Bluffton Township Fire District: Standards of Cover
2018
Bluffton Township Fire District
Bluffton, South Carolina
Community Risk Assessment: Standards of Cover
2018
Fire Chief
John Thompson
Accreditation Manager
Rhett Livingston
Accreditation Team
Rick Cramer, Operations Deputy Chief
Paul Boulware, Administrative Deputy Chief
Terry Sheriff, Training Battalion Chief
Derek Church, Battalion Chief Operations
Richard Dollahan, Captain Operations
Derek Franks, Captain Operations
Doug Favors, Captain Operations
Chris Garniewicz, Captain Operations
Adam Corn, Captain Operations
Bluffton Township Fire District: Standards of Cover
2018
Jeff Kuehn, Captain Operations
Derek Beeler, Captain Operations
Tom Lamb, Captain Operations
Jerry Piccioli, Operations
Gio Scianna, Operations
Bluffton Township Fire District: Standards of Cover
2018
Table of Contents
Executive Summary ........................................................................................................................ 1
1. Description of Community Served: ............................................................................................ 4
History and Organization of the District: ................................................................................ 4
Legal Basis: ............................................................................................................................. 7
Financial Basis: ....................................................................................................................... 9
2. Area Description ....................................................................................................................... 11
Topography: .......................................................................................................................... 11
Demographics: ...................................................................................................................... 14
3. Critical Infrastructure: ............................................................................................................... 14
Transportation ....................................................................................................................... 14
Services and Utilities ............................................................................................................ 15
Communications ................................................................................................................... 15
Recreational .......................................................................................................................... 16
4. Service Milestones: .................................................................................................................. 17
5. Services Provided: .................................................................................................................... 18
Fire suppression: ................................................................................................................... 18
Emergency Medical Service (EMS): .................................................................................... 18
Technical Rescue: ................................................................................................................. 19
Hazardous Material Response: ............................................................................................. 19
6. Current Deployment of Fire and Emergency Services Resources: ........................................... 20
Resources: ............................................................................................................................. 22
Community Response History: ............................................................................................. 22
Saved vs. Loss (Life and Property): ...................................................................................... 23
Aid- Given and Received: ..................................................................................................... 24
Bluffton Township Fire District: Standards of Cover
2018
7. Community Expectations and Performance Goals: .................................................................. 25
Community Expectations: ..................................................................................................... 25
Performance Goals Expectation:........................................................................................... 27
Mission Statement ................................................................................................................. 28
Values Statement .................................................................................................................. 28
Bluffton Township Fire District’s 2024 Vision .................................................................... 29
8. Community Risk Assessment and Risk Levels ........................................................................ 31
Risk Assessment Methodology: ............................................................................................ 31
Risk Assessment per Planning Zone ......................................................................................... 38
Geographical Planning Zone 30 ........................................................................................... 38
Geographical Planning Zone 31 ............................................................................................ 40
Geographical Planning Zone 32 ............................................................................................ 43
Geographical Planning Zone 33 ............................................................................................ 45
Geographical Planning Zone 34 ............................................................................................ 47
Geographic Planning Zone 35 .............................................................................................. 49
Geographical Planning Zone 36 ............................................................................................ 51
Geographical Planning Zone 37 ............................................................................................ 53
9. Critical Task Analysis and Effective Response Force (ERF) ................................................... 56
Fire Suppression Critical Tasking:........................................................................................ 57
EMS Critical Tasking High Risk: ......................................................................................... 60
Technical Rescue Critical Tasking: ...................................................................................... 61
Hazardous Materials Incidents:............................................................................................. 63
10. Historical Perspective and Summary of System Performance ............................................... 66
Distribution Factors: ............................................................................................................. 66
Concentration: ....................................................................................................................... 67
Bluffton Township Fire District: Standards of Cover
2018
Reliability:............................................................................................................................. 68
11. Performance Objectives and Measurements: .......................................................................... 70
Baseline Performance Statement: ......................................................................................... 70
Benchmark Statement and Methodology: ............................................................................. 73
Benchmarks: Performance Objectives ...................................................................................... 74
Fire Suppression Benchmarks: ............................................................................................. 75
Emergency Medical Service Benchmark Performance: ....................................................... 80
Technical Rescue Benchmark Performance: ........................................................................ 86
Hazardous Materials Benchmark Performance: ................................................................... 92
Compliance Methodology:............................................................................................................ 94
Conclusions: .................................................................................................................................. 95
References: ............................................................................................................................ 96
Definitions: ........................................................................................................................... 97
Bluffton Township Fire District: Standards of Cover
2018
1
Executive Summary
Since its inception some 40 years ago the Bluffton Township Fire District has provided constant
service to the Bluffton community. The organization has grown over the years to an all-hazard
emergency response department with eight (8) fire stations and a staff of 149 skilled and
dedicated professionals with a guiding mission to efficiently protect the lives and property of our
community in a kind and professional manner. To meet its mission, the leadership of the fire
department is committed to a three-part regimen which includes a rigorous process of constant
district-wide self-assessment, a detailed analysis of operational performance to include risks to
life and property in the Bluffton Fire District, and a community-centered and pro-active strategic
planning process.
This document concentrates on the assessment of risks in the community and then identifies the
response level benchmarks the leadership of the fire department is establishing for the next five
(5) years.
Before we can fully determine the risks, we need to fully understand the community and the
District’s relationship to it. To do so, we had first to describe our community. In doing so, we
reviewed the laws and regulations which created the District and set forth its legal
responsibilities. We also reviewed the District’s financial structure, including its revenue
sources, expenditure rates, and the need to be good stewards of the public’s funds. The natural
and manmade characteristics of the community were also studied and evaluated. Demographics
in population and critical infrastructures such as government facilities, healthcare facilities,
schools and transportation systems, and networks were also carefully analyzed to help create a
good snapshot of what makes up the community.
In turn, the District also reviewed the services it provides by analyzing current service delivery
programs (how many and what type of resources do we send to various emergencies). We also
evaluated the way current resources are deployed (where and what type of equipment is deployed
throughout the District). Finally, the response history for the community was studied to
determine response times and efficiency of the current emergency service system.
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2018
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To maintain the connection to the community, this document was developed and coordinates
with information found in the District’s 2018 – 2023 Community Centered Strategic Plan. Since
the Standard of Cover delineates response expectations, it is vital to get the community’s input so
realistic goals for service types and response times can be developed.
The Standard of Cover utilized various risk assessment methodologies to determine hazards to
the public in both occupancies and the natural environment of the District. The process also
required the District to take a different approach to the way it had previously classified its
response areas by creating eight (8) individual but coordinated planning zones. This allowed the
staff to provide a narrower focus on the true hazards and suggest solutions to mediate them.
The risks in the community were each evaluated, properly identified, and classed into one of four
(4) hazard levels; low, medium, high, and special. The District then conducted a detailed critical
task analysis for each hazard level based upon the service types provided by the fire department.
This led to the development of standards for what is known as an effective response force (ERF)
for the various hazards to which the fire department may respond.
With this information at hand, the District then considered, from a historical perspective, the
summary of the current response system’s performance to establish a baseline for its response
times. This allowed the District to determine its capacity to achieve its required ERF for each
hazard and call type. This study utilized the past three (3) years of data and involved many man-
hours to compile. The District’s baseline was then compared to the national consensus standards
for suitable response times. Response standards from neighboring fire departments were also
considered. From this comparison, the District developed its benchmarks (goals) to improve
response times and efficiency over the next five (5) year period.
Please continue to read the document below to better understand and learn about your fire
department. We believe you will find the information useful and will shed light on how and why
the fire department makes decisions for new equipment, personnel, and fire station locations. As
always, the District appreciates the community’s support and is always working to better serve
our citizens. This document and the process that was undertaken to develop it is one of the ways
the District continues to improve for our community.
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2018
3
Intentionally Left Blank
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2018
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1. Description of Community Served:
History and Organization of the District: The area that makes up the Bluffton Township
Fire District, South Carolina, dates back to the 16th and 17th centuries. The area then was known
as Granville County of St. Lukes’s Parish. The original inhabitants, the Yemassee Indians, had
established 1200 inhabitants and was considered “Indian Lands.”
1
In 1715 war broke between
the Yemassee and British settlers, and after many years of fighting the Yemassee relocated to
Florida, opening up “Indian Lands” to European settlement. Around 1718, the new Lord
Proprietors divided up the land into the new baronies, one of which, Devil’s Elbow, is now the
town of Bluffton.
Eventually, the town of Bluffton was built upon the two adjoining parcels in the Devil’s Elbow
Barony. Benjamin Walls and James Kirk bought the parcels, and soon after development started
in the early part of the 19
th
century. Approximately in the mid-19
th
century, the first roads were
built, and where the name Bluffton was adopted because of the high banks along the May River.
While the land around Bluffton was known for its cotton plantations, Lowcountry rice, and
where the areas near the May River provided cool places to live, the planters become angered
due to heavy Federal tariffs on the goods they imported from overseas making the goods
unreasonably expensive. From this contention, the “Bluffton Movement” was born. Planters
from the area all gathered under what is known today as the “Secession Oak” and where the
secessionist movement was born. South Carolina was the first state to secede from the Union.
In 1852, the Town of Bluffton was officially
established by the South Carolina General
Assembly. Even though the town was only
one square mile, it was strategically located
right along the May River. In fact, at the end
of Calhoun Street was a steamboat landing
where it became an overnight stop from
Savannah and Beaufort or Charleston.
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2018
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While Bluffton was the epicenter of the secession movement from the Union, there is one date
that stands out in history, June 4, 1863. On that fateful day, Union gunboats steamed up the river
from Hilton Head Island carrying 1000 infantrymen to rid once and for all the rebels that made
Bluffton its headquarters. The Confederate soldiers attacked, but they were outnumbered and
outgunned. After defeating the Confederate soldiers, the Union officer in charge ordered the
town to be burned and destroyed. Of the more than 60 structures in the town before the Union
attack, there were only the two churches, and fifteen residences left standing.
Because of its location right along the May
River, and its proximity to the Atlantic
Ocean, the town eventually rebuilt and
became more of a vacation spot rather
than a business center. Over the years,
more development came to Bluffton, and
more people came to live in a more
comfortable climate. Today, the Town of
Bluffton is the 5
th
largest city by land
mass in South Carolina. Presently, the area
is residential and light commercial, with no significant heavy industrial attributes.
The Bluffton Township Fire District was formally founded in 1978 (Map) as a special tax
overlay district by the Beaufort
County Council to provide
emergency services in the
southern portion of the County
and the Town of Bluffton.
Initially, the district was made
up of three independent
volunteer fire departments –
Chelsea, Pritchardville, and
Bluffton. These local
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2018
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departments were created by concerned citizens
seeing a need for fire and medical services in
the area prior to the County, combining them
into a single department in 1978. Over the
years, the department evolved from a mostly
volunteer service to a full-time professional fire
department. In 2007, the district became an
entirely career oriented department that now
serves a population of approximately 60,000
residents with 149 personnel within its 246
square miles.
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Documents\2A- Documentation of Area
Characteristics\2A.1\Boundry_map.jpg
Today, the Bluffton Township Fire District is committed to protecting the lives and property of
its citizens, while providing proactive all-hazards public safety services to address all its
community’s risks from eight stations, located strategically throughout its jurisdiction. The
district embraces quality service and excellence in all it does.
Like most small cities in the U.S., the District has a mix of occupancies within its boundaries,
including but not limited to single and multi-family dwellings, light manufacturing, educational,
assembly, institutional and business occupancies. For 2019 a ninth station is planned to be built
to keep up with the growth.
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Legal Basis:
Beaufort County Council is governed under a council-administrator form of government. The
legal basis for the District to operate falls under the jurisdiction of the Beaufort County Council
(Council). There are eleven council districts in Beaufort County. Five (5) of those council
districts fall totally, or at least partially within the protection zone of the District. The Council
appoints a seven-member Fire Board (Board) to provide oversight for the Fire District. One
Board member is appointed to represent each of the five (5) Council Districts within the Fire
District. The Town of Bluffton appoints one (1) Board member to represent the Town, and one
(1) Board member is appointed to an at-large position. Each position is for a four-year term and
is staggered to preserve continuity. The current Board is as follows:
Chairman: Mike Raymond (Town of Bluffton) appointed 1/2010
Vice Chairman: Joe Paolo (District 7) appointed 4/2014
Member: Ed Olsen (At-Large) appointed 3/2009
Member: Louis Poindexter (District 6) appointed 4/17
Member: Thomas Mike (District 5) appointed 4/2014
Member: Elaine Lust (District 8) appointed 5/2015
Member: Paul Hamilton (District 9) appointed 3/16
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2018
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2018
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Financial Basis:
The Bluffton Township Fire District operates under a Charter granted by the Beaufort County
Council. In essence, the charter is another term for an operating ordinance. Operating funds for
the District are generated predominantly from ad valorem tax revenues. Citizens living and
owning businesses in the District pay a separate fire tax above and beyond that assessed for the
county and school district operations and debt. However, the Board does not have the ability to
set the tax millage (tax rate). The Board only recommends operating, and debt service budget
amounts to the Beaufort County Council who under South Carolina law has the authority to set
millage and tax the citizens who live within the District’s boundaries. The County tax year
operates on a fiscal year basis (January 1 – December 31) while the annual operating and debt
service budgets operate on a fiscal year basis (July 1 – June 30). In March of each year the
District receives documentation from the Beaufort County Chief Financial Officer as to the
projected revenues the District can anticipate for its upcoming budget year. The District prepares
an annual budget based upon this data as well as any trend data gathered over the years. The Fire
Chief makes budget recommendations to the Board, using the documentation from the County.
The Board debates, in open session, the budget proposal from the Fire Chief then votes and
approves a recommended budget to be presented to Beaufort County Council for funding
approval. The Council then advertises, debates, and approves the budget before July 1 each year
in accordance with South Carolina state law.
The Fire District’s funds are collected by the County Treasurer and remain in a pooled cash
account with the County. The account is divided into four funds from which the District
operates. The first fund is the general fund and all personnel costs, benefits costs, and day to day
operating costs are pulled from this fund. Any revenues remaining upon the conclusion of the
fiscal year remain in the fund (general fund balance) and are available to offset budget
deficiencies and costs associated with natural disasters and other emergency needs for funds for
the District. The use of these funds is restricted until approved by the Fire Board and Beaufort
County Council. The second fund is the debt service fund. This fund is restricted to payments to
service the Fire Board and Beaufort County Council approved debt of the District. The third
fund is the impact fee fund. This fund is also restricted in that purchases must meet strict
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2018
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statutory requirements. The fees are collected during the building permit fee process for all
construction occurring in the District. Impact fees can only be used for capital items, which will
improve the District’s response readiness in response to growth and must have a cost of greater
than $100,000. Typically, this includes a new fire apparatus as the District grows, new facilities,
and other related equipment. Impact funds cannot be utilized for personnel, benefits, or daily
operational costs.
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2. Area Description
As part of the Community Risk Assessment and Standard of Cover, 6th edition (CRA-SOC) and
keeping within the objectives it sets, it is essential to understand the area served and appreciate
the physiography, geology, climate hazards, and risks it presents within each planning zone.
