Palm Beach County Fire Rescue Out-of-Service Apparatus Policy PDF

TO: ALL PALM BEACH COUNTY FIRE RESCUE PERSONNEL FROM: REGINALD K. DUREN FIRE RESCUE ADMINISTRATOR PREPARED BY: FIRE RESCUE PPM COMMITTEE SUBJECT: OUT OF SERVICE APPARATUS PPM #:...

TO: ALL PALM BEACH COUNTY FIRE RESCUE PERSONNEL FROM: REGINALD K. DUREN FIRE RESCUE ADMINISTRATOR PREPARED BY: FIRE RESCUE PPM COMMITTEE SUBJECT: OUT OF SERVICE APPARATUS PPM #: FR-O-202 ISSUE DATE EFFECTIVE DATE May 05, 2011 October 28, 2021 PURPOSE: The purpose of this policy is to provide standards by which units may be taken out of service for training, special details, mechanical problems/repairs. UPDATES: Future updates to this PPM are the responsibility of the Deputy Chief of Operations, in conjunction with the PPM Committee, under the authority of the Fire Rescue Administrator. AUTHORITY:  Fire Rescue Administrator, as may be amended. SCOPE: This policy applies to all Palm Beach County Fire Rescue personnel and reservists. POLICY: Fire Rescue shall ensure that apparatus and motorized vehicles used by employees are safe to operate. This policy provides a means by which the operator of a vehicle may place a vehicle judged to be unsafe, out-of-service. This policy also governs the number and how vehicles are to be scheduled unavailable or out of service. PROCEDURE: 1. Procedures for Repairs: a. It is each employee's responsibility to ensure that the vehicle or apparatus to which they have been assigned is safe to operate. Whenever any defect is discovered, it shall be promptly reported in accordance with Fire Rescue Policy, and shall be repaired as soon as it is possible to do so. b. The Superintendent is responsible for reviewing all of the repair requests in order to monitor the overall status and condition of the fleet. The Superintendent shall also be responsible for confirming that all regularly scheduled maintenance is performed and coordinating all off-site maintenance and repair work. c. The operator of an apparatus or motorized vehicle shall have the authority to place the apparatus or vehicle out of service whenever one or more of the following defects are discovered: i. Failure of the braking system which may be deemed as unsafe. FR-O-202/Page 1 of 3  ii. Failure of the windshield wipers during inclement weather. Note: On a sunny day the failure of the wipers would not be a justifiable reason to remove from service. iii. Failure of headlights to operate during a period at or near darkness. iv. Flat tires. v. Inability to engage or operate a fire pump. vi. Failure of the hydraulic system or other component that prevents the operation of an aerial device. vii. Failure of the steering system. viii. Failure of the coolant system that causes engine to overheat. ix. Failure of the HVAC System (heat, ventilation, and air conditioning system) in the patient compartment of a Rescue vehicle. x. Battery, alternator, or electrical system failure that prevents the vehicle from being started or results in a discharge of the electrical system. xi. Any defect that, if not immediately corrected, would cause further damage to the apparatus or vehicle and/or would endanger the lives of either the general public and/or the personnel assigned to travel in the vehicle. d. Whenever a problem or defect is discovered in an apparatus or vehicle that has been determined to be out-of-service, the Company Officer or person responsible for the apparatus or vehicle shall notify the Fire Operations Officer (F.O.O.) that their apparatus or vehicle is out-of-service. e. If a reserve apparatus or vehicle is needed, the Foreman, Or "On-Call" Technician shall assign the unit. The Lieutenant, Operational Captain or person in charge of the apparatus or vehicle shall transfer their personnel and all necessary equipment to the reserve and notify the Communications Center of the change when the unit is back in service. f. The Officer or person in charge of the apparatus or vehicle shall be responsible for having the repairs reported appropriately as listed below: i. During normal business hours, the Foreman shall be notified in Assetworks and called by land line in order for the repair work to be scheduled. ii. On nights, weekends, and holidays the defects shall be reported to the Communication Center, and the appropriate On-Call Technician shall be notified. 2. Procedures for Training or Special Details: a. The Deputy Chief of Operations shall determine the maximum number of vehicles to be designated out of service. b. The Fire Operations Officer (F.O.O.) shall monitor the Telestaff Training Calendar for all emergency units that are scheduled for out of service time. c. The F.O.O. shall approve or deny request for units to go out of service based on call volume and service coverage. d. The F.O.O. shall coordinate “move-ups” to ensure all areas have service coverage. FR-O-202/Page 2 of 3  ______________________________ REGINALD K. DUREN FIRE RESCUE ADMINISTRATOR Supersession History 1. PPM#FR VI-04, issued 12/10/1985 2. PPM#FR VI-04, issued 06/05/2011 3. PPM#FR O-202, clerical 03/01/2018 4. PPM#FR O-202, revised 10/28/2021 FR-O-202/Page 3 of 3