standard operating procedure college station fire department

STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE
COLLEGE STATION FIRE DEPARTMENT
SUBJECT: Weapons SOP: 700.2.10
CATEGORY: PAGE: 1 of 1
APPROVED BY:
Chief, Fire Department DATE: 3/99
Some College Station Fire Department personnel are required to be licensed peace officers, due to the nature of their
duties. These duties require the officer to carry and /or be proficient in the use of lethal and non-lethal weapons.
The use of any weapon by a peace officer imposes a grave responsibility on the part of the peace officer and the
department. It is the policy of this department to provide guidance and direction through written procedures and
proper training in the use of weapons. The purpose of this policy is to describe the types of weapons and
ammunition used by peace officers. This policy will also describe when the weapon will be worn and under what
conditions.
Weapons will only be carried after reading and understanding the Fire Department use of force policy.
I. CHEMICAL IRRITANT
A. An officer shall carry only chemical irritant issued by the College Station Fire Dept.
B. Issued chemical irritant will be carried any time a handgun is carried.
C. Each officer shall receive instruction in the use of chemical irritant prior to being approved to carry it.
D. Officers shall receive refresher instruction annually and have the expiration date of their canister checked
by the fire marshal annually.
II. HANDGUNS
A. If at any time it is necessary to wear a handgun visible during the performance of duty, the fire marshal
will be notified as soon as possible.
B. Handguns will be concealed when practical. (wearing winter coat, etc.)
C. Fire Department badge, Police ID, and city identification will be carried any time a handgun is carried.
D. Fire Department employees that carry a law enforcement certification but, are assigned to the
suppression division will only carry a handgun when actively engaged in enforcement or investigative
duties that require its use, as approved by the Fire Marshal.
E. The department will supply standard factory first load ammunition.
F. The handguns shall be issued by the department.
G. All holsters shall be issued by the department.
III. TRAINING
A. No officer shall be allowed to carry or use a weapon, unless that person has demonstrated proficiency
according to College Station Police Department training standards. These qualifications will be held a
minimum of one time per year.
B. Any officer who fails to attain a qualifying score, shall attend, on duty, a block of remedial instruction
and shall attempt to qualify again after said instruction. In the event an officer does not attain a qualifying
score within two weeks after failing to qualify, he shall:
1. be reassigned to duties not requiring the use of a weapon.
2. be given the opportunity, on a voluntary basis, to receive additional instruction and qualify
with the weapon on his off duty time within (2) weeks. After being given the additional time and
opportunity to qualify the officer still fails to qualify, he shall be subject to reassignment.
rev: 10/94. 8/95,re#’d 11/02