SOP_NUMBER: 511.23
TITLE: Occupational Safety and Health/Operating at Emergency Incidents
REFERENCE_CODE: IVN10-0005
DIVISION: Facilities
TOPIC_AREA: 511 Policy-Fire Services
EFFECTIVE_DATE: 2002-04-01
WORD_COUNT: 903
POWERDMS_URL: https://public.powerdms.com/GADOC/documents/105878
URL: https://gps.press/sop-data/511.23/

SUMMARY:
This policy establishes minimum safety requirements for Georgia Department of Corrections firefighters operating at emergency incidents. It applies to all certified firefighters in state and county fire departments and covers team operations, personnel requirements, hazard area protocols, and rescue operations to prevent accidents, injuries, and deaths during firefighting and rescue activities.

KEY_TOPICS: firefighter safety, emergency incidents, hazardous area operations, structural fires, rescue operations, SCBA, team operations, rapid intervention team, RIT, standby firefighters, aerial devices, working fire, personnel requirements, protective equipment, incident command, emergency response safety

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|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS<br>Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|**`Functional Area: `**<br>`SUPPORT SERVICES/FIRE`<br>`SERVICES`|**`Reference Number: `**<br>`IVN10-0005`|**`Revises`**<br>**`Previous`**<br>**`Effective Date:`**<br>`NEW`|
|**`Subject:`**<br>`OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY &`<br>`HEALTH/OPERATING AT`<br>`EMERGENCY INCIDENTS`|||
|**`Authority:`**<br>`WETHERINGTON/HODGE`|**`Effective Date:`**<br>`4/01/02`|`Page`**`1`**` of`<br>**`4 `**|

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I. POLICY:

   This standard applies to Firefighters operating at an
   emergency incident. It was promulgated to:

   A. Prevent accidents, injuries, and deaths that might result
      from an unsafe act while Firefighters are operating at an
      emergency incident.

   B. Define the minimum personnel requirements for the safe
      conduct of emergency scene operations.

II. APPLICABILITY:

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

III. RELATED DIRECTIVES:

   NFPA 1500

IV. DEFINITIONS:

   NONE

V. ATTACHMENTS:

   NONE

VI. PROCEDURE:

   A. (Guidelines)

      1. No Firefighter shall commence or perform any
         firefighting or rescue function or evolution that is

```

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|`Functional Area:`<br>`SUPPORT SERVICES/FIRE SERVICES`|`Effective Date:`<br>`4/01/02`|`Reference Number:`<br>`IVN10-0005`|


```
   not within the established safety criteria of the
   Department.

   a. Activities that present a significant risk to
      the safety of a Firefighter shall be limited to
      situations where there is a potential to save
      endangered lives.

   b. It is unacceptable to risk the safety of a
      Firefighter when there is no chance of saving
      lives or property.

   c. In situations where the risk to a Firefighter
      is excessive, activities shall be limited to
      defensive operations.

2. When an inexperienced Firefighter is working at an
   incident, direct supervision by an experienced
   officer or Firefighter shall be provided.

3. Firefighters operating in hazardous areas at
   emergency incidents shall operate in teams of two or
   more. Team Firefighters operating in hazardous
   areas shall be in constant communication with each
   other through visual, auditory, or physical means or
   through the use of a safety guide rope so as to
   coordinate their activities. Team Firefighters
   shall remain in close proximity to each other to
   provide assistance in case of emergency.

4. An interior firefighting effort at a working
   structural fire shall not take place until a minimum
   of four firefighters are present.

   a. When only four Firefighters are present, two
      Firefighters shall work as a team in the
      hazardous area and two Firefighters shall
      remain outside the hazardous area and be
      available for entry into the hazardous area if
      assistance is required.

   b. A working fire is defined as a fire that
      requires the use of a 1 ½-inch or larger attack
      line and the use of SCBA.

```

|Functional Area:<br>SUPPORT SERVICES/FIRE SERVICES|Prev. Eff. Date:<br>NEW|Page 3 of<br>4|
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|`Functional Area:`<br>`SUPPORT SERVICES/FIRE SERVICES`|`Effective Date:`<br>`4/01/02`|`Reference Number:`<br>`IVN10-0005`|


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5. The standby Firefighters shall be responsible for
   maintaining a constant awareness of the number and
   identity of the Firefighters operating in the
   hazardous area, their location and function, and
   their time of entry. The standby Firefighters shall
   remain in radio, visual, voice, or signal line
   communication with the team.

6. One standby Firefighter shall be permitted to
   perform other duties outside of the hazardous area,
   such as serving as an apparatus operator or incident
   commander, provided that constant communication is
   maintained between the standby Firefighter and the
   Firefighters of the team in the hazardous area.

   a. The assignment of personnel to other duties
      shall not be permitted if the abandonment of
      their assignment would jeopardize the safety
      and health of any Firefighter working at the
      incident.

   b. The assignment of personnel to other duties
      shall not be permitted if their assignment
      inhibits their ability to assist in or perform
      a rescue.

   c. Standby Firefighters shall have full protective
      clothing and SCBA available to them.

7. Exception: Rescue operations may be undertaken
   prior to the assembly of four Firefighters if there
   is an imminent life-threatening situation and
   immediate action could prevent the loss of life or
   serious injury. No exception shall be permitted
   when there is no chance of saving lives.

8. When a second team is assigned to or begins
   operating in the hazardous area, the Station Chief
   shall designate at least one rapid intervention team
   (RIT) to stand by in the event that a rescue becomes
   necessary.

   a. The RIT shall consist of at least two
      Firefighters. The team shall have full
      protective clothing and SCBA available to them.

```

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|`Functional Area:`<br>`SUPPORT SERVICES/FIRE SERVICES`|`Effective Date:`<br>`4/01/02`|`Reference Number:`<br>`IVN10-0005`|


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      b. During the initial stages of an incident, the
         RIT may be used to perform other functions
         provided that the team is immediately available
         to perform a rescue if so required.

      c. As an incident grows in complexity, the number
         of RIT’s shall be increased proportionately and
         shall be dedicated solely to this
         responsibility.

   9. At lease one ambulance shall stand by during all
      working incidents and be available to treat injuries
      and to provide transport if necessary.

   10. Firefighters operating from aerial devices shall be
      secured to the device by an approved safety harness.

   11. Apparatus shall be used as a shield against oncoming
      traffic whenever possible.

B. RESPONSIBILITIES

   1. It shall be the responsibility of each Firefighter
      to fully comply with the provisions of this
      standard.

   2. Station Chiefs shall be responsible for keeping
      their crews together and for ensuring that they do
      not expose their crews to unnecessary risks.

   3. The Station Chief shall be responsible for ordering
      sufficient resources to ensure that all emergency
      incident functions are performed in a safe manner.

```