DECATUR TOWNSHIP FIRE DEPARTMENT GENERAL ORDER TITLE: MANDATORY USE OF SCBA NUMBER: 9.01 EFFECTIVE: May 1, 2016 THIS ORDER SUPERSEDES ALL PREVIOUS GENERAL ORDERS, POLICIES, RULES, S.O.G S & S.O.P S UPDATED: FEBRUARY 15, 2017 This policy is for internal use only and does not enlarge an employee s civil liability in any way. The policy should not be construed as creating a higher duty of care, in an evidentiary sense, with respect to third party civil claims against employees. A violation of this policy, if proven, can only form the basis of a complaint by this department for non-judicial administrative action in accordance with the laws governing employee discipline. I. PURPOSE In many cases it is not practical or possible for firefighters or fire officers to judge the degree of danger involved in working in contaminated or oxygen deficient atmospheres. The Scott self-contained breathing apparatus is designed to provide the wearer with a supply of respirable air carried in the apparatus and requires no intake of air or oxygen from the environment in which the wearer is operating. This General Orders establishes a policy mandating the use of self-contained breathing apparatuses (SCBA) by all personnel working in or who may potentially work in smoke-filled or otherwise toxic environments while responding to an emergency. II. DEFINITIONS COMPANY MEMBERS: All privates, engineers, lieutenants, and captains who are assigned to fire and/or rescue companies. SCBA: Self-contained breathing apparatus. TOXIC ENVIRONMENT: For the purpose of this order shall mean any environment where fire exists or has existed causing toxic smoke, gases, and/or vapors or any environment where Carbon Monoxide is present above 35ppm. INVESTIGATOR: Member(s) assigned to Fire Investigation. HOT ZONE: An area that is considered to be dangerous. It generally entails special equipment to protect occupants, because there is a high risk of danger. Determined parameters by the IC. Page 1 of 4 General Order 9.01
III. POLICY A. Any firefighter who is working in or is about to enter a smoke filled or otherwise toxic environment while responding to an emergency situation shall don and activate the selfcontained breathing apparatus provided by the Decatur Township Fire Department. B. Company members responding to any building fire, structural fire or hazardous materials incident shall don the SCBA before leaving their apparatus. The SCBA must be activated just prior to entering any toxic environment or hot zone. C. Personnel working in a toxic environment shall wear SCBA and be on-air during all phases of the operation (fire control, overhaul, etc.). IV. PROCEDURE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE COMPANY MEMBERS A. Company members shall be responsible for checking, inspecting and testing the SCBA assigned to their riding position to ensure the unit is operating properly. This shall include but not limited to: (H.U.D function, P.A.S.S function, 5500 psi cylinder). B. If it is not clear whether or not respiratory protection is required, all firefighters should assume that SCBAs should be worn and activated. C. All company members shall activate their SCBA before entering a building for fire operations or before entering any area that may require respiratory protection. D. Company members performing aerial operations, raising ladders, operating hand lines outside a fire building are required to don and activate the SCBA anytime they are working in or around a toxic environment, when directed by a superior officer, or in their judgment they feel that the atmosphere may be harmful to their health. (Example: While performing outside horizontal ventilation in smoke conditions) E. Company members performing roof ventilation are required to be on-air at all times while performing ventilation on any roof. F. The SCBA will be worn and activated by all personnel responding to a hazardous materials incident. The SCBA shall be worn by all personnel until the officer in command of the scene has evaluated the extent of the toxicity Page 2 of 4 General Order 9.01
