SOP Manual - Cleveland Fire Department

Cleveland Fire Department
Operations Manual
Alarm Responses
Purpose
To provide a policy establishing alarm and response procedures for the Cleveland Fire Department.
Objective
A. To minimize radio traffic.
B. To prescribe types of alarms.
C. To prescribe company response.
D. To prescribe mutual aid assistance as to the alarm.
Scope
This policy will prescribe which companies will respond to each alarm designation, including mutual aid
calls.
Responsibility
The Communications Center is generally responsible for initiating the first alarm. The Commander/Shift
OIC shall be responsible for upgrading/downgrading all alarms.
Policy
All personnel shall adhere to this policy.
Procedure
A. The Commander/Shift OIC should generally be the only one to upgrade/downgrade an alarm.
B. Command may jump alarms. Example: From a First Alarm to a Third or Special Alarm. If this
occurs, all intermediate alarms, including the highest requested will be dispatched.
C. Command has the option of the additional alarm company/ies: reporting to the scene, staging near
the scene, or covering a station.
D. Any Special alarm request not outlined in this policy shall be specified by Command.
Effective: June 1, 1997 Revised: 5/14/2009 Page | 94
Approved by: Chief Chuck Atchley