Browndale Fire Co.
Fire Station 43
Standard Operating Guidelines 

Date of Issue: 1-1-98
Effective Date: 1-31-98
Developed By: Earl Obelenus
Issued by Authority of: Earl Obelenus, Fire Chief

OUT OF TOWN RESPONSES
S.O.G. 500-97-3

I. PURPOSE

To establish a procedure to insure safety, adequately manned response for mutual aid calls. Mutual aid responses are defined as all incidents outside Station 43’s first due area. (43, 41, 42)

II. SCOPE

All fire department personnel.

III. RESPONSIBILITY

Fire officers are responsible to insure that the apparatus responds in a safe manner and is appropriately manned.
Firefighters are responsible to adhere to the procedures established within this guideline.
   
IV. BACKROUND

When dispatched to all mutual aid calls, it is imperative that the response is safe, orderly and the apparatus is properly manned. Meanwhile, we must insure that there is adequate coverage available to an emergency within our first due response area while on the mutual aid call.

V. PROCEDURES

1.Engine 43 will respond to all mutual aid calls when requested by the Wayne County Communications Center. Cover for Station 43 will be provided by Station 41 or another designated company who will be notified by the communications center of stand-by.

2. On all mutual aid calls, responding personnel will respond directly to the station. A line officer or acting officer will respond when the apparatus is fully manned or when it is apparent that all riding positions will not be filled due to limited personnel response. A minimum of three (3) personnel is needed for a response.

3. When acknowledging response to the communications center, the officer will inform the communications center of the number of personnel on the apparatus. ( i.e. “43 engine responding with a crew of 6 ).

4. When acknowledging response of the engine with less than a fully manned engine ( less than 6 ), the officer will inform the communications center that the engine is responding with less than a full crew, ( i.e. 43 engine responding with a crew of 3, have additional personnel respond to the scene ).

A. Personnel responding to the scene will have appropriate protective clothing with them.
B. The use of personnel vehicle for mutual aid calls is discouraged with the exception of the OIC who at his/her discretion can respond in his/her private vehicle.

Freelancing is discouraged on all emergencies. Of particular concern is freelancing on mutual aid responses. Due to the nature, they often involve multiple companies, may be long in duration and may be complex. Once on scene all personnel are required to report to the apparatus for accountability and specific assignments. All Station 43 personnel will be directed, assigned duties and tasks through the chain of command.

VI. SUPERSEDED GUIDELINE

This guideline supersedes “ Out of Town Response”, memo 1996.

Reviewed 2-15-02