The International Association of Fire Chiefs has produced a list of model procedures for responding to hurricanes and tropical storms. The guidelines can help chief officers establish a policy for response that minimizes the risk to fire/EMS personnel and protects the department’s human, physical and cyber-infrastructure critical to safeguard a community before, during and after a storm.

Some of the guidelines for creating a safe environment for personnel are:

• Review the fire department’s standard operating guide, update as needed and review with all members. Obtain and review the most recent version of the fire department’s continuity of operations plan.
• Update target occupancies list. A target occupancy might be an occupancy with a high probability of trapped victims or a structure that stores a large amount of hazardous materials or is susceptible to structural failure, such as schools, hospitals, health-care facilities and factories.
• All companies familiarize themselves with the topography of their response area to become aware of flood-prone areas.
• Inventory all equipment.
• Ensure apparatus readiness.
• Check the physical condition of each department building and facilitate repairs of any damaged roof areas, windows or doors that could contribute to increased damage in a hurricane. Check and service as needed any sump pumps for basement areas. Be sure all surface-area drains around the exterior of buildings are free and clear of all debris to allow for proper drainage.
• Ensure all fire department generators have been serviced and are working.
• Inventory and check batteries and chargers for portable equipment and be sure all are in working order and that there is an adequate number available.
• Maintain all apparatus fuel tanks at no less than three-quarters full.

These procedures should be conducted at least two months prior to hurricane season.

The full report, are available at www.iafc.org.