Title – Tactical First-In Team (TFIT)

1.Purpose / Background

A. The purpose of this ROG is to describe the organization of Sarasota County's interdisciplinary taskforce known as Tactical First-In Teams (TFIT). This taskforce will be the first to enter into an area that has been subjected to the impact of a hurricane or other event causing roadways to become impassible. Their mission is two-fold:

1.Facilitate the opening of major roadways to allow the movement of emergency relief efforts into and within Sarasota County and its municipalities.

  1. Address emergency conditions that are encountered while performing this mission. While performing such functions, if a need for law enforcement action or the provision of care for injured, ill or rescue of entrapped persons were to be encountered, assigned personnel would operate in that function as well, based upon their training and employing agency policy. TFIT may also assist with pre and post hurricane evacuation if that mission is deemed critical at the time.
  1. Routes for each taskforce are depicted in this ROG; however Sarasota County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) or the taskforce team leader may direct deviations to this ROG to clear roadways to critical infrastructure if needed. Examples would be shelters, fire stations, law enforcement agencies or other infrastructure deemed necessary.
  1. It is imperative that the openings of the designated roadways continue should law enforcement or Fire/EMS situation necessitate that part of the team break off to mitigate an existing emergency.
  1. Scope

The Sarasota County’s Tactical First-In Teams (TFIT) is under the direction of the Sarasota County Emergency Operations Center Operations Chief, the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office, and the Sarasota County Transportation Department. TFIT is a multi-agency task-force designed to clear debris and obstacles from roadways in a declared emergency. Debris and obstacles will be pushed to the rights-of-way only and will not be picked-up. The removal of debris will be accomplished by other agencies during the response/recovery operations. The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office (SSO) has three teams; the City of Sarasota Police Department (SPD)has three teams; the City of Venice Fire Department (VPD) has one team; and the City of Venice Police Department (VPD) has one team.

  1. Prerequisites

TFIT members shall be trained in the Incident Command System (ICS) 100 & 200 levels and have completed the National Incident Management System (NIMS) 700 course as a minimum

  1. Procedures
  1. Areas of Team Responsibility

Each TFITteam has a primary geographical area of responsibility. The secondary responsibility is to assist other teams needing assistance within SarasotaCounty. The third responsibility is to aid other counties or municipalities as approved through the office of Emergency Management (Mutual-Aid).

