SOP Manual - Cleveland Fire Department

Cleveland Fire Department
Operations Manual
Responses to Vehicle Rescue/Extrication Incidents
Purpose
To promote safe, effective and efficient operations for all responses to motor vehicle accidents (MVA’s).
Objective
To establish operational guidelines so that Fire Department personnel respond to victims of MVA’s and
treat them in a safe, efficient and timely manner in accordance with generally accepted standards.
Scope
All members shall abide by the guidelines contained within this policy.
Responsibility
Vehicle accidents potentially encompass a wide variety of dangerous situations including but not limited to
fires, entrapment, hazardous materials, electrical hazards and unexpected airbag deployment. It shall be the
goal of the Fire Department to operate as necessary so that injured or trapped occupants maybe removed
and receive definitive medical intervention at an appropriate medical facility within their “golden hour of
survival.”
The Incident Commander is responsible for enforcing this policy
Command is responsible for removing Fire Department Units from the scene as soon as all objectives are
met.
Policy
A. It shall be the policy of the Cleveland Fire Department to respond a minimum of two (2) Engine
Companies, (with at least one (1) being a Rescue Pumper) and one (1) Command Unit to all
reported vehicle accidents with injuries within the jurisdictional boundaries of the Cleveland Fire
Department..
B. All Cleveland Fire Department personnel shall adhere to the following guidelines.
Procedure
A. An Engine Company from the nearest district and an Engine Company from the next closest
district shall respond to all MVA’s with injuries. At least one (1) responding Engine shall be a
designated Rescue Pumper.
Effective: June 1, 1997 Revised: 5/14/2009 Page | 139
Approved by: Chief Chuck Atchley