Hoffman Estates Fire Department Vehicle Idling Guidelines PDF

HOFFMAN ESTATES FIRE DEPARTMENT STANDARD OPERATING GUIDELINES SOG Category & Identification Number: EFFECTIVE DATE: EQUIPMENT GUIDELINES – 017 January 1, 2022 NIMS COMPLIANT SOG Title: VEHICLE IDLING...

HOFFMAN ESTATES FIRE DEPARTMENT STANDARD OPERATING GUIDELINES SOG Category & Identification Number: EFFECTIVE DATE: EQUIPMENT GUIDELINES – 017 January 1, 2022 NIMS COMPLIANT SOG Title: VEHICLE IDLING Revision: 2 APPROVED BY: NUMBER OF PAGES: Re-evaluation Date: Alan Wax January 1, 2026 Fire Chief 2 PURPOSE The Fire Department is committed to conserving fuel and lowering exhaust emissions. One way the Department realizes a fuel savings and a reduction of exhaust emissions, would be through eliminating unnecessary vehicle idling. DEFINITIONS POLICY Non-Emergency Fire apparatus driving will be limited to fulfilling the essential mission of the Fire Department. Station Officers need to plan daily activities so apparatus leave the station a minimum number of times for non-emergency activities. Fire Apparatus utilize many electronic components that require consistent vehicle voltage to operate. Whenever possible every effort should be made to attach the vehicle to a 110 volt shoreline. If the vehicle cannot be plugged into a shoreline within 3 hours (i.e. offsite training locations) then the vehicle would need to be started and the batteries recharged for ½ hour. Emergency Vehicles that are involved in an incident shall remain running as long as needed for the duration of the incident. Vehicles that are not actively involved in the incident, but are on the scene of an incident, shall be shut off and batteries shut off. All vehicles assigned to the Tollway shall remain running throughout the incident. Vehicles used to provide emergency lighting shall remain running for the duration of the need. Vehicles will be shut off during fueling operations. 1 Any vehicle providing heating or cooling for personnel or civilians during an incident may remain running for the duration of the need. Below Freezing Conditions: Ambulances: To maintain adequate temperature in the vehicle’s patient compartment with a secondary HVAC system, power will need to be supplied through the use of the 110 volt system whenever possible. If not equipped with a secondary system or 110 volt availability, the vehicle may have to be idled to maintain temperature and battery charge. Engines: Apparatus supplied with a water tank and pump will need to be idled and the pump engaged whenever exposed to below freezing conditions. This practice will keep water from freezing in the pump. Cars: These vehicles do not need to be left idling. The battery life is approximately 4 hours before a recharging is required. These vehicles will need to be monitored by the assigned personnel. And at their discretion, the vehicle started and idled to maintain an appropriate charged battery state. PROCEDURE Whenever a vehicle is out of quarters and at a non emergency location, a 110 volt shoreline is to be utilized whenever possible to eliminate vehicle idling. When a 110 volt shoreline is not available it will be the responsibility of the apparatus operator to start the vehicle every 3 hours and idle it for ½ hour to maintain proper battery charge levels. It shall be the responsibility of the Shift Commander, the Company Officers and the Apparatus Operators to make a conscious effort to eliminate unnecessary idling practices. EXCEPTIONS 1. During emergency incidents vehicles are to be idled in order to supply electrical power for the demands of vehicle. 2. During below freezing weather, apparatus with pumps and water tanks are to be idled with the pump engaged to avoid keep water from freezing. 3. An apparatus experiencing a charging problem and the operator feels there is not enough power to restart the apparatus. REFERENCES End of Document 2