problem and established a working perimeter, outside of which the SCBA will not be worn. G. The SCBA shall be worn and activated during overhaul or anytime while working in the hot zone. H. The Battalion Chief or Safety Officer will take readings before the all clear can be given. RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE OFFICER IN COMMAND OF AN EMERGENCY SCENE A. It shall be the responsibility of the Incident Commander of any emergency scene, through the company officers, to ensure that firefighters dispatched to the scene comply with this General Order. B. Chief Officers shall don respiratory protective equipment when it is necessary to enter a fire building or any area where a toxic environment may exist. C. If it is necessary to designate an area (i.e. a field, a city block, etc.) off limits to personnel not wearing an SCBA, then it shall be the responsibility of the Incident Commander to designate that area and ensure that compliance is achieved. D. If an area is designated off limits, personnel shall not enter that area without donning and activating an SCBA. E. It is the responsibility of all Company Officers and Chief Officers to take appropriate disciplinary action if their subordinates fail to comply with the policies established by this General Order. F. Hydrogen Cyanide readings will be taken at every working incident and will be documented properly. RESPONSIBILITIES OF COMPANY OFFICERS It shall be the responsibility of each Company Officer to ensure that SCBAs are available in sufficient numbers on the apparatus under their command and that all personnel under their command abide by this General Order. Page 3 of 4 General Order 9.01
RESPONSIBILITIES OF INVESTIGATORS Investigators shall don respiratory protective equipment when it is necessary to enter a fire building or any area where a toxic environment may exist to conduct investigations. Page 4 of 4 General Order 9.01
DECATUR TOWNSHIP FIRE DEPARTMENT GENERAL ORDER TITLE: ESO DOCUMENTATION NUMBER: 9.02 EFFECTIVE: JULY 1, 2014 THIS ORDER SUPERSEDES ALL PREVIOUS GENERAL ORDERS, POLICIES, RULES, S.O.G S & S.O.P S UPDATED: FEBRUARY 15, 2017 This policy is for internal use only and does not enlarge an employee s civil liability in any way. The policy should not be construed as creating a higher duty of care, in an evidentiary sense, with respect to third party civil claims against employees. A violation of this policy, if proven, can only form the basis of a complaint by this department for non-judicial administrative action in accordance with the laws governing employee discipline. I. PURPOSE II. POLICY To establish departmental policy for ESO Information Documentation. A. All companies shall obtain at minimum the following information for ESO documentation: 1. Name (this might include person involved, occupant, owner, company, etc.) 2. Address 3. Phone Number 4. Vehicle Insurance Information (When applicable) 5. Vehicle Identification Number and License Plate Number (When applicable) 6. Vehicle Year, Make and Model (When applicable) 7. A descriptive narrative of the events of the incident B. The above listed information shall be obtained on all runs. However, the EMS report will be sufficient when only an ambulance is dispatched C. Officers should obtain as much information as possible (date of birth s, vehicle type, etc.) D. Social Security numbers shall not be entered into ESO Fire Reports. Page 1 of 2 General Order 9.02
E. You may also have multiple inquiries dependent upon the type of run. Example: If you respond to a building alarm and a representative shows up on the scene then you would have two inquiries, one would be the business and the other would be the representative. Narratives shall include all pertinent information (what was done on the scene and any other pertinent information). F. It shall be the responsibility of the first arriving Company Officer to ensure all information is obtained and entered properly into ESO. G. All responding apparatus shall enter a narrative in ESO. If the apparatus was disregarded enroute note the disregard in the narrative section of ESO H. All reports shall be completely and accurately filled out, immediately upon the completion of a run and the equipment being returned to service. This shall also include the entering of data into the proper record keeping system. I. It shall be the responsibility of the Company Officer to ensure all necessary reports are completed within the scheduled shift unless a situation prevents a report from being completed. (i.e. a fire that is under investigation) Page 2 of 2 General Order 9.02
