SOP Manual - Cleveland Fire Department

Cleveland Fire Department
Operations Manual
Incidents Involving Special Hazards
A. When members are operating in hazardous areas, they shall work in teams or two or more. There
shall be at least two members specifically assigned to remain outside the hazardous area and
maintain an awareness of the operations inside the hazardous area.
B. Whenever members are operating in positions or performing functions that include special hazards
or that would subject them to immediate danger or injury in the event of equipment failure or other
sudden events, back-up personnel shall be standing by with equipment to provide assistance or
rescue.
C. When members are operating at an emergency incident where their assignment places them in
potential conflict with motor vehicle traffic, they shall wear helmets and a garment with
fluorescent retro reflective material.
Facility Safety
A. All new Fire Department facilities shall comply with all applicable health, safety, building, and
fire code requirements.
B. All new sleeping areas in fire stations shall be separated from vehicle storage by at least one-hour
fire resistive and shall be protected by smoke detectors.
C. New fire stations shall be designed and provided with provisions to ventilate exhaust emissions
from fire apparatus in order to prevent exposure to firefighters and to prevent contamination of
living and sleeping areas.
D. All Fire Department facilities shall be inspected at least annually. Inspections shall be documented
and recorded.
E. All Fire Department facilities shall be inspected at least monthly to identify and cause correction
of any health or safety hazards. All deficiencies identified in the periodic inspections shall be
referred to the Station Captain. It shall be the primary responsibility of the Station Captain to
cause prompt corrective action of any health or safety hazard or code violation.
Medical
A. Prior to becoming an employee of the Cleveland Fire Department, individuals shall be examined
and certified by a Department approved physician as being medically and physically fit.
B. All members engaged in emergency operations shall be examined by a physician before being
reassigned to emergency duties after debilitating illnesses or injuries. Members who have not
satisfied these requirements of the examination shall not be permitted to engage in emergency
operations.
Effective: June 1, 1997 Revised: 5/14/2009 Page | 293
Approved by: Chief Chuck Atchley