Minimum Staffing Levels PDF - Chesapeake Fire Department Policy

Policy 208 Chesapeake Fire Department Policy Manual Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/03/29, All Rights Reserved.Published with permission by Chesapeake Fire Department Minimum Staffing Levels - 1 Minimum Staffing Levels 208.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE The purpose of this policy is to establish guid...

Policy 208 Chesapeake Fire Department Policy Manual Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/03/29, All Rights Reserved.Published with permission by Chesapeake Fire Department Minimum Staffing Levels - 1 Minimum Staffing Levels 208.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE The purpose of this policy is to establish guidelines for unit staffing levels based on daily operational needs, and unique local or regional circumstances, consistent with any established local rules and regulations. 208.1.1 DEFINITIONS Definitions related to this policy include: Qualified - Any member who has satisfactorily met the requirements for the position (e.g., Company Officer), either through promotional examination or a training program approved by the Department. Out of title assignment - Any situation in which a member of the Department functions in a rank above his/her normal position description and job duties. 208.2 POLICY The Department balances the member’s needs and wishes with the need to have flexibility and discretion in using personnel to meet operational needs. While balance is desirable, the principle concern is the need to meet the operational requirements of the Department. 208.3 OUT OF TITLE ASSIGNMENTS AND SUPERVISION In order to accommodate operational flexibility and other unforeseen circumstances, any firefighter, if qualified, may be used as a Company Officer for a limited time consistent with any existing and applicable local rules and regulations. With prior authorization from the Division Chief of Operations or the authorized designee, a qualified Captain may act as the Battalion Chief for a limited time. Decisions regarding supervision should result in each firefighter being supervised by a single Company Officer or acting Company Officer. Each Company Officer should be supervised by a Battalion Chief or an acting Battalion Chief. 208.3.1 ACTING OUT OF TITLE DESIGNATION The designation of personnel acting out of title will be as follows: (a) In the Fire Chief's absence, the Deputy Chief will assume the duties of the Fire Chief. If the Fire Chief and the Deputy Chief are not able to assume those duties, a Division Chief may assume the duties of the Fire Chief. (b) A Division Chief designated by the Fire Chief may assume the duties of the Deputy Chief in their absence. Chesapeake Fire Department Policy Manual Minimum Staffing Levels Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/03/29, All Rights Reserved.Published with permission by Chesapeake Fire Department Minimum Staffing Levels - 2 (c) In the absence of a Division Chief, a Battalion Chief may be designated as a Division Chief by the Fire Chief. Typically, for short-term absences, the Deputy Chief or another Division Chief will assume the responsibilities of the effected Division. (d) It is the responsibility of the Battalion Chief to select and assign a Captain to act as Battalion Chief using the following criteria: 1. Acting Battalion Chiefs shall have completed their first year in the rank of Captain. 2. Demonstrates the ability to perform Fire Department mission. Must have attained at least a Solid Performer or Exceeds expectations on the most recent annual performance evaluation or have an average of at least a Solid Performer on the last three annual performance evaluations. 3. A letter of recommendation shall be submitted to the Division Chief of Operations that they demonstrate battalion level leadership skills, proficiency in fire ground command/control, Incident Command System, Personnel Accountability System, and District operations. 4. The Battalion Chief's promotional list should be used as a guide in making selections for acting out of the title. 5. Completion of the Acting BC Task Book. (e) It is the responsibility of the Battalion Chief to select and assign a Firefighter to act as Lieutenant using the following criteria: 1. Must possess two years post-probation as a firefighter, firefighter/paramedic, or firefighter/ALS Tech. 2. Demonstrates the ability to perform Fire Department mission. Must have attained at least a Solid Performer or Exceeds expectations on the most recent annual performance evaluation or have an average of at least a Solid Performer on the last three annual performance evaluations. 3. Must have a letter of recommendation in Performance Information File from current Officer and Battalion Chief stating proficiency in company- level leadership, fire ground command/control, Incident Command System, Personnel Accountability System, station operations, and presently meeting criteria of this policy. 4. Promotional Eligibility List should be used as a guide in making a selection. 5. Completion of the Acting Lieutenant Task Book. 6. Completion of a coaching session with Division Chief of Operations. (f) It is the responsibility of the Field Medical Officer (FMO) and Battalion Chief to select and assign a Paramedic as an acting FMO. It shall be the responsibility of the FMO to recommend a Paramedic who meets the following criteria: 1. Must be a full-time member and be two years post-probation as an ALS Technician or Firefighter/Paramedic. Chesapeake Fire Department Policy Manual Minimum Staffing Levels Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/03/29, All Rights Reserved.Published with permission by Chesapeake Fire Department Minimum Staffing Levels - 3 2. Sanctioned to practice as a Paramedic in the City of Chesapeake for a minimum of two years. 