Palm Beach County Fire Rescue Knox Box/Gate Switch Key Systems PDF

TO: ALL PALM BEACH COUNTY FIRE RESCUE PERSONNEL FROM: PATRICK J. KENNEDY FIRE RESCUE ADMINISTRATOR PREPARED BY: FIRE RESCUE PPM COMMITTEE SUBJECT: KNOX BOX/GATE SWITCH KEY SYSTEMS...

TO: ALL PALM BEACH COUNTY FIRE RESCUE PERSONNEL FROM: PATRICK J. KENNEDY FIRE RESCUE ADMINISTRATOR PREPARED BY: FIRE RESCUE PPM COMMITTEE SUBJECT: KNOX BOX/GATE SWITCH KEY SYSTEMS PPM #: FR-B-601 ISSUE DATE EFFECTIVE DATE 09/21/2022 October 19, 2022 PURPOSE: To establish the proper operating procedures for the secure use and operation of a key retention system for Palm Beach County Fire Rescue. UPDATES: Future updates to this PPM are the responsibility of the Fire Marshal, in conjunction with the PPM Committee, under the authority of the Fire Rescue Administrator. AUTHORITY:  Fire Rescue Administrator SCOPE: This policy applies to all Palm Beach County Fire Rescue personnel and reservists. POLICY: It is the responsibility of the Fire Marshal’s office (Community Risk Reduction) to retain a record of distribution to identify all authorized locations of Admin and Commercial Knox Keys. Administration and Commercial Knox Keys shall be located in front-line emergency response vehicles, and other designated locations as determined by the Fire Marshal. ATTACHMENTS: Attachment A: Knox Box Key Release Agreement DEFINITIONS: 1. Administration Knox key – This key unlocks all Knox boxes located at County-owned buildings and facilities. You can differentiate this key by its round-shaped bow. 2. Commercial Knox key – This key unlocks all Knox boxes located at commercial properties within unincorporated Palm Beach County, including all municipalities in which we serve. You can differentiate this key by its square-shaped bow. PROCEDURE: 1. Palm Beach County Fire Rescue personnel may access a Knox box or utilize a Knox gate key switch for fire department operations only. FR-B- 601 / Page 1 of 2  2. Once a key is removed from the Knox Box for the purpose of gaining entry, the Knox Box shall not remain open in the event that other keys are present and therefore shall be re-secured and locked immediately. 3. At the conclusion of the incident or event; a. The Lieutenant or above shall confirm utilized keys are returned to the appropriate Knox box and all Knox keys re-secured to assigned front-line vehicles. b. The last unit leaving the scene shall confirm that the access gate, if applicable, is re- secured and in the locked position. 4. Documentation that the Knox boxes utilized at the incident or event to gain access to a structure shall be provided on the incident report. 5. In the event that a Knox key is bent, broken, or damaged, immediately notify the Battalion Chief and Fire Marshal’s office. Notification to the Fire Marshal’s office shall be communicated via e-mail at [email protected]. The key shall be returned directly to the Knox Box Coordinator in order for a replacement to be issued. Attachment A shall be completed at the time a replacement is issued. 6. In the event of a lost or stolen Knox Key, the Battalion Chief shall be notified immediately, a police report shall be required, and notification to the Knox Box Coordinator shall be made immediately via e-mail at [email protected]. PATRICK J. KENNEDY FIRE RESCUE ADMINISTRATOR Supersession History 1. PPM# FR B-601, issued 09/21/2022 FR-B-601 / Page 2 of 2