Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company Standard Operating Procedures

2008

Overview

• A collaborative effort between the Officers & the Board

• Covering pertinent information used both on an “every day” and “infrequent” basis

• Highlight things that assist in the operation and administration of the organization

Guidelines/Bylaws

Bylaws- Are rules that must be followed by all members of the company. The only way to change a bylaw is with a company vote.

Standard Operating Guidelines- Are rules that serve as a guideline to follow. Deviation of the guidelines is acceptable if good judgment, common sense, and the safety of everyone is considered

SOG’s are determined by the officers and the board of directors. Some examples are unit assignments, on scene tactics, or station duties

• The Bylaws and SOG’s are located in the fire office and the members website

• It is the members responsibly of each member to understand and follow the Bylaws and SOG’s of this company.

Firehouse structureFire Officers- Are either elected or appointed to serve the company. Responsibilities include managing of personnel, on scene tactics, drills, discipline, and day to day operations.

Board of Directors- Managing the financial matters and committees of the company. Also in charge of managing the paid personnel. Are the final authority on various company matters.

Squad leaders- Are responsible for keeping contact with members with drills, calls, and retention issues.

SOG 1.010

Firehouse Structure

The members will ensure that they afford the opportunity to their respective squad leaders to handle any issue that may arise. • The Members will also ensure that a good working relationship is maintained through out the Squad. The • Members will also build off of each other’s experience and knowledge to help the Bel Air Volunteer Fire • Company maintain it is high level of expertise and respect.

Chain of Command

•Members are expected to seek answers from Squad Leaders for day to day and logistical issues

•Squad leaders should be sought out for issues. Jumping command will not be tolerated

Fire Chief

The Chief shall have complete authority over the members and the equipment at all times. He/She shall assign the members such duties that in his/her opinion will best promote the objectives of this company.

Board of Directors

Composed of the President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, and Director.

Are responsible for all financial matters, committees, and is the final authority of all matters.

Auxiliary

Provide support functions such as rehab, hydration, comfort amenities, food, and moral support

Chiefs Deputy Chief – Responsible for the day to

day operations of fire and EMS in all fire houses

EMS Assistant Chief – The EMS Chief, who is equal in rank to the 2nd Assistant Chief of suppression, shall supervise the operation of the EMS Division of the Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company.

Assistant Fire Chiefs- Responsible for duties assigned by the Chief and are in charge of their respected squads

Captains Fire and EMS Are responsible for their respictive

station When present at a fire or emergency,

shall be in overall command until relieved by a Chief Officer, with full power and authority to employ all resources at his/here disposal necessary to affect and control the emergency.

Lieutenants

Lieutenants shall be responsible to and assist their respective Captains, and shall assume all the duties and responsibilities of the Captain in his absence.

Sergeants Shall be responsible to assume

leadership roles in the absence of an officer.

Shall be considered an integral part of the Attack Officer's team in search and rescue, interior attack, truck company operations and any other team oriented task assigned by the OIC.

Duties of Members

It shall be the duty of each member of this company to abide by the Bylaws and Standard Operating Guidelines of this company, to uphold its objectives and purposes and support the company at all times

Response Guidelines Fireside

It is the goal of the BAVFC to appropriately staff the equipment for all responses. All members shall attempt to respond safely & quickly as possible with the highest trained crew.

Response Guidelines Fireside

< 4 minute Lieutenant or higher rank 4-5 minute Driver, Sergeant or higher 5 minute Most senior firefighter

On full-assignments reasonable attempts shall be made to have an elected officer riding as officer for all units.

Unit Transfers

Prior to a Co.3 unit transferring to another district a second (2nd) crew shall be attended at one of the Co.3 stations.

If Bel Air Station engine companies are committed on calls the manned sub-station units shall transfer their engines to the Bel Air Station.

Individual Driver Order Duty Driver Senior Driver (if the senior driver wants to

drive they need to make it known that they want to drive – senior drivers will be given preference but they must make moves to identify they are immediately going on the call)

Driver Officer

Emergency Response System All personnel shall use this system to

identify their status. If it is known that personnel are responding to the station, the units should wait for officers, drivers, or manpower to fill their respective positions. Granted this does not apply after the five minute mark. Remember the board is designed to get qualified individuals in their respective positions

Unit Transfers

Prior to a Co.3 unit transferring to another district a second (2nd) crew shall be attended at one of the Co.3 stations.

If Bel Air Station engine companies are committed on calls the manned sub-station units shall transfer their engines to the Bel Air Station.

Incident Command

EMS incidents are by provider level or rank

Fire incidents are by rank in fire officer

All 911 incidents will have an incident command, whether or not an official one is declared.

Customer Service

We are highly visible to the public We can be our best “ambassadors”… Remember, even if it’s not an

emergency, the caller perceived it as such!

Treat ALL citizens with respect and courtesy

Remember the “little” things…

Locking their door upon leaving for the hospital, an extra blanket on that cold night

Greeting the patient with “sir” or “ma’am”

Using appropriate tone of voice

Not discussing Company issues or personal affairs in front of patients, family, or public

10-50 PI

Allow the Officer to make sure the scene is safe

Watch for oncoming traffic

Make sure you identify number of patients and hazards!!!

