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HomeMy WebLinkAbout208.007 - Squad PracticesSection 208.007 Page 1 of 3 STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES MANUAL RESPONDING TO EMERGENCIES 208.007 SQUAD PRACTICES EFFECTIVE: JANUARY 2021 Current Revision Date: 11/04/21 Next Revision Date: 11/04/24 Author’s Name/Rank: Lawrence French, Administrative Battalion Chief Review Level: 1 Administrative Support: Evelyn Yin-Zepeda, Management Analyst II ADA PURPOSE The purpose of this policy is to establish guidelines for squad practices within the Fresno Fire Department (FFD or Department). The mission of squads is to improve response times to medical emergencies, which are 65% - 70% of the call volume, utilizing a more nimble and fuel efficient resource. The goal in utilizing squads in the Department's emergency response system is to improve availability of engines and trucks for additional demands for service. APPLICATION This policy is applicable to the mission, utilization, and staffing of the squad resource. OPERATIONAL POLICY Upon direction of the fire chief, squads are located at stations where the most effective utilization of their resource may be realized. Squad resources are not to be stand-alone apparatus in fire stations. Rather, they are to be co-located at fire stations with an engine, truck, or both. In the case of a station housing both an engine and truck, the squad will report to the truck captain for supervision. Squad resources are not to be considered a move up apparatus to an area void of engines and/or trucks due to emergencies or training. The squad will be staffed with one (1) firefighter specialist (FFS) and one (1) firefighter. The FFS will be the primary driver\operator for the unit and is responsible for squad maintenance, repair requisitions, and completing the National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) reports on a daily basis. The firefighter will assist the FFS with mapping, radio and MDT usage, and ensuring all equipment is in a state of readiness. Section 208.007 Page 2 of 3 Positions will be drawn consistent with interim and biennial draws. If the squad apparatus is to be relocated, it will occur with a biennial transfer or a redraw of the biennial transfer. OPERATIONAL GUIDELINE The primary assignment of a squad is to respond to medical emergencies which occur in their home district and adjacent districts according to the Department's dispatch criteria. Upon arrival at medical emergencies, members are to initiate and/or provide medical care until the advanced life support provider assumes patient care responsibilities and indicates FFD can be released from the call. In the event an FFD member is needed to assist ambulance personnel during transport to the hospital, the FFS should drive the squad to the hospital to pick-up FFD personnel. In the event both members are needed to assist the ambulance personnel during transport, one member should notify their respective station captain or battalion chief to arrange transportation. A squad may be utilized to respond to fire incidents where their response would improve the likelihood of life preservation. The application of this would be where the squad would arrive within four minutes travel time. When a squad arrives first at a fire incident, the FFS should ensure a size-up is communicated to incoming units. Members of the squad are to don appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) in preparation for the next in-coming engine or truck to arrive. The squad personnel are to be assigned to an engine or truck crew by the first arriving officer. When a squad is assigned to a fire call, the incident commander should release the squad as soon as possible so it can go back into service for medical emergencies. To maintain mission readiness, FFD squads should not maintain hydrants or perform building inspections. These functions should be performed by the engine/truck assigned to that station. PROCESS This section intentionally left blank. INFORMATION This section intentionally left blank. Section 208.007 Page 3 of 3 DEFINITIONS This section intentionally left blank. CROSS-REFERENCES No cross-references recognized.