Team / Staging / Route
Sarasota
City PD
NORTH
TFIT 1 / RL Taylor Recreation Center / West on Myrtle Street to US41, U-turn on US41 to Old Bradenton Road, South on Old Bradenton Road to MLK Way Blvd, East on MLK Way Blvd to Orange Avenue, South on Orange Avenue to Fruitville Road, West on Fruitville Road to US41, North on US41 to University Pkwy, East on University Pkwy to US301, South on US301 back to RL Taylor
Sarasota City PD
CENTRAL
TFIT 2 / RL Taylor Recreation Center / East to US301 (Washington), South to Fruitville Road, East on Fruitville Road to I-75, Make a U-Turn on Fruitville Road and head West to Honore Avenue, North on Honore Avenue to 17th Street, West on 17th Street to Beneva, South on Beneva to 12th Street, West on 12th Street to US301 (Washington), North on US301 back to RL Taylor
Sarasota City PD
SOUTH
TFIT 3 / Sarasota City PD / West on Ringling Blvd to Orange Avenue, South on Orange Avenue to Bahia Vista Street, East on Bahia Vista Street to Osprey Avenue, South on Osprey Avenue to Bee Ridge Road, East on Bee Ridge Road to Shade Avenue, North on Shade Avenue to Ringling Blvd, Ringling Blvd to SPD
Sarasota County North (SO Lead)
TFIT4 / Poly Tech / North on Proctor Road to Fruitville Rd; East on Fruitville Rd to Sarasota Center Blvd; North on Sarasota Center Blvd to BOB (1001 Sarasota Center Blvd); Double-Back to Fruitville road and clear east to Fire Station 10 (Vic Edwards); Double-back to I-75; South on I-75 to SR-681 (Venice Connector); South on SR-681 to US-41; North on US-41 to Stickney Point Rd (SR-72); East on SR-72 (Clark Rd) past I-75 to Myakka Valley Ranches (FD #18)
Note: After route cleared check with EOC for further instruction/missions
Sarasota County SO
TFIT5 / Tatum Ridge Elementary / West on Palmer Blvd to Cattlemen Rd; South on Cattlemen Rd to Bee Ridge Rd; East on Bee Ridge rd (past I-75) end (Iona and Bee Ridge Ext.); Double-back on Bee Ridge Rd (past I-75) and clear Cattlemen Road (Entry to Doctor’s Hospital); Double-Back and go West on Bee Ridge Rd to US-41; North on US-41 to SMH; South on US-41 to Stickney Pt Rd; West on Stickney Pt to Siesta Key Bridge (if bridge is open continue to next location); North on Midnight Pass Rd to FD #13.
Note: After route cleared check with EOC for further instruction/missions
Sarasota County SO
TFIT6 / Venice YMCA / East on Center Rd to Jacaranda Blvd; North on Jacaranda Blvd to Venice Ave: East on Venice Ave to River Rd; North on River Rd to I-75; Double-back on River Rd to clear on Center Rd; West on Center Rd to Jacaranda Blvd; South on Jacaranda Blvd to US41; East on US41 to River Road; River Road to Pine Street; Pine Street to Englewood Hospital and double-back to River Road; West on River Road to 776; North on 776 to Center Rd.
Note: After route cleared check with EOC for further instruction/missions
City of
VenicePD
TFIT 7A / Venice PD / East on East Venice Ave to Jacaranda Blvd; North on Jacaranda Blvd to I-75; North on I-75 to Laurel Rd; East on Laurel Rd to FD #53; Double-back (past I-75) to Pinebrook Rd; South on Pinebrook Rd to Venice Ave; Short detour to clear back to VPD; Return to Venice Ave; West on East Venice Ave to US-41 Bypass; North on US-41 Bypass to FD#23; Double-back to Laurel Rd to I-75; North on I-75 to mile-marker 205 and check with EOC for instructions.
City of
VeniceFD
TFIT 7B / VRMC / Venice Hospital - North on US-41 Business to North US-41 Bypass; South on US-41 Bypass to Center Rd; West on Center Rd to US-41 Business; South to clear US-41 Bypass to intersection area; North on US-41 Business to Avenida Del Circa (Village on the Isle NH); South on Avenida Del Circo to Airport Ave; clear Airport as needed to provide access to Venice Airport; Double-back on Avenida Del Circo to US-41 Business; North on US-41 Business back to Venice Hospital.

B.Team Makeup

1.Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office will be the TFIT Branch Director. Law enforcement representatives from each respective jurisdiction will be the designated Task Force Team Leaders. See organizational chart (below).

2.Each member is to be outfitted by theiragency with appropriate personal gear and mission equipment. Each member of the team represents unique technical and professional expertise. Every member of the team is expected to defer to the member whose expertise is foremost in any given situation.

3.The following assets will be provided by each member agency to compose each task force:

a.Law Enforcement – Minimum one supervisory and four officers. These officers shall be primarily responsible for providing security support and scene control for team personnel. The law enforcement supervisor will call on technical experts from the resources available on the team to assist them during assessment if needed.

b.Fire Department – Minimum two firefighters, one of whom shall be a paramedic, if possible. These firefighter/paramedics shall provide initial emergency medical treatment to injured team members or public, and fire suppression.

c.Public Works – Sufficient number of heavy equipment and personnel to move downed poles, cut downed trees, and push debris aside to rights-of-way. Debris should not be pushed onto private property where possible.Public Works will also provide a minimum of one Preliminary Windshield Damage Assessment team for conducting Assessments of Public Critical Infrastructure and Environmental/Water Utilities Assessments. These personnel shall evaluate any health and/or environmental effects due to overflows from sewer lift stations, or other common hazardous materials Spills.