It may seem harmless, but a natural characteristic of Bluffton is that it is situated in a very low-
lying area. In fact, it is famously known as the Lowcountry. This unique characteristic includes
all of Beaufort, Colleton, Hampton, and Jasper counties. There are no hills that occur naturally,
very little ground that’s considered high ground, and when it rains, it is not uncommon to have
localized flooding. Furthermore, being in a low area along the coast of South Carolina, another
well-known problem is hurricanes. As the season is six months long, starting June 1st and
ending November 30th, the exposure to a near or direct hit is high. In fact, the District has
responded to four (4) hurricanes within the last three (3) years.
Another weather-related, and well-known phenomenon, is severe thunderstorms. These storms
are rife with lightning and heavy rain and occur almost daily in the summer months. It is not
uncommon for the District to go to a one engine response instead of responding an entire
effective response force (ERF) for activated fire alarms as a result of the storms rolling through
the area. For this reason, the amount of fire alarm activations across the district, at similar times,
makes it impossible to respond to all of them with an ERF. As a result, when severe weather
events occur, the District transitions to “Storm Mode”; whereby, the District is capable of
responding to multiple alarms strategically with one engine.
It is also important to understand the characteristics of the population that reside and work in the
District. A lot can be discovered by following the population and looking at historical data to
help identify where the call volume and type occur.
Topography:
The District is mostly flat and low lying with the highest point about 80 feet above sea level.
The western portion of the District, along SC Highway 170 just south of US 278 and south to SC
Highway 46, is the highest point. As stated earlier, the District is bordered on three sides by
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water, and it is also near the Atlantic coast. As a result, severe weather like hurricanes, or severe
thunderstorms can affect the area that includes localized flooding and numerous lightning strikes.
Also, minimal impact on the environment is a high priority for both the Town of Bluffton and
Beaufort County. There are plantations where there is little to no open green space; instead,
homes are built in harmony with the environment. Plantations such as Spring Island and
Palmetto Bluff regularly conduct prescribed burns to keep the underbrush to manageable
proportions. Along with Spring Island and Palmetto Bluff, Pinkney Island National Wildlife
Refuge also has a land management program to keep the land manageable, reducing wildland
fires.
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2018
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Bluffton’s climate is one to enjoy. Its average annual temperature of 65.6
⁰
F and with 217 days
of sunshine makes it a popular and enjoyable place to live.
However, like many towns that are situated close to the coastline, severe weather could be a
great danger. As mentioned earlier, hurricanes are an example of severe weather for the area, and
it is a difficult event to mitigate without a well-prepared plan. The hurricane season is from June
1
st
through November 30
th
. Historically, Beaufort County has fared well with hurricanes over
the past decade. However, Hurricane Matthew in November 2016 caused extensive damage
although it did not hit Beaufort County directly. The estimated cost to Beaufort County was $52
million
2
. Equally important, are summer thunderstorms, frequent and are rife with lightning that
on occasion, hit residential homes and business. These types of storms force the District to
operate in storm mode to mitigate fire alarm activations.
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Demographics:
With a favorable climate and attractively low tax rate, the Bluffton area exploded in the early
2000s. Beaufort County is the 13
th
fastest growing county in the nation according to the Island
Packet. Forbes Magazine placed Bluffton on its list of “Best Places to Retire - 2016”
3
.
The District utilized Census data to create a variety of maps to include: population, income,
property value, and diversity to understand better and document the District’s demographics. By
doing so, the District then utilizes its computer-based records management system (RMS) data to
create layered maps of the four services provided, Fire Suppression, EMS, Rescue, and
Hazardous Material Incidents (Hazmat) to help identify trends in each planning zone. By
following this methodology, the District can isolate problems, identify issues, and create a plan
for solutions.
3. Critical Infrastructure:
Transportation
The District has four main road corridors that are traveled heavily on a daily bases; US Highway
278, SC Highway 170, SC Highway 46, and Bluffton Parkway. US Highway 278 is the main
east-west connector. It brings local traffic from I-95 east to Hilton Head Island. Bluffton
Parkway parallels US 278 from SC Highway 170 east to the Hilton Head Bridges, (Karl Bowers
2016 Census estimates: Zip Code 29910 and 29909
29910
29909
Total Population
37,915
18,769
Median Income
$64,896
$68,727
Under 5 years
5.9%
1%
Over 65 years
14.1%
63%
White Population
79.7%
95%
Black Population
9.1%
2.1%
Hispanic or Latino
20.1%
2.8%
Bluffton Township Fire District: Standards of Cover
2018
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Bridge and J. Wilton Graves Bridge) to Hilton Head Island. It is a new road developed to help
alleviate local traffic on US Highway 278 and to provide an additional hurricane evacuation
route. SC Highway 46 is a two-lane road that connects to SC 170 and US 278. SC Highway 46
also parallels, to the south, US 278 and Bluffton Parkway and is used to travel to Savannah,
Georgia. (Map)
The District approves all new roads through the plan review process with both the Town of
Bluffton and Beaufort County. Existing roads are inspected biennially for access issues by the
Fire Prevention Division. Neighborhoods and private gated communities that have electronic
gates are required to have emergency override devices installed that are approved by the District.
The District inspects and tests these devices biannually to ensure functionality.
Services and Utilities
The District has two electrical providers: South Carolina Electric and Gas (SCE&G) and
Palmetto Electric. For areas that do not have natural gas, propane is used and is provided by
several local companies. The District’s water and sewer provider is Beaufort Jasper Water and
Sewer Authority (BJWSA). BJWSA conducts all hydrant inspections annually. In addition, the
District inspects and maintains the area around the fire hydrants two times a year. Surface and
storm drainage is addressed at the time of development with either the Town of Bluffton or
Beaufort County.
Communications
The District’s leading phone, internet, and cable provider is Hargray Communications. Hargray
has about 90 percent of the market share of all cable subscribers in the District. Time Warner
provides cable only and has about 10 percent market share. The District has several cellular
towers from various major providers. The Fire Marshal Office conducts inspections of the cell
tower and phone utility buildings annually.
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Recreational
The District has several parks and trails. These trails are maintained by the Town of Bluffton and
Beaufort County respectfully.
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4. Service Milestones:
Plantations- It was not until the early 1980’s that the District began to see a measurable increase
in building and population growth. From 1980 to the mid-1990’s residential plantations started
to dot the landscape along highways US 278 and US 170. Rose Hill, Belfair, Colleton River,
Moss Creek, Callawassie Island, and Spring Island Plantations (neighborhoods) were all
developed over the next few decades and continue to grow today (Map).
Sun City- In June 1993 Del Web Communities, Inc. purchased land from Union Camp to build
Sun City Hilton Head. In November 1994, 25 homes sold on the first day and by the end of 1997,
1000 homes were sold. Today, 14,000 people are living in Sun City. With a projection of 8,600
homes at build-out; Sun City’s population will top out at approximately 17,000 residents.
Continued growth- In the early 2000s, the District continued to see an unprecedented amount of
growth in its community both in construction and in population. According to the Town of
Bluffton from the 2000 Census to the 2010 Census, the population grew 911.22%
4
. The Town of
Bluffton not only grew in population but also grew in land size to be the fifth largest city in the
state when it annexed Palmetto Bluff.
Palmetto Bluff – In the early 1990s, the Town of Bluffton annexed Palmetto Bluff creating the
5
th
largest city in the state. Palmetto Bluff is approximately the size as Hilton Head Island in
land mass; however, the development will only be a fraction of Hilton Head with only 4000
homes at build-out.
Modernizing the District – In 2011 the District planned to relocate station 30 and add a training
center and maintenance shop to the new location. In 2013 Station 30 was completed, and a new
“used” Pierce aerial platform truck was purchased to replace the Sutphen aerial. In 2014 station
33 had a significant renovation completed. In 2015 the District replaced its entire fleet of engines
with 2015 Class A Pierce Enforcer enigines.In 2017 the maintenance and training facilities were
completed. In 2017 station 36 was moved to its new location outside the back gate of
ColletonRiver Plantation. Finally, in 2019 the District added a heavy rescue and quint to its
fleet.
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5. Services Provided:
The District provides four primary services to its stakeholders: Fire Suppression, Emergency
Medical Service, (Basic Life Support-BLS and Advanced Life Support-ALS), Hazardous
Materials response, and Technical Rescue. Furthermore, the District provides additional support
services such as community risk reduction programs, life safety programs, and community
charity events.
Fire suppression:
The District has a split ISO Class rating of 2 and 2X. Where hydrant water is available and
where a fire station is within five road miles, the District has a rating of 2, and for areas that do
not have hydrant water and the fire station is outside of five road miles, the rating is a 2X. For
these non-hydrant areas, the District relies on static water sources and water shuttles for water
supply.
The District utilizes eight stations to protect 246 square miles (Map). It uses the fixed
deployment operational model for each planning zone (Response area) to respond. Each station
responds one of eight (8) identical 2015 Class A Pierce Enforcer pumpers with 1500 gallon per
minute pump capacity, 750 gallons of water with 5-inch large diameter supply hose (1000 feet).
The District also has one-100-foot platform aerial (TRK 335), a new (2019) 107-foot quint
(L333) and one new (2019) heavy rescue (R335) in service daily. The District has one
brush/pumper that carries 250 gallons of water that is a four-wheel drive to access remote or hard
to reach wooded areas. In addition, the District utilizes a 3000-gallon water tender in the areas
without fire hydrants.
Emergency Medical Service (EMS):
The District is a non-transport agency that provides two levels of Emergency Medical Service
(EMS): Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Life Support (ALS). The District operates
three ALS engines from Stations 31, 36, and 35. The ALS stations provide overlap coverage
from the BLS stations where Beaufort County EMS (ALS) is housed. By the District providing
Bluffton Township Fire District: Standards of Cover
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19
ALS engines and being strategically placed, it provides enhanced coverage for immediate life-
threating sickness or trauma to the community. All firefighters are trained to the National
Registry Basic Life Support (BLS) level. There are 14 paramedics trained to the National
Registry ALS provider level. Beaufort County EMS is the transporting agency for the county.
Technical Rescue:
The District has an established Special Operations Division. This team is compromised by
firefighters trained in Rope Rescue, Trench Rescue, Confined Space Rescue, Collapse Rescue,
Water Rescue and Vehicle, and Machinery Rescue. The District has the equipment to handle
most complex rescues except trench rescue for which Hilton Head Island Fire Rescue would
assist the District.
Personnel from the District along with personnel from Hilton Head Island Fire & Rescue
comprise one of the State’s Regional Search and Rescue Response Rescue Teams (RRT-4). The
combined personnel team is deployable to incidents in the local area, statewide, and nationwide
if requested.
Hazardous Material Response:
District personnel have been trained to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) NFPA
472 Operations level, Standard for Competence of Responders to Hazardous
Materials/Weapons of Mass Destruction Incidents. Twenty-five District personnel have been
trained to meet NFPA 472 at the Hazardous Material Technician level.
Every District engine company has the ability to manage a small hazardous chemical spill, i.e.,
55 gallons or less of gasoline, diesel fuel, propane or natural gas (Level 1). All other equipment
needed to manage a large spill (55 gallons or more) is stored on R335. When deemed necessary,
the on-scene company officer can request the response of on-duty Hazardous Materials
(HAZMAT) Technician level personnel through the Battalion or Duty Officer, to assist with the
mitigation of any hazardous chemical incident (Level 2).
If needed, Hilton Head Fire Rescue (HHFR) can be requested to respond to an incident in
Bluffton, bringing more Hazmat Technicians and HAZMAT 2 (Level 3). HAZMAT 2, which is
Bluffton Township Fire District: Standards of Cover
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20
housed out of HHIFR station 6, carries all of the equipment needed to deliver the capability of a
FEMA-equivalent Type I HAZMAT team.
The District and the Town of Hilton Head Island Fire and Rescue (HHIF&R), as a team, are
recognized and serve as a regional (SCHM4) HAZMAT and WMD response team through the
South Carolina Mutual Aid Agreement. SCHM4 is one of five (5) Regional Response Teams
that serve and protect our immediate communities and can also be called anywhere throughout
the State of South Carolina or nation.
6. Current Deployment of Fire and Emergency Services Resources: (Core
Competency 2A.3 Map)
As stated earlier, the District utilizes the fixed deployment operational model to deploy its
human and physical resources from individual stations (Distribution). There are a total of eight
stations located around the district to provide maximum coverage. Seven stations deploy, at a
minimum, three highly trained personnel to respond to emergencies. In addition to these seven
stations, the District’s headquarters station, Station 35, deploys at a minimum, ten specialized
personnel, and physical resources to respond district-wide for all emergencies that require special
equipment and expertise if needed. District map
Fire Stations:
Deployment per Station
Address
Apparatus
Minimum
Staffing
Specialty
199 Burnt Church Rd.
Engine 330
3 Personnel
BLS Engine
178 May River Rd.
Engine 331
Tanker 341
3 Personnel
ALS Engine
155 Callawassie Dr.
Engine 332
3 Personnel
BLS Engine
12 Buckingham
Plantation Dr.
Ladder 333
Boat 390
3 Personnel
Water Rescue
BLS Engine
25 William Pope Dr.
Engine 334
3 Personnel
BLS Engine
357 Fording Island
Rd.
Engine 335
Truck 375
10 Personnel
Rescue
Hazmat
Bluffton Township Fire District: Standards of Cover
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21
Rescue 355
Brush 335
ALS Engine
Brush Fire
254 Sawmill Creek
Rd.
Engine 336
3 Personnel
ALS Engine
1 Oak Tree Rd.
Engine 337
3 Personnel
BLS Engine
Furthermore, operating as a fixed station deployment model and having limited resources, the
command staff recognized the need to have specialized human and physical resources centralized
within the district to optimize its response district-wide. Also, Station 35 personnel must possess
the necessary training required to participate in all rescue operations, including hazardous
material-technician level certification (See map below).
Likewise, the District conducts an in-depth District-wide review of all of its service programs
(EMS, Fire suppression, Hazmat, and Rescue) on an annual basis. With consideration to
Bluffton Township Fire District: Standards of Cover
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demographics, socio-economic factors, and in conjunction with the budget planning period, the
District uses response data, critical tasking, after-action reports (AAR), community risk
reduction analysis and the response SOG to determine if the District is providing consistent
service to its customers. (CC 2C.1) Similarly, the District conducts the same analysis as above,
but at the planning zone level on an annual basis. (CC 2C.2)
Resources:
For the District to provide fire suppression, emergency medical service, rescue, and hazardous
materials services to its citizens on a 24/7/365 basis, the District’s command staff determined the
minimum daily staffing will not go below 31 personnel. Conversely, 42 personnel is the goal for
every-day staffing; however, with personnel being absent for various reasons, it is rare to be fully
staffed consistently (SOG. 101.02). There are three shifts and eight stations. Each shift has a
battalion, and each station has a captain or lieutenant complemented by a driver (senior
firefighter) and a jump-man to meet the minimum staffing level. Three of the stations are
advanced life support (ALS), while five are basic life support (BLS).
Community Response History: (CC 2A.4)
Number of
Apparatus
Type of Apparatus
Personnel Minimum/Full
1
Battalion
2
8
Engines
24/32
1
Truck
2/4
1
Rescue
3/3
1
Duty Officer
1/1
Total
32/42
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Each response area is a geographical planning zone, or referred to as Planning Zones (PZ Map).
