Policies Flashcards
Pursuant to __________, Firefighters are appointed members of this department and are authorized to exercise the following authority pursuant to applicable Oklahoma law:
11 O.S. § 29-103
Any chief officer may relieve a member under his/her command from duty when, in his/her judgment, an offense committed is sufficiently serious to warrant immediate action.
The oath of office shall be filed as prescribed by law (51 O.S. § 36.3).
Fire Code - 2018 edition of the International Fire Code as adopted and amended by the State of Oklahoma (OAC 748:20-4-1)., and adopted by Midwest City (Ordinance § 15-55)
A person in a position of authority regarding hiring, transfer, suspension, promotion, discharge, assignment, reward, or discipline of other department members, directing the work of other members, or having the authority to adjust grievances.
Supervisor
The term “supervisor” may also include any person (e.g., firefighter-in-charge, lead, or senior worker) given responsibility for the direction of the work of others without regard to a formal job
title, rank, or compensation.
Each Assistant Chief will ensure that members under his/her command are aware of any Policy Manual revision.
The Midwest City Fire Department shall have a medical director who is a fully licensed, non-restricted Doctor of Medicine or Doctor of Osteopathy in the State of Oklahoma (OAC 310:641-15-13).
Generally, each member is accountable to a single supervisor at any time for a given assignment or responsibility. Any supervisor may temporarily direct the subordinate of another supervisor where specifically delegated or if an operational need exists.
The Fire Marshal or designee will develop and maintain an EAP and FPP to provide for the safety of department members and visitors in the event of an emergency. The EAP and FPP will address the specific requirements contained in CFR and Oklahoma Department of Labor rules (29 CFR 1910.38; 29 CFR 1910.39; OAC 380: 40-1-2) and will address all buildings, facilities, and regular places of work or visitor access that are controlled by the Department.
The objectives of the training program are to:
(a) Enhance the level of emergency services to the public.
(b) Increase the technical expertise and overall effectiveness of department members.
(c) Provide for continued professional development of department members.
(d) Reduce risk and enhance safety.
Email may, depending upon the individual content, be a public record under the Oklahoma Open Records Act (51 O.S. § 24A.2) or a record under the Records Management Act (67 O.S. § 201 et seq.) and must be managed in accordance with the established records retention schedule and in compliance with state law.
A PIA should be completed within 30 days of an incident and may result in recommendations for changes to procedures, staffing, equipment use, policy, and/or training to better enable the Department to serve the community.
An incident “hot wash” should be performed at the incident scene prior to the release of equipment or personnel. A hot wash is a meeting of all involved personnel on-scene. It is an informal briefing of the incident, the actions taken, and problems encountered.
A building or occupancy that is unusually dangerous in terms of life loss, or that has a high potential for property damage.
Target hazard
- The individual designated by the Fire Chief as having custody of and responsibility
for maintaining the petty cash fund.
Custodian
A reserve of money established to make small purchases when payment by
purchase order or voucher is not practical.
Petty cash fund
Maximum dollar amount for purchases. Petty cash expenditures should be limited to
no more than $100.
All incident-related activities should be managed
in accordance with established ICS/NIMS methods and procedures (63 O.S. § 683.2).
The Fire Chief should ensure the Department adopts written ICS/NIMS procedures that are
compatible with neighboring jurisdictions. These procedures should be available to members (63
O.S. § 695.4).
- Any call for service or assistance involving fire, explosion, or violent
rupture; human rescue; human entrapment; illness or injury; hazardous materials release or
threat of contamination; flooding; threatened or actual acts of violence; any explosive, bomb, or
threatened bombing; any act of terrorism; any natural disaster; or any other circumstance that
presents a threat to life-safety or to property.
Emergency response
Fire personnel dispatched to an emergency shall proceed immediately, shall continuously operate
emergency lighting equipment, and shall sound the siren as reasonably necessary (47 O.S. §
11-106).
