SOP Manual - Cleveland Fire Department

Cleveland Fire Department
Operations Manual
A sector officer must be in position to directly supervise and monitor operations. This will require the
Sector Officer to be equipped with appropriate protective clothing and equipment for the area of operations.
Each Sector Officer will keep Command informed of conditions in the sector through regular progress
reports. Command must be advised immediately of significant changes, particularly those involving ability
or inability to complete mission, hazardous conditions, accidents, collapse, etc.
When a company is assigned from staging to an operating sector, the company will be told to what sector
and which Sector Officer the assignment was made. The Sector Officer will be informed which particular
companies or units have been assigned to them by Command. It is then the responsibility of the Sector
Officer to contact the company to transmit any instructions on the specific action requested.
The Sector Officer should be readily identifiable and maintain a visible position as much as possible.
The primary function of Company Officers working within a sector is to direct the operations of their
individual crews in performing assigned tasks. Company Officers will advise their sector Officer of work
progress. If a Company Officer determines the need for assistance on assigned work tasks, such assistance
must be requested from the Sector Officer.
Command Staff Positions
At large-scale or complex incidents, consideration may have to be given to the Safety, Liaison, and
Information functions. If the Incident Commander cannot effectively handle any of these functions, they
should be delegated.
These functions should be staffed when their demands begin to affect the Incident Commander’s ability to
perform his/her Command functions.
A. Safety Officer -- The Safety Officer is responsible for monitoring and assessing hazards or unsafe
situations and for developing measures for assuring personnel safety. The Safety Officer keeps the
Incident Commander informed of present or potential hazards so that the Incident Commander can
build personnel safety into the action plan. The Safety Officer can take immediate steps to correct
any unsafe act or to remove personnel from imminent danger.
B. Liaison Officer -- The Liaison Officer is the point of contact for assisting and coordinating outside
agency representatives. When several agencies are involved at one incident, there is often a lack of
communication and coordination between the agencies. The Liaison Officer’s role is to provide
that communication and coordination in order to insure that there is no duplication of effort and
that all available resources are used to their fullest capabilities.
C. Information Officer (PIO) -- The Information Officer is responsible for the formulation and
release of incident information to the media and other appropriate agencies. The Information
Officer can satisfy the media’s need for information, while allowing the Incident Commander to
concentrate on managing the incident without having the distraction of dealing with the media.
D. Operations Officer -- The Operations Officer is responsible for all the tactical operations carried
out to meet the goals and objectives established by the Incident Commander.
E. Staging Officer -- The Staging Officer is responsible for maintaining reserve companies in a
staged area for future commitment. The Staging Officer reports to the Incident Commander for the
resources available or needed in staging.
Effective: June 1, 1997 Revised: 5/14/2009 Page | 151
Approved by: Chief Chuck Atchley