates based on time. Based on these criteria

the Pyrotech agency utilized a 1 minute turnout time and dispatch time and a 5 minute travel

time for a total response time of 6 minutes. “The 6 minute response time is a practical standard

for delivery of fire and initial emergency medical services. Providing service to all areas within

a 6 minute response time is not feasible or practical from either a financial or practical

standpoint. The target of a 6 minute response time to a 95 percent of the entities is much more

feasible and practical.”(Pyrotech, 1996)

Initial findings revealed that 78.8% (335 of 425) of the road miles could be covered by

the existing stations and a nearby automatic line response agreement in 6 minutes or less

(Appendix F). It was also noted that the automatic line response required the availability of

equipment and personnel from the neighboring department of Mashpee which was found to be

of limited value. The consultants further modeled the community by moving the headquarters


location approximately .5 miles north from an existing location and adding a 6th station in the

geographic center of town. This configuration revealed 94.8% coverage of road miles in 6

minutes and under (Appendix H& I) without the automatic line company (Pyrotech, 1996).

The 1995 Pyrotech study also calculated incidents and found that the geographic center

of town, and area without a fire station, had 250 emergency calls. This number is greater than

those of either of Station #2 (Woods Hole) or Station #4 (West Falmouth). These stations had

been in existence since the 1930’s at their current locations. The study recommended a 6th

station in the Hatchville area be constructed as soon as possible (Pyrotech, 1996).

Computer modeling found that of the 425 total road miles in the community, the current

station configuration with automatic line response (ALR) from the community of Mashpee

could cover 78.8% (335 road miles) in less than 6 minutes. Since the line response is not 100%

reliable and distance of the Mashpee station nearly 3 miles distant from the closest populated

areas of Falmouth the recommendation (and reality) is to not include the ALR in the

calculations. The reverse calculations reveal that 21.2% of the community cannot be reached in

6 minutes or less.

The study also discovered that there was a significant portion of the geographical center

of town that was outside the 6 minute response time. The number of incidents cited in the

study within this area for 1995 was 250. The number of FFRD incidents in 1995 was 3493.

The 230 emergency calls represented 6.6% of the department totals. A computer model placing

a fire station in the center of the area of the area targeted revealed that 94.8% of the road miles

(403 of 425) could be covered in 6 minutes or less. (Appendix J)


The 1996 Pyrotech study provided significant computer modeling of response times.

Recommendations at that time were directed toward work on the 1929 vintage fire headquarters

however significant findings from the study revealed a large service gap and offered solutions to

improve service.

As part of this research project significant hours were spent in collaboration with Town

of Falmouth Information Technology Assistant June Grunin and Geographical Information

Systems Director Bob Shea. This team was able to bring together, for the first time, a merger of

FFRD response time data and GIS mapping to computer model response times throughout the

community. The technicians were able to map incremental minutes of response times as

reported in FFRD reports. This research will focus on modeling responses under and over 6

minutes. However this ability to graphically represent times will greatly enhance FFRD

performance objectives in the future.

RESEARCH QUESTION #4 Are there any emergency service gaps within the geopgraphic

boundaries of Falmouth?

This question will be answered by comparing the regional and national response criteria,

real time fractal analysis and GIS mapping.


The science behind fires and emergency medical reveals clearly that time is a critical

factor in saving lives and property. Saving lives and property is the core mission and value to

the fire and EMS service and FFRD is no exception. Total response time of 6 minutes or less is

clearly supported by fire and ems science.

Turning to the available data and other tools, the task is to compare the FFRD’s response

times to this national standard. The incident charts representing FFRD responses for 2009,

2004, 1999 an 1994 reveal 6 minute response performance in the range of 96% to 90% in the

Station #1 and Station #2 response districts. Although there are areas that can be improved

upon in these districts representing the heavily populated and commercial core of Falmouth and

Woods Hole village there is no significant service gap. This area also has an area of

overlapping coverage within 1 ½ miles from each station thereby providing the ability to obtain

percentages in the 90’s.

