Wildfire Training Solutions, Staging Area Manager
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Wildfire Training Solutions, Staging Area Manager
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Agenda
4 Hour review of the responsibilities of the Staging Area manager during initial
and extended attack. Not a Staging Area manager Class. Tag, You’re IT!!!!!
Instructor Introduction
www.wildfiretrainingsolutions.com
Logistics
Bathrooms, cell phones, breaks.
Participant Introductions
Who are you and why are you here?
Materials
J-236 Staging Area Manager Job Aid, Fireline Handbook
Questions?
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Job Aids
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What Is A Staging Area?

Staging areas are established for temporary location of available emergency
responder resources. A Staging Area can be any location in which personnel,
supplies, and equipment can be temporarily housed or parked while awaiting
operational assignment. Staging Areas may include temporary feeding, fueling,
and sanitation services for emergency crews like Wildland firefighters or Ground
Search and Rescue.

Staging areas are established by the Operations Section Chief to enable
positioning of and accounting for resources not immediately assigned. The
Operations Section Chief assigns a manager for each Staging Area, who checks
in all incoming resources, dispatches resources at the Operations Section Chief’s
request, and requests Logistics Section Support, as necessary, for resources
located in the Staging Area.

Personnel check in with the Resources Unit at the Staging Area, while supplies
and equipment are checked in with the Supply Unit. If neither of these functions
is activated, resources report to the Staging Area Manager for direction.
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What Is A Staging Area Manager?

The Staging Area Manager - is responsible for managing all activities within a
Staging Area.

The major responsibilities of the Staging Area Manager are:

Proceed to Staging Area.

Establish Staging Area layout.

Determine any support needs for equipment, feeding, sanitation and
security.

Establish check-in function as appropriate.

Post areas for identification and traffic control.

Request maintenance service for equipment at Staging Area as appropriate.

Respond to request for resource assignments. (Note: This may be direct
from the Operations Section Chief (OPS) or via the Incident
Communications Center.)
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What Is A Staging Area Manager?
(Continued)

Obtain and issue receipts for radio equipment and other supplies distributed
and received at Staging Area.

Determine required resource levels from the OPS.

Advise the OPS when reserve levels reach minimums.

Maintain and provide status to Resource Unit of all resources in Staging Area.

Maintain Staging Area in orderly condition.

Demobilize Staging Area in accordance with the Incident Demobilization
Plan.
Maintain Unit/Activity Log (ICS Form 214, Unit Log).

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What Is A Staging Area Manager?
(Continued)
In summary, to get the job done, the STAM needs to coordinate,
cooperate, and communicate with a number of people. The STAM has to
enlarge the staging area as dictated by the OSC. One cannot have a
“that’s not my job” attitude and be an effective STAM. The staging area
manager’s job is to run an area where resources can check in, get the
service and support they need as efficiently and painlessly as possible,
and get to an assignment on the incident quickly. All resources should be
in the best possible condition to perform their tasks and available to
respond within three minutes when they are located in a staging area.
(pg. 36, J-236)
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STAM Kit, Suggested Items
Personal Items:
 Proof of Incident qualifications (Red
Card)
 Position Task book
 Fireline Handbook
 Appropriate Clothing
 Food, Water
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STAM Kit, Suggested Items
Documentation Forms:
 ICS 211, Check-in List
 ICS 213, General Message
 ICS 214, Unit Log
 ICS 226, Individual Performance Rating
 Emergency Equipment Shift Ticket
 Crew Time Report
 Emergency Firefighter Time Report
 Agency specific forms
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STAM Kit, Suggested Items
Miscellaneous Items (optional):


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Assorted pens, pencils, felt tip markers,
highlighters, thumb tacks, string tags, pads of
paper, clipboard, masking/strapping tape, duct
tape, envelopes, surveyor flagging, file system
supplies, hole punch, scissors, etc.
Programmable radio/batteries
Calculator
Flashlight/Headlamp (extra batteries)
Camera
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STAM Kit, Suggested Items

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Tape measure
Insect repellent
Local area/Incident maps
Road atlas
Shoe polish, white, water base with applicator
Stick on numbers
Cell phone
Local telephone directory
STAM Vest
What else can you think of?
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Staging Trailer Thoughts

Large enough
 Protect personnel from the elements
 Chairs, tables
 Shade, water proof
 Lighting
 Dry erase board
 Generator
 Extension cords
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Staging Trailer Thoughts
(Continued)

File boxes, forms, pencils, pens
 Signage
 Water, food, coolers
 Large and small maps
 Staging area map
 Security needs
 Other items?
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Gather all available information necessary to accurately
assess incident; make appropriate decisions about
immediate needs and actions including:

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



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Type of incident
Planned operations (burnout operations, water
handling operations)
Number of staging areas
Resources committed
Current situation status
Expected duration of incident
Terrain
Weather (current and expected)

(page 8, J-236)
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GET A BRIEFING!
It should include:

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Copy of Incident Action Plan (IAP).
Incident strategies, how staging fits in, and location of
staging area.
Assigned resources in place and their location.
Expected resources and estimated time of arrival.
Resource contact information (radio frequency, cell
phone number).
Authorized personnel who may order resources out of
staging.
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GET A BRIEFING!
It should include:

Length and number of operational periods anticipated.
 Names and locations of key overhead (facilities,
supply, and
 ground support, subordinate staging area personnel).
 Items needed to run the staging area (toilets, drinking
water, food, personnel).
 Checklist of ordering procedures, including chain of
command for ordering resources, supplies and services.
 Contingencies (staffing needs for 24 hour coverage,
additional STAMs or assistant).
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Remember!
You are responsible for asking
adequate questions that will allow
satisfactory completion of all job
aspects. There are no stupid
questions!
(page 9, J-236)
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How Big Should It Be?

