STANDARD OPERATING GUIDELINE MANUAL

Standard Operating Guideline Manual

Of

Oak Grove Volunteer Fire Department

Statement of Purpose

This document shall be called the standard operating guideline manual for the Oak Grove Volunteer Fire Department. Its purpose is to state policies and procedure that govern day to day operations. It also provides job descriptions for ranking officers and training guidelines for new recruits.

Job Descriptions

Chief: The Chief of the department shall oversee and supervise all facets of the operations of the department. He or she shall serve as the Incident Commander on all fire scenes unless he or she delegates this authority to a subordinate. He or she shall be responsible for determining the origin and cause of each fire as described by state law. He or she shall preside over all administrative and fund raising functions and shall handle all disciplinary matters not expressly covered in the By-Laws and S.O.G. Manual.

Assistant Chief: The Assistant Chief shall be the second in command and shall run the department in the absence of the Chief. His or her duties are the same as prescribed for the Chief, in the absence of the Chief and any other duties and responsibilities that the Chief may delegate to him or her.

Second Assistant Chief: The Second Assistant Chief/Training Officer shall rank third in command in the department rank structure. The primary function of the position is to schedule and carry out the departments internal training program and to document this program with detailed records. On the firegrounds he or she shall fill any position as assigned by the Chief.

Captains: There shall be four (4) Captains in the department. Each Captain is of equal rank, but unless otherwise stated, seniority on the fireground will generally be determined by experience and time of service. The Captains are responsible for being line officers or sector commanders in the Incident Command system. They shall serve as the incident commander if no higher-ranking officer is present. They shall supervise or perform other duties as assigned by the Chief or other higher-ranking officer.

Qualifications for the above offices shall be those stated in the By-Laws and Constitution.

New Recruits / Training Guidelines

A recruit of the department shall begin a six (6) month probationary period upon being voted into the department. No six month person should be in the department unless accompanied by a member of the fire department. Training for all new firefighters shall be in three stages. These stages are as follows:

First eight weeks: General Departmental Operations
Second eight weeks: Firefighter Skills
Third eight weeks: Introduction to Pump Operations

Records shall be reviewed after the first six months to evaluate the ability of the recruit to perform in all stages of training. The Training Officer shall handle the evaluation. At that time the recruit shall present their checklist and it shall be recommended whether the recruit be used for firefighting, pump operations, traffic control, or dismissed.

First Eight Weeks: General Rules and Regulations:

Recruits must wear full turnout gear at all fire calls. Recruits shall not be allowed to enter a burning structure on the initial attack lines, unless the recruit has documented prior fire fighting experience. If so, this requirement may be waived by a majority vote of the department's seven ranking officers. Recruits should report to the incident commander or pump operator upon arrival at the fire scene for duty assignment. Recruits are to understand that when responding to a fire call in their personal vehicles, they are to drive in a responsible manner and obey ALL traffic laws. They are to be further aware that a red light should be displayed only when responding to fires and it gives them no rights to violate traffic laws in personal vehicles. Recruits should start becoming familiar with breathing apparatus and equipment on all trucks. Recruits should direct any and all questions asked of them by the media or the public to the incident commander. If the questions pertain to anything related to the fireground operation these questions too should be directed to the Incident Commander. Recruits shall maintain any department issued equipment in a responsible manner. If equipment is lost or damaged due to negligence, items/damages shall be paid for by the recruit. Recruits should know which trucks respond to what type of call and the order in which they respond per the S.O.G. Manual

Second Eight Weeks: Fire Fighting Skills

Recruits should become familiar with self-contained breathing apparatus and the proper use of this equipment. Recruits should know how to search a dwelling with the assistance of a partner, and know that NO fire fighter is to enter a structure alone! Recruits should know how to determine when ventilation is necessary and how to carry out ventilation procedures. Recruits should know that a fog nozzle can be turned counter clockwise for a wide fog pattern for protection. "Left For Life" Recruits should be familiar with all types of nozzles, including foam, and their proper applications. Recruits should be familiar with self-survival should an SCBA fail or malfunction. Recruits should know how to follow hose line out of a structure if they become lost or disoriented. Recruits should now how to safely carry and raise a ladder. Recruits should know how many people are needed on various sizes of hose lines. Recruits should know what type lines should be used on different types of fires. Recruits should know how to make an attack on a vehicle fire and the precautions to be taken.

Third Eight weeks: Introduction to Pump Operations

Recruit should be familiar with pump type and tank size on all trucks. Recruit should know how to engage pump and how to determine if the pump is turning. Recruit should know how to operate the change over valve and what it does. Recruit should know how to operate the pressure-regulating device, how it operates, and when to use it. Recruit should know how to raise engine rpm if throttle on pump panel does not work. Recruit should know how to set up pumper for 2 1/2", 1 1/2", 1 3/4", & 1" booster hose and the proper pump pressures to run for these lines or any combination of lines. Recruits should know how to draft water from supply tankers, drop tanks, dry hydrants, or any other source and how to trouble shoot any problems. Recruit should know the water flow GPM on all-departmental hose lines and pumps. Recruit should know various ways to cool an overheated pump. Recruit should know how to shut down quickly in case of emergency pump problems.

Engineers and Drivers

Drivers should be familiar with road names, house number ranges, and other geographic features of the fire district. Drivers should know that they are responsible for vehicle driven and ALL equipment used or removed from that vehicle during a fireground operation. Driver/Pump operator is responsible for seeing that the fire incident report and roll call sheet is completed. Drivers should be familiar with 10-codes used and proper radio procedure. Proper radio procedure shall be:

1. Checking the truck enroute "Enroute"
2. Checking a truck on scene "On Scene"
3. Checking a truck from scene "All Units Clear"
No trucks should check back at station (10-7)

If a truck leaves a scene prior to the full department's departure, then that apparatus should not check clear. If the IC checks the department clear from a scene, the trucks shall not check clear also. Drivers should know that red lights and sirens are to be used on EMERGENCY call response only. Drivers shall be responsible for seeing that only fire department personnel ride in fire trucks and that no one shall ride on the tailboard or any other unsafe location. Drivers shall wear shoes while responding to fire calls.

Apparatus Response to Calls

The following sections list the type of call and the apparatus that responds to each. The order in which they are listed indicates the order in which they are to leave the station.

Grass Fire: Brush Trucks 336 and 337,338 & tanker - 335

House fire inside district: Engine 334, Tanker 335, Engine 333

House Fire outside district: 332 or 334 & Tanker 335

Smoke Investigation / Residential Alarm: Engine 333, Tanker 335

Smoke Investigation / Industrial Alarm: Engine 334, Tanker 335

Vehicle Fire: Engine 333, Tanker 335

Wrecks: Engine 333 & Brush 336
First Responder Calls: 336
***Structure Fires-When we are third station 335 ONLY unless I.C. requests additional

S.O.P for On Scene Fireground Operation

As stated elsewhere in this manual the Oak Grove Volunteer Fire Department shall utilize the "Incident Command System" to govern all on scene fire departmental operations. The highest ranking, on scene officer shall be the Incident Commander unless he or she delegates the authority to someone else. If no ranking officer is present, the first firefighter on the scene shall serve as Incident Commander until a ranking officer or a firefighter with more seniority and experience relieves them. The ranking officer or more experienced firefighter shall NOT assume command until the acting Incident Commander has briefed him or her. If the incident is being handled efficiently, the ranking officer may wish to let the acting incident commander continue and merely act as an advisor if needed. Unless otherwise stated, the command post shall be at or near the Oak Grove Pumper at all Firegrounds. All Firefighters are expected to report to the fire scene in full turnout gear. They are to remain in full gear, even during salvage and overhaul. The Incident Commander shall determine when conditions are safe to remove part or all of one's gear. All Firefighters shall exhibit professional behavior at all times on the fire ground. ABSOLUTELY NO HORSEPLAY SHALL BE TOLERATED. Upon completion of the operation, unless excused by the commander for work or other emergency leave, all firefighters are expected to return to the station and help get the trucks placed back in service as quickly as possible. Credit for attendance at the fire may not be given to those who do not return to the station. If the fire is to be investigated, the Incident Commander shall secure the scene as quickly as possible. All fire scenes MUST be secured for further investigation. The Incident Commander should limit access to the fire scene by all persons until the operation, including investigation, is complete. After extinguishment, fire fighters should only enter and work inside the structure in pairs.

NO non-fire department personnel shall be allowed inside a structure until the fire investigation has been completed!

STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES

HAZARDOUS MATERIALS EMERGENCIES

Hazardous Materials Response is one of the most dangerous emergencies firefighters face today. With equipment for handling hazardous material emergencies being so expensive, it is impossible for small towns to fund this type of operation. Therefore, the Oak Grove Volunteer Fire Department will respond to a hazardous material emergency at the First Responder Awareness level ONLY! Attempt to identify material before arriving at the scene. Contact Cleveland County Haz-Mat response team if necessary. If unsure stop a safe distance from the scene, and check with field glasses for identification numbers. Stop truck up-wind at least 500 feet away. Advise volunteers the best routes of entry. Set up Incident Command System. Call available resource if needed. Identify associated risks using placards and shipping papers. Use DOT Emergency Response Guidebook to determine if evacuation and or isolation is needed. Secure the site and deny entry. Assume materials are hazardous. NEVER walk into, taste, smell, or touch substance. Contact Emergency Management, especially if product has entered sewers or storm drains. Control ignition sources. No smoking or open flames allowed in area. Minimize breathing vapors, SCBA's must be worn at all times. Minimize skin contact. Full protective clothing should be worn at all times. Add sand, earth, or suitable absorbent to spill area. Keep product out of sewers and storm drains. If inside, open all doors and windows for ventilation. After spill is contained, wash down all personnel and equipment used. If hazardous substance was spilled, record the time, weather conditions, amount of substance, proper name of substance, and personnel who came in contact with materials for future medical reference.

STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES BOMB THREATS AND SEARCHES

****NORMALLY COMMUNICATIONS WILL HAVE ALREADY NOTIFIED EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT IF THIS HAS NOT BEEN DONE, DO SO****

Alert all members to report to the station. ***All RADIO USE SHOULD BE DISCONTINUED IN THE AREA OF THE THREAT*** Leave station with truck and report one block from area. Have all members in full turnout gear. At least three fire fighters with air packs on should be ready to respond in case of explosion. If bomb threat occurs at a factory or large building, respond with two trucks. When in place, report to chief officer in charge or ask chief officer for place he wants truck to meet or stand by. First officer on scene, check to see if premises has been evacuated. If manager refuses to have evacuation, let him know that he is going to be held responsible for his employees. Remain at the scene until the police officer in charge gives the decision of ALL CLEAR.

Standard Operating Procedures

Officer Size-Up

Enroute you begin to ask yourself these questions:

What do I have?
Where is it located?
Where is it going?
How much time do I have?
How will I handle it?
What type of hazard do we have?
THINK!

Then begin to consider these things:

Building Information (size, height, construction type) example: Large two story wood frame house
Smoke and Fire Conditions (involvement, extent location) example: Heavy fire-smoke showing full length of eaves- fire showing one room second floor.
Occupancy -(type, special condition) example: Multiple dwelling
Life Hazard (degree of Danger) example: We have report of victims inside - victims at third floor window above fire.