SOP Manual - Cleveland Fire Department

Cleveland Fire Department
Operations Manual
Wearing and Care of SCBA
Purpose
A. The purpose of this procedure is to assure that all personnel are prepared to perform emergency
operations while maintaining the highest degree of personal safety for all personnel.
B. To insure that all Fire Department personnel receive the level of protection that their selfcontained
breathing apparatus was designed to provide.
Objective
To insure that all SCBA’s are in proper working condition, that firefighters are trained in their use, and that
they are worn under appropriate conditions to avoid any respiratory contact with products of combustion,
super heated gases, toxic products, or other hazardous contaminants.
Scope
This procedure shall apply to all firefighting personnel.
Responsibility
Each firefighter bears full responsibility for adherence to this procedure. Authority to deviate from this
procedure rests with the Company Officer and the Incident Commander, who bear full responsibility for the
results of any deviation.
It is the joint responsibility of Chief Officers, Battalion Commanders, and Company Officers to see that all
personnel comply with this directive.
Policy
The use of self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) is an essential part of the complete personal
protective equipment provided for each member of this Fire Department. As such, all personnel are
expected to use SCBA whenever the need for respiratory protection is indicated.
It is the policy of the Cleveland Fire Department that personnel are not to be exposed to any hazardous
atmosphere without the benefit of SCBA. Instances of exposure shall be promptly and thoroughly
investigated by the Safety Officer. The Safety Officer shall make appropriate recommendations to prevent a
recurrence, document the incident and submit a report to the Fire Chief.
Definitions
For the purpose of this procedure the following definitions shall apply:
A. Use of SCBA: shall mean the wearing of SCBA with the face piece in place, connected to the
regulator, breathing air from the SCBA cylinder, and with the PASS device on.
B. Hazardous atmosphere: shall mean any atmosphere that is contaminated with smoke, gases, or
other by-products of combustion; or any atmosphere that contains any known contaminants not
normally present in clean air. An atmosphere that is oxygen deficient or suspected of being oxygen
deficient shall also be considered hazardous.
Effective: June 1, 1997 Revised: 5/14/2009 Page | 300
Approved by: Chief Chuck Atchley