OPERATIONS POLICY AND PROCEDURE

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1 INTRODUCTION The goal of the District s Reserve Firefighter Program is to create a pool of highly trained, nonsalaried personnel who are capable of assisting the District s full-time personnel in meeting the operational needs of the District and to create a potential pool of candidates for hiring as fulltime professional firefighter/paramedics. Reserve Firefighters are utilized when called upon to respond to emergencies to enhance the capabilities of the District. They participate as needed to assist in a variety of capacities as required by the District. The Reserve Firefighters are assigned on a rotating basis to Stations 31, 32, 34, and 39, with a six-month rotation between these stations. PURPOSE The primary purpose of the District s Reserve Firefighter Program is to enhance emergency operations, under the direction of the Company Officer, Incident Commander, or District Chief Officers. Examples are: Offer an additional resource for use at structure and wildland fires, hazardous materials incidents, and other emergency incidents, at the discretion of the Company Officer, Incident Commander, or District Chief Officer. Enhance Companies productivity at incidents; thereby, allowing first line companies to return to available status and station coverage. Under supervision, respond to and perform emergency procedures commensurate with state levels of training for Firefighter I and Emergency Care (Basic First Aid and EMT-D). POLICY In order to ensure the safe and effective support of the District s crews and general emergency operations, the Reserve Firefighter Program requires participation to maintain training proficiencies and skills. Reserve Firefighters are expected to attend as many drills as their private and business life will allow. Participants must understand the relationship between safe, effective skills and the frequency of training and attendance. Reserve Firefighters will be productive only if they are well trained and understand the District s expectations. Records will be maintained and monitored for attendance. Reserve Firefighters are members of San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District. Their appearance and actions reflect the image and core values of the District. The Reserve Firefighters must meet all safety and performance standards as required per Federal, State, or County mandates and requirements. They are to adhere to all District rules, regulations, policies, procedures, and core work values. AUTHOR: Tom Andersen, Captain Page 1 of 6

2 The Reserve Firefighter may work, as an additional member of a company, but will not replace a paid firefighter at emergencies or on company assignments. In the event a Reserve Firefighter is injured while performing District duties, he/she will be covered by the District s Workers Compensation insurance for medical treatment and medical billing, in accordance with all applicable laws relating to Volunteer Firefighters. Performance and commitment are key factors in the success of the Reserve Firefighter Program. If Company Officers feel there is a lack of performance and commitment or violations of policies and procedures on the part of a Reserve Firefighter, a coaching or counseling session will be scheduled to discuss the individual's commitment to the Program. Company Officers will adhere to Administrative Policy 312, Disciplinary Policy, when conducting these sessions. If the involved Company Officers continue to note inadequate performance, dedication, or behavior that jeopardizes the safety of the Reserve Firefighter or that of other District personnel or the public, the Reserve Firefighter may be asked to terminate his/her involvement in the Program. PROCEDURES A. Reserve Firefighter Response The Reserve/Volunteer Firefighter response procedures are predicated on the District's operational needs. Reserve Firefighters respond to their assigned station when called upon. It is the Reserve Firefighter s responsibility to notify Dispatch when they arrive at their assigned station. Dispatch will then notify the Incident Commander to determine how the Reserves will be deployed. Emergency response for Reserve Firefighter deployment will be determined as follows: Station 32 and 31 Reserves will be paged to respond in all Station 32 response zones and Station 31 zones north of Sycamore Valley Road. Station 31 and 34 Reserves will be paged to respond in the Station 31 response zones south of Sycamore Valley Road and Station 34 zones north of Bollinger Canyon Road. Station 34 and 39 Reserves will be paged to respond in the Station 34 response zones south of Bollinger Canyon Road and all Station 39 response zones. An all call page may be placed at the discretion of the Incident Commander to have more Reserve Firefighters respond for needs other than listed above. AUTHOR: Tom Andersen, Captain Page 2 of 6

