Four
operating modes have been established for the Multi-Agency Coordination
System.
The decision to change modes will be made by a
MACS Conference Call, or collectively by the OES
Southern California Deputy Chief, CDF Region
Operations Chief, and USFS South Zone Emergency
Operations Coordinator or designees.
Modes
1 and
2 reflect a
non-critical regional situation. In general, in
modes 1 and 2 there are no major multiple incidents
which would require extended use of multi-agency
resources. Most of the MACS coordination points
will be operational on a 24 hour day basis in modes
1 and 2, although several points will make
alternate arrangements for contacts and
responsibilities during night time and /or
weekends. The basic distinction between Modes 1 and
2 is seasonal.
Mode
3 is called
to reflect a serious situation or the potential for
a serious situation. A serious situation could be a
high potential incident which involves the use of
Multi-Agency resources. Generally, a mode 3
condition would prevail when one to three such
incidents were ocurring simultaneously . A mode 3
could also be called if the potential for an
emergency situation would warrant. For example,
severe weather conditions or a tsunami warning
could be sufficient to initaite a mode 3. Another
condition which could warrant a mode 3 would be a
major commitment of fire suppression resources to
out-of-region incidents.
Mode
4 signifies
the existence of an all-out regional effort where
resource use priorities requires a concerted
multi-agency coordination effort. Under mode 4, the
MACS/OCC command conference room would be
established as a regional GHQ. Agency
represenatives to the MACS/OCC GHQ under mode 4
should be fully authorized to speak and commit for
their agency.
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