SFD.075 - Community Risk Reduction Programs - Spring Fire Department - PDF

# Community Risk Reduction Programs ## **CRR GUIDE** **Fire Department / Harris County ESD No. 7** **Standard Operating Line** **Revision** 0 **Issue Date** 8 July. 2024 **Effective Date** 8 July. 2024...

# Community Risk Reduction Programs ## **CRR GUIDE** **Fire Department / Harris County ESD No. 7** **Standard Operating Line** **Revision** 0 **Issue Date** 8 July. 2024 **Effective Date** 8 July. 2024 **Approved by:** Scott C. Seifert **No.** 1 **Review Date** 1 July. 2025 **Reviewed by:** Strategic Services ## **Community Risk Reduction Programs** **1. Executive Summary** * **Smoke Alarm Appointments:** * Eligibility includes: financial inability, physical limitations, lack of equipment or skill, at-risk populations, and welfare beneficiaries. * Appointments are scheduled online or by phone, and a CRR specialist conducts the visit following safety protocols. * **Car Seat Appointments:** * Available to community members, conducted at Spring FD facilities or designated events, with the final installation by the driver. * Checklists are sent to SafeKids Greater Houston, and new seats may be issued based on need and availability. * **CPR/AED and First Aid Education:** * Classes are scheduled based on community needs, with no cost for residents within the territory and a fee for certification cards for others. * Classes are taught by certified instructors with appropriate student/instructor ratios, and equipment is sanitized after each class. * **Safe Sitter Classes:** * Similar to CPR/AED classes, with a minimum class size of 6 students. * Classes are customized within the core curriculum, and certification cards are issued within a week of the course. * **Fire Extinguisher Education:** * Requests are made through the Spring FD website, and training can accommodate large groups. * Approved props are used, and the event is documented on Spring FD scheduling software. * **Safety Education:** * Topics include general fire safety, EDITH, emergency evacuation plans, cooking safety, and weather preparedness. * Events are documented and utilize approved materials and curriculum. * **School Safety:** * Inquiries about school safety plans are referred to external agencies, as Spring FD does not design or advise on these plans. **2. Purpose** * The purpose of this guideline is to provide general guidance for the provision of community risk reduction services to the community protected by Spring Fire Department. **3. Scope** * This guideline applies to all members. **4. Definitions** * See Glossary. **5. Procedures and Responsibilities** * **Smoke Alarm Appointments** * Smoke alarm appointments are intended for residential structures in the Spring Fire Department territory. * Community members should make requests through the Spring FD website for a smoke alarm appointment or by contacting the CRR Specialist directly. * Appointment requests received by phone should be entered into the online form. * A CRR specialist should contact the community member to determine the need and schedule a time to visit the residence for a smoke alarm appointment. * Smoke alarm appointments should be limited to the following general situations: * Citizen is unable to financially afford a smoke alarm. * Citizen is unable to physically install a smoke alarm. * Citizen lacks the necessary equipment or skill to install a smoke alarm. * Citizen is an at-risk population, including but not limited to advanced age or disability. * Citizen receives welfare benefits. * CRR Specialist discretion based on risk. * Spring FD accepts verbal or written confirmation from the citizen of these circumstances and does not require further evidence. * A CRR specialist should document the appointment on Spring FD scheduling software as appropriate. * A CRR specialist should attend the appointment on time and dressed in approved attire, with all necessary equipment. * Two personnel should attend visits whenever possible. * Prior to and during the appointment, the CRR specialist should be aware of the surroundings, specifically any signs of danger. * If at any time the CRR specialist feels unsafe, the appointment should be postponed, the CRR specialist should contact their supervisor to develop an alternate plan for customer service, which may include refusal of service until the safety issue is resolved. * The CRR Specialist should adhere to manufacturer recommendations on all ladders during installations. Tall ceilings may require multiple individuals to safely install the alarm. * The CRR Specialist has ultimate discretion to determine whether the ceiling height and configuration is safe for the installation. Unsafe installations should be made safe with the right equipment and personnel or canceled. * The appointment may include: * Inspection of current smoke alarm layout, type, and age. * Battery replacement * Installation of smoke alarm (provided by the homeowner or Spring FD). * Installation of CO alarm as indicated. * Fire department-provided smoke alarms should be limited to available inventory and may be limited to two alarms per household based on availability. * The CRR specialist should document the completion of the appointment as appropriate. * Firefighters may complete smoke alarm appointments if a CRR specialist is not available and the appointment is time sensitive using the same procedure. * Firefighters should refer smoke alarm appointments to a CRR specialist when possible. * **Car Seat Appointment** * Car seat appointments are available to any member or visitor of the community. * Community member should make requests through the Spring Fire Department website or by contacting the CRR Specialist directly. * Appointment requests received by phone should be entered into the online form. * A CRR specialist should contact the community member to determine the need and schedule a time to conduct the appointment. * The appointment may be conducted at any Spring Fire Department facility. * The community member may also be referred to designated Child Passenger Safety events both in or out of territory. * The CRR Specialist should utilize this Child Passenger Safety Checklist. * The final installation of any child passenger device should be completed by the driver of the vehicle. * This ensures that the driver can reinstall the car seat correctly if necessary. * The completed checklists should be sent to SafeKids Greater Houston on a regular basis. * Spring Fire Department may issue new child passenger seats at