Romeoville Fire Department Training & Environmental Conditions PDF

ROMEOVILLE FIRE DEPARTMENT MANUAL CATEGORY 1200: TRAINING & COMPETENCY POLICY NUMBER 1232 TITLE OUTSIDE TRAINING & ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS EFFECTIVE 08/16/19 AUTHORIZED Kent Adams, Fire Chief REVISED N/A PURPOSE Establishes a guideline for minimizing the effects of environmental conditions to depar...

ROMEOVILLE FIRE DEPARTMENT MANUAL CATEGORY 1200: TRAINING & COMPETENCY POLICY NUMBER 1232 TITLE OUTSIDE TRAINING & ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS EFFECTIVE 08/16/19 AUTHORIZED Kent Adams, Fire Chief REVISED N/A PURPOSE Establishes a guideline for minimizing the effects of environmental conditions to department members during training and provides guidelines for determining when to cancel or alter outside training exercises based on these environmental conditions. OBJECTIVE This document applies to all personnel who participate in outside training activities. It is the responsibility of each instructor to monitor weather conditions and use the following guidelines to modify or cancel related activities as conditions warrant. It is also the responsibility of the instructor(s) to monitor students during extreme weather conditions, as age, physical condition, and other factors may influence an individual’s limitations to physical activity. Chief Officers, Training Coordinator, and Instructor(s) reserve the right to cancel or modify classes where weather conditions may be of concern. PROCEDURE Extreme Heat / Humidity 1. There will be no outside activity when the summer temperature or heat index exceeds 90 degrees. 2. Outside activity shall include multi-company drills, field apparatus inspections, and company training and evaluations, but shall not include building inspections, public education, or other indoor climate-controlled activities. 3. Instructors will allow adequate rest period for proper hydration and cooling. Members shall notify their supervisors any time they feel that they are approaching an unsafe degree of heat/environmental stress. Page 1 of 3 ROMEOVILLE FIRE DEPARTMENT MANUAL 4. Temperature restrictions can be waived by agreement from both parties (i.e. Battalion Chief and shift steward) and/or if a unique training opportunity arises. (I.e. acquired structure, hosting a class, etc.) Extreme Cold 1. There will be no outside activity when the winter temperature is less than 10 degrees. 2. There will be no outside activity when the wind chill factor is less than zero (0) degrees. 3. Wind chill factor shall be determined by average wind speed deducted from temperature. 4. Outside activity shall include multi-company drills, field apparatus inspections, and company training and evaluations, but shall not include building inspections, public education, or other indoor climate-controlled activities. 5. Temperature restrictions can be waived by agreement from both parties (i.e. Battalion Chief and shift steward) and/or if a unique training opportunity arises. (I.e. acquired structure, hosting a class, etc.) 6. Factors to consider in cold weather training: a. Members are properly dressed for the weather. b. The cold weather will not affect the safe and proper function of tools, equipment, and apparatus. c. Strenuous physical activity is monitored and limited. d. Instructors shall use extreme caution when conducting training activities in temperatures where climbing/walking surfaces are subject to freezing and may create a slip hazard. Page 2 of 3 ROMEOVILLE FIRE DEPARTMENT MANUAL Other Environmental Conditions 1. High wind conditions may affect training where apparatus or equipment has limitations related to wind speeds (i.e. ground and aerial ladders). Instructors will need to exercise good judgment in these types of situations and may need to refer to apparatus’ manufacturer recommendations or other accepted training resources. 2. Instructors shall consider other extreme weather related conditions and modify outside training activities accordingly. These conditions include, but, are not limited to: a. Lightning b. Snow c. Ice / Sleet d. Thunderstorm / Tornado Warning Page 3 of 3