Finger Lakes Ambulance EMS, Inc.

Standard Operating Procedures

Topic: DRT Staffing Section: Disaster Response Team Page: 1
Date: 01/22/06

Purpose: To define the Finger Lakes Ambulance Disaster Response Team (DRT) program participation
criteria and deployment compensation

Scope: Disaster Response Team personnel

Policy: Finger Lakes Ambulance will staff a Disaster Response Team that will maintain a constant state
of readiness to deploy upon request to disasters.

Procedure:

A) Staffing Requirements
1) FLA will maintain four (4) DRT teams which will rotate availability for activation
2) Each team will consist of 4 members, including:
a) Team Leader (FLA Supervisor or Operations Manager)
b) Paramedic
c) ALS or BLS technician, primary
d) ALS or BLS technician, secondary
3) Deployment team configuration will be determined on a mission-specific basis based on the
recommendations of the requesting entity.
a) Standard FLA DRT deployment will consist of the Team Leader, Paramedic, and 1 other member
unless otherwise requested.
4) The Operations Manager is the designated Commander and point of contact for all DRT missions.
a) If the Operations Manager is deployed on the DRT, a Field Supervisor will be designated as the
Acting Commander and point of contact until the Operations Manager returns.
B) Participation requirements
1) Minimum 1 year employment with FLA
2) Completion of minimum ICS/NIMS training
a) DRT personnel
i) IS-100
ii) IS-200
b) Team Leader
i) IS-100
ii) IS-200
iii) IS-700
iv) IS-800
3) Acceptable personnel record
a) Attendance record (including punctuality)
b) Absence of employee counsel notices
4) Acceptable QA record
5) Capability to deploy within 12 hours of notification
6) Scheduling flexibility in the event of activation
7) Good general health
C) Field Orientation/Training
1) All designated DRT personnel will attend any training sessions as announced. These sessions may
consist of:
a) Classroom training
b) Tabletop exercises
c) Field deployment training (i.e. survival training)
d) Other training/education as specified
D) Application
1) Employees interested in participating in the FLA DRT must:
a) Submit a DRT application
b) Provide documentation of completion of required training

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Finger Lakes Ambulance EMS, Inc. Standard Operating Procedures
Topic: DRT Staffing Section: Disaster Response Team Page: 2
Date: 01/22/06

c) Provide documentation of completion of recommended and/or supplemental training

d) Interview with Management Team
2) FLA will maintain a waiting list for successful DRT candidates when all teams are full.
a) Employees on the waiting list are invited and strongly encouraged to attend any DRT training
sessions.
3) In the event that applicants possess identical credentials and employee records, team assignments will
be based on company seniority.
E) Compensation
1) There will be no regular stipend for participation in the DRT.
2) DRT personnel will be paid regular time for all mandatory training sessions.
3) DRT teams will be compensated for all hours deployed as follows:
a) Standard pay scale (including applicable overtime) for all hours designated ‘on duty’
b) Stipend pay for hours deployed but not on duty
i) Paid at regular rate
ii) Maximum 8 hours daily
iii) Does not accrue towards regular hours for overtime purposes
c) Stand-by pay for off duty hours
i) Minimum 8 hours daily (mandatory rest/sleeping period)
ii) Paid at regular rate *0.25
4) DRT personnel will receive 40 hour/week compensation during deployment.
a) The DRT Team Leader will be responsible for reporting actual hours worked during deployment to the
Operations Manager within 24 hours of deactivation and return.
b) DRT personnel will receive a reconciled check on the next regularly scheduled payday which includes
all on duty time, off duty (stipend) time, and stand-by time, less the 40 hour/week compensation
previously paid during the deployment period.

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Finger Lakes Ambulance EMS, Inc. Standard Operating Procedures
Topic: DRT Scheduling Section: Disaster Response Team Page: 1
Date: 01/22/06

Purpose: To define the Finger Lakes Ambulance Disaster Response Team (DRT) scheduling and
availability

Scope: Disaster Response Team personnel

Policy: There shall be designated DRT teams assigned on rotating call to be deployed in the event of
activation. Assigned personnel will possess adequate training and necessary scheduling
flexibility to participate.

