FWFD Accident Reporting Procedures

• Establishes procedures for notification and documentation of accidents or incidents involving Fort Worth Fire Department (FWFD) apparatus or vehicles.
• A Fire Department Accident (FDA) is any incident resulting in contact or damage to FWFD vehicles, apparatus attached to apparatus, or damage to public or private property.

General Information

• City of Fort Worth Personnel Rules and Regulations require supervisor notification when on-duty employees are involved in accidents causing contact/damage to vehicles/property or injury to others.
• All FDAs, no matter how minor, must be immediately reported to the Fire Alarm Office (FAO).
• Reporting forms are carried on every FWFD vehicle.
• Needed forms include the Vehicle Accident Report (Form 106) and the Action Request – Interdivisional (Form F.D. 703).
• The Battalion Chief and Shift Commander make further notifications if needed.
• The responding Battalion Chief or designee shall take official photographs of the FDA.

Instructions/Procedures

• Fire personnel involved in an FDA must notify the FAO to generate an incident number.
• Render aid as necessary.
• The driver and/or immediate supervisor must complete F.D. Form 106 as soon as possible after the accident, but no later than the end of the shift for 56-hour personnel or close of business for 40-hour personnel.
• Everyone involved in the FDA must complete F.D. Form 703 detailing the accident.
• Forms must be e-mailed or delivered to the responding Battalion Chief no later than the end of the shift for 56-hour personnel or close of business for 40-hour personnel.
• Originals are kept in station or office files for two years.
• The FAO must notify the Closest Battalion Chief, Shift Commander, Fire Apparatus and Equipment Shop, Police Department (in case of vehicle accidents), and Risk Management, providing the incident/accident location and any injuries.
• Responding Battalion Chiefs must respond to the FDA as appropriate, ensure the FAO is notified, obtain the completed F.D. Form 106 and F.D. Form 703s, and ensure official vehicle and scene pictures are taken.

Vehicle Pictures to Take

• Six pictures of ALL non-FWFD vehicles.
  • Each side
  • License plate
  • Registration sticker
• Six pictures of ALL FWFD vehicles.
  • Each side
  • Registration sticker
  • FWFD equipment number

Scene Pictures

• Take overall scene pictures so that members of the Accident and Safety Review Board can have a better understanding of the situation.
• Upload official vehicle and scene photos to the appropriate folder on the X:\ drive
• Determine the need for post-accident drug or alcohol test
• Complete the Risk Management Incident Reporting Form
• Email a brief description of the FDA to [email protected]
• Steps are completed by the end of the shift for 56-hour personnel or close of business for 40-hour personnel.

Post-Accident Drug Testing

• In compliance with the City of Fort Worth Rules and Regulations, a post-accident drug/alcohol test may be required.
• Criteria determining the need for a post-accident drug/alcohol test:
  • Accident involving a fatality
  • Accident in which a person is transported for medical attention and the City driver received a citation
  • Accident in which a traffic citation is issued to the City driver or operator and a vehicle is towed
  • Upon request by the Battalion Chief or Shift Commander
• If there is reasonable cause for a post-accident drug/alcohol test, a Reasonable Cause Post-Accident Drug Alcohol Documentation Form must be filled out.
• Personnel shall be transported to the drug testing contractor during normal business hours for a post-accident drug/alcohol test.
• If it is after normal business hours, the Shift Commander shall designate an individual to coordinate with the drug testing contractor.
• If the contractor is unavailable, personnel shall be taken to Harris Hospital Emergency Room for a post-accident drug/alcohol test.
• The after-hours drug testing contractor can be reached after hours at 866-997-8371 or 214-832-2552.

Attachments

• Required attachments include F.D. Form 703, F.D. Form 106, Reasonable Cause Post-Accident Drug Alcohol Documentation Form, and F.D. Vehicle Accident Reporting Job Aid.