SOP Manual - Cleveland Fire Department

Cleveland Fire Department
Operations Manual
Coverage
Once the search is complete, the member shall locate the Ladder/Truck Company Officer for
another assignment.
When the Ladder/Truck is already in operation at an incident, off-duty personnel may be assigned
by Command to assist in Ladder/Truck Company operations.
The Ladder/Truck Company must provide for immediate front and rear coverage of the fire building. Then
the sides of the building (if detached) shall be covered. Fire conditions often vary between the front and the
back or sides of a building. The entire building shall be checked as soon as possible upon arrival.
A. Assignments
The Ladder/Truck that is expected to arrive first (the first due) shall be assigned to cover the front
of the building.
These assignments shall be modified according to the situation; -- if, upon arrival, the first due
Company finds a life hazard or some other serious situation in the rear, it shall cover that position
first.
The assignment of a Company to rear coverage does not mean that the Ladder/Truck must be
driven to the rear. In some cases, this is impossible. It does mean that crewmembers must check
the rear to determine what the situation is with regard to possible victims, and the extent and
intensity of the fire. They shall determine whether assistance is required by Engine Company
personnel working in the rear.
B. Size-Up Information
Crewmembers covering the fire building shall report their actions promptly to the Company
Officer, or to Command.
Both the fire situation and the number of Ladder/Truck personnel at the scene affect the decision
on which operations to initiate. First priority must be given to operations whose objective is
rescue; second, to exposure protection; and so on through the list of nine duties. Salvage
operations shall be performed where possible in order to limit water damage. The smaller the
crew, the more important it is that duties be assigned according to these priorities.
These operations shall be performed simultaneously, rather than one after the other by the same
tiring crew.
A Relief Company or crew may come from off-duty personnel. The initial crew should report to
Rehab while the relief crew is in operation.
Apparatus Positioning
Ladder/Truck Company apparatus must be positioned properly on the fire ground. This is also true of the
Engine Company apparatus. There need not be a conflict between the two units; trucks and pumpers alike
can be positioned for effective operation with a little foresight and planning.
Effective: June 1, 1997 Revised: 5/14/2009 Page | 199
Approved by: Chief Chuck Atchley