The Woodlands Fire Department Ride-Along Program PDF

The Woodlands Fire Department Operational Guidelines A-03 – RIDE-ALONG PROGRAM 1.0 PURPOSE 1.1 2.0 SCOPE 2.1 3.0 To establish a program that allows individuals (Ride-Along Participants) not employed by The Woodlands Fire Department to ride on in service fire department apparatus and observe fire dep...

The Woodlands Fire Department Operational Guidelines A-03 – RIDE-ALONG PROGRAM 1.0 PURPOSE 1.1 2.0 SCOPE 2.1 3.0 To establish a program that allows individuals (Ride-Along Participants) not employed by The Woodlands Fire Department to ride on in service fire department apparatus and observe fire department operations while ensuring the safety of Ride-Along Participants and maintaining the operational readiness and capability of fire department resources. This guideline applies to all scheduled ride-along participants, supervisors, and sessions. RIDE-ALONG PARTICIPANT REQUIRMENTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 Ride-Along Participants must be at least 15 years of age. Parental or legal guardian authorization is required for all Ride Along Participants less than 18 years of age. Ride-Along Participants will be assigned a Ride-Along Supervisor, usually a company officer or ride up company officer that will directly oversee/supervise the ride along session. Ride-Along Participants must be able to enter and exit the fire apparatus with no assistance and will not at any time hamper the ability of fire department personnel to respond to emergencies in a timely manner or perform their duties while on emergency scenes. Ride-Along Participants will wear a white collared shirt with dark colored pants and dark colored shoes. Ride-Along Participants employed by or representing another emergency service agency may wear the uniform of the agency they work for or represent. Ride-Along Participants are not permitted to enter a hazard area or immediate medical scene. Ride-Along Participants are not permitted to take any photographs, videos, or other types of recordings while on emergency scenes. Photographs and videos of fire department equipment and personnel are permitted while not on emergency scenes and with the permission of the Ride-Along Supervisor. Ride-Along Participants are not permitted to carry weapons of any type while in fire department facilities, apparatus, or at any time during their ride along session. Page 1 of 2 Created 07/15/2004 Revised 08/07/2023 Reviewed 08/07/2023 The Woodlands Fire Department Operational Guidelines A-03 – RIDE-ALONG PROGRAM 3.8 4.0 RIDE-ALONG SESSION LIMITS 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 5.0 Ride-Along sessions will be scheduled between 0700 hrs and 2200 hrs. Ride-Along sessions will be limited to 12 hours per session. Ride-Along sessions will be limited to 3 sessions per month and 9 session per year. Ride-Along sessions outside of the above limits must be approved by the Assistant Chief – Operations or the Fire Chief. RIDE-ALONG SESSION AUTHORIZATION 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 6.0 Ride-Along Participants that hamper TWFDs ability to effectively carry out the mission of the fire department or willfully disregard the requirements of this guideline or directions of their Ride-Along Supervisor will immediately have their ride along privileges suspended. A TWFD Ride-Along Release Form must be completed by the RideAlong Participant or Legal Guardian if participant is under 18 years of age and approved prior to the scheduled ride-along session. The TWFD Ride-Along Release Form will be reviewed, approved, and signed by the Ride-Along Supervisor and the Assistant Chief – Operations or the Fire Chief. The signed Ride-Along Release Form will be sent back to the Ride-Along Supervisor and copy the responsible Battalion Chief. Under extraordinary situations verbal approval may be requested by the Ride-Along Supervisor and granted by the Assistant Chief – Operations or the Fire Chief. RIDE-ALONG SESSION TERMINATION 6.1 6.2 The Ride-Along Supervisor has the authority and responsibility to terminate a ride along session if at any time: A. the Ride Along Participant violates or fails to meet any of the requirements and or responsibilities contained in Section 3. B. the Ride-Along Supervisor feels it is in the best interest of the RideAlong Participant and or TWFD personnel such as following a significant/critical event. The Ride-Along Supervisor should immediately notify the on-duty Battalion Chief of the termination of a ride along session. Page 2 of 2 Created 07/15/2004 Revised 08/07/2023 Reviewed 08/07/2023