JFRD SOG 402: Vehicle Operations

• JFRD's Standard Operating Guidelines (SOG) number 402 is for Vehicle Operations
• SOG 402 aims to ensure the safety of JFRD personnel and the public

Policy

• Safe arrival is the priority
• Prompt, safe response involves:
  • Quickly mounting vehicles
  • All personnel onboard, seated, and seatbelts fastened
  • Waiting for bay doors to fully open
  • Leaving the station in a standard manner
  • Route knowledge
  • Driving defensively and professionally at reasonable speeds
  • Utilizing audible warning devices when needed

Responsibility

• JFRD vehicles must be operated following Florida driving statutes
• Operators must drive with due caution, even during emergencies
• The vehicle operator is responsible for safe operations
• The Company Officer ensures the operator follows all laws and procedures for emergency vehicle operations
• Operators must report any condition that may impair their ability to safely operate a JFRD vehicle to the Company Officer

Seatbelts

• All City of Jacksonville employees and passengers must use seat belts
• Before moving, the Company Officer confirms all personnel are onboard, wearing seatbelts and PPE if needed
• The number of personnel in a JFRD vehicle is limited to the number of seat belts
• Personnel are only allowed to ride in seats equipped with seatbelts
• Riding tailboards or other exposed positions is prohibited
• Protective equipment should not be donned while the vehicle is moving unless properly seated and seat belted
• Only personnel engaged in patient care who need to stand or kneel are allowed to be unbelted in a moving vehicle

Apparatus Inspection

• Engineers/operators inspect their assigned vehicle daily to assess its condition
• The inspection includes checking the water level of booster tanks and other fluid levels
• The Engineer's Daily Apparatus Report must then be completed and signed
• Defects, discrepancies, irregularities, or unsafe conditions must be immediately reported to the Company Officer
• The Company Officer then must contact Tactical Support personnel for guidance
• Firefighting and EMS equipment should be inspected daily and before leaving emergency scenes
• Maintenance and general cleaning are also performed daily
• Vehicle motors should be allowed to reach normal operating temperature before shutting off
• A more thorough inspection of the apparatus and all equipment should be performed every Monday

Spare Units

• The Company Officer is responsible for spare units and their equipment when assigned
• Spare units must be fueled and cleaned upon return
• Tactical Support personnel should be notified of any necessary repairs
• If returned after hours, the Company Officer notifies FRCC of the unit's location and repair needs

General Guidelines

• The fuel supply should be refilled when it goes below 3/4 full, unless at an emergency scene, where refueling should occur as soon as practical

Private Driveways

• Fire apparatus should not be driven on private driveways or over privately owned bridges, except during emergency responses

Backing

• Operators should avoid backing JFRD vehicles
• When backing is necessary, guides must be used to observe hazards and maintain eye contact with the driver
• During emergency operations, if a guide isn't available, the driver must dismount and walk around the apparatus to check for obstructions before backing

Request Tactical Support

• Contact Tactical Support before trying to move a stuck JFRD vehicle, unless the vehicle has a winch
• For repairs, Tactical Support can be reached at A8 or 693-1445 from 0700-1700 hours, 5 days a week
• After 1700 hours, FRCC should be notified instead of service personnel
• Before accepting a vehicle from a repair facility, the Engineer/operator should check the water level of booster tanks and all fluid levels
• The OIC should verify these fluid levels at their earliest convenience

Response

• Vehicles from the same station should follow the same route when responding to alarms

Warning Devices

• Warning lights and sirens are required when responding to emergencies or transporting patients to warn other drivers
• Between 0100 and 0600 hours, siren use should be limited to avoid unnecessary disturbance
• Sirens and warning lights do not automatically grant right-of-way, drivers must ensure their presence and intentions are known to others

Response Downgrade

• The first unit on scene will advise incoming units to slow down when appropriate
• When a "situation stable" or "nothing showing" report is given, additional units continue emergency response with lights and sirens but cannot exceed the posted speed limit

Speed Limits

• JFRD vehicles can exceed speed limits only under favorable conditions when responding to alarms or transporting patients
• Favorable conditions include:
  • Light traffic
  • Dry Pavement
  • Good Visibility
  • Good Roads
• A maximum of 20 mph over the posted speed limit is authorized under favorable conditions
• The posted speed limit is the absolute maximum under less favorable conditions
• If traveling in center or oncoming traffic lanes, the maximum speed is 20 mph

Intersections

• Intersections are high-risk areas for emergency vehicles
• When approaching intersections with the right-of-way (green light/no stop sign), JFRD vehicles shall not exceed the posted speed limit
• A complete stop is required before proceeding through controlled intersections when using center or oncoming traffic lanes, even with a green light
• Vehicles must come to a complete stop at negative right-of-way intersections (red light, stop sign) and proceed only when all lanes are accounted for and it is safe

Fireground/Incident Scene

• JFRD personnel cannot step off a moving apparatus
• The operator must completely stop the apparatus when personnel are catching plugs, pulling lines, or removing equipment
• Extreme caution is required when driving on or near a fireground/incident scene to avoid endangering on-scene personnel and bystanders
• Apparatus should not be positioned to interfere with equipment removal
• Warning lights should be used to alert approaching traffic
• Apparatus should be positioned to protect personnel and avoid unnecessarily impeding traffic while ensuring the safety of operations
• All personnel must wear reflective vests when working in and around roadways, except when wearing issued turnout coats

JFRD SOG 402 outlines policies and responsibilities for vehicle operations, emphasizing safety and legal compliance. It covers priorities like safe arrival, defensive driving, and the use of warning devices. The Company Officer ensures the operator follows all laws.