Procedure:

A) Scheduling
1) One team will be designated as the primary alert team (PAT) monthly
a) FLA will maintain a yearly schedule of PAT status
b) Teams not designated as the PAT for the month will be designated for alert, in rotating order, in the
event of:
i) Secondary activations
ii) Relief for extended operations
B) Availability
1) DRT personnel must be able to deploy within 12 hours of activation.
a) If an assigned team member is not able to report for deployment, the DRT roster will be filled by:
i) Activating stand-by DRT personnel from that team
ii) Activating DRT personnel from one of the relief teams
b) The Operations Manager reserves the right to activate non-DRT personnel as necessary to fulfill
mission requirements.

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Finger Lakes Ambulance EMS, Inc. Standard Operating Procedures
Topic: DRT Equipment Section: Disaster Response Team Page: 1
Date: 01/22/06

Purpose: To define the Finger Lakes Ambulance Disaster Response Team (DRT) program equipment
requirements and recommendations

Scope: Disaster Response Team personnel

Policy: There will be minimum uniform and equipment requirements for DRT Personnel.

Procedure:

A) FLA Equipment/Supplies
1) The following equipment/supplies will be provided by FLA for any DRT mission (prn):
a) Standard Nextel
b) Laptop computer with portable printer
c) Tent(s) capable of housing all deployed personnel
d) Adequate food and water supply for 72 hours
e) Wright Express Fuel card
f) Adequate cash and/or credit cards (secured by Team Leader)
g) Mission specific equipment (if available)
h) Mission specific medical supplies (prn)
i) LP batteries
ii) Spare ‘D’ tanks
iii) IV fluids/sets/start kits
i) Self contained GPS unit
j) Satellite phone (prn)
B) DRT Uniform
1) Deployed personnel will report for duty wearing a standard DRT uniform.
a) The DRT uniform is only authorized during DRT deployment.
2) DRT personnel will receive an additional uniform stipend for required DRT uniforms.
3) The standard DRT uniform will consist of:
a) Pants, BDU style OR standard uniform pants
b) Shirt, DRT T-shirt OR DRT sweatshirt OR standard uniform shirt
c) Identification
d) Approved footwear
4) Identification
a) Worn on breakaway lanyard
i) Standard FLA Photo Identification Card
ii) Photocopy of Driver’s License and EMT card
5) Shirt, DRT, Warm Weather
a) Navy blue T-shirt
b) FLA emblem on left chest
c) DRT insignia on back
6) Shirt, DRT, Cold Weather (optional)
a) Navy blue sweatshirt
b) FLA emblem on left chest
c) DRT insignia on back
7) Pants, DRT
a) Navy blue
b) 100% Cotton Ripstop BDU style
c) Nametape affixed over right rear pocket
d) Worn with black leather or navy blue web-weave belt, brass or standard buckle, EMT/EMS buckle
(optional with BDU style pants, mandatory with standard uniform pants)

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Finger Lakes Ambulance EMS, Inc. Standard Operating Procedures
Topic: DRT Equipment Section: Disaster Response Team Page: 2
Date: 01/22/06

