Mobile Command Post/Incident Set Up

From PCSAR

Current revision

When PCSAR's Mobile Command Post (SARCAR) arrives on the scene, the following should be set up.

□ Sign-In List. If a sign-in list has not already been started, grab a some sign-in sheets (doc-62) from the SAR Management Files Drawer (red folder labelled "Registration/Sign In"). Also grab the "doc-68 Invoice" sheets from the same folder, so members can take them as they sign-in. Put them on a clipboard which you can find in drawer below the files drawer. Set the sign-in list and expense forms somewhere in the cab of the Mobile Command Post (or later on a table outside the Mobile Command Post). Ask everyone to sign-in.

□ Call for Additional Equipment. The Mobile Command Post is not the only set of equipment that should come out to the incident. Normally the Equipment Trailer pulled by the SAR Truck should come out as well. These are outside the Pincher Firehall. The keys are in the SAR cabinet on the top floor of the Pincher Firehall. In addition, all the equipment on the bottom two shelves of the SAR cabinet should be taken out as well. Furthermore there is a large metal printer box and a clear plastic supplies box with a pink lid on the floor to the left of the cabinet that should come out as well. Verify that they have arrived or are coming out.

□ Briefing Trailer. If the incident is large or it is difficult to have searchers marshal outside the Mobile Command Post (or inside the Equipment Trailer), there may be need to call for the Briefing Trailer. The trailer is stored outside the Pincher Firehall. The SAR Truck is not normally hitched to the Briefing Trailer, so it will either have to be sent back to get the Briefing Trailer or a member's personal truck will have to pick it up. When the Briefing Trailer arrives, any searcher supplies that are arranged outside the Mobile Command Post can be moved into the Briefing Trailer.

□ Pylons. Take the orange pylons found on the rear bumper of the Mobile Command Post. Set them around the Mobile Command Post so no one parks or drives too close and to define an area for searchers to marshal near the Command Post.

□ Outside Table. Folding tables are stored in the nose of the Mobile Command Post. They can be retrieved through a large lifting hatch to the left of the steps once you've entered the Command Post. If weather conditions permits, set up a table outside, next to the Mobile Command Post (usually to the right of the door). Put the sign-in list on the table.

□ Equipment Sign-Out. Grab several "doc-16 SAR Equipment Sign-Out List" forms from the red "Sign Out, Equipment" folder SAR Management Files Drawer in the Mobile Command Post, and a clipboard from the draw below. Put it on the Outside Table.

□ VHF Radios. The VHF radios are in large blue box that is stored in the cabinet at the Pincher Firehall. It should have been sent out with the Mobile Command Post. Place the box on the Outside Table and open it up, so teams can sign-out and take a radio as instructed.

□ FRS Radios. The FRS Radios are in a clear plastic shoebox along with the GPSs that is stored in the cabinet at the Pincher Firehall. It should have been sent out with the Mobile Command Post. Set them out on the Outside Table and open it up, so teams can sign them out as instructed.

□ GPSs. The GPSs are in a clear plastic shoebox along with the FRS radios that is stored in the cabinet at the Pincher Firehall. It should have been sent out with the Mobile Command Post. Set them out on the Outside Table and open it up, so teams can sign one out as instructed.

□ Generator. The generator for the Mobile Command Post is in a cubby hole that is accessed from the outside at the rear of the passenger's side. The key to the cubby hole is on the right side of the steps as you enter the Mobile Command Post. Unlock the cubby hole and pull the generator out so that it hangs outside the body of the Command Post. Rails and chains will prevent it from falling. Start the generator.

□ Photocopier/Printer. The photocopier/printer is in a large black tin box that is stored on the floor to the left of the cabinet at the Pincher Firehall. It has a clear plastic "sweater" box with a pink lid that contains supplies which is stored on top of the black box. Both should have been sent out with the Mobile Command Post. Leave the black box closed. Place in on the white foam shock absorbers to the left of the sink in the Mobile Command Post. Remove the 4 small metal clips (carbiners) and unfold the clips that hold the top of the box down. Reattach the carabiners to the loose top of the metal box so they don't get lost. Gently remove the top of the metal box, not knocking the printer away. Store the top of the metal box in the passenger side of the cab of the Mobile Command Post. Place the box of supplies next to the printer. Insert the black duplexer into the cavity at the back of the printer. Plug the power cord into the printer and into the wall outlet. Add paper to the printer. Turn the printer on. Observe any warning about ink cartridges that need replacing and replace the indicated cartridges using extras in the supplies box. Perform a test copy. Attach the USB cable to the printer.

□ Outside Whiteboards. There are two whiteboard with hinged clear plastic covers that are stored in the bathroom of the Mobile Command Post. Place them outside against the Mobile Command Post where they can be seen by searchers but are protected from view by the media and family. Get some whiteboard (dry erase) markers from the office supplies drawer in the Mobile Command Post. Copy onto the whiteboards the major briefing details from the "doc-86 Briefing Handout" provided by the Planning Section Chief or Incident Commander. Include an ICS chart showing who is in which roles.

□ Temperature Management. Turn on the heating or air conditioning in the Mobile Command Post if conditions require. How are these done?

□ Cell Phone Booster. If in an area of weak cell phone signal, turn on the cell phone booster in the Mobile Command Post. The booster is powered on by plugging it into the round 12V vehicle power socket. This socket is on the dividing wall between the front and back of the interior of the command post (on the driver's side at about head height). The power cord to the booster hangs beside the socket. There is a small switch on the cord and a red LED that should turn on. The booster's internal antenna is in the clear plastic file holder mounted beside the socket. Cell phones will work best if place adjacent to or near this antenna.

□ Subject First Aid Kits. PCSAR has two large first aid kits that include burn gels. The gels can be frozen, but can only be used above freezing temperature. Therefore the kits should be placed somewhere warm until they are sent out to the site of an injury. One kit is in a black bag that is stored in the cabinet at the Pincher Firehall. This one should already be warm when it arrives at the Base. The other one is part of a field medical pack that includes a folding stretcher. It is stored in the "first aid" cabinet in the Equipment Trailer. Do not separate the first aid supplies from the pack. Put both in a warm spot, such as the Mobile Command Post. Let the Operations Section Chief or the Incident Commander know where they are.

□ Hypothermia Kits. PCSAR has one or more hypothermia kits (depending on re-ordering). They are football-sized packages sealed military drab green plastic. They are stored in the cabinet at the Pincher Firehall, because they last longer if kept warm. Put them in a warm spot, such as with the Subject First Aid Kits or in the Command Post. Let the Operations Section Chief or the Incident Commander know where they are.

□ Water. Where do we store spare bottles of water? If we don't have spare bottles of water for returning searchers, call for some to be delivered. Place bottles where they won't freeze and returning searchers can use them to refresh themselves if needed.

□ Toilet. Determine where searchers and other responders should toilet. If possible locate a washroom or outhouse that can be used. Verify access and supplies (toilet paper, hand cleaner). Do we have these?. If necessary, prep the toilet in the Mobile Command Post and/or the Briefing Trailer. How is this done? If weather and environment allows, designate an area away from the Base and other concerns (water, people, food preparation) for a field latrine.

Unpack the following equipment and place it where it can be be readily accessed when needed:

• Stretcher(s)
• Thermarests
• Sleeping bags
• Extra blankets

From equipment trailer

• Rough Terrain Stretcher
• Snowshoes (seasonal, depending on terrain)

See Critiques/2010-03-21/Sug/0025

[edit] To do

• Determine whether cell phone booster actually work as advertised?