STANDARD OPERATING GUIDELINES PINE CITY FIRE DEPARTMENT PINE CITY, MINNESOTA INTRODUCTION The Pine City Fire Department expects a very high level of professional conduct from all members. Each member should familiarize himself/herself with and abide by all Fire Department rules, regulations, policies, and standard operating guidelines of the Pine City Fire Department. PURPOSE The purpose of the Pine City Fire Department is the protection of life and property to the maximum extent possible against all elements, except the bearing of arms as a protective force. GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR THE PINE CITY FIRE DEPARTMENT These guidelines cannot, nor are they expected to, provide a solution to every question or problem which may arise in an organization established to render emergency service. It is expected, however, that they will sufficiently cover, either in a specific or general way, the obligations of the members of the Pine City Fire Department. GENERAL GUIDELINES Each firefighter will wear appropriate turn out gear issued by the department when engaged in fighting any fire. Turn-out gear may include the following items: Bunker coat Bunker pants Boots Helmet (chin strap under chin and ear flaps down) Gloves Hood Jumpsuits Engaged in fire fighting means up to or in a structure (with or without flames), fighting grass or dumpster fires. Officers will give permission to remove gear at appropriate times. Firefighters will put on gear when returning to firefighting duties. All engineers/truck operators will stay with their equipment unless ordered to assist at the scene by the fire ground commander. All firefighters must return to the station after each call to prepare all equipment for the next emergency. Permission to leave should be granted by an officer.
When any member receives an order which is in conflict with a previous order, he or she shall so inform the officer who issued the conflicting order and be governed by the senior officer's instructions Members shall not use obscene, uncivil, or inappropriate language at fires, or while engaged in games in which the Fire Department is participating. No member shall answer a fire call or be on duty under the influence of any intoxicating liquor, drug, or compound. All members shall immediately report to their superior officer any accident, sickness, or injury occurring to themselves while on duty, no matter how trivial. All firefighter responding in personal vehicles shall comply with all state laws. No member shall drive any Fire Department equipment unless so qualified. Each firefighter shall operate apparatus in a safe and efficient manner. Firefighter trainees shall assume all duties of a regular firefighter on approval of station officers and the training officer. SELF CONTAINED BREATHING APPARATUS All Fire Department personnel shall be properly instructed in selection, use, and basic maintenance of self contained breathing apparatus. All Fire Department personnel using SCBA shall receive fitting instructions, including demonstrations and practice in how the SCBA equipment should be worn, how to adjust it, and a fit test. All Fire Department personnel shall be trained in the nature of the hazards that may be incurred while using SCBA. No Fire Department personnel shall don SCBA when facial hair, such as sideburns or beards, may impede a good face seal. Respirators shall not be worn when conditions prevent a good face seal. All Fire Department personnel shall utilize SCBA at all times while respiratory protection is required or when the officers deem it necessary. Respirators shall be cleaned after each use to insure the protection of the wearer. SCBA shall be inspected during cleaning. SCBA shall be stored in a clean and convenient location. Mounted units exposed to excessive amounts of road dirt and grime shall be provided with protective covers.
PINE CITY FIRE DEPARTMENT POSITION DESCRIPTIONS FIREFIGHTER--responsible to station officers to work within the limits of the Fire Department policies and guidelines --to suppress unfriendly fires by using proper fire ground techniques and guidelines --to operate equipment in an efficient and safe manner --to perform rescue and first aid tasks as needed using proper first aid techniques and procedures --to maintain equipment and station --to recommend changes that would be beneficial to the department CAPTAIN AND LIEUTENANTS--responsible to higher ranking officers to provide guidance and direction for firefighting activities and maintenance of station and equipment. Supervise firefighters and carry the following responsibilities: --to direct a crew in firefighting, first aid, or other citizen assistance. --to respond to the station and assume direction of a piece of fire apparatus and the crew responding with that apparatus --to assure that all equipment under his or her command is cared for and is operated in a safe manner --to instruct training sessions as required --to recommend changes that would benefit the operation of the station and emergency response --to assume the duties of fire ground commander in the absence of higher ranking officer TRAINING OFFICER--responsible to the chief to develop training programs for the department and keep various training materials up-to-date. Within the limits of the Fire Department policies, procedures, and annual budget, the Training Officer has the responsibility and commensurate authority to accomplish the following duties: --to assume the duties of a regular firefighter on all emergency calls --to assist officers in developing training programs for the department --to update all training materials --to instruct training sessions as required --to prepare course outline and keep them up-to-date --to assist the secretary in maintaining yearly training records and subjects on each firefighter --to review equipment and training requirements with new members SECRETARY/TREASURER--responsible to the chief for maintenance of meeting minutes, attendance, correspondence, financial records, and additional informational record keeping as required. The secretary shall accomplish the following duties: --to assume the duties of a regular firefighter on all emergency calls --to maintain meeting minutes and financial records