Responding with emergency lights and siren does not relieve personnel of the duty to continue to
drive with due regard for the safety of all persons
Emergency vehicle operators shall exercise sound judgment and care, with due regard for life and
property, while operating a vehicle en route to an emergency response (47 O.S. § 11-106)
In addition, emergency vehicle operators should reduce speed at all intersections and should come
to a complete stop at all blind street intersections or intersections where there is either a red light,
a flashing red light, or a stop sign (47 O.S. § 11-106).
If, in the judgment of either individual, the roadway conditions or
traffic congestion do not permit such a response without unreasonable risk, the response may
be continued without the use of red lights and siren at the legal speed limit. In such an event,
the Company Officer should ensure Emergency Communications Center is promptly notified.
A roll call of all operations members assigned to an
incident at specified times or during a strategy changea PAR is designed to account for each
member’s location and activity and to verify his/her safety.
Personnel Accountability Report (PAR)
A written personnel accountability system, such as the Incident Command System (ICS) Form
ICS-201 for Incident Commanders (ICs) or some similar process, should be used and a status
board should be maintained for appropriate incident level. Individual crew names are kept in the
Incident Command Vehicle.
Personnel should be accounted for from the time
of dispatch to the time of demobilization
Division or group supervisors should be assigned to keep track of all crews under their supervision.
Company Officers should know the location and assignment of each member in their crew.
Ongoing, routine strategic and tactical accountability at all emergency incidents, including wildland
fires, should be accomplished through periodic reporting or visual observation. This can be
accomplished through concise reports that include conditions, actions and needs, also called a
CAN report.
Members should also make the following reports:
* Emergency situations
* Inability to meet objective with revised timeline and/or resource requests
* Notification of completed actions
* Change in strategy
* Change in fire conditions, such as crossing planned control lines
For any IDLH incidents, a PAR should be conducted by the Incident Commander within the first 15
minutes or when appropriate at the IC’s discretion of an incident and every 20 minutes thereafter
for personnel at the scene.
This policy (Rapid Intervention/Two -in two-out) applies to all members assigned to an incident and is designed to ensure immediate
assistance for members who become lost, trapped, or injured by adhering to the two-in/two-out
standard and designating rapid intervention Teams (RITs) (29 CFR 1910.134(g)(4)), NFPA 1500
and NFPA 1710.
Any atmosphere that poses an immediate
threat to life, would cause irreversible adverse health effects, or would impair an individual’s ability
to escape from a dangerous atmosphere. Interior atmospheric conditions at structure fires beyond
the incipient stage are considered IDLH, as are a variety of rescue types.
Immediately dangerous to life and health (IDLH)
A team of at least two members located outside the IDLH
atmosphere to initially monitor and provide emergency rescue for responders until a larger, more
formalized rapid intervention crew (RIT) is created. One of the two members may be assigned
to an additional role, as long as the individual is able to perform assistance or rescue activities
without jeopardizing the safety or health of any firefighter at the incident. An IRIT is also known
as On Deck.
Initial rapid intervention Team(IRIT)
- The nationally adopted “call for help” term used to indicate that an emergency responder
is in a situation of imminent peril where he/she is in need of immediate help.
Mayday
A forward staged and ready crew available for any immediate needed tactical
assignment including but not limited to affecting or assisting in the rescue of a distressed,
disoriented or incapacitated firefighter.
ON Deck
An assignment to a crew of two or more that will serve as the
dedicated firefighter rescue resource for the fire ground or division. Once a crew is assigned RIT
no other duties may be assigned that could compromise the state of readiness or capability
of RIT responsibilities.
Rapid Intervention Team (RIT)
Prior to initiating fire atttack, members should consider life safety and available resources to
determine the establishment of two in two out procedures (29 CFR 1910.134(g)(4)).
At least two additional firefighters should be located outside the IDLH environment.
-One of the two outside firefighters may be assigned to an additional role so
long as the individual is able to perform assistance or rescue activities without
jeopardizing the safety or health of any firefighter working at the incident.
