HomeMy WebLinkAbout104.007 - Accident Review Team
Effective Date: March 2020 Jonathan Chew, Deputy Chief
Current Revision Date: 05/27/2025 Section 104.007
Next Revision (1) Date: 05/27/2028 Page 1 of 4
Fresno City Fire Department
100 Administrative Manual
SECTION 104.007 ACCIDENT REVIEW TEAM
PURPOSE
The purpose of this policy is to provide guidelines to Fresno Fire Department (FFD or
Department) members for actions related to the gathering of information and evidence
following an accident with significant injury or death involving one or more Department
members while on duty.
APPLICATION
This policy has been established to manage the events surrounding a significant
accident. It is designed to assist the Department in implementing an Accident Review
Team (ART) which will be tasked with evidence collection and documentation
surrounding an event of this nature. This policy does not address any actions related
to the employee’s disposition post injury.
OPERATIONAL POLICY
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OPERATIONAL GUIDELINE
At the onset of a significant accident, an ART is to be formed to help guide the
Department during the first 48 hours of a significant event. The duty chief (DC) or
appointed battalion chief (BC) will act as Incident Commander (IC) of this team. The
ART IC will consider a unified command with the incident commander when
appropriate. The ART IC will determine the make-up of the team based on the
complexity and jurisdiction of the incident. In the event of a critical injury or Line of
Duty Death (LODD), the ART will operate within the Investigations Branch of the
LODD Incident Command System (ICS). When possible, consideration for team
members should be non-rank specific and based on experience, specific knowledge,
and completion of S-404, Safety Officer Training.
Effective Date: March 2020 Jonathan Chew, Deputy Chief
Current Revision Date: 05/27/2025 Section 104.007
Next Revision (1) Date: 05/27/2028 Page 2 of 4
PROCESS
Initial Actions:
When the Communications Center is made aware of a significant accident, the
Communications Supervisor will ensure all notifications are made including the Duty
Chief and Fire Chief. Upon notification, the designated DC will initiate and oversee
ART operations. The DC may elect to assign a BC as the ART IC. Once on-scene,
the ART IC will develop an incident action plan (IAP) with the following functional
groups:
• Investigations and Documentation
• Social Media
• OSHA Reporting
• Equipment
Incident Commander:
The ART IC will assemble a team of qualified members. If the event is within the City
of Fresno or contract fire protection area, consideration should be given to those
members who can be at the accident scene within 1 hour. If the event is outside the
City of Fresno’s jurisdiction, team members should be available to respond within one
(1) hour of notification. The ART IC can fill group positions at his/her discretion. Upon
arrival at the accident scene, the ART IC will check in with the incident IC to determine
the need for Unified Command or add an ART group within the current IAP. This team
will act independently of any Law or Arson Investigation group.
ART
Incident Commander
Investigation and Documentation Media OSHA Reporting Equipment
Effective Date: March 2020 Jonathan Chew, Deputy Chief
Current Revision Date: 05/27/2025 Section 104.007
Next Revision (1) Date: 05/27/2028 Page 3 of 4
When the team responds to another agency’s jurisdiction, the ART IC will ensure the
Agency Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) is notified of the ART response and checks in with
the Liaison Officer or IC upon arrival.
The ART IC will make recommendations to the IC as soon as practical as to the need
to assemble a multi-agency Severe Accident Review Team (SART).
Investigation and Documentation:
• Photos
• Interviews
• Gathering data
• Determine and document cause
• Mapping and diagrams
• Department liaison with law enforcement
Media:
• Capture any on scene audio/video
• Gather dispatch/911 records
• Develop accurate event timeline
OSHA and SOP:
• Review Department polices or guidelines relevant to the event
• Interact with OSHA representative when applicable
• Review any related NFPA recommendations
• Liaison to Department safety staff and City Risk Management
Equipment and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE):
• Review any inspection documents related to PPE or other Equipment.
• Protect scene integrity related to Department equipment and PPE.
• Document all equipment involved in the incident and preserve all PPE.
as appropriate.
Effective Date: March 2020 Jonathan Chew, Deputy Chief
Current Revision Date: 05/27/2025 Section 104.007
Next Revision (1) Date: 05/27/2028 Page 4 of 4
DEFINITIONS
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CROSS-REFERENCES
Standard Operating Procedures Manual
Section 203.012, Post Incident Analysis Policy