Purpose: To establish a guideline and provide organization for fire department personnel arriving at emergency incidents. Staging will provide the need accountability, and management of the reserve personnel during fire department operations.

Staging Officer: This duty shall be given to the rescue truck driver, the driver may turn this responsibility over to the first officer that arrives on the scene if the situation dictates. When the rescue truck drive arrives at the scene he should chock the rescue truck’s tires, and then as personnel arrive, record their names and hold them in a staging area. The incident commander will make assignments through the staging officer.

Personnel: When arriving at any fire department operation, personnel shall report to the staging officer and than wait in staging area for assignment. When assigned a task by incident commander, complete the assigned task and than return to staging area.

Staging Area: Rescue 5 shall be the staging area, unless otherwise designated by the Incident Commander. Staging should be set up in a safe and tactical area.

Documentation: The staging officer shall be responsible for recording personnel as they arrive at the scene, what assignment the personnel are given, and when the personnel leave the scene. This could also include other agencies that are need at an incident.

Conclusion: Staging is way to keep fire department personnel manageable. It eliminates freelancing, and unnecessary personnel in dangerous areas. Staging also provides for quick access to personnel when needed for duties such as rescue, relief for fatigued personnel, and accentual tasks that may arise during the operation. The accountability created by staging provides for the safety and health of all the fire department personnel during any fire department operation.