STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES
NANUET FIRE ENGINE COMPANY INC.
ORGANIZED 1860
NANUET
TOWN OF CLARKSTOWN
ROCKLAND COUNTY
NEW YORK
ENACTED: February 1989
REVISED: March 1, 2008
TABLE OF CONTENTS
4 INTRODUCTION
SECTION PAGE GENERAL
I - 1 5 Mission Statement
I - 2 6 Code of Ethics
I - 3 7 Chain of Command
I - 4 8 Conduct
I - 5 9 Sexual Harassment
I - 6 17 Workplace Violence
I - 7 21 Discrimination Complaints
I - 8 22 Alcohol & Substance Abuse
I - 9 23 Liquor Liability
I - 10 24 Confidentiality
I - 11 25 Media Guidelines
I - 12 26 Fire Investigations
I - 13 27 Uniforms
I - 14 29 Private Vehicles
I - 15 30 Application Process
I - 16 31 Probationary Firefighters
I - 17 32 Funeral Guidelines
SECTION II SAFETY
II - 1 35 General Safety Issues – Hazard Communication
II - 2 36 OSHA Safety Statement
II - 3 39 Personal Protective Equipment - PPE
II - 4 40 Self Contained Breathing Apparatus - SCBA
II - 5 41 Personal Grooming
II - 6 42 Accountability
II - 7 46 Seatbelts
II - 8 49 Infection Control (Blood Borne Pathogens)
II - 9 50 Physicals
II - 10 51 Firefighter Classification
II - 11 52 Safety Officer / Sector
II - 12 55 Risk Assessment & Safety Management
II - 13 56 Fireground Strategy
II - 14 61 Fireground Safety
SECTION III OPERATIONS
III - 1 70 Incident Command System
III - 2 87 Officers Procedures
III - 3 88 Officer Responsibilities
III - 4 89 Chauffeur (Driver) Procedures
III - 5 90 Firefighter Procedures
III - 6 91 Fire Police Procedures
III - 7 92 Hydrant Procedures
III - 8 93 Sprinkler and Standpipe Operations
III - 9 94 Fire Attack Guidelines
III - 10 100 Red Alert
III - 11 101 Ventilation, Entry, and Search Guidelines
III - 12 105 Service Calls and Miscellaneous Fires
III - 13 108 Thermal Imaging Camera
III - 14 110 Aerial & Ground Ladder Operations
III - 15 114 High-Rise Operations
III - 16 116 Elevator Emergencies
SECTION III PAGE OPERATIONS (cont.)
III - 17 118 FAST Team Operations
III - 18 122 Firefighter Survival
III - 19 125 “MAY DAY” Communication
III - 20 130 Automated External Defibrillator Policy
III - 21 132 Railroad Emergencies
III - 22 133 Radio Procedures
III - 23 139 Mutual Aid Guidelines (Rockland County)
III - 24 142 Mutual Aid – Alternate Response
III - 25 147 Riding assignments
III - 26 151 Vehicle Extrication
III - 27 153 Emergency Incident Rehabilitation - REHAB
III - 28 155 Highway Operations
SECTION IV APPARATUS
IV - 1 159 Apparatus Safety
IV - 2 162 Emergency Response Guidelines
IV - 3 170 Vehicle Accident Review
IV - 4 171 Chauffeur Requirements
IV - 5 172 Apparatus Response
IV - 6 173 Apparatus Routes
IV - 7 174 Apparatus Operations
IV - 8 178 Apparatus Use
IV - 9 179 Response Speed
IV - 10 180 Driver & Officer Responsibilities
IV - 11 182 Apparatus Placement
SECTION V SPECIAL OPERATIONS
V - 1 185 Hazardous Materials
V - 2 189 Confined Space Rescue
V - 3 195 Trench Rescue
V - 4 200 High Angle / Rope Rescue
V - 5 204 Explosive Devices
V - 6 205 Helicopter Landing Zone Operations
SECTION VI TRAINING
VI - 1 206 Training Expectations
VI - 2 207 Training Requirements
VI – 3 Fire Training Center Procedures
SECTION VII EQUIPMENT TESTING & MAINTENANCE
VII - 1 210 Weekly Apparatus & Equipment Maintenance
VII - 2 211 Apparatus Repair & Equipment Testing
214 SUMMARY
INTRODUCTION
STANDING OPERATING PROCEDURES / GUIDELINES
SOP’s or SOG’s are a set of organizational directives that establish a standard course of action on the fireground scene to increase the effectiveness of the firefighting team. These STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES/GUIDELINES allow our Fire Company to develop the "game plan" before the fire ‑ one of the most important elements of pre-fire planning. These STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES/GUIDELINES provide everyone with a practical training package used to develop standard roles and functions and to focus on effective team action at the task level. They also provide a convenient package for new members to learn from, and experienced members to review from the official fireground approach. Written procedures provide an overall organizational plan developed before the fire or emergency. Procedures are not procedures until they are written.
