SOP Manual - Cleveland Fire Department

Training and Education
Cleveland Fire Department
Operations Manual
A. The Cleveland Fire Department shall operate a training and education program with the goal of
preventing occupational accidents, deaths, injuries, and illnesses.
B. The training and education provided to members shall address all of the applicable provisions of
NFPA 1500, Standard on Fire Department Occupational Safety and Health Program.
C. The Cleveland Fire Department shall provide training and education for all personnel to insure that
they are able to perform their assigned duties in a safe manner that does not present a hazard to
themselves or to other members of the Fire Department or general public.
D. The Cleveland Fire Department shall provide training and education for all Fire Department
members at the level necessary for the duties and functions that they are expected to perform.
E. All training and education shall be provided by individuals who are qualified to provide
instruction in the subjects covered.
F. Prior to assignment to a Fire Company in the field, initial training of members of the Fire
Department shall consist of a minimum of ten (10) weeks (400 hours). This training shall result in
meeting the performance objectives of NFPA 1001, Level I and the Tennessee Commission on
Firefighting Certification.
G. Training shall be provided for all members as often as necessary to meet the requirements of this
policy. Each member shall participate in no less than 240 hours of documented training each year
which includes 40 hours of In-Service training.
H. Whenever changes in procedures or technology are introduced or new hazards are identified in the
work environment, appropriate training and education shall be provided for all affected members.
I. Members shall be provided with training and education appropriate for their duties and
responsibilities before being permitted to engage in emergency operations.
J. All members who engage in structural firefighting shall meet the minimum requirements of
Firefighter I as specified in NFPA 1001, Standard for Firefighter Professional Qualifications
and/or Tennessee Firefighter I.
K. All fire apparatus Drivers/Operators shall meet the minimum requirements specified in NFPA
1002, Standard for Fire Apparatus Driver/Operator Professional Qualifications.
L. All fire officers shall meet the minimum requirements for at least Fire Officer I as specified in
NFPA 1021, Standard for Professional Qualifications for Fire Officers and/or Tennessee Fire
Officer I.
M. Fire Department training officers shall meet the qualifications specified in NFPA 1041, Standard
for Professional Qualifications for Fire Service Instructors and/or Tennessee Fire Instructor I.
N. All members who may be involved in emergency operations shall be trained in “Incident
Command”. The training program for all members engaged in fire ground operations shall include
procedures to be followed to provide for their safe exit from the dangerous area in the event of
equipment failure or sudden changes in fire conditions.
Effective: June 1, 1997 Revised: 5/14/2009 Page | 287
Approved by: Chief Chuck Atchley