--to maintain attendance records and inform the department of requirements as needed CHIEF AND ASSISTANT CHIEF--responsible to the City Council to provide guidance and direction for all emergency response activities and maintenance of the station and equipment. Within the limits of the Fire Department policies, procedures, and annual budget, the chief has the responsibility and commensurate authority to accomplish the following duties: --to assume command of the fire ground or reassign command to a line officer --to assure that all equipment and crews are directed in a safe and efficient manner --to assure that maintenance and cleaning of assigned stations and equipment is completed --to be responsible for recruiting and discipline of members --to be responsible for replacement of personnel gear and equipment --to assure that all reports from the department are complete and accurate --to instruct training sessions as required --to monitor all activities and the progress of the station --to review and correct problems by developing a working relationship with the City Council STATION EMERGENCY RESPONSE PROCEDURES Structural fires, grass fires, vehicle fires, fires of unknown makeup, and rescue calls will require first response pumper, first response tanker, and equipment van be dispatched. Additional vehicles may respond as needed. The officer-incharge may determine the need for mutual aid. The driver of a pumper at a fire should position the vehicle with respect to the fire situation, and then operate the pump and maintain proper pressure and water supply. The operator should illuminate the fire scene as needed, and provide equipment for use in the firefighting effort. He or she must maintain communication with the fire ground commander. First arriving firefighters should assist the apparatus operator in setting up equipment (hoses, fans, lights, power cords, etc.) Trained personnel should put on an air pack and report to the fireground commander. Two firefighter with air packs must be available for entry work. In addition, a backup team of two firefighters with access to a water supply from a different source should be available as soon as possible in the event of emergency. VIOLATIONS OF STANDARD OPERATING GUIDELINES Any firefighter violating any of the Fire Department's guidelines or policies will receive a verbal warning or a written notice on the first violation. If the firefighter continues to violate the Fire Department's rules or policies, he or she will be called before the officers at their next regular officer's meeting. The firefighter shall have at least fifteen days notice and a written statement on each violation.
The officers may recommend to the department a fifteen day suspension, which would require a majority vote of members present at a regular meeting. STATION EMERGENCY RESPONSE PROCEDURES--HAZARDOUS MATERIALS Hazardous materials are any substances or materials in quantities or forms that pose an unreasonable risk to health, safety, and property. The primary concern of the Pine City Fire Department is to protect lives and property from fires, explosions, or uncontrolled leaks/spills of hazardous materials. Fire Department control of incidents shall end when stabilization has been accomplished. Stabilization means that there is no longer a threat to life or an imminent hazard to property. The incident command structure will be the same as that used in all Fire Department responses. First-in units/personnel must be alerted to the possibility of a hazardous materials problem when responding to an incident. The exact nature of the problem must be determined. In some cases there can be more than one problem. This data collection phase, including the completion of the Haz-Mat ID. Forms or size-up, must be made early. Once the above has been done, the first-in units/personnel will notify all remaining response units of the hazardous situation. General precautions should include the following: 1. When responding, try to approach the site from up wind and up hill. 2. Isolate the scene of the incident and surrounding area at least 1000 feet (this distance may be increased as the incident requires). 3. Never drive through any spilled material, through a vapor cloud or smoke. 4. Only needed personnel shall enter scene (stay out of vapor cloud or smoke) 5. Protect emergency response personnel and equipment from contaminants. Always use proper protective gear for the incident including S.C.B.A. 6. If any emergency personnel, victims, civilians, or equipment have been contaminated, they are to be isolated until safely decontaminated. 7. Do not permit anyone to touch anything unnecessarily or retain as souvenirs any objects found in the incident area to the best of the department's ability. 8. Once the above has been done, the incident commander will confer with the Haz-Mat Resource Personnel on recommendations for: A. Protective gear B. Exposures C. Evacuation D. Decontamination E. Any other necessary response as dictated by the specific incident. F. Notify outside agencies as required. Priorities Life Hazard Can we safely approach the scene? Is anyone trapped? Should traffic be diverted? Will further evacuation be necessary?