d.Fleet Services - Vehicle repair support for county teams will be provided by Sarasota County Fleet or authorized vendor. Municipalities are responsible for their own fleet maintenance.

e.SarasotaCountySchool Board – One bus, with air conditioning and lift gate with driver. The school bus will be used for team rehabilitation and may be used to transport individuals out of the affected area to a shelter or area of safe refuge at the approval of the team leader.

f.K-9 Search and Rescue – Stage one team north and one team south to respond at the request of a TFIT leader.

g.FPL – Minimum two trained and equipped personnel. Personnel will identify, secure and de-energize electrical lines

h.Verizon – Minimum one trained and equipped person. Individual will identify and secure downed telephone lines.

i.TECO – Minimum one trained and equipped person. Individual will identify exposed and/or hazardous gas lines.

j.ACS – Minimum one FCC-licensed operator per team with appropriate communications equipment. Operator will provide communications support between the team, Red Cross, EOC or appropriate agency designated by the team leader.

C.Incident Command System

1.The Sarasota County TFITwill operate under the Incident Command System (ICS) as a Unified Command at all times.

2.The TFIT Branch Director is one of several “field operations” which are required during a natural hazards event. The TFIT Branch Director acts as the overall coordinator for the teams during emergency operations. This person is the focal point for all information and has the authority to make decisions for the Team. The TFIT Branch Director reports to the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Operations Chief.

3.Each TFIT is composed of resources from various jurisdictions and agencies, representing a variety of disciplines. To ensure consistency among teams, a law enforcement supervisor shall serve as TFIT task force leader.

IV.CONCEPT OF OPERATIONS

A.General

  1. The primary function of the TFIT is to re-enter an area impacted by a hurricane, high wind, or other serious event as soon as conditions permit, ahead of all others to make an initial estimate of:
  • Location of victims needing evacuation or medical care
  • Report preliminary damage assessment to EOC
  • Location of damages
  • What resources are needed and in what priority
  1. A concurrent primary mission is to provide the minimal amount of emergency road clearance that is needed to permit the entry of early arriving emergency vehicles into the affected areas. Debris will be pushed to the edge of pavement or onto rights-of-way and not onto private property where possible. Debris pickup will be done during response or recovery efforts and not by TFIT. Teams will exercise caution when pushing debris aside so as to not to block street signs, fire hydrants, mailboxes or damage property. It is expected that the TFIT operations will take no more than 72-hours. After that, it is presumed that relief efforts from mutual-aid will arrive to assist with efforts and members will be returned to their respective agencies.
  1. Each Team will be capable of transiting areas impassable to street-type vehicles; rendering emergency life support; neutralizing downed power lines; clearing debris from roadways; extinguishing fires; and maintaining security within the area of the Team’s operation.
  1. The routes to be checked automatically by each of the TFIT are depicted in the routes and maps developed for each of the TFIT areas and are included in this ROG (maps are produced separately for each team). The Teams are to follow these preset instructions automatically as there may be no communications possible between the teams and the Emergency Operations Center (EOC). The priorities and missions will be defined in briefings for TFIT when they are activated or pre-positioned. These missions may be altered by the Emergency Management.