Initial Attack?
 Extended Attack?
 Are agreements in place?
 Is it secure? Does it need to be?
 Proximity to the Incident
 Multiple Staging Areas?
 Check In, Inspections, Food, Water,
Bathroom Facilities, Repairs, Lights,
Maps, Communications, Information
Flow
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Initial Attack

Confined to one operational period (not
including mop up)
 Possible multiple Staging Areas for access to
incident or arrival of resources from outside
agencies
 Resources will not be staged indefinitely
 Agreements probably not needed
 Inspect site (kinda like your renting a car).
Document original condition of site
 Ingress/Egress
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The following are some guidelines for
vehicle parking areas: (page 29, J-236)
Most engines require about a 15' x 30‘
parking space.
 Heavy equipment transports require up to a
20' x 65' parking space.
 Crew transports require up to a 20' x 60‘
parking space.
 Park vehicles at a 45-degree angle to reduce
accidents and minimize road requirements.

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The following are some guidelines for
vehicle parking areas: (page 29, J-236)

Allow adequate access and, if necessary,
turnarounds should be at least 80' in diameter.
 As a rule, a 150' x 400' space will accommodate
five Type 1 engine strike teams.
 Remember, resources in the parking area must
be arranged and ready to depart in three minutes
or less for line assignments.
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MANAGING THE STAGING AREA
The Staging Area Manager’s (STAM) supervisor is
the Incident Commander or the Operations Section
Chief (OSC). The purpose of a staging area is to
expedite the “available resources” from a temporary
holding location, the staging area, to a tactical
assignment. These resources are under the control of
the OSC. The STAM’s job is to furnish the support
necessary to get resources to their tactical assignment
in the best condition possible, ready to perform their
tasks.
(page 33, J-236)
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Scenario
A structure fire on Canary Ct. has spread to the
surrounding open space and is heavily involved in the
trees and moving South. Elizabeth, Kiowa and
Franktown have begun suppression efforts. The Chief
of Elizabeth Fire is the IC and has broken the fire into
3 Divisions. All 3 districts have exhausted agency
resources and mutual aid has been requested. You
have been tasked by the IC to select and set up a
Staging Area for incoming resources. The fire is at
500 acres and growth has slowed but suppression
and mop up will go into the night. It is anticipated the
fire will be contained and controlled in the first
operational period. Its Monday, March 4th, 1200.
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Scenario
Resources committed:
6 Type 6 Brush Trucks
4 Type 1 Engines
4Type 2 Tenders
1 Medic Unit
Incoming Resources:
10 Type 6 Brush Trucks
10 Type 1 Engines
5 Type 2 Tenders
3 Medic Units
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Where do you want staging?
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Whatcha Ya Gonna Do?
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Staging Area Examples
Council Bluffs, Iowa, June, 2011
Lessons Learned
 All Fire Departments do not understand ICS
Stick to the proper definitions, i.e collection areas, staging areas
You can’t just park you’re s**t anywhere
Agreements, either pre or during.
Pre and post inspection of sites
Do a run through if possible
Be honest in the evaluation of your staging area
Think outside the box and who can help with your needs
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N
Primary Staging Area, Old Public Works Facility
Site and Traffic Plan
Resource
Entrance
Resource
Check-in
ENTER
Staging Area
Manager
Exit
Facility is secured
by a gated
entrance/exit and
security fence
S
S
IWCC Processing Center
Site and Traffic Plan
To College Rd.
Entrance/Exit
Evacuee Drop-off
Transportation
Staging
Kanesville Bldg.
Processing Center
Kmart Mutual Aid Staging
Site and Traffic Plan
Kmart
N
ENTER
Resource
Entrance
Resource
Check-in
10th Ave
Exit
S
Facility is secured by a gated
entrance/exit and security
fence
S
10th Ave
12th St
Primary Staging Area, Old Public Works Facility
Site and Traffic Plan
Large Staging Areas
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Large Staging Area Considerations

Most likely an extended incident
 Multi agency with specialized equipment
 Communication challenges
 Leadership challenges
 Space challenges
 Environmental challenges
 Support challenges
 The
STAM responsibilities are still the same!
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Large Staging Area Considerations
(Continued)
Identify and post signs for areas of specific activity
in some sort of logical manner. Services
necessary in a staging area may include: fueling
and water, mobile equipment maintenance and
inspections, equipment and supply issue, feeding,
sanitation, medical services, parking, and security.
Remember, staging areas are not camps.
Therefore, facilities for sleeping, showers, and
other similar long duration needs are not provided.
(page 28, J-236)
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Large Staging Area Considerations
(Continued)
When laying out the staging area, remember to consider the
incompatibility of certain activities. For example: Do not place
sanitation facilities adjacent to the feeding area. Do place vehicle
inspection areas so the smooth and safe flow of traffic is not
compromised. Also, consider locating parking areas as near the
exits as possible.
Similar resources in a staging area should be grouped by functional
use (engine strike teams and single engines are in one area, crew
transportation in a separate area, and other equipment in still
another area). Task forces and strike teams should be positioned
as a unit.
(Same theory applies for small staging areas)
(page 28, J-236)
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Closing The Staging Area

Rehabilitate staging area
 If possible, inspect area with owner
 Document any issues in case of claims
 Return or consolidate all supplies
 Forward all documentation to supervisor
 Demobilize resources in staging and document
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Questions?
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