3 B. Attendance Reserve Firefighter training requirements include drills twice monthly, the second and fourth Tuesday of each month. There is also a requirement of 12 hours of ride-alongs per month and 3 live burns per year. Only one (1) Reserve will ride on each piece of equipment at a time. The ride will be coordinated by the Battalion Chief or the District employee in charge of the ride-along program. Hours for ride-alongs will be between , unless otherwise approved by the Duty Battalion Chief. Reserve Firefighters are expected to attend as many drills as possible. Drill nights and live burns are identified in the Reserve Training Calendar. Several times a year, Saturdays may be scheduled to facilitate live fire training or to accommodate Federal, State, or County mandated training (for example: Confined Space, CPR, Haz-Mat). Proper training is paramount to ensure the effective support and safety of all District crews. Reserve Firefighters will only be allowed to miss three training drills within one year. Excess of this requirement will lead to the Reserve being put on inactive status. Reinstatement will require the completion of skill competencies covered in the missed drills. The Training Division Captain assigned to the Reserve Firefighter Program will determine when the competencies are met. Reserve Firefighters must inform the program coordinator of anticipated absences from scheduled drills or live burns. Reserve Firefighters may obtain a leave-of-absence from the Program for up to 1 year. A leave-of-absence may be obtained for: 1. Military leave 2. Educational requirements 3. Work conflicts 4. Birth or adoption of a child 5. Family Medical Leave for immediate family member. A leave-of-absence request must be submitted in writing to Human Resources. This letter should include the reason for the leave-of-absence, the anticipated length of time on leave, and the anticipated return date. The Program Coordinator will be notified. All issued equipment, uniforms, and turnout gear must be turned in at time of absence. Prior to the Reserve Firefighter returning to duty, the District may direct a medical exam to determine fitness-for-duty in compliance with Administrative Policy 123, Returning to Work after Serious Injury or Illness. AUTHOR: Tom Andersen, Captain Page 3 of 6

4 RESPONSIBILITY A. Scope of Authority - Officers and Supervisors The San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District suppression force is made up of paid and reserve/volunteer members. These members operate in company units and are under direct supervision of a Company Officer with the goal of providing the highest level of service to the citizens of the District. The Company Officer fulfills a critical role in the direct supervision of Reserve Firefighters in both emergency and non-emergency situations. B. Situations In an emergency, and in accordance with the rules and regulations and the operational policies and procedures of the District, the first arriving Officer shall take command of an incident and direct all activities, including the supervision of Reserve Firefighters on scene. In the event that District rules, regulations, operational policies and procedures, or safety practices are not being followed, the Company Officer or any Officer on scene recognizing this situation will take immediate action to correct it. In a non-emergency situation, the Company Officer will provide training and mentorship to the Reserve Firefighters. FUNCTIONAL ASSIGNMENTS The District s Reserve Firefighter Program is under the supervision of an Assistant Fire Chief. However, all Officers of the District have authority and responsibility for the Reserve Firefighters. Goals and objectives are accomplished in accordance with the District s Strategic Plan. The various roles and responsibilities for those involved in the development and supervision of the Reserve Firefighter Program are outlined as follows: FIRE CHIEF Overall authority of the Reserve Firefighter Program Establishes strategic direction of the Reserve Firefighter Program and works closely with the Assistant Chiefs to ensure the strategic objectives are met AUTHOR: Tom Andersen, Captain Page 4 of 6

5 ASSISTANT FIRE CHIEF Establishes operational procedures and standards, as required by the Program Establishes tactical/logistical Program objectives in support of the strategic direction, as outlined by the Fire Chief, and ensures they are met Assigns the development of a training program for Reserve Firefighters to the Training Division and oversees the direction and development of the training program Through the Training Division, assigns implementation responsibility to the Company Officers of the assigned stations and ensures effective communication, and coordination between the Company Officers and the reserves TRAINING CAPTAIN Ensures all Federal, State, and County mandated training requirements are identified and implemented Coordinates the logistical support for the Reserve Firefighter Program Assists in developing related policies and procedures Works closely with the assigned Company Officers Helps develop new training materials and methods Provides guidance on educational classes and functions Participates in training of Reserve Firefighters Develops training and materials in support to the station Captains COMPANY OFFICERS - STATIONS 31, 32, 34, and 39 Supervises Reserves while working with a company Assists in training program development for Reserves Implements drills and instruction for training of Reserves Ensures District rules, regulations, policies and procedures are followed Assists in program development RESERVE/ FIREFIGHTER Responds to District emergencies when called upon Adheres to all policies and procedures of the District Participates in classes and functions Follows all Federal, State, and County standards and laws governing San Ramon AUTHOR: Tom Andersen, Captain Page 5 of 6

6 Valley Fire Protection District (Cal OSHA regulations, discrimination/harassment standards, etc.) Note: The Reserve Firefighter functions in an observer-only capacity until he/she has received a task book. The task book must be signed-off by the Company Officer. Upon completion of the task book, the Reserve Firefighter can serve in a capacity for emergency operations, under the direction of the Company Officer, Incident Commander, and District Chief Officer. The Reserve Firefighter can expect to provide assistance to the Districts suppression crews for some of the following types of incidents: - Structure fires - Wildland fires - Medical emergencies - Hazardous conditions - Public service assists - Various assignments at the discretion of the Chief. The Reserve Firefighter will also provide support to District crews and nonsuppression personnel in a variety of other capacities or functions, such as: - Equipment maintenance - Fire prevention activities - Parades and public education - Station maintenance. AUTHOR: Tom Andersen, Captain Page 6 of 6