1. NFPA 1710 & 1720: It’s A Local Decision
Overview and interpretation for local elected & appointed leaders

2. What it’s all about…
Ensuring high-quality fire and emergency medical protection for all citizens
Performing a risk analysis of unique local demands – then planning appropriately
Allowing local leaders to make decisions about finite resources based on hard data

3. Key considerations
Following attacks, mustn’t take for granted well-staffed, capable fire and EMS department
Separating process from standard itself
Implementation versus adoption
Liability
Local leaders still make key decisions

4. Just the facts
The National Fire Protection Association often referred to as NFPA
Non-profit organization that develops fire, electrical and other life-safety standards
NFPA founded in 1896; its codes and standards are respected worldwide

5. Just the facts
NFPA 1720 is a standard concerning personnel deployment and response times to fires and medical emergencies
Designed primarily for communities with volunteer fire fighters

6. Just the facts
NFPA 1710 is a standard concerning personnel deployment and response times to fires and medical emergencies
Designed primarily for communities with career, or paid, fire fighters
NFPA 1710 is more specific than 1720, and it has garnered the most questions

7. NFPA 1710 vs. NFPA 1720 Defining “substantially”
Do volunteer fire fighters supplement career fire fighters?
Do career fire fighters supplement volunteer fire fighters?
Department may fall under both NFPA 1710 and 1720 (day vs. night); describe in organizational statement

8. Clearing up misconceptions
NFPA 1710 does not require four fire fighters on all fire apparatus
Decisions about whether and how to implement 1710 do rest with local elected officials
NFPA 1710 is not a law or a federally mandated regulation

9. 1710’s key provisions – fire
Calls for four people (on one vehicle or multiple vehicles) to arrive at a fire scene within five minutes, 90% of the time
Five-minute figure includes one minute to get into gear

10. 1710’s key provisions – fire
Calls for 14 or 15 people to arrive at a “Full Alarm Assignment” within nine minutes, 90% of the time
Nine-minute figure includes one minute to get into gear

11. Why do we need 14 or 15 people for a full alarm?
1 - Incident Commander
1 - Pump operator
2 - Fire fighters on attack lines
2 - Fire fighters on backup lines
1 - Fire fighter for attack line support
1 - Fire fighter for backup line support
2 - Fire fighters for search and rescue
2 - Fire fighters for ventilation
2 - Fire fighters to serve as IRIC
14 - Total if aerial device not in operation
1 - Aerial device operator
15 - Total if aerial device is operational
If the supervisory chief’s staff aide is dedicated to the Incident Commander,
staffing will total 16

12. What if...?
What if a fire engine is already out on another call? How would we meet the five-minute deadline given that scenario?
Answer: An “and/or” provision in NFPA 1710 allows departments to miss the five-minute deadline as long as it meets the nine-minute deadline

13. 1710’s key provisions – EMS
State rules or laws supercede NFPA 1710 – local control is emphasized!

14. 1710’s key provisions – EMS
Unless otherwise directed by the state, 1710 calls for two basic life support (BLS) and two advanced life support (ALS) providers for ALS incidents
NFPA 1710 calls for five-minute and nine-minute EMS response times
There is no “and/or” provision for EMS response times

15. Key questions Does NFPA 1710 apply to us? Do we have to adopt it?
Should NFPA 1710 be part of our long-range planning activities?
What are the legal implications of 1710?
Must we comply immediately?
What is ‘equivalency’?

16. Flexible compliance options
Definition of ‘company’
Automatic and mutual aid
Private and third-party ambulance services
Local risk analysis and response determination

17. Make decisions based on facts
Reporting
Data collection
Annual evaluation by fire department
Quadrennial (four-year) report to elected officials
Data allows fire chief to provide real-world data to elected/appointed officials
Clear indication about level of service

18. Make decisions based on facts
There is nothing in NFPA 1710’s analyses of staffing and response times that we shouldn’t be doing already
The fire chief will make recommendations to improve service, but it will be up to you, the local leaders, to decide what level of service the community can afford

19. Where do we go from here?
NFPA 1710 has been approved by the Standards Council and has been issued
It’s time to begin preparing compliance plan – worst idea would be to ignore it
Others may have different interpretations; NFPA has a formal interpretation process

20. Tools and resources
Fire department is using IAFC’s ‘Decision Guide’ and other resources
Online Resources: