SM_Sec300_6.pdf Uniform Policies and Procedures PDF

Chapter III General Policies And Procedures To properly locate the collar insignia on the Class A uniform, set the base of the device on a parallel line with the horizontal edge of the collar section, a distance of 1/2" up from the edge. Place the centerline of the device at a point 3/4 inch from t...

Chapter III General Policies And Procedures To properly locate the collar insignia on the Class A uniform, set the base of the device on a parallel line with the horizontal edge of the collar section, a distance of 1/2" up from the edge. Place the centerline of the device at a point 3/4 inch from the outer vertical edge of the collar section when measured along the base as illustrated. To properly locate the collar insignia on the Class B uniform white shirt, set the base of the device perpendicular to the centerline of the collar tip. The base will be located 1 ½ inches above the collar tip, as illustrated. Shoulder board shall be placed over the administrative uniform’s white shirt epaulets. 338.64 AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS Special recognition devices may be worn at the discretion of the Chief of the Division. Awards and recognitions shall only be worn on the Class A uniform Award/recognition ribbons will be worn ½ inch below and parallel to the name bar. One ribbon shall be centered on the name bar, and more than one shall be equally spaced across the right breast area with the ribbon for the highest award being on the wearer's right. Only one ribbon will be worn for each class of award. If more than one of the same award has been received, a ribbon with one star to replace the original ribbon will be worn. Revised 12.07.2017 Updated as of 2.18.2020 Chapter III General Policies And Procedures 338.66 FIRE HELMETS Each recruit firefighter joining the Division shall be issued a black fire helmet with headband, ear tabs, and chinstrap. Members promoted to Lieutenant will exchange their helmet for a properly marked red helmet. When promoted to Captain, the helmet will be marked appropriately by the supply section. When promoted to Battalion Chief the red helmet will be exchanged for a white helmet. 338.68 Each company and bureau has a complement of identification shield inserts to be worn on fire helmets. When a member is permanently transferred away from a particular company or bureau, the immediate superior of such member shall assure that the transferred member removes the shield insert from his helmet so that it can be re-issued to the member who is to be transferred to such position. 338.70 If new headbands, ear tabs, or chinstraps are needed, they shall be requisitioned from the Supply Officer. If a member's fire helmet is lost or damaged beyond use, this fact shall be reported through channels by use of Form ET-68. 338.72 Division members should realize that the colors of fire helmets and the reflective markings on such helmets and their identification shield inserts are safety features by virtue of the increased visibility of the helmet. Colors and markings also serve as rank or job specialty identification aids. With this in mind, members shall attempt to keep their helmets in a clean and serviceable condition so as not to defeat the purpose of these features. 338.74 Color, stripe, and shield identification markings of fire helmets as follows: FIRE CHIEF: White helmet with Chief's shield and yellow retro-reflective trim tetrahedrons. ASSISTANT CHIEF: White helmet with Assistant Chief's shield and yellow retro-reflective trim tetrahedrons. DEPUTY CHIEF: White helmet with Deputy Chief’s shield and yellow retro-reflective trim tetrahedrons. Revised 12.07.2017 Updated as of 2.18.2020 Chapter III General Policies And Procedures BATTALION CHIEF: White helmet with Battalion Chief's shield and yellow retro-reflective trim tetrahedrons. CAPTAIN: Red helmet with Captain's shield. The company number or unit insignia shall be attached (red background for ladder officer, green background for engine officers or other background colors as may be stipulated) with yellow retro-reflective trim tetrahedrons. LIEUTENANT: Red helmet with Lieutenant's shield. The company number or unit insignia shall be attached (red background for ladder officer, green background for engine officers or other background colors as may be stipulated) with yellow retro-reflective trim tetrahedrons. FIREFIGHTER: Black helmet with Firefighter shield and company number or unit insignia with red or green background as applicable with yellow retro-reflective trim tetrahedrons. APPRENTICE Black Helmet with Firefighter shield and company FIREFIGHTER: number or unit insignia with red or green background as applicable with orange with white horizontal center stripe fluorescent and reflective tetrahedrons. RESCUE: Rescue certified personnel are authorized to replace the standard issue retro-reflective trim on their fire helmet with blue retro• reflective trim tetrahedrons. FIRE PREVENTION White, or Green Lightweight hard hat with the INSPECTORS / Division logo on the front or appropriate fire helmet INVESTIGATORS: with proper markings. (Revised 04/13/16) Revised 12.07.2017 Updated as of 2.18.2020 Chapter III General Policies And Procedures 338.76 IDENTIFICATION BADGE Plain clothes employees, non-uniform employees, and employees authorized to wear civilian clothing shall wear or carry their Identification Badges during working hours. The Division will provide a clip, chain, or lanyard for each employee to wear the Identification Badge. Employees may select the manner in which to wear the badge and the location; however, the badge must be worn in a location that is clearly visible. In the event, due to the nature of the work being performed, it is unsafe to wear the badge in a visible location, employees may conceal the badges during those times. MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT PROCEDURES 340.00 The definition of a motor vehicle accident, as applied to this section, is any contact between a city vehicle and another vehicle, person, or fixed object. Such contact constitutes a motor vehicle accident regardless of the extent of the injury or property damage, where the accident occurred, or who was responsible. 340.02 All vehicles of the Division of Fire shall be provided with copies of Form RL-106, Vehicular Accident Report. Any Division employee assigned to or responsible for a Division vehicle shall see that this form is available in such vehicle at all times. 340.04 The following information has been compiled to assist Division personnel at scenes of accidents involving fire apparatus or other Division vehicles. This general procedure should also be followed in compiling information concerning situations involving on-duty fire personnel where non-Division property is damaged, or claims for damages against the Division or City of Columbus are possible. AT THE ACCIDENT SCENE 340.06 Notify the Fire Alarm Office of the accident, giving the exact location. Determine whether or not there are any injuries. If there are injuries, notify the Fire Alarm office and request a medic and other assistance as needed. Render required First Aid. Do not unnecessarily tamper with or move other involved vehicles. Revised 12.07.2017 Updated as of 2.18.2020 Chapter III General Policies And Procedures 340.07 If the accident occurs while enroute to an emergency and there are no injuries at the accident scene, negligible damage to the Fire Division vehicle, and the apparatus is in safe operating condition, it may be possible to continue the emergency run. If such action is taken, the Fire Alarm Office must be notified immediately and a member of the company involved in the accident must be left at the scene. If leaving a company member at the scene would cause an engine or ladder company to fall below the minimum manpower standards of the Division, the officer in charge shall consider the total situation and exercise discretion in deciding whether to continue the emergency run or call out of service and remain at the scene. 340.10 If any injury or extensive damage is involved, judgment should be used with regard to moving the vehicles prior to the arrival of the proper authorities. Under normal circumstances, DO NOT ALLOW THE VEHICLES INVOLVED TO BE MOVED UNTIL THE ARRIVAL OF THE POLICE; and, within reason, until official photographs have been taken. 340.12 IT IS IMPORTANT TO CANVASS THE AREA FOR POSSIBLE WITNESSES Where possible, get names, addresses, and telephone number of witnesses. Of most importance are eyewitnesses - persons who actually saw the accident. Witnesses may also include persons who heard the impact. This could be particularly important where fire vehicles are involved in accidents with civilian vehicles while responding on emergency runs and such witnesses could testify to the fact that the siren was operating at the time of the impact. 340.14 Ensure that Division Form RL- 1 06 is completed at the accident scene. Be sure to get the names, addresses, and phone numbers of all occupants of any civilian vehicles involved and of persons not in vehicles who may have been involved in the accident. Revised 12.07.2017 Updated as of 2.18.2020 Chapter III General Policies And Procedures 340.16 Be sure to note conditions existing at the time of the accident. This should include the time of day or night, weather conditions such as clear visibility, rain, fog, snow, haze, mist, etc., road conditions, described as heavy, light, fast, slow, stopped at the intersection, etc., and any other existing conditions that may be pertinent to the situation. In addition, NOTE THE DISPOSITION OF ALL INJURED PERSONS - civilian or otherwise – and state the nature of the injury. If anyone is transported from the scene, note to what hospital. DO NOT MAKE ANY STATEMENTS TO THE EFFECT THAT "THE DIVISION OF FIRE WILL CONTACT PARTIES INVOLVED IN THE ACCIDENT." 340.18 Get the names and badge numbers and jurisdiction of the investigating police officers, and make a note of other Division equipment or personnel at the scene. UPON RETURN TO QUARTERS 340.20 Immediately upon return to quarters, the driver of the Division vehicle shall prepare a "clean" copy of Form RL-106. All information must be completed as requested and either typed or printed. Use additional forms if more space is needed. Police reports must be completed, regardless of the jurisdiction, if away from quarters. 340.21 Upon returning to quarters company commanders shall notify Fleet Management Body Shop (during normal business hours) at 645-7924 to schedule a vehicle damage estimate. When repairs are ready to be made, Fleet Management will coordinate it with the Support Services Bureau. (Revised 12/31/15) 340.22 If another vehicle is involved, and the driver cannot provide proof of insurance at the accident scene, the driver of the Division vehicle must complete the State of Ohio Vehicle Crash Report, BMV-3303. Revised 12.07.2017 Updated as of 2.18.2020 Chapter III General Policies And Procedures 340.24 If the driver is served with a subpoena to appear as a witness in Traffic Court, he/she shall immediately notify his/her respective Bureau Head and the Administration Officer. The member shall indicate the need for notifying other Division members who may have been involved in the accident of the date and time that they should be available to appear in Traffic Court. Drivers or other Division members involved in accidents or similar incidents who receive forms or other communication from insurance companies or attorneys of the other parties involved, should NOT complete such forms, but should send them, through channels, to the Administration Officer. (Revised 12/31/15) RESPONSIBILITY OF FIRE ALARM OFFICE 340.26 When notified of an accident involving a Division of Fire vehicle, the vehicle shall immediately be marked out of service unless the accident is of a minor nature and the officer in charge of the vehicle elects to proceed with the emergency run as stipulated in Section 340.08. If not otherwise notified, the vehicle shall be marked out of service and shall remain so until it has been called back in service. 340.28 The following shall be notified of the accident: Police Department, Battalion Chief in whose Battalion the accident occurred, SO-2, Fleet Maintenance and other involved office or bureau supervisors if their equipment is involved. If SO-2 is tied up on another incident, the FAO will dispatch the closest available Battalion Chief. (Revised 12/31/15) Also, depending on the time of the day and other existing conditions, the Chief, the Administration Officer, the Bureau Head, Safety Officer (SO-1), and the Support Services Bureau Head, shall be notified. In addition, if the accident happens during normal working hours, the Bureau of Administration should be notified. If the accident occurs after normal business hours, on a holiday, or on a weekend, the Administration Bureau shall be notified as soon as possible the next scheduled business day by the personnel on-duty at that time. Since the Division Business Office is responsible for processing claims and coordinating necessary activities with other Divisions, all pertinent information must be promptly given to such office. (Revised 12/31/15) Revised 12.07.2017 Updated as of 2.18.2020 Chapter III General Policies And Procedures 340.30 It is recognized that personnel involved in an accident do not have all of the pertinent information at the time of the first transmission to the Fire Alarm Office. However, it is important that additional information be transmitted to the Fire Alarm Office as soon as is reasonably possible. One member of the involved vehicle shall stand by the radio to receive communications from the Fire Alarm Office. RESPONSIBILITY OF SAFETY OFFICER (or DESIGNEE) 340.32 The dispatched Safety Officer (or Designee) shall: 1. Go to the scene of the accident, even if it is outside the corporate limits of the City of Columbus but within Franklin County or an adjacent county, and familiarize with the facts of the accident. Complete Division of Fire Form RL-108, Accident Investigation Report, with all information printed or typed, as requested. 2. Assure that official photographs are taken of the scene. 3. Advise the owner of the other vehicle to contact the Bureau of Administration Business Office as soon as possible for information and instructions. (Revised 12/31/15) RESPONSIBILITY OF BUREAU HEAD 340.34 The respective Bureau Head, when notified that any member of his Bureau has been served with a subpoena to appear in Traffic Court, shall notify the Chief and the Chairman of the Fleet Accident Review Committee through channels and establish the need for having all personnel who were at the scene of the accident appear in Traffic Court, regardless of the number of personnel subpoenaed. RESPONSIBILITY OF THE BUSINESS MANAGER 340.36 The Division Business Manager shall be responsible for developing and maintaining an appropriate file on each property damage accident. 