SOP 77

Emergency Procedures

• The purpose of this policy is to provide emergency procedures for personnel in handling certain emergencies while stationed at any St. Johns County facility.

Responding to a Disruption on County Property

• A disruption on County property is defined as any use of obscene or profane language, act of physical violence or threat, or loud or boisterous behavior that significantly impairs the operation or use of County property.
• The senior County employee present will determine if the disturbance is an immediate physical threat to persons or public property.
• If there is an apparent immediate danger, the employee will:
  • Call 911 for immediate law enforcement assistance
  • Take reasonable effort to move endangered persons to a safe location
  • Take reasonable effort to protect public property without endangering anyone
  • Notify the appropriate supervisor of the situation

Tornado Plan

• During a tornado watch, personnel should seek shelter in a safer building if possible.
• If caught in a mobile home or portable building, try to get outside and lie flat in a ditch or low area away from trees and power lines.
• If in a fire truck or other automobile, stop the vehicle, get out, and lie down in a nearby ditch or low area.
• If outside, seek shelter indoors away from windows; if no time to get indoors, lie flat in a ditch or low area.
• After the tornado has passed, all personnel must report to the senior person present, who will report status to Fire Rescue Communications and initiate appropriate action to assist injured/missing persons and handle hazards.

Bomb Threat

• If a bomb threat is received, all radio traffic must end, and all communications will be done via telephone.
• The station receiving the threat will call 911-Fire Rescue Communications.
• If an evacuation is necessary, personnel will exit the building, following site-specific procedures, and leave the area until cleared of any threat.

Hurricane Plan

• An approaching hurricane is considered a potential extreme civil emergency, and the SJFR Hurricane Plan may require modification to the Department's normal routine.
• Personnel may be placed on standby status, and all leave requests may be canceled.
• During a hurricane watch and/or warning, the SJFR Hurricane Plan will guide personnel through each phase of preparation, landfall operations, and post-storm operations.
• Personnel are required to be familiar with the SJFR Hurricane Plan and report to duty as assigned.
• Each senior member will maintain the ICS 214 form during their assigned shift.
• Personnel should report to their assigned station with sufficient food, water, and clothing to sustain them for three days.

Fire within Structure

• If a fire occurs within a Fire-Rescue station or other department offices/buildings, personnel will:
  • Notify all occupants by means of local fire alarm, public address system, or verbally.
  • Notify Fire Rescue Communications.
  • Initiate fire suppression activities using portable fire extinguishers.
  • Shut off any gas equipment or electrical machinery in use, leave lights on, and exit the building, closing all doors.
  • Account for all personnel in the building at the time.
  • Non-firefighters will remain clear of the building until the all clear has been sounded.