40 Questions
What is the primary purpose of the Omaha Fire Department's Standard Operating Procedure outlined in this document?
To outline the type and format of official communication and documentation
What is the classification of 'Orders' within the Omaha Fire Department?
General Orders, Bulletins, Personnel Orders, and Assignment Transfers
What is the effective date of all 'Orders' within the Omaha Fire Department?
The date of origin unless otherwise stated
How are 'Orders' distributed within the Omaha Fire Department?
Electronically via PowerDMS
What is the purpose of General Orders within the Omaha Fire Department?
To effect procedures or policies and apply to all members of the Fire Department
What happens to General Orders once they are issued?
They are incorporated into the Standard Operating Procedures and remain in effect indefinitely
What is the purpose of the PowerDMS system within the Omaha Fire Department?
To archive official documents with digital signatures
What type of documentation is no longer maintained in the office of the Fire Chief?
Signed copies of General Orders
What is the classification of communications within the Omaha Fire Department?
Interdepartmental Communications, Interoffice Memorandums, and Significant Event Reports
What is the purpose of the Standard Operating Procedures within the Omaha Fire Department?
To incorporate General Orders into a single document
Who is authorized to issue Bulletins?
Any Chief Officer
What is the primary purpose of Personnel Orders and Assignment Transfers?
To address all changes of status, movement of personnel or scheduled assignments
What happens when there is a conflict in written policies or procedures?
The most current policy or procedure is adhered to
What is the purpose of PowerDMS?
To manage all Orders to include Bulletins, General Orders, Personnel Orders, Assignment Transfers and SOPs
How often must personnel read and sign each order that is assigned in PowerDMS?
Within two weeks of issue
What is the consequence of failing to read and sign assigned documents within the two week deadline?
Disciplinary action as outlined in Article 6 of the CBA and PERS 3-0 Code of Conduct & Firefighter Code of Ethics
Who is responsible for ensuring that personnel are abiding by the directive to read and sign assigned documents?
Supervisors
What is the purpose of Interdepartmental Communication (OFD 25)?
To communicate official or personal information through the chain of command
What is the procedure for sending written letters/correspondences via email that need to go up the chain of command?
Send the email to your direct supervisor only
What is the purpose of including the topic and chain of command on the subject line of an email?
To provide documentation that the email was forwarded
What is the primary purpose of completing a Significant Event Report (SER)?
To inform Fire Management of emergency incidents of significance or media attention
Who shall complete a Significant Event Report (SER) to be disseminated via email?
OFD Battalion Chiefs, Captains, or Lead Medics
What should be included in the subject line of a Significant Event Report (SER) email?
SER - A/B/C Shift – station / location of event
What type of events are mandatory to be reported through a Significant Event Report (SER)?
All shootings, stabbings, and other trauma, as well as calls for a water rescue
How many Significant Event Reports (SERs) should be completed per event?
One SER per incident
What is the purpose of the Battalion Chief reviewing RMS runs at the end of each shift?
To ensure an event did not occur without their knowledge
What should be avoided in a Significant Event Report (SER)?
Using humor or levity
Who is responsible for reviewing the Company Day Book for all entries since their last duty shift?
The Procedures Officer
What is the purpose of the Company Day Book?
To record information about any type of incident
Who has access to the Significant Event Report (SER) mailbox?
Personnel who have access to the SER mailbox
What is the purpose of the Company Day Book?
To record internal Fire Department use only
Why is it essential to have complete and accurate entries in the Company Day Book?
Because it is an official and legal document of the Omaha Fire Department
Who determines what information can be released from a Company Day Book?
All of the above
What is required to release information from a Company Day Book?
All of the above
What is logged in red ink in the Company Day Book?
All emergency incidents
Who is the Company Day Book given to after completion?
The Battalion Chief
What is the purpose of Form OFD 120?
To order new Company Day Books
What is included in the Company Day Book for EMS incidents?
Log BLS or ALS
Who is responsible for informing personnel assigned to them necessary information entered into the Company Day Book?
The Officers
What is the policy for releasing information from Company Day Books in storage?
The same policy as for current Company Day Books
Study Notes
Fire Department Orders
- General Orders:
- Issued by the Fire Chief or Assistant Chief
- Approved by the Fire Chief if issued by another Chief Officer
- Used to provide information to all Fire Department personnel
- Generally less important than General Orders
- Bulletins:
- May be issued by any Chief Officer
- Contain procedure or policy changes
- May be incorporated into the Standard Operating Procedures
- Personnel Orders and Assignment Transfers:
- Address changes in status, movement of personnel, or scheduled assignments
- Used in cases involving a change in shift or bureau for any personnel within the Fire Department
- Include appointments, promotions, transfers, assignments, resignations, retirements, in-service or special duty school, death notifications, etc.
PowerDMS Procedures
- PowerDMS is a web-based document management system used by OFD to manage Orders
- All personnel must read and sign each order that is assigned in PowerDMS within two weeks of issue
- Exceptions include employees being off on scheduled leave, IOD, etc.
Fire Department Communications
- Department Communications include:
- Interdepartmental Communication (OFD 25)
- Interoffice Memorandum (OFD 26)
- Significant Event Report
- Significant Event Reports (SERs) are used to inform Fire Management of emergency incidents of significance or those that garner media attention
- SERs are completed by Battalion Chiefs, Captains, or Lead Medics and are sent via email to the OmaF Significant Event Reports mailbox
Company Day Book
- The Company Day Book is an official and legal document of the Omaha Fire Department
- It is used to record information about any type of incident (fire, medical, or other)
- Information contained in the Company Day Book is intended for internal Fire Department use only
- Requests for information contained in a Company Day Book must be referred to the Assistant Fire Chief in charge of Fire Prevention
Distribution of Documents
- General Orders: Total distribution throughout the Fire Department
- Bulletins: Total distribution throughout the Fire Department
- Personnel Orders: Total distribution throughout the Fire Department
- Assignment Transfers: Limited distribution
- Fire Department Communications:
- OFD 25: Limited distribution to affected personnel
- OFD 26: Limited distribution to specific employees of other City Departments
- Significant Event Report: Distributed to personnel who have access to the SER mailbox
- Email: Limited distribution
Test your knowledge on the rules and regulations of fire department orders and bulletins, including who can issue them and their level of importance. Learn about the differences between general orders and bulletins, and how they impact fire department personnel. Take this quiz to see how well you understand the procedures and policies of fire department communications.
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