DECATUR TOWNSHIP FIRE DEPARTMENT GENERAL ORDER TITLE: INCIDENT / FIRE SCENE AUTHORITY FIRE INVESTIGATIONS NUMBER: 9.06 EFFECTIVE: JULY 1, 2014 THIS ORDER SUPERSEDES ALL PREVIOUS GENERAL ORDERS, POLICIES, RULES, S.O.G S & S.O.P S UPDATED: FEBRUARY 15, 2017 This policy is for internal use only and does not enlarge an employee s civil liability in any way. The policy should not be construed as creating a higher duty of care, in an evidentiary sense, with respect to third party civil claims against employees. A violation of this policy, if proven, can only form the basis of a complaint by this department for non-judicial administrative action in accordance with the laws governing employee discipline. I. PURPOSE II. POLICY To establish command authority at an incident/fire scene being investigated by members of the Fire Investigations Unit (FIU). A. The Decatur Township Fire Department recognizes the importance of a wellprotected fire crime scene and the value of evidence contained therein as well as the obligation of the suppression companies duty to maintain control over working fires. B. The scene of a fire of questionable origin is to be maintained and kept free from contamination which may cause the loss of valuable evidence and minimizes firefighters' time loss due to courtroom testimony at later dates. III. PROCEDURE A. The first arriving Company Officer and/or Incident Commander shall have the initial investigation and suppression authority until the appropriate investigative authority arrives on the scene. At that time, the investigative authority lies with the FIU. B. The first arriving Company Officer and/or Incident Commander shall assist the Fire Investigator by ensuring that: 1. A rope or barrier tape perimeter with one entry point to the incident scene is established at all scenes where there is a serious injury or fatality, and wherever else deemed appropriate. 2. Notify police dispatcher to ensure sufficient staffing and equipment is provided to control pedestrians and vehicle traffic. Page 1 of 2 General Order 9.06
3. Any other action deemed appropriate is taken to preserve the scene and the evidence contained therein. C. Upon arrival of investigative authority (FIU investigator) at the scene the Company Officer and/or Incident Commander will retain authority over fire suppression and assist the FIU investigator with any and all reports or provide any other assistance requested. However, once the fire has been extinguished, the incident location becomes a crime scene and FIU officers, regardless or rank, assume charge and responsibility. D. If a fire breaks out after the arrival of the FIU, it is understood that the suppression companies are in charge of the suppression of fire. E. After the perimeter of the incident scene is established, no personnel, regardless of rank, will be permitted to enter the scene without permission of the assigned FIU Investigator having control of the scene. F. Personnel will not be permitted to interfere with the investigation, or alter or disturb anything that may be considered to be evidence. G. On scene personnel will not touch, move or otherwise contaminate any evidence within the incident scene except for those who are authorized to examine and collect such evidence. 1. Evidence may not be removed or altered in any manner with the possible exception of overhauling operations needed to find and extinguish hidden fires. 2. Evidence may be removed or altered only if it poses a threat to human life or there is a chance the evidence may be destroyed by weather or other conditions at the scene. H. In the event of a fatality at a fire scene, the Homicide Branch of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department will have control of the fire scene after fire suppression, until no foul play in the incident is determined. After that determination is made the FIU will assume responsibility for the fire scene. I. If the FIU desires to take command from the Incident Commander prior to the scene being turned over to the FIU the investigator shall show justifiable cause which may include: 1. Prior intelligence knowledge of an impending arson 2. Prior knowledge of alleged arson patterns in a given area Page 2 of 2 General Order 9.06
DECATUR TOWNSHIP FIRE DEPARTMENT GENERAL ORDER TITLE: CHILD SAFETY SEAT INSPECTION STATION PROGRAM NUMBER: 9.07 EFFECTIVE: June 18, 2014 THIS ORDER SUPERSEDES ALL PREVIOUS GENERAL ORDERS, POLICIES, RULES, S.O.G S & S.O.P S UPDATED: FEBRUARY 15, 2017 This policy is for internal use only and does not enlarge an employee s civil liability in any way. The policy should not be construed as creating a higher duty of care, in an evidentiary sense, with respect to third party civil claims against employees. A violation of this policy, if proven, can only form the basis of a complaint by this department for non-judicial administrative action in accordance with the laws governing employee discipline. I. PURPOSE II. POLICY Decatur Township Fire Department is a permanent car seat fitting and distribution station certified by the Automotive Safety Program. This General Orders serves to establish a policy for the Child Safety Seat Inspection Station Program. A. Only certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians can install, inspect or distribute car seats or related equipment. B. Any person requesting car seat inspection, installation or distribution shall be referred to the Child Safety Seat Inspection Station Coordinator. C. If a request is received outside of normal business hours obtain the requestors name, address, email address and phone number. Forward this information to the Child Safety Seat Inspection Station Coordinator. D. Car seats, all accompanying equipment, and proper documentation shall remain in a secure location. This location may only be accessed by the Division Chief of Fire and Life Safety and Child Passenger Safety Technicians. E. Child Passenger Safety Seat Technicians shall ensure all paperwork is properly filled out prior to installing, inspecting or distributing car seats and related equipment F. Child Passenger Safety Seat Technicians shall complete the required data and present data to the Division Chief of Fire and Life Safety upon request. Page 1 of 1 General Order 9.07 - Child Safety Seat Inspection Station
DECATUR TOWNSHIP FIRE DEPARTMENT GENERAL ORDER TITLE: SCBA MAINTENANCE NUMBER: 9.08 EFFECTIVE: May 1, 2016 THIS ORDER SUPERSEDES ALL PREVIOUS GENERAL ORDERS, POLICIES, RULES, S.O.G S & S.O.P S UPDATED: FEBRUARY 15, 2017 This policy is for internal use only and does not enlarge an employee s civil liability in any way. The policy should not be construed as creating a higher duty of care, in an evidentiary sense, with respect to third party civil claims against employees. A violation of this policy, if proven, can only form the basis of a complaint by this department for non-judicial administrative action in accordance with the laws governing employee discipline. I. PURPOSE To establish Decatur Township Fire Department policy concerning employee responsibility for individual SCBA face pieces. II. DEFINITION III. POLICY SCBA: self-contained breathing apparatus FACE PIECE: the portion of the SCBA that fits over the employee s face and connects to the supply line from the SCBA. OSHA: Occupational Health and Safety Administration; an enforcement agency of the federal government responsible for health and safety in the work place. A. It is the responsibility of each Decatur Township Fire Department employee to possess, properly maintain and clean the SCBA face piece provided by the fire department. This face piece includes the breathing valve, breathing valve body, exhaust port, speech diaphragm, and a high pressure hose that has a male fitting to accommodate the connection to the manifold block. B. Employees are required to inspect their face piece each duty day. Any defects or contamination found during the daily inspection shall be reported. The Company Officer will contact the proper authority to repair or replace any damaged face piece. The owner of the face piece will be responsible for cleaning, inspecting, and reporting damage to their personal face piece. Page 1 of 2 General Order 9.08 Pascal Arnes-Chief of Fire
C. Employees shall attach their face piece to the assigned SCBA and perform a leak function test as described in Appendix E of the written respiratory program. D. Maintenance of face pieces is provided by the Decatur Township Fire Department. Only a Scott Authorized Service Specialist or above shall perform maintenance on an SCBA face piece. These technicians shall only use Scott and NIOSH approved parts. E. The SCBA face piece shall not be used if there is damage restricting the proper fit. F. If the employee s SCBA face piece is replaced, the SCBA work order form shall be completed with the proper information. G. If there are significant changes in the employee s ability to wear a respirator or if observations deem that the employee is experiencing difficulty with the respirator, then fit testing may be conducted more often than an annual basis. H. All Scott brand face pieces shall be serviced and re-certified annually. A complete function test shall be performed after each dismantling and assembly related to a repair or service. I. It is the sole responsibility of the employee to clean their assigned face piece after each use. Employees shall follow the procedures listed in Appendix B-2 or Appendix D of this Written Respiratory policy. J. Employees shall not have any facial hair or other obstructions that interfere with the mask-to-face piece seal or valve function. K. If an employee wears corrective glasses, goggles, or any other protective equipment, that equipment cannot interfere with the face-to-face piece seal or valve function. L. It is the Company Officers' responsibility to ensure that each individual under their command is in possession of a fully functional OSHA approved SCBA face piece. Page 2 of 2 General Order 9.08 Pascal Arnes-Chief of Fire