Will a safe area of refuge be required? Property/Environment Concerns Can rescue, protection of endangered buildings and vehicles be accomplished with minimum risk? Are waterways, storm sewers, or sanitary sewers affected? Attack/Withdraw Decision This decision is based upon a number of factors and is a mostcritical decision. The immediate factors to consider are: 1. The magnitude of the incident 2. The convictions that the outcome can be favorably altered by the actions taken. 3. Do we have the proper protective gear, equipment, and proper personnel available? The fire ground commander will determine what is needed to control the scene. Haz-Mat Resource personnel will consult with him/her in regard to ongoing strategy. Additional personnel will be called out if evacuation is needed. Clearing the Scene When the emergency is terminated, retreat to the isolation area. Do not return equipment back into service until the Haz-Mat resource personnel checks out equipment and personnel to determine exposures and necessary decontamination. Approved by department vote on 7 December 1999. Bomb threats--training materials The principal in conjunction with the Sheriff's Office may contact the Pine City Fire Department for a Code 5 (no lights and sirens). Properly trained search teams may be organized for the purpose of securing all areas of the building not previously secured. Teams will be given maps as well as a list of search procedures; specific search areas will be designated on each map. The building principal will make the decision as to when the building is secure, as well as when staff and students will be allowed to return to the building. Participation on the part of the members of the fire department is voluntary. Bomb or Suspicious Object Located a. No persons should touch or attempt to move the object.
b. Any individual who locates a bomb or suspicious object shall warn personnel in that area immediately and evacuate the area. The individual locating such an object shall also send the first person available to notify the building principal. The principal will then make a decision regarding evacuation, and will direct the evacuation of the areas of the building where the object is located. The area around, above, and below the site should be isolated. c. The Pine City Sheriff's Office will be notified immediately. d. When a suspicious object is located and when the officers of the Sheriff's Department arrive, they will assume command of the isolated area. General Considerations for Search Teams a. A search of exterior areas of the building should be done first, followed by common areas. b. No cellular phones or portable radios (devices capable of transmitting) should be used in the building or immediate vicinity. Pagers are not considered to be a danger. (Note: Due to the rapidly changing technological advances, the decision to use radios may be made by responding agencies.) c. Electrical switches, including light switches, should not be touched. d. The following steps should be taken in order to search a room: a. Divide the area and select a search height. b. Start from the bottom and work up. c. Start back-to-back and work toward each other. d. Go around the walls and proceed toward the center of the room. e. Search team members may wish to mark areas that have been searched with tape. f. Panel and vent openings in bathrooms and other areas should be checked for paint chips or other signs of tampering. g. The natural gas main shut off is located outside the loading dock on the east side of the building. h. Sprinkler connections for the fire department are located on the northwest corner of the building. The mission of the search team is to search for and report suspicious objects. Under no circumstances should anyone move, jar, or touch a suspicious object or anything attached to it. The removal or disarming of a bomb must be left to the professionals.
Building Searches--General Procedures A. Search starts on the outside and works inward. Once on the inside, work from the lowest point to the highest. B. Exterior search. 1. Starts at the ground level a. trash piles and cans b. leave piles c. shrubbery d. entrances e. manholes f. parked vehicles 2. Search areas should extend outward from building 25-50 feet or to a curb or wall. 3. Areas of recently disturbed dirt should be probed to a depth of 12 inches, using wood or plastic 4. Check window wells and crawl spaces 5. Next check areas reachable from the ground a. window ledges b. air conditioning units c. flower boxes d. building ornaments e. fire escapes 6. If easily accessible, check the roof C. Interior Search 1. Before starting interior search establish central area from which operation can be manned (command post--ie. #20) 2. People available to search should be paired in two person teams assigned to search certain areas 3. Start with most easily accessed areas a. areas open to the public b. area containing service equipment (restrooms, reception areas, lobbies) 4. Utility areas (most located in the basement). Have maintenance person with- -they have knowledge of the area a. furnace room b. electrical control rooms and telephone switching rooms c. auxiliary power plants d. central air conditioning e. elevator shafts f. storage areas D. Detail Room Searches 1. Upon entering the room move to various parts of the room 2. Establish background noise level of the room
3. Remain still, close your eyes and listen 4. After audio check a. leader divides room into two equal parts b. decide the height and number of search sweeps c. move in opposite directions until you meet on the other side of the room d. first sweep usually from the floor to waist height e. second sweep usually from waist to ceiling if possible f. third sweep (if necessary) air ducts, window tops, hanging light fixtures, and suspended ceilings (look for dust on floor from tiles) 5. Mark areas searched to avoid duplication and oversight 6. Be on the look out for booby traps--clothes pine, mouse trips, tilt switches E. Evacuation 1. When bomb or suspect bomb is found, advise chief and evacuate the area. Finding of a devise should not necessarily stop the search in the event a second devise is also planted. F. Partial or Selective Evacuation 1. Method recommended when bomb is found in a building of several stories or more a. evacuate floor that bomb is on b. evacuate one floor above and one floor below c. open doors and windows to equalize the pressure should detonation occur d. isolate areas and control crowds 1). keep traffic lanes open for emergency vehicles 2). keep crowds at least 300 feet away 3). maintain security after blast--second blast is possible, investigations need security.
Standard Operating Guidelines for Trucks and Equipments Starting Procedures: Operating Procedures: Shutdown Procedures: Preparation for next run: Notes: