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HomeMy WebLinkAbout113.002 - Ride-Along Program ADMINISTRATIVE MANUAL PUBLIC EDUCATION 113.002 RIDE-ALONG PROGRAM EFFECTIVE: OCTOBER 2007 Current Revision Date: 9/7/18 Next Revision Date: 9/7/23 Author’s Name/Rank: Jonathan Chew, Battalion Chief Review Level: 5 Section 113.002 Page 1 of 3 PURPOSE The purpose of this policy is to establish parameters for the Fresno Fire Department (FFD or Department) Ride-Along Program. APPLICATION The FFD Ride-Along Participant Program will be used in an effort to showcase the Department, provide transparency to the community being served, and provide persons with an interest in a fire service career an introduction to the FFD. OPERATIONAL POLICY The Ride-Along Participant Application, Section 106.140 (FD-78) will be completed whenever an individual is requesting to ride along with the Department. OPERATIONAL GUIDELINE Scheduling Guidelines: 1. Group of Applicants (Fire Academy, EMS Dispatch): If a ride-along request for the Fire Academy is granted, FFD training staff will coordinate the scheduling of the ride-along with the applicants and the designated station captains. If the ride-along request for Dispatch is granted, the EMS Coordinator will coordinate the scheduling of the ride-along with the EMS Dispatch Training Officer and the designated station captains. 2. Individual Applicants: If the ride-along request for an individual applicant is granted, Prevention support staff should schedule the ride-along with the applicant and forward the request to the appropriate station captains. If the ride-along is a family member or an employee of another public safety agency, the on-duty battalion chief, a deputy chief, or the Fire Chief may approve. Section 113.002 Page 2 of 3 If a ride-along request is denied, the applicant will be informed, the form marked, and the form filed in a "Denied" folder with the Prevention support staff. A written explanation for the denial will be included with the FD-78. Limitations: The Ride-Along Program is generally to be limited to participants who reside within the geographical area serviced by the Department. Certain exceptions to this should require the approval of a chief officer. Participants are allowed one ride-along per a 12-month period. As a general rule, the following will be authorized to participate, provided the requirements are met: 1. Residents of the geographical area serviced by the Department. 2. Family members, relatives, and friends of Department members. 3. Firefighting personnel from other fire or military agencies. 4. Attendees of the Fresno City College Fire Academy whe n a letter of confirmation of academy registration and attendance is provided at the time of application. Only one ride-along per station, per day is authorized, unle ss specifically approved. The ride along should not begin before 0800 hours nor end later than 2200 hours, unless specifically approved. Exceptions: With specific approval of the Fire Chief or his/her designee, County EMS personnel, community leaders, media representatives, and others should be allowed to ride more than once per year. Each additional ride-along tour will require separate permission. When a Department member’s family member, a member of another public safety, or military agency requests to ride-along on short notice, and a background investigation and interview is not possible, the on-duty battalion chief may sign and approve the request after confirming the accuracy of the FD-78. The battalion chief may solicit the on-duty investigator to confirm the applicant’s information. Note: Short-notice Ride-Along applicants are required to complete the FD-78. Section 113.002 Page 3 of 3 PROCESS The Request for Ride-Along Participant Application (FD-78) is to be completed at least ten days in advance of the desired ride-along date. Participants are to be at least 16 years of age. Persons under 18 years of age has at least one parent or guardian accompany them at the time of the interview and sign the form in the presence of appropriate approving authority prior to being allowed to participate. Once the application form has been submitted, it should be routed to the Fire Investigation Unit Supervisor, who will assign an investigator to conduct a criminal background check and schedule an interview (via telephone) with the applicant. Once approved for the ride along, the form will be routed to the Prevention support staff for processing. The interview is to be conducted with two purposes in mind: 1. The nature of the waiver and the program to be explained. 2. To determine the applicant's fitness, maturity, stability, and health in relation to the ride-along. INFORMATION Safety of Participant: Concern by the host member is to be given to the safety of the participant; however, the utmost importance lies in the member's attention to duty. If hazardous circumstances present them, and the opportunity to leave the participant at a safe location is available, this is to be done and the Communications Center notified of the participant's location. Prior to responding on calls, the ride-along member is to be briefed on related safety issues, including the use of seat belts and company officer’s expectations. DEFINITIONS This section left intentionally blank. CROSS REFERENCES Administrative Manual Section 106.140, Ride-Along Participant Application (FD-78) Section 113.001, Public Education Events