By creating these planning zones, the District can analyze each zone by utilizing population
density, identify commercial properties with a risk
level (District risk tool), and number and type of
calls; thereby, an all-hazard risk assessment can be
established. Consequently, by understanding all of
the data, the District’s command staff can determine
if the right response level with human and physical
resources (Concentration) is appropriate for each PZ.
The following chart shows the call volume district-
wide for three years: 2017 through 2019. The chart depicts
a steady upward trend for all service types; EMS, fire response, and structure fires. The District
uses the same methodology for each PZ to identify gaps in service and to determine if the
appropriate response level with human and physical assets is adequate.
Moreover, all calls that are analyzed and measured for time are considered emergent calls
(lights and siren). “Fire without EMS component” response includes the following type of
emergencies: fire alarms, rescue, service calls, and weather-related calls. In addition to the
collection of emergent call data, the District collects non-emergent call data as well and where it
is analyzed, identifying standout trends. For example, the District monitors “Lift and Assist”
service calls due to the number of requests it receives from Sun City and assisted living
communities.
Saved vs. Loss (Life and Property):
The District has been very fortunate not to have any loss of life or has experienced any serious
injuries to its citizens or its personnel due to fire over the last three years (2016-2018).
Likewise, over the same period, the District had approximately $20,879,778 of property
threatened, $18,289,449 saved and $2,590,329 lost. The chart below depicts the total sum of
property threatened vs. total sum saved, vs. total sum lost for each planning zone.
Bluffton Township Fire District: Standards of Cover
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However, it does need to be mentioned the methodology in which property value was estimated
was subjective rather than objective. That is, after the value loss analysis was completed, the
methodology in which the value of the property was obtained was problematic in that the
homeowner or the person writing the report estimated the value. While this methodology
produces a quantifiable measurement, it is not an accurate method of establishing a consistent
value.
Year
Total Protected
Total Loss
Total Saved
Percentage Loss
Percent
Saved
2021
$59,313,212.00
$2,711,032.00
$56,602,180.00
4.57%
95.43%
2020
$86,330,745.00
$2,959,420.00
$83,371,325.00
3.43%
96.57%
2019
$112,835,966.00
$1,138,422.00
$111,697,544.00
1.01%
98.99%
Therefore, the command staff is exploring other options for evaluating the property that will
result in a more consistent evaluation methodology.
Aid- Given and Received:
While the District provides fire suppression, rescue, hazardous material incident mitigation, and
EMS services to its citizens, the District, at times, is called upon to provide the same services to
its bordering neighbors. Over the past three years, the District assisted 16 times for mutual to its
neighbors; conversely, it received mutual aid assistance four times over the same period, and one
time for automatic aid. Because of the aid agreements, each jurisdiction can be confident that
assistance will be provided to mitigate an incident when needed.
Bluffton Township Fire District: Standards of Cover
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7. Community Expectations and Performance Goals:
Community Expectations:
There are three main legs in the accreditation process: Community Risk Analysis: Standards of
Cover (SOC), Community Driven Strategic Plan (CDSP), and Fire and Emergency Service Self-
assessment (FESSAM). Each of these processes builds off the other to accurately portray a true
unbiased performance level. It is the strategic plan that incorporates the community stakeholder
participation and is where the stakeholders can express their level of expectations and concerns
to the District. For that reason, and with help from the Center for Public Safety Excellence
(CPSE), the District rewrote its strategic plan with a diverse cross-section of the community.
As a result, the community stakeholders prioritized the following service programs the District
offers: Fire suppression, Public Fire and Life Safety Education, Emergency Medical Service,
Fire Investigation Rescue, Emergency Management, Community Risk Reduction, Hazardous
Materials Mitigation.
The methodology used by CPSE was straightforward. Each person was asked to make a direct
comparison of the services provided by the District and then prioritize them. The program that
Bluffton Township Fire District: Standards of Cover
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scored the highest, and is a top priority, was Emergency Medical Services with a score of 231,
and the lowest was Public Fire and Life Safety Education with a score of 74.
As a result, the District has a better knowledge of what the stakeholders’ expectations are for the
programs provided by the District, and as such, can develop goals to support the new priority list.
Below is a chart that describes the results.
Services Offered
Ranking
Score
Emergency Medical Services
1
231
Fire Suppression
2
215
Rescue- Basic and Technical
3
197
Emergency Management
4
155
Community Risk Reduction
5
98
Hazardous Materials
6
93
Fire Investigation
7
85
Public Fire and Life Safety Education
8
74
Moreover, the community stakeholders were asked to write down their expectations, concerns,
and any positive comments about the District’s performance. The results were transcribed
verbatim, in priority order, and can be read in the strategic plan appendix 1. Here below are the
top three expectations, concerns, and positive comments respectfully.
Expectations: (Abbreviated)
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1. Arrive promptly
2. Maintain up-to-date training
3. Educating the public (CPR classes, fire safety
Concerns:
1. How to handle growth …
2. Enough personnel to handle growth…
3. Not enough taxes are going towards the fire department…
Positive Feedback:
1. High level of professionalism…
2. Amazingly patient in/with individuals who are not polite/respectful…
3. Welcoming and always available to answer questions…
Performance Goals Expectation:
To have success, there needs to be direction and vision within an organization, and the mission
statement is made up of the words that will lead to that success. The performance to which the
mission statement is achieved is through clear and precise goals and objectives, and the vision
statement encompasses it all. This is a proven technique for success, whereby establishing clear
goals and objectives, will enable each member no matter rank, to perform to their highest
potential.
From the results of the community stakeholder meeting, and three days of internal stakeholder
input, the District rewrote its mission statement, values statement, and ultimately set its goals for
the next five years. The goals and objectives are dynamic; thus, they will be updated regularly
over the next five years.
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Mission Statement
The Bluffton Township Fire District’s mission is to efficiently protect the lives and
property of our community in a kind and professional manner.
Values Statement
Respect
We respect all people in our quest to honor diversity in our community and
in our own agency, through dignity, choice, and compassion.
Progressive
Continuous improvement through feedback from our community, through
professional development, and community risk reduction.
Leadership
Guiding our community through all aspects of risk hazard reduction.
Dedication
To maintain an attitude and commitment beyond the expectations of our
community.
Trust
Establishing and maintaining integrity through professionalism,
transparency, fiscal responsibility.
Bluffton Township Fire District: Standards of Cover
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Bluffton Township Fire District’s 2024 Vision
is to be widely known as an internationally accredited fire district that protects the
lives and property of our community in a kind and professional manner.
Because we care, we will prove our leadership through bolstered work in
community risk reduction and emergency management, reducing hazards, and
building protections within the district. We will always strive to show we are
progressive through our enhancements in EMS and special operations for the
betterment of those we serve.
To personify respect and dedication, we will invest in our great assets, our
members. By strengthening our workforce planning, we will be ever ready now
and, in the future, to answer the call. We will communicate more effectively to
ensure the continuity of our messages to unify us further. This will be rounded out
by our research and investment into technology that will help us all perform more
efficiently.
Furthering our desire to demonstrate that we value trust internally and externally,
we will strive to maintain our current infrastructure while developing strategies for
growth that are performance-based and fiscally responsible.
Dedicated to continuous improvement and the pursuit of excellence
organizationally and personally, we will always remember our past and embrace
our futurity by holding each other accountable for fulfilling our mission, living our
values, accomplishing our goals, and bringing this vision to fruition.
Bluffton Township Fire District: Standards of Cover
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Bluffton Township Fire District: Standards of Cover
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8. Community Risk Assessment and Risk Levels (CC 2B.1 andCC2B.4)
Risk Assessment Methodology:
Fire suppression:
Within every community in the country, there are inherent risks to fire-related and non-fire
related incidents. Therefore, it is imperative for the fire departments serving those communities
to recognize the risks and have a methodology in place to quantify the actual risk.
Unfortunately, while working through the accreditation process, the District realized there is not
one risk methodology model that fits every community.
Recognizing this, the Community Risk Reduction Officer, Operations Chief, IT Chief, and the
Accreditation Manager decided to use a two-pronged methodology to identify risks within the
District. The first methodology, Risk Analysis Profile, and Target Occupancies and Risk
(R.A.P.T.O.R) adopted from the Lawrence Fire Department, is used to assign risk to commercial
and multi-family properties. With consideration to call history, demographics, population
density, socioeconomic factors, and after-action reports (AAR), the District determined the risk
categories low, medium, and high. By doing so, the command staff can quantify fire-related
risks within the District down to the planning zone.
The second methodology, Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (THIRA) is
used to help identify non-fire risks such as tornados, earthquakes, and other man-made and
natural disasters within the District. The risk assessments are updated annually.
It should be noted that the District changed RMS systems in October 2018. The new system,
FireWorks, has a risk analysis tool called Occupancy Vulnerability Profile (OVAP), which will
be utilized in January 2020 when the District changes its methodology in assigning risk
categories for commercial properties.
In final considerations to the risk analysis and where a score is not assigned but is recognized, is
the District’s road system, private gated communities, marshes, and waterways. Throughout the
District, there are gated communities that have limited access and road systems that are not laid
Bluffton Township Fire District: Standards of Cover
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out in a grid-like fashion; rather they are designed with long narrow winding roads making it
difficult to drive much over the posted speed limit resulting in longer travel times.
Furthermore, Click-to-Enter
©
is for communities and businesses that have unmanned electronic
gates. Though both Beaufort County and the Town of Bluffton require Click-to-Enter
©
devices
to be installed, the system does on occasion malfuction causing a dely. Click-To-Enter
©
works
by line-of-site, whereby the officer in an engine can use a radio frequency to open the gate on
their approach, decreasing the time it takes to open the gate. Thereby eliminating a complete stop
and exiting the apparatus to open the gate saving time.
The fire suppression risk classification is as follows:
Low-Risk
Low impact
Low consequences
Examples:
Fire Alarm, Vehicle, Brush, Dumpster Fire
Medium-Risk:
Medium impact
High consequences
Example:
Single Family / Multi-Residence, Detached Garage
High-Risk:
High impact
Great consequences
Example:
Assisted Living facilities, Golf chemical storage, and
Schools
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Hazardous Materials Incidents:
The hazardous material incident (Hazmat) risk was based on historical data (probability and
potential consequences), preplans (known chemical storage), and occupancy type, .e.g. industry.
Though hazardous materials incidents are less than one percent of the total call volume within
the District, there is still potential for an event that can have significant consequences to the
citizens of the District. With this knowledge, the District has determined three hazmat risk levels
to which it responds. Level one (Low-Risk)- 55gallons or less, outdoor gas leak, Level two
(Medium-Risk)- 55 gallons or more, indoor gas leak no immediate threat to life, and Level three
(High-Risk)- Spill or of an unknown substance or release of a Toxic Inhalation Hazard (IDLH
atmosphere), that poses an immediate threat to life. As it is noted above, the call volume is
minimal for hazmat incidents; Moreover, there has not been a level two (Medium-Risk) or three
(High-Risk) response in the past three years. However, the District is diligent with hazmat
training and preparedness. In fact, the District is part of the Hazardous Material Emergency
Response Team (HMERT) where it is referred to as South Carolina HazMat-4 (SCHM-4). The
team is one of six in the state that can be called upon for inter and intrastate response to
incidents, or to guide responders working in a hazardous materials incident when directed by a
lawful request. The team is a collaborative effort between the District and Hilton Head Island
Fire Rescue (HHIFR).
It should be mentioned when the District changed its CAD run order to accommodate the new
EMS risk component, the District decided to change the run order for hazmat incidents to include
the new Rescue. The Rescue is a new single resource that complements Hazmat, technical
rescue, and fire suppression with dedicated human and physical resources. Therefore, starting in
2020, the response for a low-risk Hazardous materials incident will include the Rescue.
Before the recent change, the District responded to Hazmat incidents with a single-engine as its
ERF. However, once on the scene, the officer could decide to call for more resources if the
incident demanded it. Below are the classifications of risk.
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Classifications of risk:
Low-Risk
Low probability
Low consequences
Examples:
Any spill 55 gallons or less, natural gas or propane
odor outside No immediate threat to life.
Medium-Risk:
Low probability
High consequences
Example:
Any spill 55 gallons or more, or known substance
at dispatch time. No immediate threat to life.
High-Risk:
Low probability
Great consequences
Example:
South Carolina HazMat Regional Team 4
response. Spill of an unknown substance of any
size, any release of a Toxic Inhalation Hazard
(IDLH atmosphere), immediate threat to life.
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Technical Rescue:
Risk categorization for technical rescue was based on historical incidents, probability, potential
consequences, and training scenarios. Similar to hazmat, the frequency of a technical rescue is
infrequent, less than one percent of total call volume. However, the District has recognized the
risks and potential impact on the District’s personnel and equipment when a significant incident
happens. With that information, the District established three levels of risk, Low-Risk, i.e.,
elevator rescue, a child locked in a vehicle, or pet stuck in a tree, Medium-Risk, i.e., water
rescue, basic auto extrication, and High-Risk, i.e., trench rescue, high-angle, below grade,
confined space as examples.
Like hazmat, there has not been a High-Risk incident in the past three years for technical rescue.
However, the District understands the potential of technical rescue and has prepared for that
potential through training and planning. In fact, the District is part of the South Carolina Task
Force-4 (SCTF-4). Members are made up of District personnel and Hilton Head Island Fire
Rescue. Similar to the South Carolina HazMat Regional Team-4, the SCTF-4 team is a resource
that the state can call upon for inter and intrastate response to incidents when directed by a
lawful request.
The classifications of risk:
Low-Risk
Low probability
Low consequences
Example:
Elevator rescue, child locked in a vehicle,
Medium-Risk:
Low probability
High consequences
Example:
Water rescue, basic auto extrication
High-Risk:
Low probability
Great consequences
Example:
Trench rescue, confined space, extensive auto
extrication
Bluffton Township Fire District: Standards of Cover
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EMS:
The District operates an EMS program that provides the community with a designated level of
pre-hospital emergency medical care. The Bluffton Township Fire District has procedures,
guidelines, and standing protocols in place that direct EMS response activities to the basic and
advanced life support level.
The District historically had two risk levels, low and high. What differentiated the low-risk from
high-risk was a mass casualty incidents. Typically, the District would use a single-engine to all
medical events that did not have the mass casualty component. Though the District ran BLS and
ALS engines, it could not dispatch by BLS or ALS event type. Instead, the District positioned
the ALS engines where Beaufort County EMS (BCEMS) did not have an ambulance housed at
its stations.
Because the District is not an authorized EMS transport agency, it relies on Beaufort County
EMS, which is the licensed EMS transport agency for all Beaufort County, except for the Town
of Hilton Head Island. Moreover, to the District’s knowledge, BCEMS does not analyze its
response performance data.
In light of the challenges outlined above, the District developed an independent methodology for
assessing EMS risk. The Deputy Chief of Operations, along with a committee of paramedics and
the District’s Medical Control Director, determined which call types were immediate life-
threatening events by using the Beaufort County Dispatch Center ( BCDC) CAD system Nature
of Call and the District’s new RMS system (Primary Impression). The District categorized those
events into three risk-categories, low, medium, and high. From that, the committee conducted a
critical task analysis (CTA) to determine the number of personnel to mitigate the incident. The
CTA considered, in part, training, experience, and industry “Best Practices.”
The risk assessment and CTA analysis led to developing the respective District ERF for
emergency medical incidents. Since BCDC does not employ EMD, the District engineered its
emergency medical incident response run-order within BCDC’s CAD system to implement the
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District’s EMS risk assessment to ensure a proper ERF deployment. As a result, the District will
be able to gather and analyze its data on an annual basis to reassess its EMS risk. Furthermore,
to validate the above process, the District has developed an analysis tool, TALON. For every
medium and high- risk call type, the Battalion Aid is required to fill out a questionnaire. By
doing so, the District will be able to determine the right amount of human and physical resources
for each risk level by analyzing the TALON data.
The Data for the years 2017 through 2019 is for a single-engine response. Going forward in
2020, the District will collect data for medium and high-risk call types.
Lastly, the District has drafted and submitted a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with
Beaufort County EMS to obtain their data. By doing so, the District intends to include BCEMS
into the District’s ERF. The District believes by incorporating BCEMS into its ERF, the quality
of service will improve for its stakeholders by identifying gaps in service.
The classifications are as follows
Low-Risk
Not serious or life-threatening
Medium-Risk:
Serious, but not immediately life-threatening
High-Risk:
Life-threatening, requiring immediate
intervention
Bluffton Township Fire District: Standards of Cover
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Risk Assessment per Planning Zone
Geographical Planning Zone 30
Burnt Church Road, May River Road, Buckwalter Parkway, Bluffton Parkway, Fording
Island Road, Simmonsville Road, Buck Island Road
Area Profile:
Planning Zone 30 (PZ30), or better known as Old Town Bluffton, response area is unique in the
aspect that it encompasses a wide range of roads, buildings, and challenges. Depending on the
day, each area potentially carries high traffic
and a large capacity of people.
The Downtown response area has nine
educational facilities ranging from early
childhood to high school, including a large
number of daycares. Also, PZ30 has an
independent living facility with an attached
memory care unit, big box stores (such as
Home Depot, Walmart, Sam’s Club, Target,
and other grocery stores), shopping centers
or plazas, industry (fuel, wood, chemicals,
hazards)- these include Resort Services
Cleaning, Year-Round Pools, Golf Courses,
large assemblies- such as churches and buildings
that can be converted into gathering halls, and multifamily structures (commercial and
residential)- we have many apartment complexes in the area.
PZ 30 also has many residential communities within the response area. The majority of the
neighborhoods are near commercial areas as well, which could create a great deal of traffic in
those areas, both with pedestrian and vehicular traffic, which could slow the response.
Downtown Bluffton is unique as well because of the number of festivals, events, and gatherings
held in the area along with a Farmer’s market every Thursday. These events often cause many
roads in the area to be temporarily closed off, which could cause issues in accessing certain
areas.
Another unique feature of PZ30 is the amount of waterfront property and boat landings in the
area. This possesses a high probability of water emergencies or accidents. One of the boat
Bluffton Township Fire District: Standards of Cover
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landings has a gathering area for events as well near it and has limited access in and out of the
area with a high traffic volume, especially during holidays and weekends.
Location Factors:
Planning zone 30’s area profile consists of a mix of residential, public schools, and mixed
commercial property use such as strip-mall shopping areas.
The residential communities in this area are a mix of a single story and two-story single family
residences where most are not in gated communities. There are also a few multi-family, multi-
story apartment complexes within the planning zone. However, the Myrtle Island neighborhood
has a few long and narrow driveways that have to be negotiated when an emergency dictates
there being an engine close to some homes to mitigate an incident effectively.
Like all the other planning zones in the District, US highway 278, Bluffton Parkway, and US
Highway 46 run through the planning zone. Depending on what time of year it is, some of the
roads can have a significant amount of traffic to consider when responding to emergencies.
Also, throughout the year, the downtown area can be very crowded due to monthly events that
are held and has to consider when responding to emergencies.
Concerning commercial properties like Home Depot and education facilities, a considerable
amount of resources have to be considered when mitigating fire-related emergencies.
RISK ASSESSMENT: SPECIAL
• Bluffton High School – 12 HE McCracken Circle (HOL)*
• McCracken Middle School – 250 HE McCracken Circle (HOL)
• Bluffton Middle School – 30 New Mustang Drive (HOL)
• MC Riley School – 200 Burnt Church Road (HOL)
• Bluffton Elementary School – 160 HE McCracken Circle (HOL)
• Red Cedar Elementary School – 10 Box Elder Street (HOL)
• Bloom @ Belfair - 60 Oak Forrest Road care facilities with long term residents with
limitations. (HOL)
• Grayco Building Center – 345 Buck Island Road
• RSI – 336 Buck Island Road (FL)*
• Ferrell Gas – 330 Buck Island Road (FL)
• Timeless Interiors – 4380 Bluffton Parkway (FL)
• Crescent Golf Maintenance – Oak Forest Road (FL)
• Pine Crest Golf Maintenance - HE McCracken Circle (FL)
Bluffton Township Fire District: Standards of Cover
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*High Occupant Load= HOL
*Fuel Load= FL
Geographical Planning Zone 31
Pritchardville-May River Plantation-Gascoigne Bluff-New Riverside-Hampton Lake
AREA PROFILE:
This area is also known as Pritchardville and is one of the original areas which comprised the
department in 1978 when it was chartered. It is comprised mostly of rural land which includes:
large tracks of tree farms, horse farms, and saltwater marsh. In recent years, there has been an
explosive growth of residential developments within PZ31. It includes a U.S. DOT rural scenic
highway that at one time was the only access to the town of Bluffton from the South, and
continues to be the main access road to the city of Savannah, Ga.
Commercial/business areas are limited but include a storage facility, a 5 unit strip mall, one
nursing home, one gas station, one fast food restaurant, one retail store, one tree nursery, two
public schools, an electric company
maintenance yard, and two churches. As the
growth continues outward from the Town of
Bluffton, Pritchardville already sees the
effects which will only increase as time
progresses.
Neighborhoods such as The Haven, Southern
Oaks, Mid-Point, Alston Park, Cypress Ridge,
Palmetto Point, May River Preserve, Lawton
Station, Hampton Lakes, Hampton Hall, and
Rose Dhu Plantation are large track home
neighborhoods that were built within the last
15 years. These homes are built close together
and on small to medium size lots.
The Hampton Lakes neighborhood is unique in that it is built around vast man-made lakes. The
community is a mix of single family homes, condominiums, and a restaurant. In the event of a
water emergency, first responders would need access to privately owned boats that are docked on
the lakes.
Hampton Hall Plantation is also unique in that it is built around a large golf course. It is
comprised of single family homes, clubhouses, and a restaurant. The homes in this
neighborhood are some of the largest in this response area.
Bluffton Township Fire District: Standards of Cover
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The older residential areas include Gascoigne Bluff Plantation and May River Plantation. These
plantations were developed over 30 years ago and are characterized by larger lots with limited
access.
LOCATION FACTORS:
Fauna common in the Low country such as oak, cypress, and cedar trees, and large vines
commonly grow over the roadways. This growth creates a ceiling that makes access for the fire
apparatus difficult, particularly on many of the small private roads found in PZ31. The area
includes large spans of saltwater marsh, the headwaters of the May River, and natural
swamplands. All of which provide limited access for emergency responders.
The roads in this area vary from small dirt roads to state highways. The main roads in this area
are S.C. Highway 170, May River Road, Gibbet Road, Old Miller Road, and New Riverside
Road. Traffic control devices include a roundabout at the intersection of New Riverside Road,
S.C. Highway 170, and May River Road., and a traffic light at the intersection of S.C. Highway
170 and Gibbet Road. Responses must be taken very carefully due to the volume of vehicles on
the roadways, which are underdeveloped in size and design. Growth is quickly overtaking the
area, and the road network has yet to catch up to the demand.
This district is somewhat isolated, creating a longer than average response time for backup
apparatus and ambulances. The western edge of this area is adjacent Jasper County, SC and to
the Levy Fire District, a small volunteer fire department to which we have an inter-county
mutual aid agreement.
A majority of the commercial buildings, including the schools and nursing home, are protected
with modern fire protection features such as automatic sprinkler systems. Unfortunately, the
most significant risk for this area is a large number of residences that do not have access to
hydrants. Benton Rd., Whittle Ln., Stillwell Rd., Meadows Dr., Barefoot Alley, Cedar Lakes,
Grande Oaks, and Gascoigne Bluff Plantation have no access to fire hydrants, and the installed
private dry hydrants have not been maintained properly by their owners. Water shuttle
operations would be necessary for any significant fire event. The district owns a 3000-gallon
water tender that is assigned to Station 31 in Pritchardville; however, it is difficult to drive, and
the pump is rated for only 350 GPM. The district is researching both the limited ability of the
tender and lack of water supply for possible solutions.
While the District continues to go through the accreditation process, more specifically the
comprehensive evaluation of our planning zones, the findings for PZ31 has revealed that a new
location for the station would be best for the community. With the economy on the rise and the
expansion of existing residential neighborhoods are coming to fruition, the District decided to
Bluffton Township Fire District: Standards of Cover
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relocate station 31 to a better location to serve the growing planning zone. Construction on the
new station is expected to begin in April 2020.
RISK ASSESSMENT: SPECIAL
• Pritchardville Elementary at 9447 Evan Way (HOL)*
• May River HS at 601 New River Rd. (HOL)
• Benton House at 8 Hampton Lake Dr. Care facilities with long term residents with
limitations. (HOL)
• Hargray building at 18 Gibbet Rd would be our only special Hazard due to materials and
equipment that remains in use at this site.
*HOL=High Occupancy Load
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Geographical Planning Zone 32
Callawassie – Spring Island – Oldfield Mews - Various Neighborhoods - Lemon Island
Bridge – Okatie Highway/170 Okatee River – Colleton River – Chechessee Creek/River
AREA PROFILE:
This area encompasses private plantations; Callawassie, Spring Island, small scattered
neighborhoods including Oldfield Mews apartments, and Chechesse Point-Lemon Island.
A defining characteristic of this area includes its abundant wildlife and undeveloped sections of
marsh, woodlands, and wildlands. Pompous grass-laden Lowcountry, river beds and exposed
mud and oyster beds that rise and fall with the tides, and then dense and often untouched
forestation. Many times these aspects are surrounding these communities or features within golf
courses communities are aesthetically pleasing as well as advantageous to preserving a natural
look and feel for the populous that call this planning zone home.
There are small pockets of populated
neighborhoods within the planning zone, but
the most populated area undoubtedly is
Callawassie Island. Callawassie Island is
similar to many other plantations in the
District in that it has a golf course,
clubhouse, dotted with ponds, larger homes,
and the island is surrounded by marsh and
water. The water supply system is well
maintained for firefighting needs.
Directly east of Callawassie Island is Spring
Island. Spring Island is unique, in that,
homes are more substantial than Callawassie,
and the lot sizes are much grander, while natural
vegetation is the choice of landscaping. The same water system that services Callawassie Island
services Spring Island.
Beaufort-Jasper Water and Sewer Authority is just east of the station off of Okatie Highway (SC-
170). Also, in the same area is the Beaufort-Jasper health clinic. The clinic is a two-story
sprinkled government building that operates under normal business hours.
There is one large apartment complex that sits south of the station just off Okatie Highway (SC-
170), called Oldfield Field Mews. The complex has approximately 36 two-story multi-family
housing units. Sprinkler systems protect the majority of the units. Furthermore, the entire
complex is well protected by hydrants, and accessibility is very good.
Location Factors:
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2018
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Distance from the station to the farthest point on Spring Island it is more than five miles. Also,
some homes are difficult to access due to narrow and winding driveways. Also, there is only one
way on and off for both islands, so it is possible that access to the two islands can be
compromised in severe weather or due to catastrophic failure of either bridge or causeway.
Another problematic area is the distance to Oldfield Mews apartments. It was recognized that
distance was a factor for the first-due engine to travel, so the District converted a mutual aid
agreement it had with Hardeeville Fire Department into an automatic aid agreement to help cover
the area. By doing so, Hardeeville FD it is now dispatched as part of the effective response force.
The area is well watered, and access is very good.
RISK ASSESSMENT: SPECIAL
• Spring Island Golf Course – 6 Golf House Road (Maintenance Building)
• Callawassie Golf Club – 100 Utility Court (Maintenance Building)
• Cheechessee Creek Golf Club – 1 Tucker Point (Maintenance Building)
• Beaufort Jasper Water and Sewer Authority – 6 Snake Road
o Chlorine Storage – Chlorine is one of the ten highest volume of chemicals
manufactured in the US. Even though chlorine is not flammable, it will react
explosively with other common substances found in water treatment facilities. If
exposed to Chlorine, especially through inhalation, may cause respiratory
complications.
o Exposure to Chemicals, organisms, and raw sewage can result in various
conditions. The gases that can be found in some of these buildings or tank storage
areas can be harmful to employees and rescue workers in the event of an
emergency.
o Another area of concern for the water treatment and sewage plant is the effect on
the community after a major storm. There is a possibility with a large enough
storm, flooding may occur, or power outages may cause failures and backups of
raw sewage into residential water systems or onto the land surrounding residential
properties
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2018
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Geographical Planning Zone 33
Moss Creek, Buckingham, Windmill Harbor, Portions of Colleton River Plantation
Area Profile:
This area is best described as a typical suburban area including residential and some light
commercial structures. Residential structures vary from apartment and condo complexes to
single-family homes. This area also has numerous commercial structures, small businesses, and
two golf courses.
The northern section of this Geographical Planning Zone borders the Colleton River. The water
of Colleton River is utilized daily by recreational boaters, fishermen and Pinckney Island
National refuge. Otherwise, the northern
section of this zone (north of Hwy 278) is
higher income residential neighborhoods.
The northern section of this zone also has
Moss Creek neighborhood and Pinckney
Island National Refuge. Moss Creek is a
gated community that features larger single-
family homes and a golf course. The water
system in Moss Creek is sufficient to support
all fire operations within the community.
Moss Creek also borders the Colleton River.
The Pinckney Island National Refuge is
governed by the United States Fish and
Wildlife Service. The 4,053-acre refuge includes Pinckney Island, Corn Island, Big and Little
Harry Islands, Buzzard Island, and numerous small hammocks. The district covers fire
protection and medical services for this location.
The southern section of this Geographical Planning Zone is mixed with residential
neighborhoods, apartment complexes, light commercial, and a golf course. The majority of the
commercial businesses in this zone are larger scale strip malls.
In the southern section of this zone are the two Tanger Outlet Malls. Together these malls house
a total of 138 individual retail stores ranging in size from 1,500 to 4,500 square feet. The Tanger
Outlet Malls have an adequate water supply, good emergency access, and incorporate current fire
protection systems. This area also has Heritage Lakes, Windmill Harbor, and The Gatherings
subdivisions. These neighborhoods have adequate water supplies and access for fire and medical
Bluffton Township Fire District: Standards of Cover
2018
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services. Also, the planning zone contains two apartment complexes in Pine Forest and Old
South apartment.
LOCATION FACTORS:
This area consists of one main thoroughfare running east and west. Fording Island Road (US
278) is a six-lane highway that splits this zone in half. US 278 is the only access to vacation
destination Hilton Head Island. Traffic during vacation dates (Memorial Day to Labor Day) can
be extremely heavy, especially on the weekends.
Waterways surround the area. During warmer months, the rivers are teeming with recreational
boaters and local fisherman.
A few concerns exist in this planning zone. The two golf courses provide an issue with access to
patients on EMS emergencies. Meanwhile, the two apartment complexes create a possibility for
substantial loss of life and demand persistent monitoring by the fire department. Another area of
concern is the numerous waterways beset with recreational activity. Waterways can create
unique emergencies with minimal access.
