SOP Manual - Cleveland Fire Department

Cleveland Fire Department
Operations Manual
Chapter I
Introduction
Mission Statement
The mission of the Cleveland Fire Department is to serve the citizens and guests of the City of Cleveland
by protecting life, property and the environment from incidents involving hazardous materials, fire, and
other services in order to mitigate both manmade and natural disasters. This will be accomplished
through code management, public education, and timely incident responses.
General Provisions
The major functions of the Cleveland Fire Department are (1) to prevent fires from starting (2) to prevent
injuries and the loss of life or property (3) confine and extinguish a fire to the place of origin (4) to train,
plan and prepare for natural and manmade disasters (5) to extinguish unwanted fires. From the point of
view of the City Government, this involves the services of fire prevention, firefighting, determining cause
and origin, and efficient emergency management.
To achieve true success, the Department must win and retain the confidence and respect of the public,
which it serves. This can be accomplished only by a constant and earnest endeavor on the part of all
members and employees of the Department to perform their duties in an efficient, honest, businesslike, and
a professional manner, by exemplary conduct, and showing in the public mind that the Fire Department is a
most vital requisite to public well-being.
The rules and regulations herein set forth are compiled, adopted, and published by the Chief of the Fire
Department for the information, guidance, government, discipline, and administration of the Fire
Department of the City of Cleveland, Tennessee, and the members and employees of the Department as to
obligations required of them in the proper performance of their duties. Any violation of these regulations
shall be made the subject of disciplinary actions against all persons responsible for such violations, unless
otherwise directed by the Fire Chief.
These rules and regulations cannot (nor are they expected to) provide a solution to every question or
problem that may arise in an organization designed and established to render emergency service. It is
expected, however, that they will be sufficiently comprehensive, and provide the members and employees
of the Cleveland Fire Department guidance as to their obligations and duties.
They are not designed nor intended to limit any member or employee in the exercise of his judgment or
initiative in taking reasonable action in extraordinary situations. By necessity much must be left to the
loyalty, integrity and discretion of the members and employees. The degree to which individual members
and employees demonstrate these qualities in the discharge of their duty, the Department will measure up to
the highest standard required and expected by the citizens.
All members and employees of the Fire Department are bound by these rules and regulations, regardless of
the duties that may be assigned them. It shall be the duty of every member and employee to familiarize
him/herself with the contents of these rules and regulations, and to conduct him/herself in accordance
with their precepts.
Effective: June 1, 1997 Revised: January 1, 2009 Page | 1
Approved by: Chief Chuck Atchley