Commission reviews updated response plans: tanker task force, MVA dispatch, structure-fire call types and dispatch automation
July 17, 2026 | Montgomery County, Virginia
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Chief Michael (S2) led a comprehensive update of multiple response-plan drafts aimed at standardizing responses across Montgomery County jurisdictions and reducing dispatcher and on-scene confusion.
On the tanker task force, Michael said the proposal would define a run order so rural water-supply calls receive a predictable mix of engines and tankers rather than repeated multi-agency engine responses. "The tanker task force... very clearly lays out that, you know, your 1st 2 departments, they're responding like they normally would... and then your 3rd, 4th, 5th... they're only bringing tankers," he said, explaining the intent to speed water delivery at rural incidents.
Michael described several new motor-vehicle-crash call types: crashes with unknown injuries, interstate incidents (with a blocking apparatus response), non-injury interstate responses at the request of state police, structural-involvement crashes that may require heavy rescue, train-involved crashes, and pedestrian/bicycle strikes. He said the changes aim to ensure appropriate units are sent initially and that dispatch has clearer guidance to avoid over- or under-response; chiefs raised concerns about nighttime resource depletion and asked for discretion in staging.
On structure-fire responses, Michael proposed breaking call types into smoke-investigation, oven/stove/indoor fires, residential, multifamily and commercial categories so departments better understand expected resources. He recommended consideration of adding a "3rd due" on residential working-structure fires to ensure sufficient personnel for prolonged incidents.
Dispatch staff recommended switching to apparatus-based dispatch, single-channel countywide dispatch with assigned TAC channels for incident operations, automated dispatch triggers and integration with station-alerting systems (ProofForce/Fire Mobile). A dispatcher (S8) said automated dispatch would allow a call-taker to populate a call type and press a button to send preassigned units, speeding notification to field units.
Commissioners and staff agreed the drafts are preliminary, that communications and radio-system changes are prerequisites for some proposals, and that a smaller committee or subcommittee may be needed to work through operational details and training before any formal adoption.
On the tanker task force, Michael said the proposal would define a run order so rural water-supply calls receive a predictable mix of engines and tankers rather than repeated multi-agency engine responses. "The tanker task force... very clearly lays out that, you know, your 1st 2 departments, they're responding like they normally would... and then your 3rd, 4th, 5th... they're only bringing tankers," he said, explaining the intent to speed water delivery at rural incidents.
Michael described several new motor-vehicle-crash call types: crashes with unknown injuries, interstate incidents (with a blocking apparatus response), non-injury interstate responses at the request of state police, structural-involvement crashes that may require heavy rescue, train-involved crashes, and pedestrian/bicycle strikes. He said the changes aim to ensure appropriate units are sent initially and that dispatch has clearer guidance to avoid over- or under-response; chiefs raised concerns about nighttime resource depletion and asked for discretion in staging.
On structure-fire responses, Michael proposed breaking call types into smoke-investigation, oven/stove/indoor fires, residential, multifamily and commercial categories so departments better understand expected resources. He recommended consideration of adding a "3rd due" on residential working-structure fires to ensure sufficient personnel for prolonged incidents.
Dispatch staff recommended switching to apparatus-based dispatch, single-channel countywide dispatch with assigned TAC channels for incident operations, automated dispatch triggers and integration with station-alerting systems (ProofForce/Fire Mobile). A dispatcher (S8) said automated dispatch would allow a call-taker to populate a call type and press a button to send preassigned units, speeding notification to field units.
Commissioners and staff agreed the drafts are preliminary, that communications and radio-system changes are prerequisites for some proposals, and that a smaller committee or subcommittee may be needed to work through operational details and training before any formal adoption.
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