RISK ASSESSMENT: SPECIAL
• Moss Creek Golf maintenance
• BJWA 115 Forman Hill Rd. (Chemical exposure limited access)
• Hilton Head Harbor RV Resort (Exposure limited access)
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2018
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Geographical Planning Zone 34
Sun City – Sun City Riverbend - USCB Bluffton – University Park – Old Field – Baynard
Park – Park Side – Seagrass Station – Rivers End
Area Profile:
Planning zone 34 is better known as the Sun City station, and it covers a variety of areas to
include commercial properties, educational facilities, and smaller residential areas. PZ34 also
includes sections of US Hwy 278 (East/West) and South Carolina Hwy 170 (North/South)
which are the main routes of travel for this area.
Also located in Sun City, are many amenities that include a woodworking shop, tennis courts,
pickleball courts, softball field, a performing arts theatre, movie theatre, bowling alley, nature
trails, lagoons, and many clubs.
On the northern end of the zone, there is another gated community, Oldfield Plantation, which is
one of the many gated golfing communities in the area. Oldfield has multiple waterfront
properties and offers many amenities, including community pools, fitness centers, golf courses,
and equestrian centers.
Other smaller gated communities that are
within the planning zone are Sun City’s
Rivers Bend, Rivers End, Seagrass Station,
Parkside and University Park.
On the Western End of the planning zone,
lays the 200-acre University of South
Carolina-Bluffton campus. It has nine three-
story dormitory buildings on site and multiple
university buildings. Moreover, there are two
full time assisted living facilities in PZ34
with two under construction, and multiple
medical facilities that include
rehabilitation/assisted living, dialysis as well as numerous commercial properties located on US
Highway 170, Okatie Center Blvd North, Okatie Center Blvd. South and William Pope Drive.
The planning zone has Okatie Elementary School and River Ridge Academy (K-8) within its
area of coverage and two four-story hotels located just behind the Station.
Location Factors:
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2018
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While the significant roadways in PZ34 include SC-170, US-278, and Bluffton Parkway, they all
have traffic lights that are controlled by preemption devices to allow traffic to clear the
intersection before emergency vehicles enter the intersection. Also, the posted speed limits are
designed to keep traffic moving smoothly. However, the roads inside Sun City have to be
recognized for their speed control measures to slow traffic. For example, the posted speed limit
for the majority of the roads is 25mph, and there are numerous stop signs to negotiate while
responding to an emergency, all of which slows down the response time.
Significant response considerations in this area include The University of South Carolina-
Bluffton campus and assisted living facility.
Because station 34 is located outside of Sun City gates, it presents a problem when responding to
emergencies within the community. Even though the furthest address from the station is 3.8
miles, it takes over 8 minutes to travel the distance. Road safety features such as stop signs,
narrow winding roads, and low posted speed limits are all factors that contribute to long travel
times. Similarly, another problematic area is Oldfield Plantation. It is the farthest plantation in
PZ34’s service area. Realizing the problem, the District entered into an automatic aid agreement
with Hardeeville Fire Department which is located closer to Oldfield Plantation.
It should be duly noted though; the District has a Standard Operating Guideline for emergency
response, SOG (107.09) that follows South Carolina Code 56-5-760, “Operation of authorized
emergency vehicles.” This traffic law allows the authorized driver to exceed the posted speed
limit when he or she does not endanger life or property and practices due regard for the safety of
others. However, the District has set a strict limit for its personnel not to exceed 10 mph over the
posted speed limit when responding to emergencies.
RISK ASSESSMENT: SPECIAL
• The Palmettos 3035 Okatie Highway- This nursing home is considered a high hazard
because of the age and condition (memory care) of the patients as well as the number of
occupants held within.
• NHC 3039 Okatie Highway- This nursing home is considered a high hazard because of
the age and condition of the patients as well as the number of occupants held within.
• Magnolia Hall 118 Sun City Lane- This area is considered a high hazard due to the age
and amount of occupants that gather daily. Large groups of people gather in this location
to watch movies, plays, and other shows.
• Encompass Health 107 Seagrass Station- This area is considered a high hazard due to the
condition of its patients. This facility is used for rehabilitation, and some of the patients
are in poor health.
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2018
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• Ashley Furniture 101 Okatie Center Blvd North– This area is considered a high hazard
due to its fire load. This large store is full of highly combustible furniture items. This area
is large enough for a person to become easily disoriented during emergency operations.
Geographic Planning Zone 35
Berkeley Hall Plantation-Rose Hill Plantation-Woodbridge-Island-West-Belfair Plantation
Area Profile:
Planning Zone 35’s community is a combination of residential, light commercial, professional
offices, including several small strip-type shopping areas.
The residential neighborhoods in this district are comprised of public and private (gated)
communities with several multi-family apartment complexes. The commercial property is
predominantly one-story offices and retail stores. This area also has two small parochial schools
(K-12) within its boundary, creating an increase in traffic at pick-up and drop-off times during
the schools’ calendar year. Station 35’s area also includes a multi-story continuing care facility.
Location Factors
Station 35’s area is comprised of a mix of public and private residential roadways. The area is
also bisected by US highway 278 (Fording Island Road) with an East/West direction of travel.
The topography is generally flat with little to no slope. There are several County controlled
intersections (traffic lights) as well as many two, three, and four-way stop intersections. The
roadways in the private plantations are mostly residential, with stop signs at the intersections.
Hazard response and mitigation in the private
communities is provided for by the District.
Significant response considerations in this area
include the continuing care facility and the
schools.
The continuing care facility’s population
includes some residents that have limited
mobility, and some have dementia/Alzheimer’s.
The facility has fire protection systems in place,
but some doors of the building are locked at all
times for the resident’s safety and security.
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2018
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Both of the Schools within Station 35’s area have limited emergency vehicle access. The
schools are new, protected construction with monitored fire protection systems. During morning
and afternoon student drop-off and pick-up, access for emergency vehicles is severely limited,
increasing response times.
RISK ASSESSMENT: SPECIAL
• EVICORE Building 400 Buckwalter Place Blvd and 1 Carecore Dr. (HOL)
• Bloom at Belfair 800 Fording Island Rd (HOL assisted living- Limited access)
• Saint Gregory the Great Catholic School 323 Fording Island Rd (HOL)
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2018
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Geographical Planning Zone 36
Colleton River Plantation, Moss Creek Plantation,
Area Profile:
Planning zone 36 has a response district that is composed primarily of single-family residences
inside of the private communities Colleton River Plantation and a portion of Moss Creek
Plantation. Colleton River Plantation Club is a member-owned golf community. The 1,500 acres
of Lowcountry land is surrounded by water on three sides and is adjacent to Victoria Bluff
Heritage Preserve. A majority of the houses in this district are utilized as vacation or second
homes and not occupied throughout the entire year. Most homes range between 2,500 to 4,000
square feet in size with one exception, a
20,000 square foot home that share features
with those of commercial structures.
Additionally, this planning zone encompasses
two golf clubhouses, golf maintenance
facilities, amenities centers, and a restaurant.
Access into the community is restricted and
permitted only to residents and their guests.
Waterfront access on the Colleton River and
being the home of one of the top 100 golf
courses in the country makes this region a
favorable venue for large golf events. In
2015, Colleton River was the host site for the
USGA Junior Amateur Championship drawing large crowds and vendors into the community.
As this standards of cover was, station 36 moved from inside Colleton River Plantation to a new
location just outside of the back gate of the plantation. This move made it possible for station 36
to cover more areas outside of Colleton River. The new location gives station 36 better access to
Moss Creek Plantation as a second-due apparatus. Since the new location of the station has
moved, the planning zone now encompasses Tanger One outdoor shopping mall and a small
stretch of commercial properties next to it, all of Colleton River Plantation, and a portion of
Moss Creek Plantation.
Location Factors:
All access within Colleton River is limited to narrow residential roadways. The roads within the
community are winding with sharp curves restricting the speed of responding emergency
apparatus. Marked speed in all of the community is 30mph, which is the realistic, safe response
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speed for large vehicles. Night time responses pose additional challenges due to the lack of street
lights and abundant wildlife (deer).
Many of the homes in the district have automatic notification systems in place for fire
protection but are not protected with sprinklers. Though the houses are newer and comply with
current building codes, fire conditions could result in a higher chance of “loss of life” and or
“loss of personal property” due to their size. As a proactive measure, the district takes every
opportunity during the construction phase or during false fire alarms to preplan the larger homes
with the residents when permitted. Understanding the layout improves the crew’s capabilities
and efficiency during emergencies.
RISK ASSESSMENT: SPECIAL
• Waddell Mariculture Research and Development Center
o This facility has chemicals, tanks, nets, pumping equipment, potential water
rescue, no fire hydrants
• Colleton River golf maintenance (Jack Nicklaus & Pete Dye) (Chemical storage)
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2018
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Geographical Planning Zone 37
Palmetto Bluff
AREA PROFILE:
This planning zone is known as Palmetto Bluff Plantation. It is a private gated community with
residential homes as well as commercial buildings. The community itself is an entire planning
zone.
The residential homes range from 2500 square foot patio homes to multi-thousand square foot
estate homes. There are also private gated communities within the community of Palmetto Bluff.
Each of the communities has its amenities facility. The community has a large riverfront
residential area as well as multiple resort areas which are also located on the riverfront.
The estate homes range from gated communities with multi-acre home sites, to private gated
multi-acre home sites.
The resort areas are equipped with shopping areas, restaurants, tennis courts, and a basketball
court. There are multiple resort areas which vary from a large multi-story 5-star spa/resort
building to quaint private cottages. There are multiple swimming pools and a bowling alley.
Also, within one of the riverfront resort areas are two historical chapels. There is also a large
multi-story administrative building equipped with
a restaurant, conference rooms, and a wine
cellar/lounge.
Palmetto Bluff Plantation also has a world-
class equestrian center known as Longfield
Stables. Longfield Stables equestrian center is
equipped with a boarding facility and a
maintenance facility.
Palmetto Bluff Plantation also has a shooting
club. This professionally-designed sporting
clays course boasted 13 sporting clays stations
as well as an elevated and covered five-stand
station, and a wobble deck field for a total of 15
shooting sites.
The resort area also includes a dry boat storage facility which includes boat and kayak rental.
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2018
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Palmetto Bluff Plantation is also a golf community with an 18 hole, “Jack Nicklaus,” designed
golf course. There is a large clubhouse with a restaurant, pro shop, and golf cart storage building.
The community also has a small grocery market equipped with gas pumps.
Palmetto Bluff still has many acres of undeveloped property. The development of homes and
commercial buildings is continuously growing and is projected to continue to grow for many
years. At this time the fire station, Station 37, is located within the confines of the Palmetto
Bluff Golf Maintenance facility which includes an administrative facility, equipment storage,
and gasoline and diesel storage. The fire station is a temporary facility which at the moment is
within a 5-mile radius of any of the residential and commercial properties. The permanent station
will be built as the community development expands. The responding apparatus at Station 37 is
Engine 337.
LOCATION FACTORS:
This area is comprised of 20,000 acres of land which includes 32 miles of riverfront property.
The resort riverfront area has narrow streets with sharp turns. There are usually many cars parked
impeding access for apparatus. The resort hosts many events with densely populated areas. Some
events may host several hundreds of guests.
The resort area also is equipped with what is known as “Tax Payer buildings.” These buildings
have commercial occupancies on the first floor and residential occupancies on the floors above.
The FDC (Fire Department Connection) locations for these buildings are located off of a narrow
driveway behind the buildings. The driveway is a very narrow street within the collapse zone of
the buildings. Additionally, the Montage hotel is another large high occupancy building that has
limited access to the rear of the hotel.
The Boat storage facility is fire protected but still has a significant fire load.
Due to the location of the fire station, the backup engines are potentially 15 minutes away, thus
delaying additional resources to assist getting large working fires under control if not
extinguished in a reasonable amount of time. Narrow streets will make it difficult at best for
elevated master streams to be deployed to protect life and property.
The residential homes within the resort areas are very close to each other, causing a risk of
multiple exposures in the event of a structure fire. The estate homes are on large parcels of land
with no fire protection, un-marked dark colored hydrant’s (very difficult to see) water supply,
and narrow, unpaved driveways. Elevated master streams may not be possible because the
apparatus may not have access to the residence.
Since the resort hosts many large events, the possibility of a mass casualty incident exists.
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2018
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There is also, due to our geographical location, a risk of a natural disaster such as a hurricane.
Evacuation of the community will be challenging.
RISK ASSESSMENT: SPECIAL:
• Wilson Landing Boat Dry Storage 31 Boat House Street
o Heavy fuel load
o 5000 gallons of marine fuel storage
o 3000 gallons of diesel fuel
o Accessibility within the collapse zone
• Palmetto Bluff golf maintenance 550, 552, 556, 558 Old Palmetto Bluff Rd.
o 2000 gallons of fuel
o 3000 gallons of diesel
o Chemical storage
• Montage at Palmetto Bluff 477 Mont Pelia Rd.
o High occupancy load
o No access to the rear of the building
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2018
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9. Critical Task Analysis and Effective Response Force (ERF) (CC 2C.4)
For every service provided by the District, i.e., fire suppression, emergency medical service
(EMS), rescue, and hazardous material incidents (Hazmat), there are inherent risks that have to
be considered, and there are tasks that have to be completed to minimize those risks. Therefore,
after the District categorized the risks into low, medium, and high for each service provided, the
District conducted a critical task analysis (CTA). In other words, does the District provide the
right amount of trained personnel and physical resources needed to resolve emergencies safely.
Note: On December 3
rd
, 2018, the command staff decided to create a Battalion Aid position.
The position was created for three reasons: public safety: to provide a designated driver to
eliminate the potential distracted driver accidents, to provide a designated safety officer and
mentorship for new officers.
The results of the CTA are indicated by service and risk type in the charts below. Minimum
staffing is three (3) personnel per engine and two (2) personnel for the battalion.
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2018
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Critical Tasking: Fire Suppression
Low Risk (Fire Alarm, Vehicle, Brush, Dumpster Fire)
Apparatus
Tasks
CTA
First Due Engine
Officer- Establish command; size up, initial action plan,
Safety Officer
1
Engineer- Apparatus placement, water supply, operate fire
pump to provide desired flow rate for fire attack
1
Firefighter(s) and Officer- Deploy proper hose line and began
an initial fire attack
1
Second Due
Engine/ Truck
Crew- Provide water supply for first arriving apparatus
1
Crew- Assist as directed by Incident Command
2
Critical Task
Analysis Staffing
Total Personnel
6
Bluffton Township Fire District: Standards of Cover
2018
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Medium ( Single Family / Multi-Residence, Detached Garage, Commercial Building
Apparatus
Task
CTA
First Due Engine
Officer-Scene size up, Command decision, Incident action
plan
3
Engineer- Apparatus placement, water supply, operate fire
pump to provide desired flow rate for fire attack
Firefighter(s) and Officer- Deploy proper hose line and
began initial fire attack or rescue
Second Due Engine
Ensure water supply, make connections and operate fire
pump to supplement buildings fire suppression system
3
Deploy a secondary attack line
IRIC
Third Due Engine
Establish Rapid Intervention Crew
3
Fourth Due Engine
Perform duties as directed by Incident Command
3
Planning Zone 32
(HFD/BFD)*
Perform duties as directed by Incident Command
4
Planning Zone 34
(HFD/JCFD)**
Perform duties as directed by Incident Command
2
Rescue
Perform duties as directed by Incident Command
3
Truck Company
Officer and Firefighter- Force Entry, Search and Rescue,
2
Operator and Firefighter- Ground ladders, aerial operations,
control utilities, ventilation
Battalion Chief w/
Aid
Assume Incident Command, Bat Aid Incident safety officer
2
Evaluate incident action plan and update as needed
Consider additional resources
Critical Task
Analysis Staffing
Total Personnel
25
*Denotes Hardeeville (1 person) and City of Beaufort Fire Department (3 personnel) is part of the
ERF for Planning Zone 32.
