SOP Manual - Cleveland Fire Department

Cleveland Fire Department
Operations Manual
E. Where Sector cannot control position/retreat.
F. With limited access -- one way in or out.
G. Operating under involved roof structures.
H. In areas containing hazardous materials.
I. Below-grade fires (basements, etc.)
J. In areas where a back draft potential exists.
When operating in a defensive mode, your operating position should be as far from the involved area as
possible and still remain effective. Position and operate from behind barriers if available (fences, walls,
etc.)
The intent is for personnel to utilize safe positioning where possible/available, in an effort to safeguard
against sudden hazardous developments, such as back draft explosion, structural collapse, etc.
When operating in an offensive mode, be aggressively offensive. Effective interior attack operations,
directed toward knocking down the fire, eliminate most eventual safety problems.
Crew/Team Operations
Due to the inherent hazards of the immediate fire or incident, efforts will be made by Command personnel
to limit the number of personnel on the fire ground to those assigned to a necessary function. All personnel
shall either:
A. Be positioned in Staging.
B. Be assigned to a task or sector.
1. Wear full protective clothing.
2. Have crew intact.
C. Having completed an assignment and having no other assignment available within that sector,
crews should be assigned to a resource, staging, or rehabilitation sector until such time as they can
be either reassigned to an operating sector or released to in-service status.
D. Any personnel affiliated with an agency operating at any type of incident and acting as a
consultant, an assistant, a technical assistant, a safety consultant, etc. shall:
1. Remain at the Command Post, with or without protective clothing or equipment as
required by Command.
2. When entering the warm/hot zone, action circle, fire ground, or building, be in the level
of protection equal to that worn by personnel operating in those areas.
Effective: June 1, 1997 Revised: 5/14/2009 Page | 276
Approved by: Chief Chuck Atchley