B.Pre-storm

  1. When a storm is forecast and expected to make landfall in Sarasota County, all TFIT personnel are requested to keep tuned to local weather reports for possible mobilization and deployment. Timing for mobilization will be in accordance with expected time of landfall and wind velocity. Unless circumstances dictate, all Teams should be dispatched to their pre-designated staging area at least12 hours prior to the estimated arrival of 39mph winds (Tropical Storm Winds). Team members must arrive at the staging site 12 hours prior to 39mph winds (Tropical Storm Winds) as movement becomes almost impossible at that point. ACTION ITEM: DEVELOP TIMELINE TO PREPARE TEAMS, EQUIPMENT, TOOLS, ETC. TO ARRIVE AT THEIR STAGING AREA BEFORE THE 12-HOUR POINT
  1. When the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) determines the probability that Sarasota County will be directly impacted and the Teams should be deployed, the EOC Operations Chief shall notify the TFIT Branch Director. TFIT Branch Director shall be responsible for alertingthe law enforcement TFIT team members; the Transportation representative will contact all other TFIT team members. All TFIT members shall be responsible to notify their specific agency/organization. Notification may be used by Sarasota County’s REVERSE 911; each teams CALL TREE, 800 MHz or other means.
  1. It will be the responsibility of all Team members to report to their pre-designated staging areas with their assigned equipment. All personnel will be responsible for their own bedding, food, and water (enough to last approximately 3 days; 1 gallon/person/day for drinking). Each Team Leader will notify the TFIT Branch Director when their Team is securely in place. An ICS-211, Check-In Form shall be completed by each Team Leader. Each team member will complete the ICS-214 Unit Log and the FEMA Daily Log with their name and agency represented and will also use the activity portion of the Log to record all actions taken by that individual. If multiple are assigned to one vehicle, one unit log can be completed for that vehicle; however, each team member shall complete the FEMA Daily Log for each operational period.

C.Trans-storm

  1. The TFIT will remain in place until they see that the storm has lifted enough for them to move out, maintaining contact with the TFIT Branch Director by radio or other communication methods, for as long as possible. Teams must not mistake the passage of a storm eye for the passage of the storm itself. Once winds have locally reached 40mph or less, TFIT members will be prompted to begin their missions.

D.Post-storm

  1. Each TFIT is organized as a Task Force and is a cohesive unit made up of specialized skills that gives the team exceptional capability for self-directed accomplishment of the common mission. Each team is therefore prepared to devise and execute a team plan suited to the situation encountered and to adjust that plan as circumstances warrant. Team activities will include the following in mission accomplishment:
  1. Upon storm passage, as determined by either direct observation, or as advised by the TFIT Branch Director or other authority, the team will:
  1. Start and maintain efforts to establish radio contact with the TFIT Branch Director until successful. An ACS radio operator should travel with the team leader when available. Use of radio talkgroups and frequencies shall be assigned by the EOC Operations Chief, in consultation with Public Safety Communications. Assignments shall be outlined on the ICS-205. Deviations from assigned talkgroups or frequencies are prohibited.
  1. Check personnel, vehicles, and equipment for injuries and damage.
  1. Finalize a plan to execute the mission, load equipment, and start on designated route. Bypass major obstacles as necessary to avoid major delays. Make notes of damage sites using the following methods:
  1. Photographs if possible
  2. Reporting damages to infrastructure using street blocks and Global Positioning System (GPS) coordinates if possible. Be as specific of affected area as possible.
  3. Compile a list of areas where further response and recovery efforts will be needed.
  1. Render basic medical aid to injured persons encountered upon the predetermined route. Report to the EOC the locations of persons needing further medical aid.
  1. Take corrective action to prevent lawlessness, looting or rioting. Report to the EOC the need for additional law enforcement assistance.
  1. Identify locations of entrapped persons due to building collapse, rising water or other physical barriers. Take appropriate actions to rescue or preserve life when possible. Report to the EOC the need for additional assistance of Fire/EMS or Urban Search and Rescue Teams (USAR).
  1. To assist the Teams in their navigation, each Team is assigned a GPS device. In that a storm might eliminate all visible landmarks and references, the GPS will assist in identifying the Team’s location. If a Team is dispatched by the EOC, a location and latitude/longitude, in decimal degrees, will be given for the Team to geo-locate. In reverse, when a Team contacts the EOC, the same information will be given by the Team.

NOTE: The assigned GPS devices will be issued to the Team Leaders and itwill be their responsibility to remain proficient in their use. Also, prior to andafter hurricane season each year (in April and November), all GPS computers willbe turned into the Sheriff’s Office Search & Rescue Coordinator, who will havethem inventoried with the EOC and field test them for accuracy. A log of theinventory and testing will be kept in the Master Plan book at the Sheriff’s Office.DO WE DO THIS INVENTORY?