These Standard Operating Procedures/Guidelines are originated by the Office of the Chief of the Nanuet Fire Engine Company and approved by the Board of Fire Commissioners of the Nanuet Fire District. The National Fire Protection Agency Standards NFPA-1201, NFPA 1500, and other related standards will also be used as guides to effectively function as a Fire Company. It will be the responsibility of the Captain of the Nanuet Fire Engine Company, under the direction of the Chiefs, to instruct his Junior Officers and Members of the Nanuet Fire Engine Company on these procedures, and to ensure their, and his compliance with these procedures. It is understood, and conveyed to all, that due to the multi facetted nature of firefighting, some discretion must be allowed, and that some deviations may have to be made from these Standard Operating Procedures/Guidelines, but this will only be done under the authority and direction of the fireground officer in charge who will now be designated as the Incident Commander (IC).
The Incident Commander (IC) is the person who assumes overall command of all Fire Personnel and all Fire Apparatus at the Incident. The role of the Incident Commander (IC) is to be a professional manager and commander, directing all fireground operations and emergency incidents. He must choose command over action and carry out his functions at the strategic and tactical levels rather than the task level. The Incident Commander is responsible for providing for the safety and survival of all fire personnel; protecting, removing, and providing care for all endangered occupants; stopping the fire or emergency incident where it is found; and conserving property during and after fire or emergency control operations. The succession of command in the Nanuet Fire Engine Company at the scene of an incident will begin with the Chauffeur of the first arriving Fire Apparatus on the scene, and proceeds up to the Chief of the Nanuet Fire Engine Company. All fireground personnel will work as members of a team, each aiding and assisting the other as needed. All operations at fires, drills, or other emergencies will be performed under the direct control and orders of the Incident Commander, or a person that he designates to assume command.
These Standard Operating Procedures/Guidelines hereafter stated can only become effective with total cooperation of all the Officers and all the Members of the Nanuet Fire Engine Company and with an open line of communication between the total membership. By implementing these Standard Operating Procedures/Guidelines, it is hoped that the operation of the Nanuet Fire Engine Company will become more professional, and the burden of operations lightened on all personnel, and the safety and welfare of all personnel will become greatly enhanced.
Section I-1
MISSION STATEMENT
Nanuet Fire Department
The Nanuet Fire Department will be committed to protect the lives and property of the citizens of our community by providing the highest quality fire protection and emergency/disaster response in a professional manner. In order to accomplish this, the Nanuet Fire Department will make available the necessary training to our members.
Our Motto
“Proudly Volunteering Since 1860”
Section I-2
CODE OF ETHICS
1. As a member of the Nanuet Fire Engine Company, my primary duty is to serve my community; to safeguard and preserve life and property against the elements of fire and disaster; and to maintain a proficiency in the skill and knowledge of fire suppression and prevention.
2. I will uphold the by-laws and standards of the Nanuet Fire Engine Company, and continually search for new and improved methods and share my knowledge and skills with my fellow firefighters.
3. I will never allow personal feelings prevent me from my responsibilities as a firefighter and an officer.
4. I will never jeopardize the lives or safety of my fellow firefighters.
5. I will at all times, respect the property and rights of others, the laws of the community and my country, and the chosen way of life of my fellow citizens.
6. I recognize the badge of my position as a symbol of public faith, and I accept it as a trust to be held so long as I am true to the ethics of the fire service. I will constantly strive to achieve the objectives and ideals, dedicating myself as a firefighter – saving of life, fire prevention and fire suppression.
7. As a member of the Nanuet Fire Engine Company, I accept this self-imposed and self-enforced obligation as my responsibility.
NOTE: Attached is a copy of the Nanuet Fire District Code of Ethics which will be in addition to this section.
Section I-3
CHAIN OF COMMAND
All personnel within this Department will show proper respect to and promptly obey the Chain of Command, both during emergency incidents and in regards to administrative matters. Respect for the ranks of officers is essential for both discipline and operational efficiency. All firefighters and officers are required to be familiar with the By-Laws and Standard Operating Procedures/Guidelines of the Nanuet Fire Department plus the Incident Command System and to work within its parameters.
