FIRE DEPARTMENT ORGANIZATION

State of GeorgiaBASIC FIRE FIGHTER TRAINING COURSE

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TYPES OF FIRE DEPARTMENTS

Volunteer• Some receive no pay• Some receive pay by the call

Career• All members are paid

Combination• Some members are paid• Others are volunteer

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FIRE DEPARTMENT COMPONENTS

Pumpers - (engine companies)

Aerials, Ladder Towers, etc. - (truck companies)

Quick response vehicles, Squads, etc. - (rescue units)

Tankers, Hazmat units, Light trucks, etc. - (auxiliary units)

Ambulances - (EMS units)

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FIRE DEPARTMENT STRUCTURE

Fire departments may consist of a single station or may have many stations

Larger departments may be divided into divisions, battalions, and companies• Companies are assigned to stations

• Several stations make up a battalion or district

• Several battalions make up a division

Each firefighter should know their own fire

department structure Fire departments usually owned by local government,

but may be privately owned and controlled

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GOVERNING BODIES

City Council

County Commissioners

Privately Owned

• board of trustees, etc.

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CHAIN OF COMMAND

Chief / Director

Assistant / Deputy Chief

District Chief

Battalion Chief

Captain

Lieutenant

Sergeant

Firefighter

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LINE PERSONNEL Persons whose primary duties involve fire

suppression, rescue, and other emergencies Usually includes firefighters and fire officers

CHAIN OF COMMAND

STAFF PERSONNEL Persons whose primary duties do not involve

fire suppression, rescue, and other emergencies Chief, Training Officer, etc.

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FIREFIGHTER’S ROLEin the command structure

Be involved in performing the duties and responsibilities of a fire department within the command structure of the organization

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TYPICAL DUTIES OF A FIREFIGHTER

Firefighting

Rescue

Attend training classes

Participate in Emergency drills and simulations

Study street locations and territory buildings

Daily physical training

Fire station maintenance

Inspect, paint, maintain fire hydrants

Educate the public concerning fire and life safety

Assist in fire prevention programs

Equipment maintenance

Assist with pre-fire planning

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FIRE SERVICE MISSION

It is the duty of every fire department to save lives, reduce injuries, and

protect property

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LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT MISSION STATEMENT

example

The __________ Fire Department is committed to protecting the people and property within our community. We will be responsive to the needs of our citizens by providing rapid, professional, humanitarian services essential to the health, safety, and well being of the community.

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The mission of the fire service is more than just fire fighting!

FIRE SERVICE MISSION

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Standard Operating Procedures (S.O.P.s)• A standard set of actions or procedures that

are the core operations for every fire fighting plan

Standard Operating Guidelines (S.O.G.s)• An organizational directive that establishes a

course of action or policy

SOP’S / SOG’S

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Establish the method of on scene command Firefighters better understand their duties Reduces confusion Increases command and control effectiveness Prevents duplication of effort Provide a basis for training

SOP’S / SOG’SPurpose

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SOP’s and SOG’s should be written to outline and describe an organizational

approach to the major categories of fire ground activity

SOP’S / SOG’S

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Typical SOP’s and SOG’s Include But Not Limited to:

Communication procedures Response procedures Deployment of certain equipment and

hose and nozzles for certain situations Staging of equipment and personnel Command procedures

SOP’S / SOG’S

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TYPICAL RULES AND REGULATIONS

Knowledge of geographical area of coverage Knowledge of work hours/schedule Maintenance of facilities and equipment Maintaining an effective relationship with

fellow firefighters The use of protective equipment Obtaining and maintaining required

certifications Others

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OTHER AGENCIES

Firefighters should know and understand the role of other agencies that respond to emergencies within their local jurisdiction

Hospital / EMS

Law Enforcement

Utilities

Mutual Aid Departments

State / Federal agencies

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MEMBER ASSISTANCE PROGRAMSAs specified by NFPA 1500

A generic term used to describe the various methods used in the workplace for the control of alcohol and other substance abuse, stress, and personal problems that adversely affect job performance

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Provide assistance to F.D. members and families

Program on the health effects associated with the use of tobacco products

Provide health promotion activities that identify physical and mental health risk factors

Program designed to relieve the stress generated by an incident

Provide education and counseling

MEMBER ASSISTANCE PROGRAMSFunctions Might Include

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Accessible location

Adequate medical insurance

Qualified M.A.P. staff

Informal members

Current information on treatment and resources

Periodic review

MEMBER ASSISTANCE PROGRAMSComponents

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FIREFIGHTERS RESPONSIBILITY Under NFPA 1500

Every firefighter should be familiar with Standard Operating Procedures and Guidelines

The guidelines refer to the local interpretation of the NFPA 1500, and identifies their responsibilities as members of the fire department