Hoffman Estates Fire Department Fire Prevention Guidelines PDF

HOFFMAN ESTATES FIRE DEPARTMENT STANDARD OPERATING GUIDELINES SOG Category & Identification Number: EFFECTIVE DATE: FIRE PREVENTION GUIDELINES– 001 January 1, 2022 NIMS COMPLIANT SOG Title: Block Parties...

HOFFMAN ESTATES FIRE DEPARTMENT STANDARD OPERATING GUIDELINES SOG Category & Identification Number: EFFECTIVE DATE: FIRE PREVENTION GUIDELINES– 001 January 1, 2022 NIMS COMPLIANT SOG Title: Block Parties Revision: 2 APPROVED BY: NUMBER OF PAGES: Re-evaluation Date: Alan Wax January 1, 2024 Fire Chief 3 PURPOSE The Fire Department is often requested by residents to attend local block parties. This public relations activity by the Fire Department can result in the general public developing a positive attitude about the Fire Department and firefighters while also allowing firefighters the opportunity to promote general fire safety habits and answer important questions raised by the general public. DEFINITIONS POLICY PROCEDURE A. General Fire Department Activities: 1. Companies should report to the block party location during the hours indicated on the Target Solutions Calendar notification. A contact person will be listed on the notification as well. If a scheduling conflict arises, the Company Officer shall notify the contact person; if time allows. Uniform dress shall be clean and neat in appearance per Administrative SOG 006- Dress Code. 2. Companies should anticipate staying at the block party location for a minimum of one hour, unless the attendance is so minimal that less time would be warranted or the Target Solutions Calendar notification indicates a specified time. 3. Apparatus should be positioned in close proximity to the block party, but remaining a safe distance as to not get in the way of events. Extreme caution should be used while backing and maneuvering vehicles, as there are usually many children nearby. Also, care should be taken to make sure easy exit from the area is possible in case of an emergency incident. 1  4. Personnel should remain close to department apparatus to insure no children or residents will be injured on or near the vehicles. CHILDREN OR ADULTS SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO CLIMB ON OR INTO ANY DEPARTMENT APPARATUS UNLESS THEY ARE CLOSELY SUPERVISED BY DEPARTMENT PERSONNEL. AT NO TIME SHOULD CHILDREN OR ADULTS BE ALLOWED TO CLIMB ON TOP OF FIRE DEPARTMENT APPARATUS, SUCH AS ONTO THE TURNTABLE OF A LADDER TRUCK, HOSE BED OF AN ENGINE, UPPER DIAMOND PLATE AREAS, ETC. B. Each station has a bin containing public education hand-outs. Handout materials should be brought along for distribution. Additional supplies can be obtained from Firehouse 24 Public Education supply closet. Please notify the Public Education division head if firehouse supplies run low or if supplies are taken from the Public Education closet. C. Information to Discuss with Residents: In general, residents usually will have questions about Fire Department operations, whereas children are interested in seeing the firefighter's gear, hearing the siren, seeing the emergency lights, etc. Here are some helpful suggestions: 1. Suggested activities can include allowing children to sit in the jump seat of an engine/truck, showing children and adults the inside of an ambulance, allowing children to spray water from a pump can, allowing children to sit at the steering wheel of an apparatus (all with close supervision by a firefighter). Do not allow children to try on a firefighter's helmet due to the risk of injury. 2. Sirens and emergency lights can be demonstrated at the end of the visit, with lights and sirens activated upon your departure. 3. Distribute handout materials and stress the importance of knowing emergency phone numbers. 4. Promote the use of smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms. Remember, in Illinois, smoke detectors are required by law (one on every level of the home and one within 15 feet of each sleeping area). Hoffman Estates requires a smoke detector in each sleeping area.  Hoffman Estates Rules and Regulations state that every dwelling needs to have at least one smoke detector and carbon monoxide (CO) alarm within 15 feet of every room used for sleeping purposes.  Every single-family residence shall have at least one smoke detector installed on 2  every story, including basements, but not including unoccupied attics.  Test the smoke detectors and CO alarms once a month and change the batteries twice a year. The Company Officer shall complete a Public Education report in the departments’ record management system, which will be added to the monthly report. EXCEPTIONS REFERENCES DEFINITIONS End of Document 3