FIRE DISTRICT
Board of Fire Commissioners
FIRE DEPARTMENT ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICERS
Chief
1st Assistant Chief 2nd Assistant Chief
Capatin
1st Lieutenant 2nd Lieutenant 3rd Lieutenant
Chief Chauffeur
1st Asst. Chief Chauffeur 2nd Asst. Chief Chauffeur 3rd Asst. Chief Chauffeur
FIRE DEPARTMENT EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
President
Vice President
Treasurer
Corresponding Secretary Financial Secretary Recording Secretary
Trustees
Board of Directors
Chaplain
Section I-4
CONDUCT
All Nanuet Fire Department personnel are expected to conduct themselves in a professional and ethical manner at all times. The actions, appearance, and comments of personnel are a reflection of the entire Nanuet Fire Department, and may make a lasting impression in the minds of the public served. Profane, abusive, or otherwise offensive language shall not be used while on duty or otherwise representing the Nanuet Fire Department. All personnel should be aware that anytime they are wearing their uniform or other Nanuet Fire Department apparel they are seen as representatives of this department, and they are expected to conduct themselves in a manner consistent with Nanuet Fire Department policies. No Nanuet Fire Department personnel shall corruptly use or attempt to use their official position, or any property or resource which may be within his/her trust, or perform their official duties, to secure a special privilege, benefit, or exemption for himself/herself or for others.
Section I-5
SEXUAL HARASSMENT
Policy Statement
It is the policy of the Nanuet Fire Engine Company (NFEC) to prohibit the harassment of any member by any other member on account of that person's sex. The NFEC does not condone and will not tolerate Sexual Harassment by its members or the Sexual Harassment of its members by anyone, including any officer, member, vendor, or civilian. Every member is expected and required to abide by this policy. Any member who violates this policy will be subject to appropriate disciplinary action—up to and including discharge.
Definition of Sexual Harassment
There are two categories of unlawful Sexual Harassment:
1. “This for That” or “Quid Pro Quo” Harassment:
Submission to sexual conduct is made either an explicit or an implicit condition of an individual's membership; Submission to or rejection of sexual conduct is used as a basis for a membership decision, which might either positively or adversely affect the member within the NFEC, including as regards assignments and other membership conditions;
2. “Hostile Work Environment” Harassment:
The harassment is severe or pervasive enough to unreasonably interfere with a member’s work performance or to create an intimidating, hostile, or offensive workplace. Sexual Harassment can be communicated in any fashion. For example, unwanted physical contact, foul language, sexually oriented propositions, jokes or remarks, obscene gestures or the display of sexually explicit pictures, cartoons or other materials may be create one of the two types of Sexual Harassment.
Management of the NFEC may also take steps to control conduct before it becomes unlawful Sexual Harassment. Therefore, conduct within any station or during any official function shall be done in a professional manner and free of sexual conduct, gestures, photographs, or other methods of communication that might be considered offensive to another member.
Responsibilities of Officers
All officers are responsible to reasonably supervise the members that report to them. They are not expected to be “mind readers”, but must take steps to prevent Sexual Harassment by being aware of the behavior and work conditions that take place under their supervision.
Some Examples of Sexually Harassing Behavior:
1. Visual harassment, such as posters, magazines, calendars, cartoons, or caricatures.
2. Verbal harassment, such as repeated requests for dates, lewd comments, sexually explicit jokes or whistling.
3. Written harassment, such as love letters, poems, or graffiti.
4. Non-verbal harassment, such as obscene or suggestive gestures or motions.
5. Subtle pressure or sexual activities.
6. Unnecessary touching, patting, pinching, rubbing or kissing.
7. Leering or ogling: for example, men who look only a woman's breasts or women who are "crotch watchers".
8. Frequent intentional brushing up against another person's body.
9. Promise of a promotion or favorable assignment or advancement opportunities in return for sexual favors.
10. Demand of sexual favors accompanied by implied or overt threats regarding such matters as termination, negative evaluations, and denial of membership benefits or opportunities.
11. Physical assaults or attempted assaults of a sexual nature or for a sexual purpose.
Complaint Procedure
Any member who feels that he or she has been sexually harassed should immediately report the matter to the Chief or President. Similarly, any member who believes that he or she has witnessed Sexual Harassment or who has reason to believe that Sexual Harassment is taking place should do likewise. If the Chief or President is not available to receive the complaint or if the member believes that it would be inappropriate to contact that person due to the fact that he or she may be involved in the incident, then the member should immediately contact the Commissioners.
The NFEC will handle all allegations of Sexual Harassment in a lawful manner to ensure that any such conduct does not continue. As a matter of routine, the NFEC will investigate complaints of Sexual Harassment, but may reject anonymous complaints. Such investigations will be conducted as discreetly and as confidentially as circumstances allow. Informal discussion and resolution will be the preferred method of handling complaints. In any event, the NFEC will not permit any person to be adversely affected in membership with the NFEC as a result of his or her having brought a complaint of Sexual Harassment so long as such complaint was made in good faith.