D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 10, r. 10-A1114
The District's Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department (FEMS) provides fire protection and medical attention to residents, workers, and visitors in the District of Columbia. It also provides fire protection services to federal facilities in the District. FEMS conducts fire inspections in apartment buildings, businesses, hotels, schools, hospitals, nursing homes, correctional facilities, and residential care facilities to identify and correct potential fire hazards. It is also the primary District agency dealing with hazardous materials (HAZMAT) related incidents. 1114.1
The 33 fire stations in the District include 33 engine companies, 16 ladder companies, three heavy-duty rescue squads, one HAZMAT unit and one fire boat company. Emergency medical units include 13 advanced life support ambulances and 21 basic life support ambulances, and two rapid response units. The Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department has set a minimum standard response time of four minutes for 90 percent of its fire related calls, and eight minutes for 90 percent its critical medical calls. Response time is influenced by the number and location of fire stations, the availability of fire personnel and equipment, and traffic conditions. In 2004, FEMS responded to critical medical calls in eight minutes or less 73 percent of the time and to fire related calls in four minutes or less 91 percent of the time. Map 11.3 shows the location of fire stations in the city. 1114.2
According to FEMS, the current number and distribution of facilities is generally adequate for maintaining the minimum standard response time for new development expected over the next six years. Longer-term facility needs will need to be analyzed during the development of the Public Facilities Master Plan (see Action CSF-1.1.A). The Department has identified several needed capital improvement projects to replace, upgrade, and renovate aging fire fighting stations and other facilities such as its training center. The Department also needs to renovate its fleet maintenance yard and find additional space for its headquarters. 1114.3
The District of Columbia Emergency Management Agency (DCEMA) coordinates and supports the city's response to emergencies and both natural and man made disasters. In 2002, the Mayor's Task Force and DCEMA developed the District Response Plan (DRP). The Plan provides the framework for District agencies to respond to public emergencies both within the District and in surrounding jurisdictions. The Plan was recently updated. 1114.4
In addition to the District Response Plan, there is a Regional Emergency Coordination Plan that addresses regional emergency preparedness activities and a National Response Plan. (See text box on page 11-22 for more information on these plans). 1114.5
Map 11.3: Fire Station Locations
Emergency Preparedness Plans in the District of Columbia
The District Response Plan
The District Response Plan (DR P), developed in response to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, describes the mechanism and structure by which the District government mobilizes resources and conducts activities to address the consequences of any major disaster or emergency within the boundaries of the District of Columbia. The plan takes an all-hazards approach to disaster response, which means the plan does not address specific scenarios, but can be used in any public emergency situation such as:
* " Natural Hazards-severe weather, hurricanes, tornadoes, flooding, or earthquakes
* " Infrastructure Disruptions-utility and power failures, water supply failures, critical resource shortages, or exploding manhole covers
* " Human-caused Events and Hazards-urban fires, special events, civil disorder, or transportation accidents
* " Technological Hazards-hazardous materials, radiological, biological, or computer-related incidents
*" Terrorist Incidents-bomb threats, sabotage, hijacking, or armed insurrection that threatens life or property. Terrorist attacks can also be conduits through which biological, chemical, and radiological agents can be employed. More information on the District Response Plan can be found at http://dcema.dc.gov/dcema
The Regional Emergency Coordination Plan
The Regional Emergency Coordination Plan was developed by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, in partnership with local, state, federal, and private sector organizations, to strengthen regional communication and coordination in the event of a regional incident, disaster, or emergency. At the heart of the Regional Emergency Coordination Plan is a 24/7 communications capability called the Regional Incident Communication and Coordination System. Local, state, and federal officials can be linked and share information within 30 minutes or less of an emergency. The plan is organized along 15 regional emergency support functions and it parallels the emergency support function structure of the National Response Plan and the District of Columbia Response Plan. More information on the Regional Emergency Coordination Plan can be found at http://www.mwcog.org/security/
National Response Plan
The National Response Plan establishes a comprehensive approach to enhance the ability of the United States to manage domestic incidents. The Plan forms the basis of how federal departments and agencies will work together and how the federal government will coordinate with state and local governments and the private sector during incidents.
Policy CSF-4.2.1: Adequate Fire Stations
Provide an adequate number of properly equipped fire stations to ensure the health and safety of residents of the District of Columbia. The adequacy of existing facilities should be evaluated in part on the ability to maintain a response time of four minutes at least 90 percent of the time for emergency fire calls and eight minutes at least 90 percent of the time for emergency medical calls. Where response times exceed acceptable limits, equipment and facilities should be relocated or provided to close these gaps. 1114.8
Policy CSF-4.2.2: Fleet Maintenance and Administrative Office Space
Accommodate the administrative, maintenance, and transportation needs of the city's fire and emergency medical services, including space for training and fleet maintenance and storage. 1114.9
Policy CSF-4.2.3: Responsiveness to Demographic Change
Ensure that fire and emergency medical services and facility assessments are responsive to the changing social and economic composition of the population, including workers and visitors as well as residents. 1114.10
Action CSF-4.2.A: Level of Service Monitoring
Prepare an annual evaluation of the response times for fire and emergency medical calls in order to evaluate the need for additional facilities, equipment, and personnel and identify specific geographic areas where services require improvement. This should include a review of the distribution of fire hydrants and water flow capabilities. 1114.11
Action CSF-4.2.B: Implement the District Response Plan
Continue to implement the policies and recommendations of the District Response Plan (DRP). Periodically update the plan in response to changing circumstances and resources. 1114.12
Action CSF-4.2.C: Regional Emergency Coordination Plan
Work with the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments and its member jurisdictions to help implement the Regional Emergency Coordination Plan. 1114.13
The provisions of Title 10, Part A of the DCMR accessible through this web interface are codification of the District Elements of the Comprehensive Plan for the National Capital. As such, they do not represent the organic provisions adopted by the Council of the District of Columbia. The official version of the District Elements only appears as a hard copy volume of Title 10, Part A published pursuant to section 9 a of the District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Act of 1994, effective April 10, 1984 (D.C. Law 5-76; D.C. Official Code § 1 -301.66)) . In the event of any inconsistency between the provisions accessible through this site and the provisions contained in the published version of Title 10, Part A, the provisions contained in the published version govern. A copy of the published District Elements is available www.planning.dc.gov.
D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 10, r. 10-A1114