What type of incident would trigger a fire department's emergency operations plan?

An emergency operations plan is designed to outline the procedures and actions that a fire department should take in response to significant incidents that exceed the routine capabilities of the department. A large-scale disaster, such as a hurricane or a major fire, would necessitate the activation of this plan due to the potential for widespread damage, the high number of people affected, and the complexity of the response required.

In higher-stakes situations, such as those involving mass evacuations, coordination with multiple agencies, and extensive resource allocation, the emergency operations plan becomes vital. It sets forth the framework for communication, resource management, and operational strategies necessary to effectively manage the response and ensure public safety.

Other types of incidents listed, such as a small kitchen fire, a medical emergency, or a routine training exercise, are typically handled within the usual operational protocols of a fire department without the need for activating the broader emergency operations plan, as they are not large scale or complex enough to trigger such a comprehensive response.