Insert FD Name

Operational Guideline

Title
Air Brake Pre Trip Inspection / O.G. # 1.07.03.03 / Page 1 of 2
Effective Date:

Purpose:

To establish a systematic pre-trip inspection for air brake apparatus inspection.

Scope:

Insert FD Name members.

Policy:

All Insert FD Name members trained in the use of air brakes shall follow the pre trip air brake inspection OG during the inspection

Procedure:

Pre trip inspections shall occur at the start of the weekly scheduled training for the fire halls. The inspection shall occur in the following steps.

·  Apply spring brakes and chock the wheels on level ground.

·  Raise the cab/hood and inspect or check fluid levels, belts etc

·  Drain the wet tank – ensure that the needles do not move

·  Drain the primary tank – confirm the one way check valve to primary tank is holding by checking that the primary tank needle reads ‘0” and the secondary needle shows air pressure

·  Release the spring brakes

·  Check the spring break modulator ( if equipped) by applying the service brake to hear air exhaust from the rear brakes, release service brake to hear exhausting from the front as normal

·  Reapply the spring brakes

·  Drain the Secondary tank

·  Undercarriage – close air tanks and begin front to back inspection (fluid leaks, wiring, hangers, airlines etc)

·  Start engine and turn on high idle (1000-1200) start 3 minute time when first need passes 50psi – stop timing when last needle passes 90 psi

·  Check that the low air warning (light and audible indicator) clear at 60 psi

·  Continue building air pressure to maximum until needle stops moving and the Governor cuts out

·  Turn off high idle and shut down the engine

·  Release spring brake, make a full brake application and hold it for one minute – no more than 3 psi loss in both system within one minute

·  Start engine and begin fanning the brakes - check that the governor start rebuilding air at or above 80 psi ( needle should rise ) Check that the low air warning comes on at or above 60 psi – check that the spring brakes apply between 20-45 psi

·  Set high idle and release spring brakes around 90psi

·  Shut down engine

Insert FD Name

Operational Guideline

Title
Air Brake Pre Trip Inspection / O.G. # 1.07.03.03 / Page 2 of 2
Effective Date:

· 

·  Slack adjusters must be checked with no less than 100psi in the system, after you have made the brake application

·  Check that the travel in the brakes is not greater than 2 inches in the front and rear brakes – Slack adjusters should be within ¼ inch from side to side

·  To adjust automatic slack adjuster, release spring brakes and make 3 full applications with full air

·  Start engine and apply spring brakes

·  Check all instruments inside the cab (lights, horns) heater, seat belts, mirrors etc)

·  Complete a thorough circle check outside the vehicle

·  Remove wheel chocks

·  Perform a brake “tug test”

·  Perform a Service Brake test

Reference:

ICBC Air Brake Manual


Signature of Fire Chief / This OG replaces
Issued:

Insert FD Name

Operational Guideline

Title
Apparatus Snow Chains / O.G. # 1.01.18 / Page 1 of 1
Effective Date:

Purpose:

To ensure correct use of apparatus snow chains.

Scope:

Insert FD Name members

Policy:

All Insert FD Name members shall correctly use and follow apparatus snow chain

requirements, which includes inspection of the apparatus chains.

Procedure:

Apparatus having tire chains shall have the chains visually inspected and fitted to ensure that seasonal wear does not interfere with future use. Tire chain inspections shall occur by October 1st of each calendar year. Reports and concerns of the chain inventories shall be forwarded to the Fire Chief by October 15th of each year. Automatic chains shall include the mechanical inspection. The Fire Chief through normal repair procedures shall request repairs for the Insert FD Name.

Automatic Chains

·  Only engage and disengage the chains while the vehicle is moving.

·  Chains may be engaged at or below 25 mph/40 km

·  Chains should not be disengaged at or below 30 mph/50 km

·  Engage chains before reaching slippery conditions. Automatic chains will assist traction in forward, reverse and in braking.