RIT members should not be involved in any other duties that divert attention or resources away from their primary mission of responder rescue.
Additional companies may be assigned to the RIT as conditions warrant. For large incidents with multiple points of entry, multiple RITs should be considered.
The Incident Commander (IC), scene supervisor, or senior ranking member has the authority to
initiate a tactical withdrawal and the responsibility for ensuring that all members on-scene or at
risk due to the threat are notified of the action. Authority for the decision resides primarily with on-scene personnel and should not be delayed while seeking approval or confirmation from a higher
authority, who may not be at the incident scene.
If a tactical withdrawal
is initiated at a time that members are providing medical services to sick or injured patients, those
members should, whenever practicable, attempt to maintain their care of medical patients and
evacuate those patients as part of the withdrawal process
In the event that violence or the threat of violence forces members to abandon any patient under
their care, the involved member should immediately notify the appropriate law enforcement agency
of the location of the patient and request immediate assistance in securing the scene to allow for
safe and timely medical treatment and evacuation of the patient.
The time elapsed between receipt of the alarm or telephone call and
the dispatch of emergency response units.
Dispatch processing time
- The time elapsed between the emergency response unit beginning travel to the
emergency and when the emergency response unit arrives.
Travel time
The time elapsed between Emergency Communications Center notifying
firefighters of the emergency and when the emergency response unit begins travel.
Turnout time
The time elapsed between the dispatch center receiving the first notification of
the alarm and the arrival of the first emergency response unit. Response time combines dispatch
processing, turnout, and travel times.
Response time
Time frame from which dispatch receives the 911 call until all units are on-scene.
Full response Time
Turnout time for Fire and/vs. EMS
80 sec. fire
60 sec. EMS
Travel time for first arriving Unit vs. full response
4 min. travel time for 1st due
8 min. travel for full response
Time frame from which dispatch receives the 911 call to fire units going en-route
Mobilization time
Mobilization time for 81% of fire and EMS
140 sec. or less for fire
120 sec. or less for EMS
First unit response time 90% of the time for fire and EMS
6 min. 20 sec. for fire
6 min for EMS
Full response time 90% of the time for fire and EMS
10 min. 20 sec. for fire
10 min. for EMS
What is the purpose of the petty cash management policy?
This policy provides for the establishment and administration of a department petty cash fund.
Who is designated as the custodian of the petty cash fund?
The individual designated by the Fire Chief as having custody of and responsibility for maintaining the petty cash fund.
What is a petty cash fund?
A reserve of money established to make small purchases when payment by purchase order or voucher is not practical.
What are the responsibilities of the Fire Chief regarding the petty cash fund?
The Fire Chief or authorized designee is responsible for establishing and maintaining protocols for the operation of a petty cash fund.
What should the protocols for the petty cash fund include?
Protocols should include designation of a petty cash custodian, initial and replenishment fund amounts, maximum dollar amount for purchases, accounting requirements, audit requirements, disciplinary guidelines, and designation of a physical location for the fund.
What is the maximum dollar amount for petty cash purchases?
Petty cash expenditures should be limited to no more than $100.
How often should the petty cash fund be audited?
The petty cash fund should be audited at least quarterly by the Fire Chief’s authorized designee.
What should happen if the custodian violates the petty cash policy?
Established disciplinary guidelines should be followed, including referral to law enforcement if a crime may have occurred.
How should the petty cash fund be secured?
The fund should be secured using a lockbox stored in a safe, securable drawer, cabinet, or locker located in a securable room or office with restricted access.
What are the responsibilities of the petty cash custodian?
The custodian is responsible for maintaining the petty cash fund, requesting replenishment funds, receiving funds for replenishment, maintaining the petty cash ledger, and accounting for petty cash when transferring responsibilities.
When should replenishment funds be requested?
Requests should be made when the funds fall below the established replenishment amount at any regular membership meeting.
What should the custodian do before transferring petty cash responsibilities?
Account for all petty cash and vouchers before transferring responsibilities to an alternate custodian.