The West Falmouth #4 and North Falmouth #3 station response district reach 86.6% and

80% revealing areas of this district that need to be investigated. The most significant areas that

beg for investigation are the East Falmouth #5 response area that historically reaches only the

lower and mid 70th percentile.


In depth analysis of actual call locations and response times over 6 minutes and GIS

mapping reveals geographic service gaps beyond the 6 minute standard. Although there are

small areas of the community that are outside 6 minutes in the downtown and far eastern

portions of Falmouth the most significant gap occurs in the geographical center of the town

also known as Hatchville. Response times of 7-10 minute appear to be the norm for this area.

This area is also well populated with year round single family homes. Housing Development in

this area began to flourish in the mid 1960’s. Business and commercial structures are rare. The

neighborhoods of Ashumet Valley, Cordwood Landing, Caravel Dr., Pinecrest Beach,

Coonamessett Pond, Northern Sandwich Rd., Rt. 151 and Hatchville center comprise this

service gap area. This area extends beyond a simple 1.5 mile radius from stations #3, #4 and

#5. 50% of this area is covered by the closest station which is #5. The station #3 area covers

approximately 35% Hatchville while station #4 covers the remaining 15%. The distribution of

the Hatchville area among the 3 stations ‘connects the dots’ concerning subpar response times.

Comparative Analysis ‘district of origin’ Hatchville vs. Stations #2 and #4

2009 5717 incidents #2 246 #4 231 Hatchville 240 4.2%





DISCUSSION

Firefighters, Paramedics and EMTs of the Falmouth Fire Rescue Department have known

for years the importance of their profession and the impact on the citizens. The impact of a

quick response is drummed into them from recruit fire training and emergency medical

training. The lessons of flashover time, effects of smoke on victims, quick and early

defibrillation, early CPR and ‘time is tissue’ are covered in fire and EMS refresher classes and

in-service training. They respond quickly out the doors of the station and zip through traffic

with lights and sirens with speed and care to reach the scene of any emergency as quickly as

possible. Dispatchers dutifully communicate and record the chronological time of each and

every incident. These times are recorded in each and every incident report that is generated by

the department for over 30 years yet no system was ever in place to track these times to form a

response time analysis. Basically, there was nothing in place to tell the firefighters, dispatchers,

fire rescue administration and most of all the citizens of Falmouth how the department was

performing in reference to response times.

The science is well documented on the chronology of flashover. There are different

results depending on the building construction and type, fuel load and weather conditions

however the NFPA, NIST and others agree that a fire in a room in a single family dwelling fire

will flash and spread beyond the room of origin in 6 minutes. Once beyond the room of origin

the building is susceptible to full flashover in approximately 10 minutes without sprinkler or

firefighting intervention. Once the fire is beyond the room of origin the occupants are in greater

danger and the damage to the structure significantly increases.


The science is also clearly behind quick response times for emergency medical incidents.

The American Heart Association (AHA) and others have conducted numerous studies over

many years on cardiac health and survival. Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is often a mortal

condition whereby the electrical activity on the heart ceases causing death. The only chance for

survival in the case of SCA is early CPR and defibrillation within 6 minutes of the initial onset

of symptoms. Choking is another medical situation in which oxygen is kept from the brain and

other functions of the body. The chances of survival beyond 4-6 minutes without oxygen

diminish drastically.

Each of these fire and EMS conditions is the most serious of all. The fire and ems

services are not able to control the notification of the emergency service at the exact second

that a fire begins or a cardiac arrest occurs. Recognition of either of these events and many

others is extremely variable. Once the fire and EMS service is notified, the exact second, begins

the sequence of events within the control of the service. The dispatch has to answer the phone

quickly, process the call and transmit quickly and accurately within a 1-1 ½ minutes. Fire and

EMS personnel have to ‘gear up’ and ‘turnout’ within a 1-1 ½ minutes. Once on the road the

units do have some variables such as traffic, weather and road conditions to contend with

however they must travel quickly and safely to the scene for a 4 minute or less travel time in

order to arrive in 6 minutes. This response scenario is in accordance with the internationally

recognized National Fire Protection Association thru standards 1221 and 1710 and the

American Heart Association.


