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HomeMy WebLinkAbout202.001 - General GuidelinesEffective Date: April 2007 E. John Ross, Fire Captain Current Revision Date: 7/12/2022 Section 202.001 Next Revision (1) Date: 7/12/2024 Page 1 of 10 200 Standard Operating Procedures Manual SECTION 202.001 GENERAL GUIDELINES PURPOSE The purpose of this policy is to provide members of the Fresno Fire Department (FFD or Department) with guidelines, and references pertaining to the handling of various types of emergency incidents. APPLICATION Personnel should operate within these general guidelines while working at emergency incidents. OPERATIONAL POLICY The Standard Operating Procedures Manual, Section 202, Tactical Operations, provides members with policies and procedures related to specific aspects of emergency operations. The following document establishes policies and guidelines for areas not specifically addressed in other areas of Section 202. These areas include: • General Guidelines at Emergency Incidents • Limited Available Resources Procedures • Scene Preservation • Notifications • On-Call Duty Officer • Securing Valuables • Standpipes/Sprinkler Systems • Restoring Sprinkler Systems • Protective Signaling Systems • Civilians at the Fire Scene • Mailbox Fires • Training Fires/Control Burns • Hazardous Materials Incidents Staffing Levels • Equipment Accountability Fresno City Fire Department Effective Date: April 2007 E. John Ross, Fire Captain Current Revision Date: 07/12/2022 Section 202.001 Next Revision (1) Date: 07/12/2024 Page 2 of 10 OPERATIONAL GUIDELINE Off-Duty and Relief Personnel: Department members reporting for service at an incident (recall, returning from leave time, etc.) are to report and receive instructions from the incident commander or staging area manager as required. Officers are not to permit off-duty members to work unless their services are needed in the abatement of an emergency. Note: Off-duty members, other than management members, assigned to work at fires or other emergencies are guaranteed a minimum of two hours overtime. In case of a prolonged incident at change of platoons, the company officer of the oncoming platoon should contact the incident commander through the Communications Center and be guided by their instructions. Relief of members working at incidents at the time of shift change should be transported in Department vehicles. Pump Operations: Company officers should be guided by the judgment of their engineer as to the advisability of handling additional lines. During firefighting operations, the incident commander is to be notified in the event pump pressure requirements exceed 275 psi. Do not use apparatus to pump out basements, streets, subways, etc. unless authorized by a chief officer. Fire Protection Systems and Utilities: On premises where fires have occurred, sprinkler systems, standpipes, fire escape ladders, and other auxiliary firefighting equipment used, must, when possible, be left in operating condition. When power, gas, or water have been shut off from a building during extinguishing operations, the incident commander should inform the Communications Center so the utility company supplying the service may be notified. Department members should not attempt to restore any service, which has been shut off. Effective Date: April 2007 E. John Ross, Fire Captain Current Revision Date: 07/12/2022 Section 202.001 Next Revision (1) Date: 07/12/2024 Page 3 of 10 Limited Available Resources Procedures: When a major emergency occurs, (i.e., any third-alarm or greater incidents or multiple incidents when conditions indicate 50 percent of the engine and/or truck companies is to be committed for more than 30 minutes), the following actions should be considered, and prompt action taken: 1. All field and station activities (i.e., area inspections, hydrant details, hose changes, station schools utilizing apparatus, etc.) interfering with a company's ability to respond to an incident or move-up are to be terminated. 2. Companies should return to quarters and await instructions or directed by the Communications Center over the radio while en-route to their station. 3. A recall of off-duty members is to be initiated in accordance with the Department’s Standard Operating Procedures Manual, Section 204.006, Procedures for Recalling Off-Duty Members. 4. Except for emergency traffic, radio communications are to cease. 