Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout501.001 - Welcome to the Fresno Fire DepartmentEffective Date: April 2015 Manuel Graves, Civilian Training Officer Current Revision Date: 11/30/2023 Section 501.001 Next Revision (1) Date: 11/30/2025 Page 1 of 4 500 Firefighter Trainee Manual SECTION 501.001 WELCOME TO THE FRESNO FIRE DEPARTMENT PURPOSE The purpose of this policy is intended to aid firefighter trainees in adjusting to the unique life of a firefighter. Fundamentals are stressed and the material discussed is for the efficiency of the Fresno Fire Department (FFD or Department). APPLICATION To be used by firefighter trainees beginning their career with the FFD. OPERATIONAL POLICY This section intentionally left blank. OPERATIONAL GUIDELINE As a member of the firefighting profession, what you and your fellow firefighters contribute in the way of efficiency, initiative, intelligent application, hard work, and dignity determines the progress, growth, and recognition of this occupation in the years to come. Firefighting demands much from those who successfully follow it as a career. In return, firefighting offers security, excellent opportunities for advancement, and a lifework of exciting safety service to the community. As citizens are inclined to be more critical of public employees, the Department expects all members to be neat, courteous, honest, moral, of good conduct, and able to meet personal financial obligations. Failure on the part of the firefighter to maintain this excellent departmental reputation may result in dismissal. Members are expected to conduct themselves accordingly as he/she remains a member of the Department. Fresno City Fire Department Effective Date: April 2015 Manuel Graves, Civilian Training Officer Current Revision Date: 11/30/2023 Section 501.001 Next Revision (1) Date: 11/30/2025 Page 2 of 4 The honesty and trustworthiness of firefighters must be unquestionable. Often, it is necessary for firefighters to enter homes and business establishments under emergency conditions with, or without, the knowledge of the owners. Complete faith in the integrity of Department personnel by the public is imperative. It is the duty of every member to take special precautions with valuables by placing them in the hands of officers or by directing attention to them. A firefighter is paid to protect property, not pilfer it. It is against Department rules for firefighters to use their official position to secure advantages. Such practices discredit the entire Department. Local businesspeople and citizens should never be approached for personal favors by members of the Department. All members in the Department are public relations representatives of the Fire Chief and FFD. To the public with whom you come in contact, YOU ARE THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. The public’s opinion and judgment of the Department will be based on members conduct, personal appearance, and successful completion of emergency operations. PERSONAL APPEARANCE WHILE ON DUTY IS IMPORTANT! Uniforms and work clothes are to be kept clean and professional looking, and turnout gear in proper condition and serviceable. The firefighting profession in Fresno is judged by both personal appearance and the professionalism of its members. Commanding officers expect members to know the rules and regulations and abide by them. Special attention is to be paid to assignments/instructions given so you do not have to be repeatedly told. If there are any questions, ASK!! Getting started on the right foot is very important. Destructive criticism or petty gossiping often results in malicious injury to an innocent party. Do not allow another person’s opinion of the Department or another member influence you in a negative manner. There is no substitute for experience. Whether it be gained on the job or learned from senior members of any rank, it is wise to take to heart the “lessons learned” paid for by the sweat and hard work and even mistakes by those who came before you. In the firefighting profession, you will never “know it all.” Every incident and situation provide a new lesson or reinforces an old one. Equipment, Policies and Procedures, and the world around us is constantly changing and members need to learn, adapt, and grow throughout their career and not just through the end of probation. The mission, duties, and responsibilities entrusted to you as a firefighter require the utmost attention to detail and are to be taken seriously. You should aim to perform at the highest level. Internalizing the stress inherent to the job can have a negative impact on your ability to perform at work as well as your personal life. There are Effective Date: April 2015 Manuel Graves, Civilian Training Officer Current Revision Date: 11/30/2023 Section 501.001 Next Revision (1) Date: 11/30/2025 Page 3 of 4 avenues for assistance available to you through the Department and the City of Fresno. During your assigned work period, you should keep idle chatter to a minimum and complete your work in a thorough and business-like manner. While on duty, it is not a time in which to conduct personal business. Focus on what you need to achieve and not on what others are doing. If you finish your daily duties early, show initiative, get involved, and do those “extra jobs”. Firefighters must work on many different things while on duty. Some tasks can be readily performed by the new firefighter while others may require more experienced personnel. New members should not be discouraged at the prospect of performing numerous small and seemingly unimportant jobs first assigned to new firefighters. Perform your assigned tasks willingly and efficiently, keeping in mind you are constantly being evaluated and prepared for the time when you are ready for duties which require more responsibility and experience. New firefighters should quickly become familiar with the location and names of all firefighting equipment, appliances, and tools carried on the apparatus to which they are assigned. Expect to be assigned subjects to deliver station schools on these topics. While the ability to use some of the equipment may require further development, valuable time at an emergency is saved if you know the location of the equipment on the apparatus so you can get it when requested. The Department is not a single-member operation, but rather a teamwork oriented, where everyone plays an important role. Your company officer’s responsibility is the safety of his/her crew and ensuring they have the tools, equipment, and training needed to perform the mission. Members of your crew count on you to perform the duties quickly and competently you are assigned. You should strive to perform these duties competently. Remember you are a part of a team. If you finish your work, give other members a hand. All officers are to be addressed by rank. In this Department, as in other progressive fire departments, a para-military routine is employed as a means of providing an effective and efficient departmental operation. Chiefs and captains assume responsibility for such operation and orders given by them are to be followed. Discipline is necessary to ensure the Department functions safely and successfully in bringing emergency incidents to a close. Your job as a member of this Department is to constantly provide maximum effort in the protection of the lives and property of the public. When working at an emergency scene, be sure you stay close to your company officer unless directed otherwise. When an order is given at a fire or other emergency by an officer, be sure you understand it correctly and then execute the order promptly; if you don’t understand the order, ask the officer to repeat it to clarify. Effective Date: April 2015 Manuel Graves, Civilian Training Officer Current Revision Date: 11/30/2023 Section 501.001 Next Revision (1) Date: 11/30/2025 Page 4 of 4 The progress and promotional potential of members of the Department is dependent on their knowledge, skills, and ability to assume additional responsibilities. Members who work to move forward in the process sacrifice current responsibility or who focus solely on the next step with no regard for their current position or fellow firefighters, do so at the risk of losing any credibility or respect they may have gained. The habits formed by performing competently at emergency incidents, around the fire station, and obtaining good grades in the trainee academy and during your probationary year all play an important role in your future success. PROCESS This section intentionally left blank. INFORMATION This section intentionally left blank. DEFINITIONS This section intentionally left blank. CROSS REFERENCES Administrative Manual, Rules and Regulations Section 109.001, Introduction Section 109.002, All Officers Section 109.003, Fire Chief Section 109.004, Fire Deputy Chiefs Section 109.005, Fire Battalion Chiefs Section 109.006, Fire Captains Section 109.007, Acting Officers Section 109.008, Non-Firefighter Members Section 109.009, Duty of All Members