Palm Beach County Fire Rescue Towing Policy PDF

TO: ALL PALM BEACH COUNTY FIRE RESCUE PERSONNEL FROM: PATRICK J. KENNEDY FIRE RESCUE ADMINISTRATOR PREPARED BY: FIRE RESCUE PPM COMMITTEE SUBJECT: TOWING OF VEHICLES PPM #:...

TO: ALL PALM BEACH COUNTY FIRE RESCUE PERSONNEL FROM: PATRICK J. KENNEDY FIRE RESCUE ADMINISTRATOR PREPARED BY: FIRE RESCUE PPM COMMITTEE SUBJECT: TOWING OF VEHICLES PPM #: FR-S-103 ISSUE DATE EFFECTIVE DATE March 01, 2023 March 29, 2023 PURPOSE: The purpose of this policy is to provide a standard procedure for towing of Fire Rescue vehicles. UPDATES: Future updates to this PPM are the responsibility of the Deputy Chief of Support Services, 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: The following policy shall be utilized at all times when it is necessary to have a Fire Rescue vehicle towed. This includes, but is not limited to: vehicles that cannot be moved under their own power due to a mechanical breakdown, vehicles that have been damaged as a result of an accident and are not road-worthy, and vehicles that are mired in sand, mud or otherwise immobilized. PROCEDURE: 1. Towing of vehicles due to mechanical breakdown or accident damage: a. Refer to Vehicle Maintenance Requests (PPM FR-S-101) for mechanical vehicle maintenance requests. b. If a vehicle or apparatus has experienced a mechanical breakdown or has been involved in an accident whereby the vehicle is not road-worthy, during normal working hours the Communication Center and Fleet Maintenance shall be contacted and an Apparatus Technician shall be immediately notified. c. If a vehicle or apparatus has experienced a mechanical breakdown or has been involved in an accident whereby the vehicle is not road-worthy, after hours and on weekends, the Communication Center shall be contacted who shall notify the On Call Technician. d. Either through inspection of the vehicle or by direct communication with the vehicle crew, the mechanic shall determine road worthiness of the subject vehicle, or if towing is required. e. If towing is required, the On Call Technician shall call the appropriate towing FR-S-103/Page 1 of 2  company. f. Aerials, Special Operation units, Tenders, Brush Trucks, and Fire Engines shall be transported utilizing landoll style tow vehicles. All other vehicles may be towed utilizing conventional tow trucks, landoll or low boy vehicles. 2. Towing or removal of vehicles that are mired (stuck). a. Vehicles that have become mired (stuck) or otherwise immobilized where no mechanical problems exist shall be freed utilizing Section 1 of this policy with the following exception: i. At the discretion of the Battalion Chief or above, and where the resources, equipment, and expertise are available to dislodge the vehicle, towing of a mired vehicle utilizing another capable vehicle is authorized, under the following conditions: 1. At no time is the safety of the personnel involved to be compromised. The utmost caution must be exercised when attempting to dislodge a stuck vehicle. When personnel safety cannot be assured, dislodging should not to be attempted. 2. If possible, empty any applicable water tank before trying to dislodge apparatus. Do not allow the water to wash out under the apparatus, as this may cause further problems. b. Towing of a mired vehicle is to be attempted only by experienced personnel. Serious injury, including death, and vehicle damage can and have occurred when vehicles were improperly towed. If the towing vehicle is not capable of dislodging the mired vehicle or if it starts to get stuck, the two vehicles shall be disconnected from each other. c. Only approved tow straps and other equipment designed for towing that have the appropriate rating are to be utilized. Serious injury can occur when towing equipment fails. Be careful! d. If the vehicle is not significantly stuck, utilize tow hooks for tow strap attachment. If the vehicle is not equipped with tow hooks, do not connect the tow strap to the bumper. Locate a strong structural member and wrap the tow strap around it connecting the tow strap back to itself. e. Upon freeing the vehicle, it must be inspected by a mechanic to assure its road worthiness. ______________________________ PATRICK J. JENNEDY FIRE RESCUE ADMINISTRATOR Supersession History 1. PPM#FR IV-03, issued 06/24/1991 2. PPM#FR IV-03, issued 03/03/2011 3. PPM#FR S-103, clerical 03/01/2018 4. PPM#FR S-103, issued 12/29/2020 5. PPM#FR S-103, issued 5/1/2023 FR-S-103/Page 2 of 2