340.38 The Bureau of Administration shall make contact with other parties involved, insurance companies, body shops, etc., in order to expedite claims as soon as possible. In cases where the party at fault has insurance, the Business Office shall Revised 12.07.2017 Updated as of 2.18.2020 Chapter III General Policies And Procedures make direct contact with the insurance company in an attempt to expedite the claim by having the body shop paid directly by the insurance company for repairs to Division of Fire vehicles. The Business Office shall invoice for cost of repairs, collect and deposit moneys received in payment of damages, and voucher payments for claims against the Division. 340.39 The Bureau of Administration will provide information and in some cases seek the counsel of the City Attorney's Office and the Office of the Director of Public Safety in attempting to satisfy claims in the best interest of both the City and of the citizens of Columbus. FLEET ACCIDENT REVIEW COMMITTEE 340.40 The Division of Fire Fleet Accident Review Committee shall be composed of one (1) chairman, and four (4) representatives, to include the IAFF Local 67 forty-hour union steward. The committee members will be chosen according to the following guidelines: 1) Chairman: Division Health and Safety Officer (SO-1), Battalion Chief. 2) Representatives: a) Emergency Services Battalion Chief, b) Safety Officer (SO-2), c) Columbus Division of Police member d) Local 67 Union Steward. e) Training Staff Member All Representatives of the committee will be voting members. In the event of a tie vote by the Committee, the Health and Safety Officer (SO-1) shall have the deciding vote. 340.42 340.44 The functions of the Fleet Accident Review Committee are: 1.Examine and review all reports and related facts pertaining to motor vehicle accidents involving employees of the Division of Fire while operating a city vehicle. 2. Make final Divisional disposition of each case; No violation or in violation of Divisional policies and procedures. 3. Forward disposition and accident report to Administration Officers records section to file employee’s personnel file. The Committee Chairman shall schedule a review of all accidents before the Fleet Accident Review Committee at its next meeting. He/she may call a special meeting if an accident occurs that is of a nature that the circumstances warrant such action. In the absence of the chairman, the Chief will select an alternate for that meeting. Revised 12.07.2017 Updated as of 2.18.2020 Chapter III General Policies And Procedures DISPOSITION GUIDELINES OF THE FLEET ACCIDENT REVIEW COMMITTEE 340.46 No Policy or Procedure Violation a) Fire vehicle legally parked. b) Other driver cited and no contributory negligence on the part of the fire vehicle operator. c) Mechanical failure of fire vehicle. Vehicle must be taken out of service at time of accident and checked by Maintenance Shop personnel to substantiate this claim. d) Fire vehicle illegally parked due to emergency work, but all reasonable precautions taken by driver. e) Fire vehicle operating under urgent or emergency conditions with no allegations of carelessness or poor judgment on the part of the operator. f) Extenuating Circumstances. NOTE: This determination is reserved for situations that are not covered by any other determination AND are due to conditions beyond the operator's control. (Bulletin 13-016) 340.48 Policy or Procedure Violation: a) Vehicle illegally parked due to emergency business without due regard to existing traffic conditions. b) Operating under emergency or urgent conditions and not taking all necessary precautions. c) Other driver at fault, but better defensive driving by operator of fire vehicle could have prevented or lessened the severity of the accident. d) Not operating under urgent or emergency conditions and not taking ALL necessary precautions. e) Operator of fire vehicle not cited, but careless or negligent in his driving. f) Operator of Division vehicle cited and/or at fault. g) Operator in violation of policy or Divisional orders. NOTE: This determination of violation requires automatic forwarding to the Administration Officer for possible disciplinary action. Drivers Training Program 340.50 Drivers training is ultimately the responsibility of ALL company officers. When deemed necessary, individuals who are in violation or with a history of accidents will be provided drivers training through the Training Academy. Each case will be handled according to the needs of the individual to be proficient. Revised 12.07.2017 Updated as of 2.18.2020