SOP Manual - Cleveland Fire Department

Non-Participant Safety
Cleveland Fire Department
Operations Manual
A. All persons not directly involved in the exercise, i.e. spectators, shall be restricted from the area
for a distance determined by the Safety Officer.
B. Appropriate control measures, such as a rope or barrier tape, shall be erected to provide a physical
barrier for spectators.
C. Visitors allowed within the restricted safety area shall be escorted at all times and shall be entered
into the accountability system. Additionally, all visitors shall be attired in appropriate protective
clothing. Visitors shall not be escorted into areas where the use of SCBA is required.
Fuels
A. All fuels used during the live fire training exercise shall have known burning characteristics.
Unknown materials shall not be used.
B. Class A fuels, such as wood, paper or straw, shall be used at all times, and only in amounts
necessary to produce the desired environment.
C. The use of flammable liquids, as defined in NFPA 30, Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code,
or flammable solids are prohibited from use at live fire training exercises.
D. Small amounts of combustible liquids, primarily diesel fuel or kerosene, may be used for ignition
purposes. These fuels shall be stored in approved containers in a safe area away from the structure.
All participants handling these fuels shall be attired in full protective clothing and be protected
with a charged 1 ¾ hand line.
E. Non-toxic smoke generators may be used during smoke exercises. Toxic smoke, such as produced
by rubber or oil products, shall not be used for these exercises.
Safety
A. A Safety Officer shall be designated for all live fire training exercises.
B. The Safety Officer shall have the authority, regardless of rank, to intervene and control any aspect
of the exercise when, in his/her opinion, a potential danger exists.
C. The Safety Officer shall be responsible for, but is not limited to:
1. Prevention of unsafe acts.
2. Elimination of unsafe conditions.
D. The Safety Officer shall provide for the safety of all persons in the area of the exercise, to include
participants, visitors, and spectators.
E. The Safety Officer shall not be assigned other duties that interfere with his/her primary
responsibility.
F. Sufficient backup attack hand lines shall be provided to insure adequate protection of the primary
attack crews.
Effective: June 1, 1997 Revised: 5/14/2009 Page | 321
Approved by: Chief Chuck Atchley