Directive #27

• Philadelphia Fire Department Directive #27, issued in June 2005, concerns emergency utilization of apparatus.
• The policy ensures adequate fire protection coverage within the city at all times.

Definition

• The directive is enacted when it's necessary to use apparatus to cover city areas due to various conditions.
• Conditions include mechanical problems, PFA training, driver training courses, pump tests, demonstrations/parades.
• Other conditions include extended fire duty, multiple alarms (cover-ups), fireground details, fireground transportation, and personnel callbacks.

Responsibility

• Each member must use appropriate control based on rank when implementing the directive.

Company Officer Responsibilities

• Company Officers must immediately notify the FCC of mechanical problems or non-fire assignments preventing service.
• Company Officers need to promptly notify the Battalion Chief when apparatus is placed out-of-service.
• Company Officers should keep the FCC and Battalion Chief informed of apparatus moves or status changes.

Chief Officer Responsibilities

• Chief Officers ensure proper coverage, especially during emergencies.
• Movement of vehicles is monitored to prevent unnecessary overtime, and companies restored to service quickly is prioritised.
• Deputy Chiefs coordinate fireground relief at the FCC during shift changes with multiple ongoing alarm fires at 0700 or 1700 hours; FCC Supervisor handles relief if both Deputy Chiefs are committed.
• Chief Officers notify the FCC when coverage is initiated by their command.
• Every Saturday morning between 0800-1100, Battalion Chiefs must call every station in their battalion to determine the location and status of all reserve apparatus.
• By 1100 hours, the Battalion Chiefs relay this information to the Fire Communications Center Supervisor.
• The name of the contact person is to be noted in the Battalion Log Book.

FCC Supervisor Responsibilities

• FCC Supervisors will take necessary actions to implement this Directive without further authority, especially for mechanical problems and extended fire duty.
• Actions also pertain to multiple alarms, emergency coverage conditions, fireground transportation, and fireground relief.
• The FCC must inform the appropriate Deputy Chief of actions taken.
• FCC Supervisors must notify the involved Deputy Chief of the Division about apparatus/vehicle failures and actions taken.
• Notification also covers information requiring additional coverage in the involved or other Divisions.
• The FCC must consult the Command Officer before restoring Deputy Chiefs' or Battalion Chiefs' cars for investigative purposes or when restoring a Battalion Chief on a Box Alarm.

General Information

• Guidelines apply when a second alarm is requested or conditions warrant it on the first alarm.
• Next alarm companies are moved into stations vacated by first/second alarm companies when the magnitude of fire, life hazard, building size, or occupancy indicates additional assistance is needed.
• Prevailing conditions influence company selection, prioritizing nearby Squirt or Aerial Platforms.
• Cover-ups should maximize station coverage, guarding against companies crossing paths or traveling great distances.

Operations - Multiple Alarms

• Upon a second alarm, the Fire Dispatcher orders all units, including Chiefs not committed, to return to their stations/headquarters.
• The available Deputy Chief responds to emergencies and upon a third alarm proceeds to the FCC to perform duties and remain in service, if required.
• If adequate coverage becomes critical, the FCC Supervisor ascertains the possibility of releasing apparatus and personnel from the Incident Commander.
• All Fire Department units on cover-up assignments must proceed without warning lights and sirens, obeying traffic laws.
• Units can use warning lights and sirens only when dispatched to an emergency or ordered by the Fire Dispatcher to respond to a cover-up station.

