SOP 511.21 (IVN10-0003): Occupational Safety and Health/Emergency Response

|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|`Functional Area: `
`SUPPORT SERVICES/FIRE`
`SERVICES`|`Reference Number: `
`IVN10-0003`|`Revises`
`Previous`
`Effective Date:`
`NEW`|
|`Subject:`
`OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY &`
`HEALTH/EMERGENCY RESPONSE`|||
|`Authority:`
`WETHERINGTON/HODGE`|`Effective Date:`
`4/01/02`|`Page``1`` of`
`3 `|

I. POLICY:

   This standard applies to the driver of an emergency vehicle
   owned or operated by the Department while responding to an
   accident. It was promulgated to establish safety guidelines
   during emergency responses.

II. APPLICABILITY:

   All Department of Corrections Certified Firefighters in State
   and County Fire Departments.

III. RELATED DIRECTIVES:

   NFPA 1500 and 1002

IV. DEFINITIONS:

    NONE

V. ATTACHMENTS:

   NONE

VI. PROCEDURE:

   A. (Categories of Response)

      1. Emergency : Those incidents that pose a significant
         risk to life or property. Emergency response
         requires the use of all audio (siren and airhorns)
         and visual (lights) warning devices. These devices
         must be in use during the entire duration of the
         response unless the response is downgraded to a
         nonemergency by a competent authority. The initial

|Functional Area:
SUPPORT SERVICES/FIRE SERVICES|Prev. Eff. Date:
NEW|Page 2 of
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|---|---|---|
|`Functional Area:`
`SUPPORT SERVICES/FIRE SERVICES`|`Effective Date:`
`4/01/02`|`Reference Number:`
`IVN10-0003`|

      response to the following types of incidents shall
      be considered emergencies:

      a. A reported fire in a structure.

      b. A reported fire outside of a structure that
         involves the potential destruction of property
         or poses a risk to human or animal life.

      c. Responses to a man-made or natural disaster
         involving the destruction of property and the
         potential for injury or death. This would
         include requests for assistance from other
         jurisdictions.

   2. Nonemergency:  Those incidents that do not pose a
      significant risk to life or property. Audio and
      visual warning devices shall not be used during
      nonemergency responses unless ordered by a competent
      authority to upgrade the response to emergency
      status. The initial response to the following types
      of incidents shall not be considered to be
      emergencies.

      a. Automatic fire alarms until confirmation is
         received that an actual emergency exists.

      b. Public service calls to assist the public when
         there is no immediate threat to life or
         property.

B. RESPONSE GUIDELINES

   1. Apparatus and vehicles engaged in a nonemergency
      response shall obey all applicable traffic safety
      rules and regulations and shall not exceed the
      posted speed limit.

   2. Apparatus and vehicles engaged in an emergency
      response shall at all times govern their response by
      the traffic, weather, and road conditions present at
      the time of response.

   3. The maximum speed of travel in an emergency shall
      not exceed posted limits by more than 10 mph.

|Functional Area:
SUPPORT SERVICES/FIRE SERVICES|Prev. Eff. Date:
NEW|Page 3 of
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|---|---|---|
|`Functional Area:`
`SUPPORT SERVICES/FIRE SERVICES`|`Effective Date:`
`4/01/02`|`Reference Number:`
`IVN10-0003`|

   4. During an emergency response, drivers shall bring
      their vehicles to a complete stop for any of the
      following:

      a. When directed by a law enforcement officer.

      b. Stop signs.

      c. Red traffic signals.

      d. Negative right-of-way intersections.

      e. Blind intersections.

      f. When the driver cannot account for all lanes of
         traffic in an intersection.

      g. When other intersection hazards are present.

      h. When encountering a stopped school bus with
         flashing warning lights.

   5. Drivers shall proceed through an intersection only
      when the driver can account for all lanes of traffic
      in an intersection.

   6. Drivers shall bring their vehicles to a complete
      stop at all unguarded railroad grade crossings and
      shall not cross the tracks until determining that it
      is safe to do so.

C. RESPONSIBILITIES

   1. Drivers shall be directly responsible for the safe
      and prudent operation of their vehicles in all
      situations.

   2. When a driver is under the direct supervision of an
      Fire Chief, the Fire Chief shall assume
      responsibility for the actions of the driver and
      shall be responsible for immediately correcting any
      unsafe condition.