8) Footwear
a) Black uniform boots
i) Clean and shined
ii) Worn with pant legs inside of boots for BDU style pants, outside of boots for standard uniform
pants
9) Hat
a) Standard issue FLA baseball style cap OR
i) Warm weather
(a) Navy blue hot weather ‘boonie’
ii) Cold weather
(a) Standard issue FLA watch cap
10) All standard uniform items may be used during DRT deployment.
C) Personal Equipment
1) All clothing items should be marked with employee name and “FLA” (in case of mass laundering)
2) All clothing should be packed in waterproof (Ziploc) bags
3) All DRT personnel will prepare 2 bags for deployment.
a) Ready Bag (i.e. 48 hour bag)
i) Will stay with you at all times during deployment
ii) Must be of appropriate size to qualify as ‘carry-on luggage’ per airline standards
iii) Recommendations:
(a) Mini ALICE pack or equivalent
(b) Black in color
(c) Nametape affixed for identification
iv) Recommended contents:
(a) Cash (for personal use, minimum $100 recommended, secured on person)
(b) Underwear, 2 pair
(c) Socks, 2-3 pair
(d) DRT T-shirts, 2
(e) Rain jacket
(f) Work gloves
(g) Cell phone/charger
(h) Stethoscope/penlight/scissors
(i) Utility tool (Leatherman/Gerber)
(j) Matches/lighter
(k) Earplugs/dark bandanna
(l) Hat (appropriate for deployment)
(m) Book/reading material/notepad/pen(s)
(n) Toilet paper/tissues
(o) Sunscreen/Insect repellant
(p) Toiletries/personal meds/OTC meds
(q) 1-2 L Water/1 MRE/Snacks (energy bars)
(r) Flashlight w/spare batteries/bulb
(s) Antibacterial hand gel/Baby wipes
(t) 50ft Parachute cord
(u) Chemical light sticks
(v) Emergency Mylar blanket
(w) Travel sewing kit
(x) PPE
b) Large Duffel Bag
i) Will be left at main Base of Operations
ii) Must be of appropriate size to qualify as ‘checked luggage’ per airline standards
iii) Recommendations:
(a) Tactical Backpack Duffle Bag
(b) Black in color

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Finger Lakes Ambulance EMS, Inc. Standard Operating Procedures
Topic: DRT Equipment Section: Disaster Response Team Page: 3
Date: 01/22/06

(c) Nametape affixed for identification

iv) Recommended contents:
(a) BDU pants, 3-5 pair
(b) DRT T-shirts, 5
(c) Underwear
(d) Socks
(e) Long sleeve shirts/sweaters (weather dependant)
(f) Long underwear (weather dependant)
(g) Sleepwear (gym shorts, T-shirt)
(h) Swimsuit (for mass showering)
(i) Sneakers and shower shoes
(j) Wire (ZIP) ties/ carabineers/ Duct tape
(k) 1-2 changes of civilian clothes
(l) Sleeping bag/small pillow
(m) Large zip lock freezer bags/heavy duty garbage bags
(n) Wash cloth & towel
(o) Laundry detergent (powdered)
(p) Padlock (do not affix for flight, will be removed by TSA)
v) Optional items:
(a) Playing cards/games
(b) CD player/IPOD
(c) Foot powder/hand lotion

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Finger Lakes Ambulance EMS, Inc. Standard Operating Procedures
Topic: DRT Activation Section: Disaster Response Team Page: 1
Date: 01/22/06

Purpose: To define the Finger Lakes Ambulance Disaster Response Team (DRT) program activation
process

Scope: Disaster Response Team personnel

Policy: Finger Lakes Ambulance will deploy the DRT when requested or at the discretion of the Operations
Manager.
Procedure:

A) DRT Activation
1) FLA will consider all DRT activation requests based on internal operational requirements, including:
a) Local SSM requirements
b) Current staffing levels
c) Fleet availability
d) Concurrent DRT assignments
2) The Operations Manager will approve all DRT activation requests.
B) DRT activation
1) Once committed to deployment by the Operations Manager:
a) The Team Leader will be called in to meet with the Operations Manager for
i) A mission briefing
ii) Assignment of necessary resources
iii) Documentation package
b) The on duty dispatcher will contact the DRT personnel and provide them with:
i) Anticipated deployment window
ii) Projected length of deployment
iii) Known parameters of deployment
iv) DRT briefing time
c) The Fleet Manager will prepare the assigned ambulance for deployment.
2) DRT personnel will report at the specified time for the mission briefing and final preparation.

