NEAFC 31st Annual Conference.pdf - New England Association of ...

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NEW ENGLAND ASSOCIATION OF FIRE CHIEFS
ment and processes, it is nevertheless an indisputable fact that the.most elaborate fire
prevention practices and procedures cannot prevent all fires. Fire is too unpredictable.
Fire protection by the prompt control and extinguishment of fires in their initial
stage is therefore as essentially necessary as fire prevention in an industrial plant. This
is based on our-experience that the majority of fires start small, except for explosions,
or other especially serio.us occurrences, and that even fires in extra hazardous locations
can usually be brought under prompt control if they are efficiently attacked within the
first few minutes with proper fire fighting equipment.
An industrial fire protection organization basically requires a sufficier_t hum’bet of
thoroughly trained personnel and adequate fire protection equipment.
Our fire protection personnel in this plant is divided into. two groups. One is a
full time paid Plant Protection Fire Department, organized along the lines of a
nicipal fire department, with uniformed firemen and’ officers. The other is the Fire
Brigade, consisting of a large number of volunteers recruited from among employees,
organized, trained, and supervised by the Plant Protection Fire Department.
Fire Department personnel are-ch.a.,rged .~ith~ the following general responsi-
Prevent fire
Extinguish fire
Protect life and property endangered by fire
Protect company property against carelessness, negligence, malicious destruction,
sabotage, espionage, and d~epred.ation
Aid.’ in preserving order and quelling disturbances on company property
Uphold and aid in enforcing Company rules and regulations .....
Perform such other duties as may be assigned from time to time
Have complete knowledge of the Fire Department rules, regulations, and
instruction as outlined in the Plant Protection Fire Department Manual
,The Plant Protectie.n Fire Department ManUal is a pocket size book issued to
all Fire Department personnel which must ,be retained in their possession at all times
while on .duty. It serves as a guide to the proper pursuit of their various duties, contains
departmental rules, regulations and instructions, andl provides a good general
foundation of fire and plant protection, knowledge ........
In addition to the Plant Protection Fire Department-Manual, the subject of fire
protection is also included in the following company publications.
A brief resume on fire protection, general fire rules, requirements if an employe~
discovers a fire, and when the fire alarm sounds, is included in a booklet entitled "You
and Your ’Company," which is issued to all employees in this plant.
In a Supervisor’s Employee Relations Manual which is issued to all supervisors
in this plant, there is a ~ fii:e protection section covering supervisor’s responsibility when
a fire occurs in his department, supervisor’s responsibility when the fire alarm sounds,
a representative list of especially essential fire prevention and fire protection rules, including
the rules applying to welding, cutting, brazing, soldering, or the use of an),
type of open-flame equipment in or on company property. -~’ "
More specific duties and responsibilities of .the Plant Protection Fire Department.
include fire fighting, training of members of J the Fire Brigade, the Auxiliary Defens~
Corps, and the .Guard Force in the handling of fire fighting equipment and in pursuing
proper fir~ fighting procedlures; inspection and maintenance of all porta~ble~nd built-in
fire protection equipment, including the fire and crash trucks; fire prevention inspections
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