What is the purpose of the Emergency Vehicle Response policy?
To ensure a safe and appropriate response to emergencies while maintaining the safety of department members and the public by requiring operators of department vehicles to conform to applicable Oklahoma laws and regulations during an emergency response.
Define ‘emergency response’.
Any call for service or assistance involving fire, explosion, human rescue, illness or injury, hazardous materials release, flooding, acts of violence, terrorism, natural disasters, or any circumstance that presents a threat to life-safety or property.
What is the policy of the Midwest City Fire Department regarding emergency calls?
To appropriately respond to all emergency calls.
What should fire personnel do when dispatched to an emergency?
Proceed immediately, continuously operate emergency lighting equipment, and sound the siren as reasonably necessary.
What does responding with emergency lights and siren not relieve personnel from?
The duty to continue to drive with due regard for the safety of all persons.
When should personnel respond with emergency lights and siren?
Only when dispatched to an emergency or when circumstances reasonably indicate an emergency response is required.
What should emergency vehicle operators do when multiple emergency vehicles respond?
Remain alert to the presence of other emergency vehicles and exercise due caution.
What must a Company Officer do if they believe an emergency response is appropriate?
Ensure the Emergency Communications Center is immediately notified.
What should emergency vehicle operators do at intersections?
Reduce speed and come to a complete stop at all blind street intersections or where there is a red light or stop sign.
What should be done if emergency equipment fails to operate?
Terminate the emergency response and notify the Emergency Communications Center of the equipment failure.
What is the purpose of the Fireground Accountability policy?
To increase firefighter safety by establishing accountability systems for keeping track of all personnel operating at the scene of an emergency incident.
Define ‘Personnel Accountability Report (PAR)’.
A roll call of all operations members assigned to an incident at specified times or during a strategy change to account for each member’s location and activity.
What is the responsibility of supervisors in the accountability system?
To periodically account for members working under their direction at emergency incidents.
What should a personnel accountability system primarily track?
Personnel, not resources.
What should be maintained for appropriate incident level during emergency incidents?
A status board.
What is the role of the Incident Commander regarding accountability?
To designate an accountability officer to monitor personnel assignments and locations.
What should be reported during ongoing accountability at emergency incidents?
Conditions, actions, needs, and any changes in strategy or fire conditions.
When should a Personnel Accountability Report (PAR) be conducted?
Within the first 15 minutes of an IDLH incident and every 20 minutes thereafter.
What is the purpose of the Rapid Intervention/Two-In Two-Out policy?
To increase firefighter safety by implementing procedures for safeguarding and rescuing firefighters in environments that are immediately dangerous to life and health (IDLH).
Define ‘Immediately dangerous to life and health (IDLH)’.
Any atmosphere that poses an immediate threat to life or would impair an individual’s ability to escape from a dangerous atmosphere.
What is an Initial Rapid Intervention Team (IRIT)?
A team of at least two members located outside the IDLH atmosphere to monitor and provide emergency rescue for responders.
What should members ensure before initiating fire attack in IDLH environments?
That at least two firefighters using SCBA enter the IDLH environment and remain in contact with one another.
What should RIT members not be involved in?
Any other duties that divert attention or resources away from their primary mission of responder rescue.
What should happen when a Mayday broadcast is transmitted?
All non-emergency radio traffic shall cease so the Incident Commander can respond to the Mayday.
What is the purpose of the Atmospheric Monitoring policy?
This policy establishes procedures for measuring atmospheric concentrations of carbon monoxide (CO) at an incident for the safety of members working in potentially hazardous conditions.
What is calibration in the context of atmospheric monitoring?
Calibration is the process of resetting the values for each sensor in the instrument.
What does spanning refer to?
Spanning is the process of using calibration gases to check the calibration of the instrument, also known as bump testing.
What is the policy regarding exposure to carbon monoxide (CO)?
The policy aims to mitigate the health risks associated with exposure to CO by its members and the public.
