Purpose:      To assure that all personnel are prepared to commence fire suppression or rescue opera­tions, immediately on arrival at an emergency scene while maintaining the highest degree of personal safety for all personnel.

Scope:          This procedure shall apply to all personnel operating at the scene of any emergency incident or training exercise.

Definition:    For the purpose of this procedure, full protective equipment shall consist of helmet with face shield or goggles, sock hood, turnout coat, turnout pants, boots, gloves, and SCBA,s.  All equipment is to be properly fastened and flaps closed with sock hood on, coat collar turned up, and helmet ear flaps turned down.

Enforcement:  It is the responsibility of each member of the Sharon Twp Fire Dept. to fully comply with this procedure.  Authority to deviate from this procedure rests with the incident commander who will bear full responsibility for subsequent results.

All equipment shall be issued or approved by the Fire Department. Alterations to any equipment such as the removal of required coat or pant liners, are prohibited and will be cause for disciplinary action.  If some alterations are needed, it must first be approved by the Fire Chief.

Procedure:   Protective equipment shall be worn by all personnel according to the following guidelines:

·        Under no circumstances shall any aspect of personal safety be sacrificed in order to increase the speed of emergency, operations. Emergency operations shall not commence until all involved personnel have donned all necessary protective equipment.

·        All fire fighting personnel shall wear full protective equipment when responding to any type of alarm indicative of fire, potential fire, explosion, ­potential explosion, or release of any type of hazardous material.  Full protective equipment is optional for drivers or command officers, during the response.

·        If an alarm is received while the apparatus is out of quarters all personnel shall don full protective equipment immediately upon arrival at the emergency scene and prior to beginning any emergency operations.

·        Full protective equipment shall be worn by all personnel operating power tools, hydraulic tools or forcible entry tools.  Full  protective equipment is also required for all personnel in an area where any of these tools are being used.

·        Personnel operating at the scene of an EMS or rescue incident shall wear whatever protective equipment is necessary to assure personal safety during the incident.  Guidance for dealing with biohazards is provided by Medina General Protocols.

·        Gloves shall be worn at all times when hand tools, power tools, hose, ladders, or any other equipment is used that could cause injuries to the hands. This shall include all work details, maintenance operations and training exercises.

·        Helmets with chin strap in place shall be worn by all personnel operating at incidents where there is a  possibility that tools, equipment or debris from above may fall. This would include anytime personnel are operating above or below grade such as during trench rescue or high angle rope rescue situations.

·        Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) shall be worn and used at all incidents where personnel are exposed to toxic gases or products of combustion.

·        Damage to personal protective equipment shall be immediately reported to the OIC. The OIC shall have damaged or worn equipment repaired or replaced.

·        Incident Commanders may use their discretion to determine the appropriate level of protective equipment required for personnel operating at incidents where no specific guidelines have been established. In all cases, personnel shall be required to wear all protective equipment necessary to protect against all foreseeable hazards.

Grass Fires

Officers in charge of grass fires have the option of allowing personnel to operate at the lower level of personal protection than that worn at building fires. This option shall be exercised only under the following conditions:

·        The lower level of protection shall be a safe level for fire conditions.

·        Bunkers need not be worn if flame retardant pants are worn.

·        A fire coat need not be worn if a flame retardant shirt is worn.

·        Boots, gloves, helmet, etc. should be worn as needed.

Each individual fire fighter has the option of wearing a higher level of protection than set by the officer in charge if he so desires.

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