SOP_NUMBER: 511.28
TITLE: Occupational Safety and Health - SCBA Training
REFERENCE_CODE: IVN10-0010
DIVISION: Facilities
TOPIC_AREA: 511 Policy - Fire Services
EFFECTIVE_DATE: 2002-04-01
WORD_COUNT: 509
POWERDMS_URL: https://public.powerdms.com/GADOC/documents/105883
URL: https://gps.press/sop-data/511.28/

SUMMARY:
This policy establishes mandatory training and evaluation requirements for all Georgia Department of Corrections certified firefighters who use self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) as part of their duties. Firefighters must receive periodic training based on NFPA standards and complete annual proficiency evaluations covering equipment identification, proper donning and doffing, operational principles, limitations, emergency procedures, maintenance, and fit testing. Station Chiefs are responsible for ensuring compliance, conducting evaluations at least monthly, and maintaining training records.

KEY_TOPICS: SCBA training, self-contained breathing apparatus, firefighter safety, respiratory protection, SCBA proficiency, face piece fit test, SCBA maintenance, SCBA inspection, occupational safety and health, fire services, hazardous atmosphere, NFPA standards, firefighter certification, emergency scene activities

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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>`IVN10-0010`|**`Revises`**<br>**`Previous`**<br>**`Effective Date:`**<br>`NEW`|
|**`Subject:`**<br>`OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY &`<br>`HEALTH/SCBA TRAINING`|||
|**`Authority:`**<br>`WETHERINGTON/HODGE`|**`Effective Date:`**<br>`4/01/02`|`Page`**`1`**` of`<br>**`3 `**|

```
I. POLICY:

   This standard applies to all Firefighters who are required to
   use self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) as a part of
   their normal duties. It was promulgated to:

   A. Maintain individual proficiency in the use of SCBA.

   B. Prevent accidents, injuries, and deaths that might result
      from exposure to a hazardous atmosphere.

II. APPLICABILITY:

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

III. RELATED DIRECTIVES:

   NFPA 1404, 1500, and 1981

IV. DEFINITIONS:

   SCBA - Self -contained breathing apparatus

V. ATTACHMENTS:

   NONE

VI. PROCEDURE:

   A. (Training & Evaluation )

      1. Each Firefighter of the Department required to use
         SCBA as a part of his/her normal duties shall
         receive periodic training on the proper use of SCBA.
         Training shall be based on the requirements of NFPA

```

|Functional Area:<br>SUPPORT SERVICES/FIRE SERVICES|Prev. Eff. Date:<br>NEW|Page 2 of<br>3|
|---|---|---|
|`Functional Area:`<br>`SUPPORT SERVICES/FIRE SERVICES`|`Effective Date:`<br>`4/01/02`|`Reference Number:`<br>`IVN10-0010`|


```
      1404, Standard on Fire Department Self-Contained
      Breathing Apparatus Program.

   2. Each Firefighter shall be evaluated on an annual
      basis to ensure that he is proficient in the use of
      SCBA. As a part of their evaluation, members shall
      successfully:

      a. Identify the components of face pieces,
         regulators, harnesses, and cylinders.

      b. Correctly don, operate, and doff SCBA while
         wearing full protective clothing. This shall
         include demonstrating that a proper face piece
         seal has been achieved.

      c. Describe the operational principles of the
         warning devices.

      d. Identify the limitations of SCBA, correctly
         define the term “point of no return” and
         discuss the ability to protect the body from
         absorption of toxins through the skin.

      e. Describe the procedures to be used if
         unintentionally submerged in water while
         wearing SCBA.

      f. Demonstrate alternative means of communication
         while wearing SCBA.

      g. Demonstrate the procedure for daily inspection
         and maintenance of SCBA.

      h. Demonstrate the procedure for cleaning and
         sanitizing SCBA for future use.

      i. With SCBA donned, perform related emergency
         scene activities such as advancing a hoseline,
         climbing a ladder, crawling through a window or
         confined space, performing a rescue, etc.

      j. Conduct an annual face piece fit test.

B. RESPONSIBILITIES

```

|Functional Area:<br>SUPPORT SERVICES/FIRE SERVICES|Prev. Eff. Date:<br>NEW|Page 3 of<br>3|
|---|---|---|
|`Functional Area:`<br>`SUPPORT SERVICES/FIRE SERVICES`|`Effective Date:`<br>`4/01/02`|`Reference Number:`<br>`IVN10-0010`|


```
1. Each Firefighter of the Department required to use
   SCBA as a part of his/her normal duties shall
   strictly adhere to the requirements of this
   standard.

2. Station Chief shall ensure that each Firefighter
   assigned to their command strictly adheres to the
   requirements of this standard and shall conduct the
   training and evaluation required by this standard.

3. The Station Chief shall maintain records of any SCBA
   training provided to the personnel assigned to their
   respective shifts. At least once each month,
   Station Chief shall evaluate the ability of each
   Firefighter to meet the requirements imposed by this
   standard.

```