Housecleaning

• Each squad will be given a month when they are responsible for the cleanliness of the firehouse

• All members are responsible for the condition of the firehouse.

•Making a mess for others to clean up will not be tolerated

Responding to scene and firehouse

•Members are responsible for their driving habits en route to station. NO SPECIAL PRIVILEGES!!!

•Shall report to the station to staff additional equipment unless you DIRECTLY PASS THE SCENE AND CAN HELP!!!

•Non-emergency response, do not park in E spot

Alcohol and Drug Policy

SOG 1.105

The fire company will neither support nor endorse any member who chooses to respond while under the influence or with alcohol on their breath.

SOG 2.010

It is the position of this Company that members who avail themselves of alcohol are to refrain from responding to any incident for a period of eight (8) hours from LAST intake of alcohol.

Apparatus and Equipment

•Should be cleaned of all dirt/salt, etc. after each response

•This may be adjusted due to response load, extreme cold, etc.

•Windshields are NOT EXEMPT!

•Supplies to be restocked (absorbent, BLANKETS!!!!!!) after EACH RUN!!

Apparatus Safety

•All vehicles are to be operated with seat belts/harnesses in place by all personnel

•Apparatus backing up MUST have at least two people watching the rear.

•Use caution with T-331(rear step)

Accidents Involving Company Vehicles

All vechicle accidents must be reported to a Chief officer and the Board of Directors

The Incident Review Board will determine if they need to review a accidentAll findings are reported to the Chief and Board of Directors

Incident Review Board

Was the old Accident Review Board

Will review accidents, safety issues, and emergency incidents based on the SOG's or request from the Board or Chief

SOG 1.015

Discipline Matrix SOG 10.001

The BAVFC operates under the premise of a paramilitary organization. As such an agency, conduct of personnel and maintenance of order arises from adherence to standard operational guidelines, rules, regulations, and issued orders of an Officer. Discipline is a tool utilized by the Officer to maintain this order, ensure safety, and correct inappropriate behavior.

Matrix Cont

This disciplinary matrix includes those offenses considered by the Board of Directors and Officers to be of a nature requiring corrective action and discipline. In no way shall be considered to be exclusive of any offense requiring specific actions.

On the Job injuries

•Any injury, regardless of nature, MUST be reported to an Officer, and the Board of Directors

•Any visit to a hospital or clinic must be approved by an Officer, unless of an immediate nature.

On the Job

•ANY injury, even if not requiring a hospital/clinic visit MUST have a “First Report of Injury” completed by the injured member.

•This MUST be done no later than the NEXT BUSINESS DAY following the date of the on-duty injury.

Exposure Policy

•Exposure defined as a splash

of fluids/blood into mouth, eyes

or nose.

•May also be accidental

needle stick

•IMMEDIATELY notify the duty EMS officer

•Report to hospital for treatment and follow-up (DON’T WAIT!!!)

•Follow directions of hospital staff

•Complete First Report of Injury

•Further directions from the EMS Officers will be dictated by nature of exposure

Exposure policy

Harassment

The Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company will not tolerate and shall not discriminate against any person, who is seeking membership to the fire company, based on sex, race, color, creed, sexual preference or any other reason not listed but deemed to be discriminatory.

SOG 1.019

Harassment

Members should be considerate of other members by refraining from the use of obscene language, tasteless jokes, off color comments, racial slurs and other such remarks that may be offensive to our members. Members should also be cognizant of their remarks when guests, families and visitors are present in the station.

SOG 1.019

PAT tags

Every riding member member (including the Auxiliary) will be issued 3 Personal Accountable Tags

One PAT tag will remain on the member at all times.

The second PAT tag will be placed on the accountability board.

The third PAT tag will be a “point of entry tag” which will be removed before entering the hot zone on an incident

Personal Protective Equipment

All personal protective equipment will be approved by the officers

Damage to members own personal gear will not be reimbursed

•ALL GEAR PROBLEMS are to be reported immediately to your squad leader or sergeant

•Your safety is our TOP priority!

Repairs to Apparatus Equipment

•Tell an officer and write message on Mechanics board in the Mechanic room or write one yourself

•After hours “fixes” must be approved by the chief or his designee

Radio Procedures

On any operations where units are assigned to A-4 the OIC will make all contact with fire dispatch.

On any operations where the B-1, C-1, D-1, etc are not monitored then CP (usually a engine driver) will make all radio transmissions with fire dispatch. The CP will need to listen to A-1 and the assigned fire ground channel. This is exactly the same as we used to do it with Channel 6/Channel 1.

SOG 20.03

Radio Procedures

Reminder - If you have activated the EMERGENCY BUTTON on your portable, dispatch will ask command "to check display and advise" and will identify which portable has been activated. If you are having an emergency then do your best to identify what your emergency is and where you are, and who you are with. When your portable is in emergency mode, the display will be showing "EMERGENCY". If there is no emergency you will need to depress the emergency button for 2 - 3 seconds to reset. Make sure the display is no longer showing "EMERGENCY".

Questions

See your friendly Squad Leader