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Finger Lakes Ambulance EMS, Inc. Standard Operating Procedures
Topic: DRT Operations Section: Disaster Response Team Page: 1
Date: 01/22/06

Purpose: To define the Finger Lakes Ambulance Disaster Response Team (DRT) program operational
procedures

Scope: Disaster Response Team personnel

Policy: DRT personnel will operate within a command structure and follow procedures established by
FLA Standard Operating Procedures, patient care protocols, the FLA Safety Handbook, and
standard vehicle operations policies.

Procedure:

A) Command Structure
1) The FLA Operations Manager is responsible for:
a) Committing the DRT for deployment
b) Coordinating the deployment preparation
c) Notifying local and state authorities of our deployment status as required
d) Performing all negotiations with the requesting authority
e) Completing all contractual obligations with the requesting authority
2) The FLA DRT Team Leader is responsible for:
a) Making and/or approving all operational decisions during deployment
b) Reporting to the Operations Manager daily (or as otherwise arranged)
c) Acting as the liaison between the DRT and the designated command officer
d) Acting as the safety officer (unless the FLA safety officer is on deployment)
e) Delegating all assigned tasks appropriately
f) Maintaining all deployment records as required
g) Reconciling all payroll records and petty cash accounts within 24 hours of return
3) DRT Personnel are responsible for:
a) Maintaining availability as specified
b) Providing adequate personal equipment and supplies for the projected deployment period
c) Fulfilling all duties as assigned during the deployment period
B) Vehicle Operations
1) All DRT personnel will adhere to standard FLA vehicle operations as specified Section 6 of these SOPs
during deployment.
C) Patient Care Protocols
1) All patients will be treated in accordance with standard treatment protocols as issued and approved by
NYS, FLREMSC, and FLA unless otherwise specified.
a) If requested, FLA DRT personnel may utilize host protocols provided they are not practicing beyond
their level of training, i.e. FLA EMT-Bs may not initiate IV therapy under any circumstances,
regardless of ‘local’ protocol.
D) Duty
1) Duty shifts will be tailored to meet mission-specific needs.
a) No employee will remain on duty for greater than 18 continuous hours during deployment.
b) Each employee will receive 8 hours off duty between shifts.
2) Minimum staffing will be 2 employees per shift
3) While on duty, employees will:
a) Remain in DRT uniform
b) Maintain communications with the commanding EOC
c) Maintain a constant state of readiness to accept assignments.
4) FLA DRT crews will accept any task as assigned by the commanding EOC unless there is a direct threat
to the safety of the crew.
E) Safety
1) The safety officer is responsible for the safety of the crew during deployment.
2) The FLA Safety Handbook will be adhered to during the deployment period.

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Finger Lakes Ambulance EMS, Inc. Standard Operating Procedures
Topic: DRT Recordkeeping Section: Disaster Response Team Page: 1
Date: 01/22/06

Purpose: To define the Finger Lakes Ambulance Disaster Response Team (DRT) program required
recordkeeping and paperwork

Scope: Disaster Response Team personnel

Policy: Accurate records will be kept for all FLA DRT deployments. All records will be filed according to
FLA Standard Operating Procedures.

Procedure:

A) Required Paperwork
1) DRT Duty Roster (ICS 214, modified)
a) Completed by DRT Team Leader
b) Maintains accurate duty log
i) Must reconcile with EOC records
2) DRT Transport Log (ICS 271, modified)
a) Completed by transporting crew
b) Maintains accurate record of patient transport
3) Patient Care Report
a) Completed by transporting crew
i) Within NYS
a. Standard NYS PCR
ii) Outside NYS
a. FLA DRT Patient Care Form
b) Maintains accurate patient care record
4) Petty Cash Report
a) Completed by DRT Team Leader
b) Maintains accurate log of petty cash expenditures
5) Supplemental Report for Unusual Occurrence
a) Completed prn and turned in to DRT Team Leader
b) Maintains record of unusual occurrences

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