Aldine Fire & Rescue Operational Guidelines intro

Questions and Answers

Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)

Operational Guidelines (OGs) (correct)

Standard Operating Guidelines (SOGs)

Operational Directions (ODs)

They feel 'procedures' are too flexible.

They believe 'guidelines' are harder to follow.

They feel 'guidelines' imply more discretionary application. (correct)

They think 'procedures' imply more discretionary application.

Discretionary power of officers

Flexibility of task steps

Content and implementation (correct)

Complexity of guidelines

Attained training and experience Signup and view all the answers

Greater consistency of performance Signup and view all the answers

Company Officers Signup and view all the answers

To know and apply them daily Signup and view all the answers

To categorize guidelines by their function Signup and view all the answers

Special Responses Signup and view all the answers

Business Manager Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Deciding between "standard operating procedures" (SOPs) and "standard operating guidelines" (SOGs) can be a concern for fire service organizations, with some experts believing that "procedures" implies inflexible steps, while "guidelines" implies more flexibility and discretion.
Aldine Fire & Rescue has chosen to use the term "operational guidelines" (OGs) to represent both department procedures and guidelines.
OGs aim to provide for the health, safety, and well-being of members and the public, promote consistency and stability, and allow for flexibility in decision-making.

Adherence to OGs ensures greater consistency of performance when responding to requests for help and creates a more stable working environment.
Company officers must use judgment and discretion, backed by training and experience, when making rapid decisions on-scene.
OGs are not rigid and can be deviated from if justified.

It is every member's responsibility to know and apply these OGs daily.
A file management system categorizes guidelines by function into four basic categories: Administrative, Personal Protection, Operations, and Special Responses.
This filing method keeps like subjects together for easy reference.

Synonymous terms include "Aldine Fire & Rescue," "Aldine," "District," and "Department."
"Fire Chief" and "Fire Chief & CEO" are used interchangeably, as are "Business Manager" and "Business & HR Manager."
Terms "Employee," "Member," "Crew," and "Personnel" refer to people employed or compensated by the District, excluding District commissioners.