Apparatus out of Service - Mechanical Problems - Engines and Ladders

• When a company is placed Out of Service (OOS) for mechanical issues, the Company Officer follows Section 3.1 guidelines to notify FCC and Battalion Chief.
• A 100 Series Apparatus, coordinated through FCC and Battalion Chief, will be located and delivered to return the company to service.
• Apparatus must be placed OOS promptly once a mechanic indicates it, to begin repairs.
• The Officer must start the correct procedure for a 100 Series/reserve apparatus en route/standby if they anticipate the apparatus will be placed OOS when mechanic is en route to the station.
• A 100 Series Apparatus will remain in service till the 200 Series is ready to assume that function, if a 200 Series Apparatus needs to be placed in service.
• When a 100 Series Pumper is placed OOS for mechanical reasons, the Company Officer makes appropriate notifications (Battalion Chief and FCC) and follows instructions received.
• Restoration will occur with a 200 Series Pumper and it may be more expedient to use members of the OOS Company for replacement when restoring an OOS Company.

Medic Units

• Keeping Medic Units in service is a primary responsibility affecting the health and welfare of citizens and firefighters; Battalion Chief/Deputy Chief make the decision to place a Medic Unit out of service.
• When addressing Medic Unit availability, FCC Supervisor communicates directly with the assigned Battalion Chief, and the Chief Officer must discuss the situation with the FCC Supervisor before placing a Medic Unit out of service.
• The FCC Supervisor has citywide information impacting the chief’s decision.
• Chief Officers must use sound judgment reflected in decisions that minimize Medic Unit out-of-service time.
• Use of suppression forces personnel/apparatus to pick up Medic Unit at the Shop should be carried out as soon as possible, and "Change-over" promptly at the station when an assigned Medic Unit is repaired and available, to minimize "Down Time" and the Battalion Chief ensures the reserve Medic Unit is promptly returned and appropriate notifications are made.
• Battalion Chiefs must ensure that an out-of-service Medic Unit is promptly driven to the Shop by suppression forces personnel or being towed by Fleet Management when notified that an assigned Medic Unit is mechanically out of service and needs to go to the Shop to be repaired.
• Ensure that the Medic Unit repair will be given priority upon arrival and that a one-hour repair estimate is reasonable when a Battalion Chief is notified that a Medic Unit needs to go to the Shop for a "minor" repair (under one hour).
• Battalion Chiefs use assigned Medic Unit personnel to drive the vehicle to the shop and back as soon as possible, to ensure the "Down Time" of the medic unit is kept to a minimum.
• Any reserve Medic Unit may be used when a Medic Unit must go OOS.
• If an equipped Medic Unit is used, the equipment must be taken off and kept at the assigned station.

Reserve Cars

• Reserve cars are solely for replacing authorized cars placed OOS or disabled.
• Permission from the Fire Commissioner or delegate, through channels, is required for other uses.
• Verbal permission is acceptable in an emergency, followed by a written request.

Fireground Details; In-Service Training; Special Programs

• A 100 Series Apparatus with detailed members covers a company OOS for fireground detail, training, or other special program
• The Deputy Chief may assign Task Forces as needed when personnel is absent to guarantee appropriate coverage for all city sections.

Fireground Transportation

• Companies in stations with reserve units use these vehicles to transport members to/from the fireground; qualified drivers/tiller personnel must be available.
• 100 Series Pumpers have first priority, followed by 200 Series Pumpers, Reserve Cars, Reserve Medic Units, and 100/200 Series Ladders.
• Notify FCC via fire phone before using apparatus for fireground transportation, including details like vehicle type, radio call number, destination, quota, and platoon size.

Vehicle Operators

• The pump operator stays with the 100 Series Pumper unless quotas prevent it; if extended past the duty tour, they are returned for roll call.
• The driver or driver/tiller person delivering a 100 Series Ladder for temporary service generally runs with the reserve ladder and then returns to the vehicle's original station, unless quotas prevent it.
• If extended past the duty tour, members are returned for roll call.

Apparatus Availability

• Company Officers/Chief Officers must ensure the vehicle's prompt return to its originating unit location upon using a reserve apparatus (100/200 Series Pumper/Ladder or reserve car).
• Field suppression personnel and Apparatus are utilized to return a 100 or 200 Series Medic Unit to its assigned station location if it needs to be returned.
• The FCC Supervisor must be promptly notified of apparatus availability in all cases.