its discretion based on community need and availability. * If there is any indication of an unsafe environment during the appointment, including but not limited to signs of weapons or illegal substances in the vehicle, the appointment should be canceled or rescheduled immediately. * Any indication of child abuse or neglect should be reported according to Texas Family Code Section 261.101 (a). * The event should be documented on Spring FD scheduling software as appropriate. * **CPR/AED and First Aid Education** * CPR/AED and First Aid classes are scheduled by Spring Fire Department based on community needs. * CPR/AED and First Aid classes may be conducted at Spring Fire Department facilities or external facilities that are adequately equipped. * Rooms should be reserved through internal systems for classes at Spring Fire Department. * Enrollment is through the Spring Fire Department website or through the CRR division. * Cost * Residents of the Spring Fire Department territory may receive certification at no cost based on budgetary availability. * Residency is confirmed prior to class via address lookup and may be confirmed at class with a photo ID. * Residents outside of territory may receive certification for the cost of the certification card. * Businesses that request group classes will pay the cost of each certification card. * Classes will be taught by certified instructors with appropriate student/instructor ratios. * Classes taught in unoccupied buildings or outside of normal business should have a minimum of two instructors regardless of class size. * Classes will be taught using only Spring Fire Department provided equipment and materials. * At the end of each class, the instructor will sanitize and rehabilitate all class equipment so that it is in a ready state for the next class. * The minimum class size is 4 students. * Classes will be canceled or rescheduled if minimum class size is not met within a week of the projected class date. * Instructors may customize the content of the class within the parameters of the core curriculum to meet the needs of the students. * The instructor should enter the roster into the certification card system and issue certification cards as soon as possible but not longer than 1 week from the date of the course. * Hands-Only events * Non-certification events may be taught to large or small groups to focus on essential life-saving skills. * **Safe Sitter** * Safe Sitter classes are scheduled by Spring Fire Department based on community needs. * Safe Sitter may be conducted at Spring Fire Department facilities or external facilities that are adequately equipped. * Rooms should be reserved through internal systems for classes at Spring Fire Department. * Enrollment is through the Spring Fire Department website or through the CRR division. * Cost * Residents of the Spring Fire Department territory may receive certification at no cost based on budgetary availability. * Residency is confirmed prior to class via address lookup and may be confirmed at class with a photo ID. * Residents outside of territory may receive certification for the cost of the certification card. * Classes will be taught by certified instructors with at least 2 instructors for all classes. * The minimum class size is 6 students. * Classes will be canceled or rescheduled if minimum class size is not met within a week of the projected class date. * Instructors may customize the content of the class within the parameters of the core curriculum to meet the needs of the students. * The instructor should enter the roster into the certification card system and issue certification cards as soon as possible but not longer than 1 week from the date of the course. * The event should be documented on Spring FD scheduling software as appropriate. * **Fire Extinguisher Education** * Businesses, groups, or individuals may request fire extinguisher education through the Spring Fire Department website. * Fire extinguisher training may be conducted at Spring Fire Department facilities or external facilities that are adequately equipped. * Rooms should be reserved through internal systems for classes at Spring Fire Department. * The CRR division will contact the requestor and schedule a suitable time for the fire extinguisher training. * Approved fire extinguisher props should be used. * Large groups can be accommodated based on facility size and instructor availability. * The event should be documented on Spring FD scheduling software as appropriate. * **Safety Education** * Business, schools, churches, organizations, civic groups, or individuals may request safety education through the Spring Fire Department website. * A Spring Fire Department representative should contact the requestor and schedule the appropriate educational topic event. * Safety education events may be conducted at Spring Fire Department facilities or external facilities that are adequately equipped. * Topics may include but are not limited to: * General fire safety * EDITH * Emergency evacuation plans * Cooking safety * Weather preparedness * The CRR Specialist conducting the education should utilize approved materials and curriculum. * The event should be documented on Spring FD scheduling software as appropriate. * **School Safety** * Questions about school safety plans should be referred to: * Texas School Safety Center * Harris County Fire Marshal * Spring Fire Department should not design or advise on school safety plans. **6. References & Related Policies** * **NFPA 1300** * **CPSE PI** * **TCFP** * **Texas Family Code Section 261.101 (a)** * **HSI CPR** * **OSHA** * **ISO** * **TFCA** **7. Contact Office** * The appropriate contact office for questions or comments on this SOG is: * **Company Officer** * **District Chief** * **Deputy Chief of Strategic Services** * **Assistant Chief** * **Fire Chief** **8. List of Changes** | Revision No | Description of Changes | Approved by | Effective Date | |---|---|---|---| **9 Errors** * See something wrong? Click here or use this QR Code to submit an error or inconsistency. **This policy is for internal use only and does not enlarge a member's legal duty or civil liability in any way. This policy should not be construed as creating a duty to act or a higher duty of care, with respect to third-party civil claims against members or the department. A violation of this policy, if proven, can only form the basis of a complaint by this department for non-judicial administrative action in accordance with the laws governing member discipline.**