Palm Beach County Fire Rescue Aerial Company Functions PDF

Palm Beach County Fire Rescue Standard Operating Guideline SOG 420-09 Aerial Company Functions Issue Date: 08/01/2005...

Palm Beach County Fire Rescue Standard Operating Guideline SOG 420-09 Aerial Company Functions Issue Date: 08/01/2005 Effective Date: 09/01/2005 PURPOSE: To provide tactical guidelines for the effective operation of Aerial Companies. AUTHORITY:  Fire Rescue Administrator SCOPE: This standard operating guideline shall apply to all Emergency Operations personnel. PROCEDURE: Each fire incident presents unique problems, which seldom allow the use of a completely planned approach to Aerial Company operations. This Standard Operating Guideline sets forth a standardized approach to assigning responsibility for the completion of specific types of Aerial or “Truck” Company Functions for the most commonly encountered tasks. This approach shall ensure vital operations are performed either before or simultaneously with Fire Attack. 1. Typical Truck Company Functions a. Certain Truck Company functions must be performed simultaneously with Fire Attack to ensure a coordinated effort and a favorable outcome to the incident. The following shall be the primary tasks of all Aerial Companies: i. Search and rescue ii. Elevated victim rescue iii. Ventilation iv. Forcible entry v. Laddering a building vi. Provide elevated master streams vii. Control of utilities viii. Salvage and Loss Control ix. Illumination x. Checking for fire extension b. In the absence or delay of an Aerial’s response, the Incident Commander should assign Truck Company functions to Engine or Rescue Companies. c. The priority by which each task is performed shall be at the discretion of the Incident Commander (refer to SOG 200-02 Incident Command Sequence). d. Refer to the corresponding SOGs for guidelines on each task (i.e., Primary Search, Ventilation, Roof Operations, Lockout/Tagout, etc…). SOG 420-09 Aerial Company Functions Page 1 of 2  e. When possible, responding Aerials approaching the scene should request their assignment from the Incident Commander. 2. Apparatus Positioning a. Units should leave at least 25 feet of clearance behind the Aerial due to the potential of blocking access to the ground ladders. b. It shall be the responsibility of the Driver Operator to position the Aerial away from electrical wires for safe operation. c. Aerials should position appropriately. i. For example, if an elevated rescue is needed on side Delta, then the Aerial should immediately set up on side Delta. If a Defensive master stream is needed on side Bravo, then the Aerial should set up on side Bravo. d. When the Aerial is the first arriving apparatus to a fire, it shall be the responsibility of that Company Officer to ensure the Aerial is utilized in the most efficient manner (Engine or Aerial capacity). e. When units are arriving on scene ensure to provide room for the Aerial if there is a potential for Aerial operations. f. Positioning of the Aerial shall not impede the Engine Company’s efforts to advance hose lines or access a water supply. Supersession History 1. SOG #1320, issued 03/15/1995 2. SOG #1320, issued 09/01/2005 3. SOG 420-09, clerical 05/01/2018 SOG 420-09 Aerial Company Functions Page 2 of 2