SOP Manual - Cleveland Fire Department

Cleveland Fire Department
Operations Manual
D. In order to comply with Federal regulations, all Cleveland Fire Department members shall wear
the provided high visibility safety vests whenever they are working on or in close proximity to a
roadway. This is to include all federal and state highways, county and city roads, and any
secondary roads or streets. Fire department members should not wear these vests when they are in
close proximity to flames, fire hazard or when there is a possibility of being exposed to hazardous
materials.
The safety vests that have been provided are tear-away type garments. Therefore all members,
except for drivers that may not be wearing turnout coats, may have their assigned safety vests
affixed to their turn-out coat prior to any calls. If there is a fire or known hazard or other situation
that calls for the member to not wear the vest then the member can easily tear-away the safety
vest. By virtue of their position, drivers do not have to have their safety vests affixed to their turn
out gear, but are expected to wear the vest during any assignment where they are on or near a
traffic area.
E. Under no circumstance will a firefighter or Officer be on the fire ground of a working structure
fire, vehicle accident or Hazmat incident without full protective clothing unless they are in the
cold zone and not engaged in fire suppression. On ground fires while working under conditions of
extreme heat and rough terrain, bunker pants, boots, and gloves are required, while coats and
helmets may be optional if approved by the Incident Commander.
F. Driver/Operators and/or Officers shall make sure all personnel are in full protective clothing and
belted in the apparatus before it moves.
G. When firefighters are already in fire apparatus without protective clothing, such as in returning
from training sessions or other Fire Department activities, they shall don protective clothing en
route if safety conditions permit or after arriving at the scene if conditions do not allow protective
clothing to be donned en route.
H. After arriving at an emergency scene and the Incident Commander determines that conditions are
safe without some items of protective clothing, the Incident Commander may allow firefighters or
Driver/Operators to remove these items. Conditions such as weather, type of incident, exposure,
time of scene, and other factors should be considered by Incident Commanders when allowing
firefighters to remove protective clothing. Safety of citizens and Fire Department personnel should
always be of primary consideration.
I. Under no circumstances shall any aspect of personal safety be sacrificed in order to increase the
speed of emergency operations. Emergency operations shall not commence until all involved
personnel have donned all necessary protective equipment.
J. Full protective equipment including eye protection shall be worn by all personnel operating power
tools, hydraulic tools, or forcible entry tools. Full protective equipment is also required for all
personnel in the action circle at motor vehicle accidents.
K. Command may use his/her discretion to regulate the wearing of full protective clothing in
situations where it is necessary to operate in close quarters where full protective clothing cannot
be worn.
L. Gloves shall be worn at all times when hand tools, power tools, hose, ladders, or any other
equipment is used that could cause injuries to the hands. This shall include all work details,
maintenance operations, and training exercises.
Effective: June 1, 1997 Revised: 5/14/2009 Page | 297
Approved by: Chief Chuck Atchley