3. Demonstrates the ability to perform fire department mission. Must have attained at least a Solid Performer or Exceeds expectations on the most recent annual performance evaluation or have an average of at least a Solid Performer on the last three annual performance evaluations. 4. The designee must have a letter of recommendation in Performance Information File from current Company Officer, Field Medical Officer, and Battalion Chief stating proficiency in leadership, Incident Command, Personnel Accountability System, medical operations, and presently meeting criteria of this policy. 5. Completion of the Acting FMO Task Book. 6. Completion of a coaching session with the Chief Medical Officer. 208.4 MINIMUM STAFFING GUIDELINES In order to meet operational needs, the following minimum staffing guidelines should be followed whenever practicable: (a) Engine companies should be comprised of a minimum of one Company Officer, one driver/operator and one or two firefighters. (b) Ladder trucks or aerial units should be comprised of a minimum of one Company Officer, one driver/operator and one firefighter. (c) During Basic Life Support (BLS) transports, medic units shall be staffed such that the attendant-in-charge is a certified Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) (12 VAC 5-31-1240). (d) During Advanced Life Support (ALS) transports, medic units shall be staffed such that the attendant-in-charge shall be a certified ALS provider and the attendant shall be either a certified ALS provider or a certified EMT (12 VAC 5-31-1250). Unit Minimum Staffing ALS Engines 1,3,7,9,14 4 As Staffing PermitsEngines 2,4,5,8,10,15,24,28 3 As Staffing PermitsEngines 6,12,11,13 4 PreferredLadders 2,5,10 3 As Staffing PermitsRescue 15 3 As Staffing PermitsMedics 1,2,3,4,5,7,8,9,10,12,14,15 2 PreferredMedics 24,11 2 As Staffing PermitsWhen staffing permits, Medic 11 and/or M24 should be placed in service full-time and Medic 6 as permitted. Minimum staffing should be provided for these unites at all times except as allowed by this policy. The on-duty Battalion Chiefs shall have the authority to alter the requirements set forth in this policy based on operational needs and available staffing. Chesapeake Fire Department Policy Manual Minimum Staffing Levels Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/03/29, All Rights Reserved.Published with permission by Chesapeake Fire Department Minimum Staffing Levels - 4 When it is necessary to take an engine out of service temporarily, then the following may occur: 1. Use a fill-in company to cover the vacancy 2. Move staffing from four (4) member companies. 3. Relocate a Ladder or Rescue company to prevent a station from remaining empty.. If staffing is not available to meet the minimum staffing requirements, the following actions should be taken in any combination or order that best serves operational needs, service delivery, and firefighter safety: • Reduce four (4) member companies to three (3) member companies. • Place Rescue 15 out of serviceand/or cross-staff with Engine 15. • Place second run engine(s) out of service. Ladder or Medic units may only be placed out of service after all the actions outlined above have been exhausted. Staffing on all four (4) member companies may be reduced to three (3) to cover temporary absences (i.e. member going to the store for the station, providing a firefighter to drive a medic unit during emergency operations, running a department errand, or for similar circumstances). If staffing falls below minimum guideline levels, the Battalion Chief shall have the authority to call back a sufficient number of personnel to fill vacancies. This includes holding over personnel from a previous shift. The Company Officer is responsible for promptly notifying the Battalion Chief in the event that the number of available on-duty personnel falls below the recommended minimum staffing guidelines. Should a situation arise where an Engine or Ladder responds with less than 3 qualified personnel, the officer in charge should notify the Emergency Communications Center that the unit is understaffed and request that an additional unit respond, if necessary. In cases where Engine 15 and Rescue 15 are cross-staffed and both units are on the initial dispatch, Rescue 15 will be placed out of service and Engine 15 will respond. 208.4.1 TEMPORARY STAFFING When it is necessary to take an engine out of service temporarily the following may occur: (a) Use a fill-in to cover the vacancy (b) Move staffing from four member companies (c) Relocate a Ladder or Rescue company to prevent a station from remaining empty. Officers should make every effort to keep temporary absences at a minimum. Members assigned to run errands and other fire department activities should utilize a fire department vehicle equipped for emergency response, if available, and carry their PPE and portable radio in case they are needed to provide assistance to the company they are assigned. Chesapeake Fire Department Policy Manual Minimum Staffing Levels Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/03/29, All Rights Reserved.Published with permission by Chesapeake Fire Department Minimum Staffing Levels - 5 Some circumstances will require the movement of available members from one unit to another to provide minimum staffing and to cover vacancies and is permissible. If call load requires placing additional units in service such as reserve medic units, it shall be permissible for the Battalion Chief to direct members to place the reserve medic unit in service and place the Engine and/or Ladder Company out of service. Qualified volunteer members may be used to augment career staffing on medic units or to staff special events as approved by the Fire Chief/designee.