SOP 206.01 SECTORS – BASIC OPERATIONAL APPROACH

Sectors describe a standard system of dividing fireground command into smaller command units or areas.

Complex fire situations soon exceed the capability of one officer to effectively manage the entire operation. Sectors reduce the span of control of the overall command function to more manageably sized units. Sectorization allows Command to communicate principally with sector officers, rather than fire companies, providing an effective command structure and fireground organization.

Sector procedures provide a system for Command to divide large-scale operations geographically into effectively sized units. These sectors are responsible for fire fighting operations involving a manageable number of companies in close proximity to each other.

Sector procedures also provide an array of major functions, which may be selectively implemented according to the needs of a particular situation. This places responsibility for the details and execution of each particular function on a Sector Officer, removing them from Command's attention.

When effective sectors have been established, Command can concentrate on overall strategy and resource allocation. Each Sector Officer is responsible for the tactical deployment of the resources at his disposal and for communicating needs and-progress to Command. Command determines strategic objectives and assigns available resources to the sectors where they are most needed.

Sectorization reduces the overall amount of fireground radio communication. Most routine communication is conducted within the sector in a face-to-face mode between the company officers and their Sector Officer. This process eliminates many of the details of company operations from radio traffic.

Safety of fire fighting personnel represents a major reason for sectorization. Each Sector officer must maintain communication with assigned companies to control both their position and function.

COMMAND SHOULD BEGIN TO ASSIGN SECTORS BASED ON THE FOLLOWING FACTORS:

When he forecasts a situation that will eventually involve a number of companies or functions beyond his capability to directly control. (In such cases, early recognition and sector assignment are critical.)

When he can no longer effectively cope with the number of companies currently involved in the operation.

Companies are involved in complex interior operations.

Companies are operating from tactical positions over which Command has little or no control.

Situation is such that close company control is required (i.e., structural conditions, hazardous materials, heavy fire 1oad, marginal offensive situation, etc.).

SECTORS WILL BE REGULATED BY THE FOLLOWING GUIDELINES:

It will be the ongoing responsibility of Command to assign sectors as required for effective fireground operations; this assignment will relate to both area sectorization for firefighting Command and sectorization for specialized functions.

Command must advise each Sector Officer of the overall strategy and plan, in addition to the objective of the sector.

The number of companies assigned to a sector will depend upon conditions within that sector. Five to six companies represent the ideal span of control. Command will maintain an awareness of the number of companies operating within a sector and the capability of that sector to effectively operate.

Sectors assigned to specific operating areas will be designated by directions (East Sector, North Sector, etc.).

In some cases landmarks may provide better designations for operating sectors (Roof Sector, Interior Sector).

In multi-story occupancies, sectors will usually be indicated by floor numbers (Sector 15 indicates 15th floor).

Function sectors will be identified by the function (Salvage Sector, Medical Sector).

Sector Officers will use the sector designation in radio communications.

Sectors will be commanded by a Sector Officer. Sector Officers can be chief officers, company officers, or any other Fire Department member designated by Command.

In some cases, a Sector Officer will be assigned to an area/ function initially to evaluate and report conditions and will advise Command of needed tasks and resources. A Sector Officer may also be designated during the course of ongoing operations. He will receive his assignment and mission from Command along with assigned resources. He will then proceed to his sector, evaluate conditions, and assume Command.

In many cases, the initial sector assignment will be given to the company officer who receives the initial assignment to a basic tactical position (rear, interior, roof, etc.). Command will indicate to the officer that he will be operating as both a Sector Officer and as a company officer. Command will assign a Command. Officer to relieve the company officer as quickly as possible. Regular Command transfer procedures will be followed in transferring sector command.

This early establishment of sectors provides an effective framework on which the operation can be built.

Sector Officers will be in command and control of all assigned functions within their sector. This requires each sector officer to:

Monitor work progress.

Redirect activities as necessary.

Coordinate with related activities.

Monitor welfare of sector personnel.

Request additional resources as needed.

Communicate with Command as necessary.

Reallocate resources within the sector.

Each Sector Officer will keep Command informed of conditions in the sector through regular progress reports. He will advise Command immediately of significant changes in conditions, particularly those involving ability or inability to complete mission, hazardous conditions, accidents, collapse, etc. Command allocates overall resource to sectors and depends upon Sector Officers to advise on the resource required within that sector.

When a company is assigned from Staging to an Operating sector, the company will be told to what sector and which Sector Officer the assignment was made. The Sector Officer will be informed which particular companies or units have been assigned to him by Command. It is then the responsibility of the Sector Officer to contact the company to transmit any instructions on the specific action requested.

Sector Officers must be sufficiently mobile to be able to supervise the work of their assigned companies. This may mean actually going into interior operating positions to monitor progress while maintaining radio communications.

The Sector Officer should be readily identifiable and maintain a visible position as much as possible, but this does not mean that he must stay away from operating positions. The Sector Officer must wear appropriate protective clothing to maintain supervision over operating companies.

The primary function of the company officer working within a sector is to direct the operations of his crew in performing assigned tasks. Company officers will advise their Sector Officer of work progress. If a company officer determines the need for assistance on assigned work tasks, he will request such assistance from the Sector Officer.