Palm Beach County Fire Rescue Standards for Emergency Response Vehicles PDF

TO: ALL PALM BEACH COUNTY FIRE RESCUE PERSONNEL FROM: PATRICK J. KENNEDY FIRE RESCUE ADMINISTRATOR PREPARED BY: FIRE RESCUE PPM COMMITTEE SUBJECT: STANDARDS FOR EMERGENCY RESPONSE VEHI...

TO: ALL PALM BEACH COUNTY FIRE RESCUE PERSONNEL FROM: PATRICK J. KENNEDY FIRE RESCUE ADMINISTRATOR PREPARED BY: FIRE RESCUE PPM COMMITTEE SUBJECT: STANDARDS FOR EMERGENCY RESPONSE VEHICLES PPM #: FR-O-302 ISSUE DATE EFFECTIVE DATE January 30, 2023 February 27, 2023 PURPOSE: To provide minimum standards and a standard equipment list for vehicles utilized as emergency response vehicles. 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 SCOPE: This policy applies to all Palm Beach County Fire Rescue personnel and reservists. POLICY: Emergency Response Vehicle Standards shall be developed and utilized in the design, purchase and equipping of all emergency response vehicles utilized by the Fire Rescue. These standards shall apply to all emergency response vehicles utilized by Fire Rescue for responding to and operating at emergency scenes. All vehicle equipment lists can be found on the home page of Target Solutions under the Quick Links section. DEFINITIONS: 1. Advanced Life Support ALS Rescue Vehicle - ALS vehicles are designed and used for the purpose of responding to emergency medical calls, providing for the treatment and transporting of sick and injured victims, and supporting other fire and emergency scene operations. All ALS Rescue Vehicles utilized by Fire Rescue shall meet or exceed National Ambulance Standard KKK1822 in effect at the time of the vehicle’s manufacture. 2. Brush/Wildland Fire Apparatus - Brush/Wildland apparatuses are any piece of fire apparatus used primarily for off-the-road or brush firefighting activities, typically equipped with less than a 500 gpm fire pump, water tank, and minimum hose carrying capacity. All Brush/Wildland Fire Apparatuses, utilized by Fire Rescue shall meet or exceed NFPA 1906, Wildland Fire Apparatus in effect at the time of manufacture of the vehicle. 3. Engine (Also known as Pumper) - Fire apparatus with a permanently mounted fire pump having a minimum rated discharge capacity of 750 gpm, a water tank of at least 500 gallons, and a hose bed of at least 30 cubic feet. All Fire Engines (Pumpers) utilized by Fire Rescue FR-O-302/Page 1 of 3  shall meet or exceed NFPA 1901, Standards for Automotive Fire Apparatus, in effect at the time of manufacture of the vehicle. 4. Fire Apparatus -Vehicles of Fire Rescue used in fire suppression activities. 5. Elevating Platform Apparatus - Referred to as Ladder and Truck Companies. A ladder truck equipped with permanently mounted, power operated booms of articulating construction, or telescoping construction; and a passenger-carrying platform attached to the uppermost boom. 6. Command and Control, Supervisory, And Support Vehicles - Vehicles supporting fire suppression or EMS activities, or have specific uses other than direct involvement in fire suppression activities. Emergency Response Vehicles assigned to Operations Division Chief Officers, or EMS Supervisory vehicles, Air and light, heavy rescue, and hazardous materials vehicles are also some examples of this type unit. 7. Tender - Also known as water tankers. This is fire apparatus with the primary function of transporting water to a fire scene. Generally having a water tank in excess of 1,000 gallons, present Fire Rescue tenders have 3000 gallons of water. PROCEDURE: 1. Lieutenant and Operational Captain Responsibilities: a. Lieutenant and Operational Captains shall ensure that each emergency response vehicle is inventoried each shift in accordance with Vehicle, Equipment Inspection and Check Out (PPM FR-O-301). b. Prior to leaving the emergency scene, the Lieutenant and Operational Captains shall inspect their apparatus and confirm the equipment inventory is complete. If it is not, every effort shall be made to locate all missing equipment prior to leaving the scene. c. If there is equipment missing, the Lieutenant or Operational Captain shall notify the Battalion Chief who shall assist as necessary in locating the missing equipment or obtaining replacement equipment. d. In the event equipment is found not belonging to a unit, every effort shall be made to locate the rightful unit and return it to the correct unit. It is essential to report all excess and found equipment as well as equipment lost. 2. Standard Equipment List: a. A standard equipment list for each type of emergency response vehicle is maintained and includes all approved and required equipment for the specific vehicle type. The lists are updated and posted on Target Solutions. b. Equipment or devices, other than those listed on the Standard Equipment list shall not be added to emergency response vehicles without review and approval by the Deputy Chief of Operations. c. Requests to modify to the standard equipment list or changes of mounting location or methods shall be forwarded to the Deputy Chief of Operations for review. The Deputy Chief of Operations shall forward the request to the appropriate sections of Fire Rescue for further input if needed. Upon approval the new equipment shall be added to the standard equipment list and provided to the assigned stations. d. At a minimum, Standard Equipment lists shall be maintained for the following: i. Engines ii. ALS Rescues iii. Wildland Fire Apparatus iv. Aerials FR-O-302/Page 2 of 3  v. Tenders vi. Special Operations Vehicles vii. EMS Captain Vehicles viii. Battalion Chief Vehicles ______________________________ PATRICK J. KENNEDY FIRE RESCUE ADMINISTRATOR Supersession History 1. PPM#FR VI-05, issued 12/10/1985 2. PPM#FR VI-05, issued 11/01/2004 3. PPM#FR VI-05, issued 08/01/2016 4. PPM#FR O-302, clerical 03/01/2018 5. PPM#FR O-302, issued 01/30/2023 FR-O-302/Page 3 of 3