**Denotes Jasper County Fire Department (1 person), Hardeeville Fire Department (1 person).
Bluffton Township Fire District: Standards of Cover
2018
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High Risk ( Assisted Living facilities, Golf chemical storage, and Schools)
Apparatus
Task
CTA
First Due Engine
Officer-Scene size up, Command decision, Incident action plan,
Request additional alarm upon confirmation of a working fire
3
Engineer- Apparatus placement, water supply, operate fire pump
to provide desired flow rate for fire attack
Firefighter(s) and Officer- Deploy proper hose line and begin
initial fire attack or rescue
Second Due Engine
Ensure water supply, make connections and operate fire pump to
supplement building’s fire suppression system
3
Deploy a secondary attack line
IRIC
Third Due Engine
Establish Rapid Intervention Crew
3
Fourth Due Engine
Perform Duties as directed by Incident Command
3
Fifth Due Engine
Perform Duties as directed by Incident Command
3
Sixth Due Engine
Perform Duties as directed by Incident Command
3
Seventh Due
Engine(Planning
Zone 32 HFD/BFD)*
Perform Duties as directed by Incident Command
4
Eighth Due
(Planning Zone 34
HFD/JCFD)*
Perform Duties as directed by Incident Command
2
Rescue
Perform Duties as directed by Incident Command
3
Truck Company
Officer and Firefighter- Force Entry, Search and Rescue,
2
Operator and Firefighter- Ground ladders, aerial operations,
control utilities, ventilation
Battalion Chief w/
Aid
Assume Incident Command, Incident safety officer
1
Evaluate incident action plan and update as needed
Consider additional resources
Safety Officer
Monitor conditions and overall safety of all operations
1
Establish Safety Group if needed due to incident size or
complexity
Officer
Additional command staff
1
Additional Safety Officer
Total Personnel
32
*Denotes Hardeeville (1 person) and City of Beaufort Fire Department (3 personnel) is part of the
ERF for Planning Zone 32.
**Denotes Jasper County Fire Department (1 person), Hardeeville Fire Department (1 person).
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Critical Tasking: EMS
EMS: Low-Risk: Not serious or life-threatening
Unit
ERF
Critical Task
CTA
First Due Engine Company
3
Command / Safety / Family Liason / Patient
Assessment / Patient Care / Handling / Equipment /
Documentation / Medical Communications
3
Total Effective Response
Force
3
3
EMS: Medium-Risk: Serious, but not immediately life-threatening
Unit
ERF
Task
CTA
First Due Engine Company
3
Command / Safety / Patient Assessment / Patient
Care / Handling / Equipment / Documentation /
Medical Communications
3
Battalion QRV
2
Assume Command / Incident Safety Officer /
Family Liason
2
Total Effective Response Force
5
5
EMS: High-Risk: Life-threatening, requiring immediate intervention
Unit
ERF
Task
CTA
First Due Engine Company
3
Command / Safety / Triage / Patient Assessment /
Patient Care / Handling / Equipment /
Documentation / Medical Communications
3
Second Due Engine Company
3
Safety / Triage / Patient Assessment / Patient Care
/ Handling / Equipment / Documentation / Medical
Communications
3
Battalion QRV
2
Assume Command / Incident Safety Officer/
Resource Management / Liason with EMS or
LEO.
2
Total Effective Response Force
8
8
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2018
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Critical Tasking: Technical Rescue
Technical Rescue Critical Tasking: Low-Risk (Elevator Rescue)
Apparatus
Task
CTA
Engine First Due
Assumes Command
Recon and Locate Patient
3
Rescue
Performs Elevator Rescue
3
Total Effective
Response Force
Total Personnel
6
Technical Rescue Critical Tasking: Medium-Risk (Water Rescue)
Apparatus
Task
CTA
Engine First Due
Assumes Command
Recon and Locate Patient
3
Rescue/Boat Asset
Establish Rescue Group
Launch Boat and perform rescue
3
Battalion Chief
Incident Command
Safety officer
2
Total Effective
Response Force
Total Personnel
8
Technical Rescue Critical Tasking: Medium-Risk (Basic Auto Extrication)
Apparatus
Task
CTA
Engine First Due
Assumes Command
Recon
Patient Care
3
Rescue
Rescue Operations
3
Engine Second Due
Secure Fire Hazards
3
Battalion Chief
Incident Command
Safety officer
2
Total Effective
Response Force
Total Personnel
11
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2018
62
Technical Rescue Critical Tasking Continued:
Technical Rescue Critical Tasking: High-Risk Trench Rescue/Confined Space Rescue
Apparatus
Task
CTA
Engine First Due
Assumes Command
Recon and Locate Patient
3
Second Due Engine
Decon and Manpower
3
Rescue
Establishes Rescue Group
Initiates Rescue Operations
3
HHIFR Rescue Truck
Setup Logistics for equipment
Assist in Setup and Rescue
3
RRT-4 Callout
Perform rescue Operations as needed
10
Battalion Chief
Incident Command
Safety officer
2
Total Effective Response
Force
Total Personnel
24
Bluffton Township Fire District: Standards of Cover
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63
Critical Tasking: Hazardous Materials Incidents
Level 1 HAZMAT Response* Low Risk (Any spill 55 gallons or less, natural gas or
propane odor outside)
Apparatus
Task
CTA
First Due
Engine
Officer assumes command, performs scene size up,
develops an IAP, recognizes the need and calls for
additional resources
3
Rescue
Isolate and deny entry, medical triage, initial
3
Critical Task
Analysis
Staffing
Total Personnel
6
Bluffton Township Fire District: Standards of Cover
2018
64
Level 2 HAZMAT response* Medium (Any spill 55 gallons or more, or known
substance at dispatch time) No immediate threat to life.
Apparatus
Task
CTA
First Due
Engine
Officer assumes command, performs scene size up,
develops an IAP
1
Entry/Recon
2
Second Due
Engine
Back-up/Decon
3
Battalion
Chief w/ Aide
Assumes command, reevaluates IAP and makes
necessary changes, recognize the need and calls for
additional resources
1
BC Aide assumes the role of Incident Safety Officer
1
Rescue
Isolate and deny entry, medical triage
3
Truck
Assist units on scene as needed
2
Total
Effective
Response
Force
Total Personnel
13
*A Level 2 response consists of 2 engines and Battalion Chief (BC) w/ aide. The first arriving
engine initially assumes the role of IC and Safety. Upon the arrival of BC w/ aide, command and
safety are assumed from the first arriving officer. BCEMS provides medical.
Bluffton Township Fire District: Standards of Cover
2018
65
Level 3 HAZMAT* High-Risk response: (South Carolina HazMat Regional Team 4) Spill of
an unknown substance of any size, any release of a Toxic Inhalation Hazard (IDLH
atmosphere), immediate threat to life.
Positions
Task
CTA
Incident
Command
1
Assumes command of the incident, develops an
IAP, communicates with Hazmat Branch, liaison
with other agencies if on scene
1
Incident Safety
Officer
1
Oversees safety of the entire incident
1
Hazmat Branch
1
Oversees Hazmat side of the incident,
communicates back to Incident Command
1
Hazmat Safety
Officer
1
Oversees safety of hazmat operations,
accountability of hazmat personnel
1
Decontamination
Officer
1
Oversees decontamination of personnel
1
Decon Team
4
Sets up decontamination line, performs
decontamination of personnel after exiting hot
zone
4
Entry Officer
1
Briefs entry personnel
1
Recon Team
2
Establishes control zones, relays information
back regarding the incident, reports back to
Entry Officer
2
Entry Team
2
Finishes recon if not completed, mitigation of
incident, reports back to Entry Officer
2
Back-up
2
Safety for entry team/RIC performs further
mitigation if needed, reports back to Entry
Officer
2
Medical/Rehab
2
Obtains vitals before and after of entry
personnel, sets up rehab
2
Science
1
Works with Safety Officers determining proper
PPE, isolation zones, treatment for responders
and public
1
Total Effective
Response Force
Total Personnel
19
Bluffton Township Fire District: Standards of Cover
2018
66
* A level 3 response will rapidly tax the Districts numbers and off-duty personnel. SCHM4 will
likely be requested to respond. The size of the incident will dictate the positions assigned and
extra personnel needed
10. Historical Perspective and Summary of System Performance
To create a successful Standards of Cover document it is essential to understand the system
performance model. There are two components to the system performance model: distribution
and concentration. Both components are measured in time. Distribution relates to the placement
of first-due resources (fixed deployment station) for immediate mitigation of an emergency, and
concentration refers to the placement of specific resources, i.e., the Truck Company, and rescue
to deploy district-wide to assist the first-due resources effectively. This too was determined by
historical need and possibility of need. These two factors take into consideration risk levels,
critical tasking, and physical and human resources.
Distribution Factors:
The distribution consists of two components; the geographical location of a station and time
measurement for how quickly the first-due apparatus will arrive at an incident. For the District,
all apparatus respond from fixed station locations. As of this Standards of Cover publication,
there are eight response areas from which the District responds. The District does not use the
closest apparatus or better known as Automatic Vehicle Locator (AVL) at this time.
As stated earlier, from its inception, the District inherited existing stations that were formerly
volunteer stations, and as such, the stations were not always in the ideal locations. First station
locations were placed close to the largest population centers; Downtown Bluffton, Pritchardville,
and Callawassie. Unfortunately, these stations are miles apart, and as growth in the community
continued, the areas between the stations also began to develop. This created the need for
additional stations to serve the “infill” areas. At the time, the tax base would not support large
expenditures for land and buildings. Therefore, the District was forced to build where it could on
donated or county-owned property. This meant that stations were not always in the ideal
locations to suit the needs of the District but were made to work. As the District has continued to
Bluffton Township Fire District: Standards of Cover
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67
grow and as such, so has the tax base for the construction of new facilities to meet the needs of
the community are possible.
To this end, and using modern analytical methods, the District identifies areas that have long
response times and is planning for new stations. For example, Station 38 is proposed to be built
on Hampton Parkway and Bluffton Parkway to alleviate long response time along Hampton Lake
and parts of Sun City; furthermore, Station 38 will help with concentration.
Concentration:
Concentration is the spacing of resources within a geographical area so that enough human and
physical resources can successfully mitigate an emergency. That is, concentration is the result of
all preassigned apparatus arriving on-scene (ERF) to mitigate an emergency. For example, on a
structure fire, there is the arrival of the first-due engine on-scene (distribution), and then
preassigned complement of resources to arrive after that, i.e., an additional four (4) engines, a
truck company, rescue, and a battalion within the prescribed benchmark time to prevent the
spread of fire is the concentration.
The District currently has one Truck Company, one brush-truck, one new quint, and one new
heavy rescue to support engine company operations across the District. The heavy rescue is a
versatile piece of apparatus: it can support structure fire operations, water rescue with one
inflatable boat on board and the other on a trailer, technical rescue such as extrication, high angle
rescues, and hazardous materials incidents.
Both the brush truck and the rescue, with the inflatable boats, are centrally located within the
district at Station 35. The third boat is located at station 33 on the eastern portion of the district
Bluffton Township Fire District: Standards of Cover
2018
68
where there are three public boat ramps nearby to access the May River and Colleton Rivers.
All of which are limited resources. Thus, these units are centrally located at station 35 so that the
concentration of equipment and human resources can arrive within the prescribed benchmark
time.
Reliability:
Reliability is the ability for the District to deliver services within performance expectations
consistently - Does the District have enough human and physical resources to perform its duty
reliably. To accomplish this, the District has procedures in place to keep resource drawdown
(Resistance) or out-of-service of first-due engines to a minimum. For instance, when the
District is conducting training scenarios, no more than two engines will be out-of-service for an
extended period. By doing so, the continuity of service performance and an effective response
force will only be slightly affected when such a drawdown of personnel and equipment happens.
Furthermore, during the summer months, severe thunderstorms roll through the area and can
wreak havoc for short periods that can stress the capabilities of the District. From a historical
point of view relating to weather, the District has in place a “Storm mode” policy to help limit
resource drawdown when severe weather events happen. By following the storm mode policy,
the District can effectively place resources where they are needed most(Resistance-limiting
Bluffton Township Fire District: Standards of Cover
2018
69
resource consumption) based upon the event, and if needed (Absorption: ability to add or
duplicate resources), the on-call Duty Officer can issue a “Call-Back” for additional personnel
and physical resources (Restoration: ability to return to functionality or normalcy within the
system).
Likewise, the District uses historical data to understand resource drawdown. It is imperative of
the District to understand the reliability for each planning zone so that the District is adequately
covered by human and physical resources when short-lasting significant events like structure
fires, severe thunderstorms, and technical rescue incidents happen. (CC2D.1)
For events that are not as common as day-to-day operational incidents, the District relies on
mutual and automatic aid agreements with its neighboring departments (Restoration). By having
these agreements in place, the District can return to normalcy quicker and still keep reliability
high.
Lastly, as the area continues to be developed and population density changes, the District will
determine if the service it provides to its stakeholders is effective. How this is done, in part, is
by understanding the system performance it provides to its community. The District conducts
this analysis on an annual basis. The chart below shows the reliability of 85 percent or above for
each planning zone. Therefore, this tells the District command staff that the reliability for each
station, and its human and physical resources, are available most of the time; therefore, there is
not a need to add additional human and physical resources to any particular station. However,
the District does have a threshold to add additional resources when and if it does go below 70%
reliability. Once a station drops below this threshold more resources will be assigned
accordingly.
Planning Zone Reliability
2017
2018
2019
Station 30
89%
90%
89%
Station 31
93%
92%
93%
Station 32
96%
96%
96%
Station 33
92%
90%
92%
Station 34
92%
92%
92%
Station 35
91%
90%
91%
Bluffton Township Fire District: Standards of Cover
2018
70
Station 36
95%
93%
95%
Station 37
85%
90%
84%
11. Performance Objectives and Measurements: (CC2C.5)
Baseline Performance Statement:
Baseline performance is a measurement of the current time (actual performance). It
incorporates the 911 time continuum: Alarm handling (PSAP); Turnout time; Travel time; and
Total response time. Within each of the above time segments, data is collected and analyzed to
determine baseline performance for each of the services the District provides to its stakeholders:
fire suppression, EMS, technical rescue, and hazardous materials incidents. Furthermore, the
District collects time data on effective response force (ERF) to thoroughly understand the time it
takes to have all human and physical resources on an emergent scene as dictated by the incident.
Baseline performance is then used to set benchmark times. Benchmark times are strived for, or
in other words, a goal. The purpose of establishing baseline performance is to understand where
the gaps in services are and to investigate the causes and implement corrective action. It is
imperative for any fire department to understand its current performance. By completing this
segment of analysis, the District can begin to improve its performance in all of the services it
provides to its stakeholders. Baseline performance is based on three years of data-2016-2018.