·  Chains shall be engaged when the vehicle is moving forward

Manual Chains

·  Inspection of chains shall include areas of wear that have been worn greater than 50 percent of the link diameter, as well as chains equipped with 'cams' shall be inspected to ensure that the cam is not bent

·  Exterior fastening devices are also to be inspected and supplies checked to ensure that the apparatus that require the fasteners have enough in supply to ensure seasonal use

Maximum speed for use of all Snow Chains shall be 30 mph/50 km

Upon completion of seasonal use, chains need to be stored and tagged as per the apparatus for which they are assigned

Reference:

NFPA 1500


Signature of Fire Chief / This OG replaces
Issued:

Insert FD Name

Operational Guideline

Title
Backing Up Signals / O.G. # 1.06.06.01 / Page 1 of 1
Effective Date:

Purpose:

To establish consistent backing signals for all members for apparatus movement.

Scope:

Insert FD Name members.

Policy:

Insert FD Name members shall complete the required direction signals when using a guide for backing the apparatus up.

Procedure:

When backing an apparatus vehicle (larger than a personal car or truck), a guide is to be situated at the left rear of the vehicle approximately one vehicle length back. The guide should stay in plain view in the driver’s left hand mirror. The guide is positioned one vehicle length behind to enable him to see all four sides of the vehicle during the backing maneuver, while remaining in eye contact with the driver. Also, being one length behind allows the guide to keep an eye on the area into which the vehicle is backing without tripping and possibly being run over.

If the driver loses sight of the guide, they are to stop and wait until the guide returns to view in the mirror. Or, get out of the vehicle and investigate before continuing to back up. If the vehicle is turning during the backing procedure, the guide should stay in view in the driver’s left hand mirror.

It is difficult to hear the voice commands from this distance, so the guide should use the following hand signals to communicate with driver. All hand signals are done around the face in order to maintain eye contact between the guide and driver.

Reference:

NFPA 1002

OG 1.06.06


Signature of Fire Chief / This OG replaces
Issued:

Insert FD Name

Operational Guideline

Title
Driving / O.G. # 1.06.06 / Page 1 of 1
Effective Date:

Purpose:

Operation of department vehicles represents one of the more hazardous operations in which members are involved with. Drivers of department vehicles will be adequately trained for any vehicle, which they may be required to operate.

Scope:

Insert FD Name members.

Policy:

This policy will establish guidelines to promote safe driving practices among fire rescue service drivers who are driving fire apparatus and other vehicles.

Procedure:

·  All Fire Department members are responsible to operate all fire apparatus and other service vehicles in accordance with the BC Motor Vehicle Act and Operational Guidelines

·  All members are responsible to drive in a defensive and safe manner

·  All members shall be authorized by their immediate officer, prior to being allowed to drive any fire apparatus

·  The chock blocks provided shall be utilized when parking at all times except when parked in the fire hall

·  Members driving fire department vehicles shall observe the basic speed rule (never exceed a speed which is safe, reasonable and proper for existing conditions)

·  When backing fire apparatus, a fire service member shall serve as a guide to assist the driver and ensure a safe backing operation

·  Members driving fire rescue service vehicles shall utilize defensive driving techniques

·  Members driving emergency vehicles shall use extreme caution when approaching and traversing street intersections

·  Members driving emergency vehicles shall use extreme caution on approach to the emergency scene

·  Members driving emergency vehicles shall utilize warning devices in accordance with training and the Motor Vehicle Act

·  Members driving emergency vehicles are to reduce speed when approaching and turning corners and when passing through intersections and if necessary, to avoid accidents, are to come to a full stop

·  Members driving vehicles with emergency lights and siren sounding must come to a full and complete stop when a traffic light is red or approaching a stop sign

Reference:

Motor Vehicle Act 122

Workers' Compensation Board Rules and Regulations Part 31.5(e)

OG 1.06.01, 1.06.02, 1.06.03

NFPA 1500 NFPA 1002

This OG replaces
Issued:
Signature of Fire Chief

Insert FD Name

Operational Guideline

Title
Electrical Safety / O.G. # 1.05.03 / Page 1 of 1
Effective Date:

Purpose:

To establish safe work practices for fire fighters dealing with electricity.