Prior studies of the FFRD did present information to guide leaders of the community

toward the importance of these standards and how the community could help itself. The MMA

study laid a foundation for the need as well as some rudimentary distance measures.

The Pyrotech study presented fairly precise computer modeling of response times and

calculations of road miles covered in less than 6 minutes. Pyrotech’s study calculations were

overzealous and slightly inaccurate. The study presented a 1 minute dispatch and turnout

standard and a 5 minute travel time. The dispatch/turnout time in reality, and in NFPA

standards, is nearer 2 to 2 ½ minutes thereby the travel time would need to be reduced by 1

minute or more. This would create a larger area on the Pyrotech maps to represent the over 6

minute areas and lessen the road miles covered. This report is skewed to a ½ mile or more. The

study did clearly and definitively present the first computer modeling of response times. The

modeling closely matches the findings of actual FFRD response times.

This research project brought together the technical skills of the town’s computer and

GIS department to track and calculate the overall response times of the FFRD. This information

provided the ability to gauge how well the department was doing against NFPA 1221 and 1710

but most importantly how well the department was responding to the citizens in need within the

community.


The research data revealed that the FFRD was able to respond within 6 minutes to 87%-

90% of the responses over the past 15 years. This information is truly a benchmark that nearly

meets the standards and also provides the best patient care. However the research did reveal

some matters of concern. The #1 and #2 fire stations were effective nearly 95% within 6

minutes. This statistic skews the performance of the other 3 districts. #3 and #4 districts

responded in an admirable 80% to 85% while the #5 district only responded to incidents in 6

minutes or less for 70% to 76% of the incidents. Clearly there is an issue somewhere. The issue

is the clear and present need for an additional fire/rescue station in the geographic center of the

town. A general location for such a station would need to be in the center of the area that has

extended response times. Locations within a quarter mile of Coonamessett Pond in Hatchville

would appear to be most efficient.

Statistical analysis also reveals a .3% decline from 87.6% to 87% sub 6 minute response

time for emergency calls between years 1999/2004 and 2009 despite a 500 and 1200 call

increase. The performance for 1994 was at the 90% level which meets the recommended

standards. Between 1994 and 2009 there was a 3% decrease in performance with a 57%

increase in calls. Although these numbers are near enough to be a statistical aberration there is

reason to believe that as the number of calls increase so do the number of over 6 minutes

responses due in part to resource depletion. Simply put, with more calls there aren’t enough

emergency units near enough to respond signifying a need for more resources. In order to

increase 2009 performance levels to 90% over 171 emergency calls more calls would need to

be covered in less than 6 minutes. In 2009 there were 240 calls generated in the Hatchville area

with an over 6 minute response time. In 1995 Pyrotech reported 253.


Evaluation of the use of any neighboring communities to increase performance levels is

reasonable. The closest Town of Bourne Fire Department station is over 9 miles. Massachusetts

Military Reservation Fire Department is approximately 2.5 miles from Falmouth’s northern

border and has to pass thru a locked gate. Mashpee Fire Department is also 2.5 miles from the

Falmouth’s Hatchville area. Currently Mashpee and Falmouth do have an Automatic Line

Response Agreement. Theoretically MFD could respond in 6 minutes to nearly ½ of the

Hatchville area however delay in radio communications reduces turnout time significantly. MFD

also has a significant amount of incidents reducing their ability to be a reliable resource.

Basically, the community of Falmouth needs to take care of its own recognized needs in the

matter of emergency services.


RECOMMENDATIONS

1. The Falmouth Fire Rescue Department must evaluate response times on a continuing basis.

Reports of these response times should be generated and published to the emergency personnel

and citizens of the community on an annual basis. A 90% performance objective for emergency

responses under 6 minutes should be met.

2. Call processing times should be recorded and a report generated monthly for review by FFRD

administration.

3. A “Standard of Cover” should be initiated according the Center for Public Safety Excellence.

Once a “Standard of Cover” is established then an entire self assessment of the FFRD should be

initiated, according to CPSI, in preparation for national accreditation.

4. The Town of Falmouth, Ma. should establish an emergency fire and medical unit in the

Hatchville area of the community within 1 year. Incidents within this area have matched and

exceeded areas of town with a long established emergency unit.

5. The FFRD should examine the 1994 and 2007 Insurance Service Offices reports. Areas of

deficiencies and strengths should be noted. Strengths should be bolstered and deficiencies

improved.


REFERENCES

American Heart Association. (2010) History of the American Heart Association [Brochure].

Author. Retrieved June 21, 2010, from American Heart Association Website:

http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=10860

American Heart Association (1991) Recommended Guidelines for Uniform

Reporting of Data from Out of Hospital Cardiac Arrest: the Ulstein Style.:

Author. Retrieved July 10, 2010 from

http://www.laerdalfoundation.org/dok/Outofhospital_cardiac_arrest.pdf

American Heart Association. (2010) Facts: A race Against the Clock Sudden Cardiac

Arrest. Author. Retrieved from American Heart Association Website on July 3, 2010

http://www.americanheart.org/downloadable/heart/1268154937275TD%20edited%20FINAL%20A

%20Race%20Against%20the%20Clock%20-%20SCA.pdf

American Heart Association. (2005) 2005 American Heart Association Guidelines for

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care. Author.

Retrieved from American Heart Association Website on July 1, 2010

http://circ.ahajournals.org/cgi/content/full/112/24_suppl/IV-19

http://circ.ahajournals.org/cgi/content/full/112/24_suppl/IV-19

http://www.americanheart.org/downloadable/heart/1268154937275TD%20edited%20FINAL%20A%20Race%20Against%20the%20Clock%20-%20SCA.pdf

http://www.americanheart.org/downloadable/heart/1268154937275TD%20edited%20FINAL%20A%20Race%20Against%20the%20Clock%20-%20SCA.pdf

http://www.laerdalfoundation.org/dok/Outofhospital_cardiac_arrest.pdf

http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=10860


Brennan, John A. & Krohmerm Jon R. (Eds.). (2006) Principles of EMS Systems (3rd Ed.)

(pp. 150-153) Sudbury, Ma: Jones and Bartlett

Bryner, Nelson P. & Lee, Jack & McElroy, Jay & Roadarmel, Gary & Stroup, David W. &

Twilley, William H. (2004 March) Structural Collapse Fire Tests: Single Story,

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RESPONSE TIME ANALSYSIS FALMOUTH FIRE 55

APPENDIX A

Response Time Program

Example for May 31, 2009


Appendix B

NFPA Cascade of Events


Appendix C

NFPA Fire Propagation Curve


Appendix D

NIST Flashover 540 seconds (9 min) after ignition


Appendix E

American Heart Association SCA Chance of Survival


Appendix F

Ulstein Cardiac Resuscitation Attempts Event Chart


Appendix G

Ulstein II Data reporting on Cardiac Arrest Resuscitation


Appendix H

Pyrotech Modeling: Station Response Area w/ Mashpee Automatic Line Response

(Black area = 6 plus minute response)


Appendix I

Pyrotech Modeling: Falmouth Only Station Response (Black Area= 6 plus min.)


Appendix J

Pyrotech Modeling: Falmouth Only First-In Company by Time Increments

(Black area=6 plus min. response)


Appendix K

Pyrotech Modeling: Falmouth Only w. Hatchville Station by Time Increments

(Black = over 6 min. response)


Appendix L

Falmouth Fire Rescue 2005 Response Map


Appendix M

Falmouth Fire Rescue 2009 Response Map

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