CC2C.
A note about Baseline data. It was discovered while analyzing the data that the District was
collecting the incorrect time segment for alarm handling time. Specifically, when Beaufort
County Dispatch started using Spillman CAD interface in 2014, the training that was given to the
District by the County, concerning time collection, was incorrect. From the beginning, the
county instructed the District to use “When reported time” as 911 pick-up time. This was
incorrect. The “Occurred between time” was the time that needed to be collected. See below
Bluffton Township Fire District: Standards of Cover
2018
71
diagram:
As a result, starting April 19, 2018, the District collects the “Occurred Between time.”
Moreover, to understand the time difference between the “When Reported time” and the
“Occurred Between time” a data sample size of 400 randomly selected emergency calls were
obtained; whereby the median time of 18 seconds was obtained and was added to the “Alarm
handling” time segment in the benchmark time tables you will see later in the document.
Lastly, the District upgraded its RMS to FireWorks RMS in October 2018; the time collection
error is now moot. Because FireWorks integration into the County’s CAD, the correct times are
automatically sent to the District’s RMS. However, for apparatus outside the District, response
time will be copied and input manually into the RMS.
A note about effective response force (ERF) baseline performance: As the District conducted its
analysis of ERF data, it was discovered the ERF response was inconsistent concerning code 3
responses (lights and siren) for some call types. That is, the data for brush fires and motor
vehicle accidents (MVA), the response was inconsistent when compared to the District’s
response SOG. In other words, the District responded to some brush fires and MVA’s where the
first-due engine would respond code 3, but the second-due engine (ERF) would respond code 1,
Bluffton Township Fire District: Standards of Cover
2018
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consequently skewing the ERF data. Therefore, the data set for those incident types are very
low.
Bluffton Township Fire District: Standards of Cover
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73
Benchmark Statement and Methodology:
The District, on an annual basis, analyzes its data to identify opportunities to improve its
performance district-wide. The benchmark methodology is part of the annual appraisal of its
overall performance. Concerning this analysis, the District’s response history is analyzed to
identify consistencies, reliabilities, and resiliencies by risk category and incident classification.
This methodology is used to establish benchmark times for first-due (Concentration) and ERF
(Distribution). (CC 2D.1)
The method follows CPSE’s 6
th
edition of the Community Risk Assessment Standards of Cover
which defines total response time as Alarm handling time (PSAP), Turnout time, and Travel time
for first-due and effective response force (ERF).
Bluffton Township Fire District: Standards of Cover
2018
74
Benchmarks: Performance Objectives
Benchmark statements are performance objectives to strive for (Goal). As mentioned earlier,
benchmark objectives pertain to the 911 time continuum for each service provided by the
District; fire suppression, EMS, hazardous materials incidents, and technical rescue.
The chart below depicts the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) NFPA 1710 Standard
for the Organization and Deployment of Fire Suppression Operations, Emergency Medical
Operations, and Special Operations to the Public by Career Fire. The chart is used as a
comparison to the District actual baseline performance and benchmark statements, which is
described in the performance charts later in this document. The intention for depicting the NFPA
standard is to show the perspective of the national standard versus the actual baseline
performance so that new benchmarks can be established.
Benchmark Performance Objectives
Structure
Fires
EMS
Technical
Rescue
Hazardous
Materials
Alarm Handling
(NFPA Recommended)
Pick up to
Dispatch
Urban
1:04
1:30
1:30
1:30
Turnout Time
(NFPA Recommended)
Turnout Time
1st Unit
Urban
1:20
1:00
1:20
1:20
Travel Time
(NFPA Recommended)
Travel Time 1st
Unit Distribution
Urban
4:00
4:00
4:00
4:00
Travel Time
ERF
Concentration
Urban
8:00
8:00
8:00
8:00
Total Response Time
(BTFD Historical Data)
Total Response
Time 1st Unit On-
Scene Distribution
Urban
11:51
11:12
12:12
12:47
Total Response
Time ERF
Concentration
Urban
19:26
11:16
60
60
Bluffton Township Fire District: Standards of Cover
2018
75
The command staff discussed the goals for each time segment except for alarm handling.
Because alarm handling is out of the purview of the District, the command staff decided to
follow NFPA 1221 (7.4.2) Standard for the Installation, Maintenance, and Use of Emergency
Services Communications Systems. Though the District does not have jurisdiction over the
dispatch center, it does monitor it monthly. If there is a concern with alarm handling time, the
District will follow the county’s policy for dispatch errors.
Fire Suppression Benchmarks:
All Risk Levels: First-Due
For 90 percent of all risk levels, the total response time for the first-due apparatus, consisting of a
minimum of 3 personnel, shall be 11 minutes and 50 seconds. The first-due apparatus
(Distribution) shall be capable of: establishing command, providing 750 gallons of water with a
pump capacity of 1500 gallons per minute (GPM), complete a scene size-up, develop an initial
incident action plan, establish a water supply (if possible), deploy proper hose lines flowing a
minimum of 150 GPM or rescue. Personnel are expected to follow the District’s standard
operating guidelines and perform tasks safely for themselves and the public.
Low-Risk ERF
For 90 percent of all low-risk incidents, the total response time for the effective response force
(ERF-Concentration), consisting of a minimum of 3 personnel, shall be 15 minutes and 27
seconds. The ERF shall be capable of: establish/assisting with a water supply and help with hose
lines or rescue. Personnel are expected to follow the District’s standard operating guidelines and
perform tasks safely for themselves and the public.
Medium-Risk ERF
For 90 percent of all medium-risks incidents: the total response time for the ERF
(Concentration), consisting of a minimum of 25 personnel shall be 19 minutes and 26 seconds.
The ERF shall be capable of: establishing a safety officer, establishing rapid intervention team
{RIT- OSHA requirement 2 in-2 out: policy 29 CFR 1910.134(g)(4)(i)}, assist with water
supply, ladder buildings for second means of egress, assist with ventilation, rescue, hose
Bluffton Township Fire District: Standards of Cover
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76
management, and perform salvage and overhaul. Personnel are expected to follow the District’s
standard operating guidelines and perform tasks safely for themselves and the public.
High-Risk ERF
For 90 percent of high-risk incidents: the total response time for the ERF (Concentration),
consisting of a minimum of 31 personnel shall be 19 minutes and 26 seconds. The ERF shall be
capable of establishing an additional safety officer and deploy resources as needed. Personnel
are expected to follow the District’s standard operating guidelines and perform tasks safely for
themselves and the public.
Below is a table that depicts baseline performance for three years (2017-2019). The table
illustrates the 90
th
percentile of each of the risk classifications and the number of calls for each
year. The baseline performance data is the control data that is used to set benchmarks (Goals).
The command staff uses the baseline data to compare to the set benchmarks where gaps in
service are identified and where the command staff determine the cause. Likewise, within the
same chart are benchmarks in which the District will strive. The table is depicted for Fire
Suppression, Technical Rescue, Hazardous Materials Incidents, and EMS.
Lastly, the District has not experienced a high-risk incident for Fire Suppression for the data
period; therefore, the medium-risk benchmark statement is the same for high-risk.
Bluffton Township Fire District: Standards of Cover
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77
Baseline Performance: Fire suppression
Times are for First Due low, medium, and high-risk structure fires.
*18 seconds added for time input error.
Fire Suppression - 90th Percentile
Times - Baseline Performance
First-Due All Risk Levels
2017-2021
Aggregate
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
Agency
Benchmark
(Target)
Alarm
Handling
Pick-up to
Dispatch
Urban
2:54*
2:58
2:55
2:51
2:57*
2:50*
2:36
Turnout
Time
Turnout
Time
1st Unit
Urban
1:48
1:51
1:57
1:54
1:47
1:58
1:35
Travel
Time
Travel
Time
1st Unit
Distribution
Urban
8:18
9:14
8:21
9:07
9:35
9:50
8:18
Total
Response
Time 1st
Unit on
Scene
Distribution
Urban
13:34
n=3265
13:50
n=720
13:46
n=656
13:22
n=601
13:31
n=621
13:27
n=667
10:04
Bluffton Township Fire District: Standards of Cover
2018
78
Low-Risk ERF Fire Suppression - 90th Percentile Times
- Baseline Performance
2017-
2021
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
Agency
Benchmark
(Target)
Alarm Handling
Pick-up to
Dispatch
Urban
2:53*
3:03
2:46
2:46
2:47*
2:43*
2:36
Turnout Time
Urban
2:17
2:17
2:25
2:15
2:12
2:29
1:35
Travel time
Urban
13:21
15:04
13:17
12:52
12:12
12:41
8:18
Total Response Time ERF
(Concentration)
Urban
19:16
n=589
23:26
n=131
19:15
n=141
17:25
n=121
17:58
n=114
17:59
n=82
15:27
Bluffton Township Fire District: Standards of Cover
2018
79
Medium-Risk ERF Fire Suppression
- 90th Percentile Times - Baseline
Performance
2017-
2021
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
Agency
Benchmark
(Target)
Alarm
Handling
Pick-up to
Dispatch
Urban
2:47*
2:14
2:54
2:29
3:05 *
2:38*
2:36
Turnout Time
Urban
2:23
2:15
2:23
2:55
2:17
2:32
1:35
Travel time
Urban
17:36
22:06
16:54
22:49
20:57
18:39
12:12
Total Response Time ERF
(Concentration)
Urban
24:42
n=63
27:59
n=12
23:04
n=13
25:42
n=9
24:02
n=12
22:39
n=17
19:26
Bluffton Township Fire District: Standards of Cover
2018
80
Emergency Medical Service Benchmark Performance:
EMS Benchmark Statements:
All Risk Levels- First Due
For 90 percent of all risk levels, the total response time for the first-due apparatus (Distribution),
consisting of a minimum of three (3) personnel, shall be 10 minutes and 04 seconds. The first-
due apparatus, ALS or BLS, shall be capable of: determining if the scene is safe, establish
command, form a general impression, conduct an initial patient assessment, obtain vitals, obtain
the patient’s medical history, and follow the District’s standing orders. Once Beaufort County
EMS arrives on the scene, and a patient report is given to the paramedic in charge, it is when the
patient’s care is transferred. The engine crew will then assist Beaufort County EMS with
packaging the patient and transport (a driver) if needed. Personnel are expected to follow the
District’s standard operating guidelines and perform tasks safely for themselves and the public.
Low-Risk ERF:
For 90 percent of all low-risk incidents, the total response time for an ERF (Concentration),
consisting of an engine with three (3) personnel, shall be 11 minutes and 16 seconds. The ERF,
ALS or BLS, shall be capable of: determining if the scene is safe, establish command, form a
general impression, conduct an initial patient assessment, obtain vitals, obtain the patient’s
medical history, and follow the District’s standing orders. Once Beaufort County EMS arrives on
the scene, and a patient report is given to the paramedic in charge, it is when the patient’s care is
transferred. The engine crew will then assist Beaufort County EMS with packaging the patient
and transport (a driver) if needed. Personnel are expected to follow the District’s standard
operating guidelines and perform tasks safely for themselves and the public.
Medium-Risk ERF:
For 90 percent of all medium-risk incidents, the total response time for an ERF (Concentration),
consisting of an engine with three (3) personnel and a battalion with aid with two (2) personnel,
shall be 11 minutes and 16 seconds. The ERF shall be capable of: determining if the scene is
Bluffton Township Fire District: Standards of Cover
2018
81
safe, perform a scene size-up, perform ALS and BLS treatment, assist/setup triage, assist/set up a
safe zone, establish a safety officer, and establish a unified command. Personnel are expected to
follow the District’s standard operating guidelines and perform tasks safely for themselves and
the public.
High-Risk ERF:
For 90 percent of all high-risk incidents, the total response time for an ERF (Concentration),
consisting of two engines with six (6) personnel and a battalion with aid with two (2) personnel,
shall be 11 minutes and 16 seconds. The ERF shall be capable of: determining if the scene is
safe, perform a scene size-up, perform ALS and BLS treatment, assist/setup triage, assist/set up a
safe zone, establish a safety officer, and establish a unified command. Personnel are expected to
follow the District’s standard operating guidelines and perform tasks safely for themselves and
the public.
Bluffton Township Fire District: Standards of Cover
2018
82
EMS Baseline Performance:
--From 2017-2019, there was a single-engine response for all EMS call types.
**ERF Data set will be shown on the Medium and High charts. The District’s new
deployment model for EMS began January, 2020.
EMS -90th Percentile Times -
Baseline Performance-First-Due
All Risk Levels
2017-
2021
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
Target
(Benchm
ark)
Alarm
Handling
Pick-up to
Dispatch
Urban
2:48*
2:53
2:50
2:46
2:40
2:56
2:33
Turnout
Time
Turnout Time
1st Unit
Urban
1:44
1:53
1:43
1:44
1:37
1:41
1:30
Travel
Time
Travel Time
1st Unit
Distribution
Urban
8:45
8:34
9:07
8:41
8:39
8:38
7:20
Total
Response
Time
Total Response Time 1st
Unit on Scene
Concentration
Urban
13:17
13:19
13:50
13:23
12:44
12:34
11:16
n=16718
n=5018
n=3750
n=3352
n=2375
n=2223
Bluffton Township Fire District: Standards of Cover
2018
83
Single engine response for Low-Risk calls.
EMS -90th Percentile Times –
Low-Risk Baseline Performance
2020-
2021
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
Target
(Agency
Benchmark)
Alarm
Handling
Pick-up to
Dispatch
Urban
2:52
2:53
2:40
--
--
--
2:33
Turnout
Time
Turnout Time
1st Unit
Urban
1:46
1:49
1:45
--
--
--
1:30
Travel
Time
Travel Time
1st Unit
Distribution
Urban
8:48
8:34
9:05
--
--
--
7:20
Total
Response
Time
Total
Response
Time ERF
Concentration
Urban
13:30
13:21
13:39
--
--
--
11:16
n=8521
n=4928
n=3593
--
--
--
Bluffton Township Fire District: Standards of Cover
2018
84
-- Starting January 2020, the District began Low-Medium-and High-risk deployment
model. Therefore, there is no ERF data for 2017 through 2019. Prior to the
implementation of the new EMS deployment model, the District’s responed to all EMS call
types with a single-engine.
--- EMS -90th Percentile Times –
Medium-Risk-Baseline Performance
2020-
2021
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
Target
(Agency
Benchmark)
Alarm
Handling
Pick-up to
Dispatch
Urban
2:13
3:12
3:14
--
--
--
2:33
Turnout
Time
Turnout
Time
1st Unit
Urban
1:35
1:34
1:17
--
--
--
1:30
Travel
Time
Travel Time
1st Unit
Distribution
Urban
6:25
10:45
8:37
--
--
--
7:20
Travel Time
ERF
Concentratio
n
Urban
6:01
7:01
13:00
--
--
--
7:17
Total
Response
Time
Total
Response
Time 1st Unit
on Scene
Distribution
Urban
11:31
13:59
11:13
--
--
--
11:16
n=28
n=14
n=14
--
--
--
Total
Response
Time ERF
Concentratio
n
Urban
17:40
15:08
17:27
--
--
---
n=7
n=4
n=3
--
--
--
Bluffton Township Fire District: Standards of Cover
2018
85
-- Starting in January 2020, the District began the new Low-Medium-and High-risk
deployment model. Therefore, there is no ERF data for 2017 through 2019. Prior to the
implementation of the new EMS deployment model the District’s response to all EMS call
types was a single-engine.