Scope:

Insert FD Name members.

Policy:

The Insert FD Name members will not handle downed power lines, whether live or not, until power is confirmed to be off by the Electrical Authority.

Procedures:

·  A safety perimeter of 10 meters (33 feet) shall be established by the Fire Officer when dealing with a downed power line

·  The same safety perimeter shall be established when dealing with damaged or potentially damaged Kiosk or Electrical Vaults

·  The Fire Officer shall maintain the safety of the members and the public by establishing the 10 meter (33 feet) perimeter using caution tape or other means of identification until power is confirmed off

·  No Electrical Meter shall be pulled by the Fire Rescue Service, this operation shall be conducted by the Electrical Authority

Reference:

WorkSafe BC Part 31.5 (f)


Signature of Fire Chief / This OG replaces
Issued:

Insert FD Name

Operational Guideline

Title
Emergency Scene Traffic Control / O.G. # 1.05.09 / Page 1 of 1
Effective Date:

Purpose:

To ensure that traffic control is conducted safely for all emergency and non emergency situations.

Scope:

Insert FD Name members.

Policy:

Fire Rescue Service members shall utilize trained members to achieve appropriate traffic control measures at emergency scenes when traffic control is required. Training shall be conducted in conjunction with applicable regulations and guidelines.

Procedures:

·  Where a traffic obstruction exists or is created by Fire Rescue Service vehicles and members, at the earliest possible instance the Officer in Charge (OIC) or Commander shall ensure a barricade is formed by traffic cones or markers, arranged in such a fashion to meet the standard and or guideline and give traffic sufficient warning to stop or avoid the obstruction.

·  When conditions are present which require a traffic control person to ensure the safety of Insert FD Name members and the public, the traffic control person will be a member of the fire rescue service trained in emergency traffic control or the Police or from a recognized traffic control company trained and certified in traffic control.

·  The emergency incident scene shall be organized to meet all applicable traffic control measures and safety standards in effect for the time and place of the incident.

·  Trained Fire Department members must use traffic control devices and equipment appropriate to the circumstances to ensure the safety of responders, the public and the safe and efficient movement of traffic. Members working as an emergency scene traffic control person must wear appropriate turnout gear, including helmet and traffic vest. Other appropriate devices used may include traffic cones, markers, control signs, traffic control paddles, flashlights and wands, portable radios, etc.

·  Where traffic control is necessary the incident scene must be set up to meet all applicable Fire Department guidelines, BC Safety Council and WorkSafe BC requirements for that incident. If this is not possible for any reason, priority shall be given to protection of the responders by using the apparatus to block the lane(s) or road completely, as required to provide a safe working environment.

·  When requesting Police or public works assistance for traffic control, the Officer in Charge will make the request to Dispatch, specifying the exact location and nature of need. Where special traffic control measures are required, such as with Hazardous Materials or other incidents. This must be relayed through Dispatch with a request for a Police supervisor to attend at the scene. If assistance cannot be provided as per the request from the Commander, the Fire Chief or designate shall inquire about the lack of response.

Reference:

NFPA 1500, BC Safety Council Traffic Control Program

WorkSafe BC Part 31.5(d)

Motor Vehicle Act 125


Signature of Fire Chief / This OG replaces
Issued:

Insert FD Name

Operational Guideline

Title
Equipment Defects / O.G. # 1.07.22 / Page 1 of 1
Effective Date:

Purpose:

To establish an effective notification of equipment failures or defects to the WorkSafe BC

Scope:

Insert FD Name members.

Policy:

Insert FD Name members shall follow the procedures for correct notification process for equipment defects.

Procedures:

Notification to the WorkSafe BC must occur without reasonable delay of any structural failure or manufacturing defects detected in any firefighting vehicle, apparatus or emergency equipment.

The Fire Chief shall be contacted in the event of any structural failure or manufacturing defects. The Fire Chief shall make contact with WorkSafe BC

WorkSafe BC contact number 1 866 319 9704

Reference: