Operations Manual FIRE OPERATIONS – SPECIAL SERVICES 2020 The best practices set forth herein are for Whitehall reference by the Officers and Members. An incident commander may overlook any Volunteer procedure that could interfere with the good order or command of the fireground. The Fire references noted have not been endorsed or adopted by the Whitehall Volunteer Fire Company Company Inc. as policy or procedure. Inc. Whitehall Volunteer Fire Company Inc. Operations Manual Table of Contents Section 1.0 Members Section 23.0 Marine Operations Section 2.0 Response Section 24.0 Fire Education Unit Section 3.0 Communications Section 25.0 Thermal Imaging Camera Section 4.0 Chain of Command Section 26.0 Personal Protective Clothing (PPE) Care Section 5.0 Fireground Operations Section 27.0 Washington County Fuel Key System Section 6.0 The Fire Station Section 28.0 Financial Procedures Section 7.0 Hazardous Materials Section 29.0 Commercial Transport repealed by Section 8.0 Flat Ice Surface Rescue membership 7/2013 Section 9.0 Accountability System Section 30.0 Surplus Property Section 10.0 Respiratory Protection Section 31.0 County Code Enforcement Section 11.0 Protocol for Company Review Section 32.0 Photography at Emergencies Section 12.0 Recruit Firefighters / Fire Explorer Post Section 33.0 Violence in the Workplace Section 13.0 Incident Rehabilitation Section 34.0 Procurement Policy Section 14.0 Live Fire Training Section 35.0 Driver Qualification Section 15.0 Extrication and Rescue Section 36.0 Reporting Injuries Section 16.0 Carbon Monoxide Section 37.0 RIT Qualifications Section 17.0 Air Ambulance Section 38.0 PPE Inspections Section 18.0 Rope Rescue Incidents Section 39.0 Hazard Communication Program Section 19.0 Confidential Incidents Section 40.0 Lock-Out/Tag-Out Section 20.0 Operations at Natural and LP Gas Leaks Section 41.0 Emergency Escape/Bailout Rope Systems Section 21.0 Wild Land Search and Rescue Section 22.0 Emergency Medical Protocol Addendum Misc. Forms, Reports 2 Whitehall Volunteer Fire Company Inc. September 2017 Section 1 Members Signed _______________________________________ Section 1.0 Members 1.1 Classifications of Active Firefighters are based on medical approval of ability and fitness. A. Class A – Interior Firefighters who are interior operations qualified (Firefighter 1 or equivalent) and have no medical restrictions for the respirator. (Class A – receive PPE newer than 10 years) A. Class B - Scene Support firefighters may not be interior, but are medical approved for a respirator. B. Class C - Scene Support firefighters but have no medical clearance for a respirator. C. Class D – Firehouse Support firefighters that may not be medically approved for fireground operations. 1.2 Equipment - Upon being added to Volunteer Firefighter’s Benefit Law (VFBL) and completion of a medical physical, members will be issued the following firefighting gear based on the classification listed Section 1.1: (Note: addition to VFBL may take up to 40 days to process through the village). B. Helmet - Chief or his designee will determine helmet color. a. White - Fire Officer b. Black – Class A, B, or C - Active Firefighter (being changed from Red to Black 2016) c. Red – Probationary / Recruit / Explorer d. Yellow – Safety Officer / Fire Instructor e. Blue – EMS, (CFR or above) C. Turnout Coat- suitable for the classification of the firefighter. D. Bunker Pants- suitable for the classification of the firefighter. E. Boots- can be leather or rubber style depending on classification and availability. F. Gloves- suitable for the classification of the firefighter. G. Nomex Hood- Provided to Class A interior firefighters, others by availability. H. Bail-Out Harness/Rope - Provided to Class A interior firefighters only. I. SCBA Mask – Optional for Class A interior firefighters only by necessity (size of mask). J. Pager – Currently Motorola Minitor V, Unication G-1 or equivalent as available. K. Alarm Texting Notification/Phone App – Currently available for all members regardless of classification. Recruit Members will receive texting notification and a phone app in lieu of a pager, unless otherwise approved by the Fire Chief. (I am Responding or similar service). L. Accountability Tags – 3 a. One (1) Blue Accountability Tag for on scene, Cold Zone. b. One (1) Red Accountability Tag for in sector, Hot Zone (Class A interior firefighters). c. One (1) Blue Accountability Tag for Recruit Firefighters on scene (as described in Section 9). M. This equipment will remain the property of the Whitehall Volunteer Fire Company Inc. Members will be required to keep the equipment in working order. Lost, misplaced equipment or equipment damaged during firefighting operations must be reported immediately to an officer. Failure to do so could result in repair/replacement bills being charged to the firefighter. N. Under no circumstances should the appearance of any company owned equipment be altered. Should members wish to purchase their own turnout gear it must conform to the same style equipment the fire company is using at that time and be compliant with National Fire Protection Association standards listed in Section 1.4. The fire company is not responsible for upkeep and repair on personal equipment. O. A nameplate may be affixed to the back of turnout coats if available. Surnames only, no nicknames or initials. P. PPE gear is to be worn for all alarms/training to protect firefighters from anticipated hazards relative to the type of call. 1.3 Training A. Mandatory Online Training: Online training is required for all active firefighters, this includes all Class A, Class B, Class C, and Class D members. Failure to complete mandatory training will initially result member barred from all fire ground activity and PPE gear being pulled; if the training is not completed by the end of the calendar year, it will result in a member being dropped from the roster at the Annual Meeting held on the Second Tuesday in December. B. In-House Training: Training is conducted at least once a month on Tuesday nights, generally the third and fourth Tuesdays. a. Second Tuesday of the month is Truck Check Night. b. Any special or weekend training will be posted at least one week in advance or announced over the high band radio Alert Frequency when available; in an effort to give all members a chance to attend. c. Members are encouraged to attend all training sessions. C. State Sponsored Courses: Members wishing to be considered Class A are required to complete Firefighter 1 course, ideally within one (1) year of attaining membership. There are numerous state sponsored courses in the area and the company encourages participation in them. A Training Authorization Letter signed by the Fire Chief or his designee, is required for all state training D. State Fire Academy: Members who wish to attend the New York State Academy of Fire Science at Montour Falls, N.Y, or other training requiring tuition at fire company expense or transportation, are to inform the Deputy Chief as to which course they would like to attend. The Fire Chief and the Line Officers will determine if the fire company would derive any direct benefit from your attendance. Members wishing to attend on their own 4 (without the fire company providing tuition and/or transportation) may do so without following the above procedure. Training Authorization Letter signed by the Fire Chief or his designee, is required for all state training 1.4 Probation - New members undergo a 2-month Orientation Period upon majority vote of the membership. They will receive a physical if necessary, review the Operations Manual, By-Laws and Exposure Control Plan within the 2-month orientation period. New members are subject to a probation review at 6 months and 1 year. The Fire Officers will review your performance as a firefighter. Should this review be favorable, full Active Membership will be given. The Fire Officers also maintain the right to extend or curtail probation; or recommend expulsion from the fire company based on this review. 1.5 Operations Manual – the procedures as set forth herein are for reference by the officers and members as a “best practice guide”. An incident commander, fire officer or member may overlook any procedures that could interfere with the good order or command of the fireground. The Whitehall Volunteer Fire Company Inc. does not endorse the references (NFPA etc.) noted within the Operations Manual as policy or procedure. A. General Orders – Written orders by the Fire Chief or his designee which describe duties in addition to/or amend the Operations Manual. These will be posted prominently on the firehouse bulletin board. B. This manual will be evaluated and changes will be implemented to address any problem, concerns or changes in technology by the Fire Officers on an annual basis, or as the need may arise. C. A review of all the program policies and procedures shall be conducted annually to ensure that they are being followed, and to make necessary adjustments for the effective operation of the program. 1.6 Volunteer Firefighters’ Bill of Rights. As a Whitehall firefighter, you have the right to: A. An environment in which you are treated as a professional and as a valued asset. B. Receive respect, recognition and reward for your attitude and performance. C. Know as much as possible about the organization, policies, people and programs. D. Receive sound guidance, supervision and direction. E. Assignments according to your abilities, knowledge, location, experience and desires. F. Opportunities for participation, development, advancement and varied experiences. G. Receive quality training commensurate with local, county, state and national standards. H. Be heard in meetings, and participate in committees and organizational planning. I. Receive periodic evaluations and feedback. J. Receive frequent expressions of appreciation from other firefighters and the community. 1.7 Relocating out of the Town Fire Protection District A.