EMS -90th Percentile Times –High-
Risk-Baseline Performance
2020-2021
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
Target
(Agency
Benchmark)
Alarm
Handling
Pick-up to
Dispatch
Urban
2:25
2:57
2:30
--
--
--
2:33
Turnout
Time
Turnout Time
1st Unit
Urban
1:46
1:44
2:13
--
--
--
1:30
Travel
Time
Travel Time
1st Unit
Distribution
Urban
7:15
7:39
7:33
--
--
--
7:20
Travel Time
ERF
Concentration
Urban
10:38
11:09
10:10
--
--
--
7:17
Total
Response
Time
Total
Response
Time 1st Unit
on Scene
Distribution
Urban
11:28
10:50
14:24
--
--
--
12:16
n=196
n=112
n=84
--
--
--
Total
Response
Time ERF
Concentration
Urban
19:13
15:35
19:03
--
--
--
TBD
n=115
n=63
n=52
--
--
--
Bluffton Township Fire District: Standards of Cover
2018
86
Technical Rescue Benchmark Performance:
All Risk Levels:
For 90 percent of all risk levels, the total response time for the first-due apparatus, consisting of a
minimum of 3 personnel, shall be 12minutes and 24 seconds. The first-due apparatus shall be
capable of: establishing command, completing a scene size-up, determining if the scene is safe,
determine if a rescue is necessary, determine if more resources are needed, initiate incident
action plan, and provide EMS functions if it is safe to the crew and the public.
Low-Risk ERF
For 90 percent of all low-risk technical rescue incidents, the total response time performance for
the ERF (Concentration), consisting of 6 personnel shall be 14 minutes and 36 seconds. The
ERF shall be capable of: Establishing if the scene is safe, establish a safety officer, transition
command if needed, adjust IAP, and perform rescue operations. Personnel are expected to follow
the District’s standard operating guidelines and perform tasks safely for themselves and the
Public
Bluffton Township Fire District: Standards of Cover
2018
87
Medium-Risk ERF (Water Rescue)
For 90 percent of medium-risk with water rescue component, the total response time
performance for the ERF (Concentration), consisting of 8 personnel shall be 17 minutes and 24
seconds. The ERF shall be capable of: Establishing if the scene is safe, establish a safety officer,
transition command if needed, adjust IAP, and perform rescue operations recognize the need for
more personnel and equipment. Personnel are expected to follow the District’s standard
operating guidelines and perform tasks safely for themselves and the Public
Medium-Risk ERF (Extrication)
For 90 percent of medium-risk with extrication rescue component incidents, the total response
time performance for the ERF (Concentration), consisting of 11 personnel shall be 13 minutes
and 24 seconds. The ERF shall be capable of: Establishing if the scene is safe, establish a safety
officer, transition command if needed, adjust IAP, and perform rescue operations recognize the
need for more personnel and equipment. Personnel are expected to follow the District’s standard
operating guidelines and perform tasks safely for themselves and the Public
High-Risk ERF
For high-risk incidents, there has not been a full deployment of personnel. The District provided
the Rescue (Apparatus) and its personnel for a mutual aid incident in Hardeeville, where the
crew assisted with a high angle rescue. However, the District has recognized the potential for
high-risk incidents; therefore, for 90 percent of all high-risk technical rescue incidents, the total
response time performance for the ERF (Concentration), consisting of 24 personnel shall be 60
minutes to muster the entire SCTF-4. The ERF shall be capable of: Establishing if the scene is
safe, establish a safety officer, transition command if needed, adjust IAP, secure fire hazards,
establish logistics, and perform rescue operations. Personnel are expected to follow the
District’s standard operating guidelines and perform tasks safely for themselves and the Public
Bluffton Township Fire District: Standards of Cover
2018
88
Technical Rescue Baseline Performance: First Due All Risk Levels
*18 seconds added for time input error.
Technical Rescue - 90th Percentile
Times - Baseline Performance
First-Due All-Risk Levels
2017-
2021
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
Agency
Benchmark
(Target)
Alarm
Handling
Pick-up to
Dispatch
Urban
2:54*
2:56
2:51
2:47
2:15*
3:00*
2:39
Turnout
Time
Turnout
Time
1st Unit
Urban
1:50
1:44
1:41
2:00
1:51
1:46
1:39
Travel
Time
Travel
Time
1st Unit
Distributio
n
Urban
9:06
8:58
8:12
6:24
11:00
7:53
7:10
Total
Response
Time 1st
Unit on
Scene
Distributio
n
Urban
14:37
n=97
20:19
n=26
12:36
n=28
12:02
n=15
14:47
n=13
14:02
n=15
12:24
Bluffton Township Fire District: Standards of Cover
2018
89
Technical Rescue Low-Risk ERF
*18 seconds added for time input error.
Low-Risk ERF Technical
Rescue - 90th Percentile Times
- Baseline Performance
2017-
2021
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
Agency
Benchmark
(Target)
Alarm
Handling
Pick-up to
Dispatch
Urban
3:06*
3:06
2:48
3:07
2:13*
2:07*
2:39
Turnout
Time
Turnout
Time
1st Unit
Urban
1:38
1:38
1:42
1:33
1:38
1:32
1:39
Travel
Time
Travel Time
1st Unit
Distribution
Urban
10:46
7:56
8:13
6:48
11:57
2:25
10:54
Total
Response
Time ERF
Concentrat
ion
Urban
16:35
n=15
20:0
4
n=8
19:40
n=5
14:46
n=2
14:51
n=1
13:34
n=1
14:36
Bluffton Township Fire District: Standards of Cover
2018
90
Medium-Risk (Water)
*18 seconds added for time input error.
Per the Data Correction Process for Response Times, SOG 104.02, the calls in the chart are
outside of the parameters as outlined in the SOG. However, all the calls were reviewed and
determined to be valid. Therefore, they were placed into the chart. Some of the causes for
the long call processing times are related to dispatch’s ability to locate the incident due to
the expanse of the local waterways.
Medium-Risk-Water Rescue
ERF - 90th Percentile Times -
Baseline Performance
2017-
2021
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
Agency
Benchmark
(Target)
Alarm
Handling
Pick-up to
Dispatch
Urban
2:21*
2:05
2:30
3:04
3:49*
2:11*
2:06
Turnout
Time
Turnout
Time
1st Unit
Urban
2:02
1:45
1:52
1:45
1:52
2:05
2:00
Travel Time
Travel
Time
1st Unit
Distribution
Urban
9:44
14:31
4:20
10:19
10:20
8:45
8:59
Total
Response
Time 1st
Unit on
Scene
Distribution
Urban
19:18
n=14
19:41
n=3
19:12
n=2
18:05
n=5
16:15
n=2
17:12
n=2
17:24
Bluffton Township Fire District: Standards of Cover
2018
91
Medium-Risk (Extrication)
*18 seconds added for time input error.
Medium-Risk ERF (Extrication)-
90th Percentile Times - Baseline
Performance
2017-
2021
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
Agency
Benchmark
(Target)
Alarm
Handling
Pick-up to
Dispatch
Urban
2:45*
1:57
2:44
2:33
2:12*
3:04*
2:13*
Turnout
Time
Turnout Time
1st Unit
Urban
1:45
1:20
1:33
2:00
1:19
1:30
2:00
Travel
Time
Travel Time
1st Unit
Distribution
Urban
6:41
5:21
8:18
5:59
6:14
6:50
6:12
Total
Response
Time 1st Unit
on Scene
Distribution
Urban
21:48
n=18
20:48
n=3
20:36
n=5
10:22
n=1
17:45
n=7
11:18
n=2
13:24
Bluffton Township Fire District: Standards of Cover
2018
92
Hazardous Materials Benchmark Performance:
Hazardous Materials Incidents Benchmark Statements:
Low-Risk:
For low-risk hazardous materials incidents, the District considered a single-engine as its ERF.
However, if the first arriving engine determines the incident to be significant in nature, the
officer can call for more resources. Therefore, for 90 percent of all-risk level incidents, the first-
due apparatus (Distribution), consisting of a minimum of three (3) personnel, shall be 12 minutes
and 47 seconds. The first-due apparatus shall be capable of: Establishing command, complete a
scene size-up, determine the type of hazardous material is present, develop an initial incident
action plan, to realize the need for more resources quickly, and begin rescue/evacuation (if
capable). Personnel are expected to follow the District’s standard operating guidelines and
perform tasks safely for themselves and the public.
Medium-Risk:
The District has not had a medium-risk incident in the past three years; however, the District still
recognizes the dangers of any hazardous materials incident. Therefore, for 90 percent of
medium-risk incidents, the total response time for the ERF (Concentration) shall be 19 minutes
and 26 seconds, consisting of a second engine and battalion, for a total of 8 personnel. The ERF
shall be capable of establishing a safety officer, evaluate and change the initial incident action
plan, provide support and physical resources, setup decon, and provide medical help if needed.
Personnel are expected to follow the District’s standard operating guidelines and perform tasks
safely for themselves and the public.
High-Risk:
As mentioned earlier, the District has not had a high-risk hazardous materials incident in the past
three years, and like the benchmark statement for medium-risk, the District recognized the risks.
Therefore, for 90 percent of high-risk incidents, the total response time for the arriving ERF
(Concentration) shall be 60 minutes, consisting of 19 personnel. The ERF shall be capable of
Bluffton Township Fire District: Standards of Cover
2018
93
establishing a safety officer, Hazmat safety officer, Decontamination Officer, Decon Team,
Entry Officer, Recon Team, Medical/Rehab, Science position, evaluate and change the initial
incident action plan, provide support and physical resources, setup decon, and provide medical
*18 seconds added for time input error.
In January 2020, the deployment model for hazardous condition call types is two engine
response.
Hazmat-Low-Risk Level - 90th
Percentile Times - Baseline
Performance
2017-
2021
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
Target
(Agency
Benchmark)
Alarm
Handling
Pick-up to
Dispatch
Urban
2:59*
2:54
2:55
3:17
2:56*
2:55*
2:13*
Turnout
Time
Turnout
Time
1st Unit
Urban
1:44
1:42
1:50
1:42
1:23
1:33
1:32
Travel
Time
Travel Time
1st Unit
Distribution
Urban
10:21
9:35
10:54
10:19
10:51
8:55
8:43
Travel Time
ERF
Concentrati
on
Urban
--
13:34
13:34
--
--
--
Total
Response
Time
Total
Response
Time 1
st
Unit on
Scene
Distribution
Urban
16:30
19:21
15:38
17:06
14:57
13:47
12:47
n=155
n=41
n=34
n=33
n=25
n=22
Total
Response
Time ERF
Concentrati
on
Urban
20:35
23:36
19:28
1 Hour
n=35
n=18
n=17
--
--
--
Bluffton Township Fire District: Standards of Cover
2018
94
In 2021 there was a programming error in the CAD that went undetected until May 5, 2022 that
affected the ERF of the Rescue. The error has been fixed and the Rescue is now toned out along
with the primary engine.
Compliance Methodology: (CC2D.7) CC2D.6
From the beginning of the process of becoming an accredited agency, the District needed to
adjust, and in some cases, create new methodologies to monitor its performance on a monthly
and annual basis. One of the measurements that needed to be adjusted was using the average as
a means of performance measurement to the nationally accepted performance methodology of
the 90th percentile (NFPA 1710 A.4.1.2.5.2)
Furthermore, while the District performance fluctuates throughout the year, it is still necessary to
review performance on an annual basis to identify any inadequacies, inconsistencies and
negative trends in-service programs (fire suppression, EMS, rescue, and hazmat) it provides to its
customers. The methodology used to measure this incorporates annual program appraisals, RMS
data from the current year, and historical data (three and five years) is analyzed for consistencies,
reliabilities, and resiliencies and compares the results to industry standards and neighboring fire
departments. Moreover, the District considers the Community Risk Reduction, and Public
Education Program as well as CRA-SOC, community expectations and strategic plan.
By doing so, the District, with a high degree of confidence, can identify the gaps, research the
cause(s) and develop a plan to correct the inadequacies. The results are published in the
District’s annual report.
As mentioned earlier, the methodology the District used to measure its performance was the
average. This methodology has been used for the past ten years and is shared with the District’s
Board of Directors every month. Conversely, the new methodology incorporates the new
performance measurement of 90
th
percentile and will be presented to the District’s Board of
Directors to adopt as its new performance measurement.
Bluffton Township Fire District: Standards of Cover
2018
95
Conclusions:
After a long and detailed analysis of the District’s performance and the process of completing the
standards of cover (SOC), the District recognized areas of opportunities for improvements.
Below are the administration’s recommendations:
• The District should identify methods to improve accuracy when data is manually input
into the RMS then implement those methods.
• The District should identify a new methodology for assessing value to residential and
commercial properties.
• The District should improve its annual review process regarding its performance in each
of its service provision areas (fire, EMS, technical rescue, and hazardous materials).
• The District should work to improve its overall turnout time by using education,
technology, and enhanced supervision.
• The District should work closely with Beaufort County Dispatch to improve dispatch
operations through performance improvement plans, in-depth quarterly performance
review meetings, and implementation of technology such as advanced vehicle location
(AVL) software.
• The District identified the wildland urban interface (WUI) as an emerging threat to the
public. The District should develop a detailed WUI operations plan and implement the
plan once training is complete.
• The District identified the need for the use of geographic information system (GIS) as a
tool to define gaps in service provision. The District should investigate and purchase
more robust GIS software to assist in the process of identifying and interpreting
information for better service provision.
• For significant events, the battalion’s aid will organize and present AAR, or by request by
Operations Chief/Shift Battalion.
• The District will develop a program appraisal for Domestic Preparedness.
Bluffton Township Fire District: Standards of Cover
2018
96
References:
1. Unknown Author, (2011, August). Bluffton History! http://www.bluffton.com/bluffton-
history/
2. Kat Walsh, (2016, August). Hurricane Matthew costs county $52 million.
http://yourislandnews.com/hurricane-matthew-costs-county-52-million/
3. William P. Barret (2016, April). The Best Places to Retire In 2016.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/williampbarrett/2016/04/04/the-best-places-to-retire-in-
2016/#6542699717c3
4. Unknown Author, (Unknown Publication). No Title.
http://www.blufftonpublicdevelopmentcorporation.com/demographics
Bluffton Township Fire District: Standards of Cover
2018
97
Definitions:
Alarm Handling Time (PSAP) – The time interval from the receipt of the alarm at the primary
PSAP until the beginning of the transmittal of the response information via voice or electronic
means to an emergency response facilities (ERF’s) or the emergency response units in the field.
Effective Response Force (ERF) - Is the minimum number of human and physical resources
that are needed in a specific location within the prescribed benchmark time to mitigate an
emergency.
PSAP – Public Safety Answering Point
Total Response Time – The time interval from the receipt of the alarm at the agency’s public
safety answering point (PSAP) to when the unit(s) arrives at the scene.
Travel Time – The time interval that begins when a unit is en-route to the emergency incident
and ends when the units arrive on the scene.
Turnout Time – The time interval that begins when the emergency response facilities (ERF) and
emergency response units notification process begins by either an audible alarm or visual
annunciation or both and ends at the beginning point of travel.