5. Medical emergency responses may be suspended at the discretion of the Duty Chief. Note: This ban on activities and radio communications are to stay in effect until the Communications Center announces a return to normal activities. Relocation of equipment is to occur to cover unprotected quadrants of the city during major or concurrent incidents. See Standard Operating Procedures Manual, Section 204.005, Move-up Procedures. Scene Preservation: While operating at fires, members are to be on the alert for any evidence, which may have contributed to the cause of the fire. Members are to make every effort to preserve evidence of incendiaries at fires. The removal of debris or the disturbance of conditions surrounding fires before the arrival of the fire investigator is to be carefully considered by the incident commander. Effective Date: April 2007 E. John Ross, Fire Captain Current Revision Date: 07/12/2022 Section 202.001 Next Revision (1) Date: 07/12/2024 Page 4 of 10 1. Full authority is granted by the City Charter to Department officers to prevent the approach of any person, or to remove and keep away all persons not usefully employed in extinguishing the fire or preserving property in the vicinity. a. This authority is to be used to prevent entrance or loitering at the scene of fires by any individual not having legitimate reason for being present. Notifications: In the event an emergency requires notification of agencies outside the Department, the incident commander should contact the Communications Center. The Communications Center is to be responsible for the notification of the proper agencies. The Communications Center is to be immediately notified when fatalities occur at fires or emergencies of which the Department is in charge. The Communications Center should notify the Fire Investigation Section (Deputy Fire Marshal or his/her designee), who in turn will contact the homicide division of the appropriate law enforcement agency. In addition, the Communications Center will make the following notifications: • Fire Chief • Deputy Chief of Operations • Deputy Chief of Training • Deputy Chief of Prevention and Support Services • Duty Officer • Administrative Battalion Chief • All on-duty Battalion Chiefs • Investigator 1 • Coroner’s office • OES (Public Information Officer) On-Call Duty Officer: Battalion chiefs are responsible for all Department operations outside of normal business hours and on weekends. In the event of major and/or unusual incidents, battalion chiefs should notify the on-call duty officer and be guided by his/her direction. It is the practice of this Department to always maintain an on-call duty officer. The officer assigned as the on-call duty officer is responsible for notifying the dispatch supervisor when a change in the assignment of the on-call duty officer occurs. All changes should be communicated directly to the dispatch supervisor at 559-621- 2250. Effective Date: April 2007 E. John Ross, Fire Captain Current Revision Date: 07/12/2022 Section 202.001 Next Revision (1) Date: 07/12/2024 Page 5 of 10 The on-call duty officer is to be advised of all second or greater alarms, hazardous materials incidents, major firefighter injuries, civilian or firefighter deaths, and any other occurrence that, in the judgment of the Incident commander, notification is warranted. Note: The on-call duty officer status may be acquired via the dispatch list. It should be the responsibility of the on-call duty officer to support the incident commander in the most effective utilization of Department resources with respect to life and fire protection within the City, as well as the present emergency(ies) once notification has been affected. Securing Valuables: Members should make every effort to prevent loss or theft of money, jewelry, or other valuables at the scene of an alarm. 1. Any member finding money, jewelry, or other valuables at the scene of an alarm should immediately report to his/her company officer, who should report to the incident commander. 2. If the incident commander is satisfied the proper owner is located, he/she will turn over the valuables to the owner. 3. If the proper owner cannot be located, such valuables should be retained by the incident commander until they can be turned over to Law Enforcement. 4. Any member receiving a complaint of theft or loss of valuables at the scene of an incident is to immediately report to his/her company officer, who is to report to the incident commander. As quickly as possible, the incident commander is to institute an investigation. If the complaint cannot be satisfactorily cleared immediately, the incident commander is to ensure Law Enforcement responds to the location and makes a report of the circumstances. The Fire Investigation Section is to be notified and informed of the complaint and the preliminary investigation. Standpipes/Sprinkler Systems: When operating on fires above the third floor in buildings equipped with standpipes, the standpipes are to be used, if practicable, when Department lines are to be placed into operation. Effective Date: April 2007 E. John Ross, Fire Captain Current Revision Date: 07/12/2022 Section 202.001 Next Revision (1) Date: 07/12/2024 Page 6 of 10 Note: Excessive nozzle pressure on lines from standpipes may be regulated by manipulation of outlet standpipe valves on floors where the hose is attached. Upon responding to a fire in a building in which an automatic sprinkler system is operating, the first-arriving officer should ensure the system is functioning properly and supplement the system as necessary until the fire is extinguished. See (Fresno Fire Department Hose Practices Guide). When performing a reverse lay to supplement a standpipe or sprinkler system, the company officer may decide or be directed to perform an equipment drop. If an equipment drop is needed, equipment is to be removed to adequately support fire suppression efforts. The suggested equipment includes, but is not necessarily limited to: • High Rise Kit • Two (2) 1-3/4-inch bundles • Two (2) 2-inch bundles • Two (2) hand spanners for standpipe caps and plugs • SCBAs; extra air tanks • Long and short pike poles • Hose clamps • Pike head axe • Irons (flat head axe and haligan) • 14 and 24-foot ladders Restoring Sprinkler System: All occupancies where a sprinkler system is installed are required to carry a representative selection of spare sprinkler heads and a sprinkler head wrench. These items are normally located near the main shut-off valve. If these spare heads and wrench cannot be located or if an insufficient number of heads are available (see Standard Operating Procedures Manual, Section 209.008, Inspection Procedures – Sprinkler Systems), spare heads and wrenches may be used from the Department sprinkler kits. 1. When spare heads are used from the sprinkler kits, the company officer should note the type, quantity, and rating of the heads used and requisition replacement from the Supply Section. 2. The Supply Section is to then contact the owner or occupant of the premises, via a form letter, to obtain the replacement heads. Effective Date: April 2007 E. John Ross, Fire Captain Current Revision Date: 07/12/2022 Section 202.001 Next Revision (1) Date: 07/12/2024 Page 7 of 10 Protective Signaling Systems: Protective signaling systems installed on private property, including local alarm systems, remote station systems, proprietary systems, and central station systems, are the responsibility of the building property agent. A Department representative should not reset any protective signaling system device on private property or governmental facilities. If the alarm has not been reset prior to the responding fire company's arrival, it is the responsibility of the incident commander, whenever practical, to ensure the property representative attempts to reset the protective signalizing system in his/her presence. The incident commander is to use the following procedures when finding that a private protective signaling device cannot be placed in service after an incident or false alarm. These procedures are to be used regardless of the reason, which prevents the alarm system from being placed in service. 1. The incident commander is to notify the Communications Center of the conditions regarding the private protective signaling system, including the name of the maintenance company. 2. When the protective signaling system cannot be immediately restored by the building property agent, the incident commander is to issue a written notice to the property agent to restore the protective signaling system within 24 hours. 3. The incident commander is to instruct the building property agent to immediately notify the Communications Center when the private protective signaling system is placed in service. 4. The incident commander should ensure information regarding the issuance of the 24-hour written notice is relayed onto his/her relief so the occupancy may be re-inspected after the 24 hours have elapsed and to the Fire Prevention senior inspector and inspector assigned to the area. Civilians at the Fire Scene: Accepting the services of civilians in actual firefighting work is prohibited. The City of Fresno assumes liability for injuries sustained by regular members of the Department while fighting fires but extends no such guarantee to the civilian who volunteers his/her services. Hence, should there be a civilian casualty at a fire, the Department might find itself in an embarrassing position or, at least, be a target for severe and, possibly, Effective Date: April 2007 E. John Ross, Fire Captain Current Revision Date: 07/12/2022 Section 202.001 Next Revision (1) Date: 07/12/2024 Page 8 of 10 justifiable criticism. In view of the above, the Department cannot afford to accept the services of any civilian in the actual process of firefighting. With no lack of appreciation for the spirit of cooperation manifested, all such offers must be courteously, but firmly, declined. Note: Civilians disposed to help the Department at fires can be useful in ways such as assisting the maintenance of fire barriers, keeping sightseers off the apparatus, and such duties as to not jeopardize their safety. When burns or injuries are sustained by citizens and treated by Department members, company officers should secure, as far as practicable, information necessary to forward a report. Mailbox Fires: When extinguishing fires in mailboxes, the incident commander is to control the fire with a minimum of damage to the contents. If possible, water should not be used, and the boxes should not be opened. 1. In all cases of fire affecting mailboxes, the Communications Center should immediately be notified in order that a representative of the U. S. Postal Service is to be dispatched. 2. Every effort is to be made to preserve the mail until the arrival of a postal authority. A Department member should remain at the box until the postal authority arrives and properly identifies him. Training Fires/Control Burns: Any time the Department sponsors or members are directly involved with a training fire, the officer in charge of the training should notify the Communications Center of such activities just prior to the burn. The officer should request Communications to notify adjoining fire departments and fire districts (i.e., Clovis Fire Department, CalFire, etc.) of the location and the estimated duration of the training fire. Hazardous Materials Incidents Staffing Levels: At hazardous materials incidents, the Department is responsible for identification of the hazard, containment, and securing the area. All incidents involving hazardous materials are to be handled in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Department’s Standard Operating Procedures Manual, Effective Date: April 2007 E. John Ross, Fire Captain Current Revision Date: 07/12/2022 Section 202.001 Next Revision (1) Date: 07/12/2024 Page 9 of 10 Section 202.008, Hazardous Materials Response Plan, in addition to the information provided below. When hazardous materials entry is necessary and the hazardous material technician staffing is below a safe entry level, the following procedure is to be followed: 1. With the authority of the respective battalion chiefs, available on-duty hazardous materials technicians working elsewhere in the city may be special called by the incident commander. 2. Special called hazardous materials technicians should respond with their assigned apparatus and, upon arrival, report to the incident commander. 3. Should it be necessary to special call more than one fire company to attain the number of hazardous materials technicians necessary to make an entry, the incident commander is to determine whether other members of the recalled companies are needed on-scene or can be returned to service. 4. Whenever a chief officer is not on-scene at the time a special call is initiated, the respective battalion chief is to be immediately contacted and apprised of the special call and which apparatus or members are requested to be utilized. This policy does not limit or prohibit the recall of off-duty hazardous materials technicians; it is designed to first utilize available on-duty resources to expedite safe entry and identification of materials at hazardous materials incidents. Requests for Hazardous Materials Response Team (HMRT) and equipment for outside jurisdictions should go through the on-duty battalion chief. The Department can, if necessary, recall HMRT members to respond. Equipment Accountability: Before leaving the scene of an incident, company officers should inspect to determine their equipment is complete. All members should have their assigned personal protective equipment and clothing secured on apparatus in such a manner that no damage is to occur to the equipment or to the finish of the apparatus. Upon identifying lost equipment or equipment not belonging to their unit, officers should make a diligent, timely attempt to correct the situation (i.e., contact other units, return to Effective Date: April 2007 E. John Ross, Fire Captain Current Revision Date: 07/12/2022 Section 202.001 Next Revision (1) Date: 07/12/2024 Page 10 of 10 the incident scene, etc.). If unable to resolve the issue immediately, company officers should notify their respective battalion chief. 1. The chief officer should cause a complete investigation to be made and require a written report of the findings. 2. When loss or damage of property is due to carelessness or neglect of any member or members, the chief officer should forward a complete written report through proper channels to the Fire Chief's office with recommendations for disposition. PROCESS This section intentionally left blank. INFORMATION This section intentionally left blank. DEFINITIONS This section intentionally left blank CROSS REFERENCES Fresno Fire Department Hose Practices Guide Standard Operating Procedures Manual Section 202, Tactical Operations Section 204.005, Move-up Procedures Section 204.006, Procedures for Recalling Off-Duty Members Section 202.008, Hazardous Materials Response Plan Section 209.008, Inspection Procedures – Sprinkler Systems