San Andreas Fire Rescue SOP

SAN ANDREAS FIRE & RESCUE

STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES MANUAL

OFFICIAL DEPARTMENT HANDBOOK

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction & Mission Statement

Department Values & Expectations

Chain of Command

Rank Structure & Responsibilities

Personnel Conduct & Professionalism

Uniform & Grooming Standards

Communications Procedures

Dispatch & Response Protocols

Emergency Vehicle Operations

Incident Command System (ICS)

Fire Suppression Operations

Search & Rescue Procedures

EMS Operations & Patient Care

Rescue Operations

Hazardous Materials Incidents

Mutual Aid Procedures

Accountability System

Training Division Policies

Promotions & Evaluations

Internal Affairs & Discipline

Station Duties & Daily Operations

Apparatus Inspection Procedures

Safety & Risk Management

Probationary Firefighter Guidelines

Social Media & Public Relations

Department Leave Policies

Special Operations Division

Closing Statement & Authorization

SECTION 1 — INTRODUCTION & MISSION STATEMENT

1.1 Purpose

This Standard Operating Procedures Manual establishes the official policies, expectations, operational procedures, and administrative guidelines for all personnel employed or volunteering within San Andreas Fire & Rescue (SAFR).

These procedures are designed to:

Promote firefighter safety

Ensure operational efficiency

Maintain professionalism

Provide consistent emergency services

Protect life and property

All members are required to read, understand, and follow this SOP manual.

1.2 Mission Statement

The mission of San Andreas Fire & Rescue is to protect the lives, property, and environment of the citizens of San Andreas through professional emergency response, fire suppression, rescue services, emergency medical care, disaster management, public education, and community involvement.

1.3 Core Values

All SAFR personnel shall operate under the following values:

Integrity

Always acting honestly and ethically.

Courage

Facing dangerous situations with professionalism and discipline.

Commitment

Serving the community with dedication and reliability.

Respect

Treating all personnel and civilians fairly and professionally.

Teamwork

Working together efficiently during all operations.

SECTION 2 — DEPARTMENT VALUES & EXPECTATIONS

2.1 Professional Expectations

Personnel shall:

Conduct themselves professionally

Maintain respect toward all civilians

Follow lawful orders

Maintain department confidentiality

Avoid conduct unbecoming of SAFR personnel

2.2 Workplace Conduct

The following behavior is prohibited:

Harassment

Discrimination

Racism

Threats

Bullying

Abuse of authority

Retaliation

Violations may result in immediate disciplinary action.

2.3 Public Trust

All SAFR members represent the department both on and off duty. Personnel shall maintain behavior that reflects positively upon the department.

SECTION 3 — CHAIN OF COMMAND

3.1 Organizational Structure

The official chain of command is:

Fire Chief

Deputy Chief

Assistant Chief

Battalion Chief

Captain

Lieutenant

Engineer

Firefighter Paramedic

Firefighter

Probationary Firefighter

3.2 Authority

Higher-ranking officers have authority over subordinate personnel while on duty and during department operations.

Personnel shall:

Follow lawful directives immediately

Report issues through proper channels

Avoid bypassing supervisors unnecessarily

3.3 Incident Command Authority

At emergency incidents, the Incident Commander maintains complete authority over scene operations until command is transferred or terminated.

SECTION 4 — RANK STRUCTURE & RESPONSIBILITIES

4.1 Fire Chief

The Fire Chief is responsible for:

Department administration

Policy development

Budget oversight

Personnel discipline

Final operational authority

4.2 Deputy Chief

Responsible for:

Department-wide operations

Oversight of divisions

Incident management support

4.3 Battalion Chief

Responsible for:

Shift supervision

Large-scale incident management

Personnel accountability

Operational readiness

4.4 Company Officers

Captains and Lieutenants shall:

Supervise crews

Conduct training

Inspect apparatus

Maintain discipline

Ensure station readiness

SECTION 5 — PERSONNEL CONDUCT & PROFESSIONALISM

5.1 General Conduct

Personnel shall:

Remain professional at all times

Avoid arguments on scenes

Respect civilians and other agencies

Maintain composure during stressful incidents

5.2 Insubordination

Refusal to obey lawful orders may result in:

Written reprimand

Suspension

Demotion

Termination

5.3 Substance Abuse

Personnel are prohibited from:

Reporting under the influence

Possessing illegal substances

Consuming alcohol while on duty

SECTION 6 — UNIFORM & GROOMING STANDARDS

6.1 Duty Uniforms

Personnel shall wear:

Approved department uniforms

Department-issued identification

Proper footwear

Clean and professional attire

6.2 Personal Protective Equipment

PPE includes:

Turnout gear

Helmets

SCBA

Gloves

Eye protection

PPE shall be worn during all hazardous operations.

6.3 Grooming Standards

Personnel shall maintain:

Clean appearance

Proper hygiene

Professional grooming

Excessive or offensive appearances are prohibited.

SECTION 7 — COMMUNICATIONS PROCEDURES

7.1 Radio Etiquette

Personnel shall:

Use clear communications

Avoid unnecessary radio traffic

Speak professionally

Identify units properly

7.2 Emergency Traffic

Emergency traffic may be declared for:

Firefighter emergencies

Civilian emergencies

Major hazards

All non-essential radio traffic shall cease immediately.

7.3 Mayday Procedures

A MAYDAY shall be declared when:

Firefighters are trapped

Firefighters are injured

Firefighters become lost/disoriented

The firefighter shall provide:

Unit designation

Location

Situation

Resources needed

SECTION 8 — DISPATCH & RESPONSE PROTOCOLS

8.1 Response Priorities

Priority 1

Immediate life-threatening emergencies.

Priority 2

Urgent but non-life-threatening incidents.

Priority 3

Routine incidents.

8.2 Turnout Times

Personnel shall respond promptly upon dispatch.

Expected turnout time:

60 seconds daytime

90 seconds nighttime

8.3 Apparatus Staffing

Minimum staffing:

Engine Company: 2

Ladder Company: 2

Rescue Unit: 2

Battalion Unit: 1

SECTION 9 — EMERGENCY VEHICLE OPERATIONS

9.1 Safe Driving

Drivers shall:

Operate with due regard

Obey traffic laws when possible

Slow at intersections

Avoid reckless driving

9.2 Seatbelts

All personnel shall wear seatbelts while apparatus are in motion.

Failure to comply may result in discipline.

9.3 Backing Procedures

Apparatus backing shall utilize:

Spotters

Slow movement

Audible warnings

SECTION 10 — INCIDENT COMMAND SYSTEM

10.1 ICS Usage

ICS shall be used at all incidents.

10.2 Incident Commander Responsibilities

The IC shall:

Conduct scene size-up

Establish objectives

Maintain accountability

Coordinate resources

Ensure firefighter safety

10.3 Command Transfer

Command transfers shall include:

Incident conditions

Current assignments

Hazards

Tactical objectives

SECTION 11 — FIRE SUPPRESSION OPERATIONS

11.1 Initial Fire Attack

First arriving units shall:

Establish water supply

Deploy attack lines

Conduct primary search

Identify fire location

11.2 Ventilation

Ventilation shall be coordinated with fire attack crews.

Uncoordinated ventilation is prohibited.

11.3 Salvage & Overhaul

Personnel shall:

Protect property

Extinguish hidden fire

Check for extension

SECTION 12 — SEARCH & RESCUE PROCEDURES

12.1 Primary Search

Primary searches shall prioritize:

Victim rescue

Rapid coverage

Firefighter safety

12.2 Secondary Search

Secondary searches shall:

Confirm victim removal

Ensure complete building coverage

SECTION 13 — EMS OPERATIONS

13.1 Patient Care Standards

Personnel shall:

Provide professional medical care

Follow protocols

Protect patient confidentiality

13.2 Refusal of Care

Patients refusing care must:

Be mentally competent

Sign refusal documentation

Be informed of risks

13.3 EMS Documentation

PCRs shall be completed accurately before end of shift.

SECTION 14 — RESCUE OPERATIONS

14.1 Vehicle Extrication

Personnel shall:

Stabilize vehicles

Protect patients

Utilize proper tools

Coordinate with EMS

14.2 Technical Rescue

Only trained personnel may conduct:

Rope rescue

Confined space rescue

Structural collapse rescue

SECTION 15 — HAZMAT OPERATIONS

15.1 Hazard Identification

Personnel shall identify:

Placards

Leaks

Vapors

Exposure risks

15.2 Operational Zones

Hazmat scenes shall establish:

Hot Zone

Warm Zone

Cold Zone

SECTION 16 — MUTUAL AID

16.1 Interagency Cooperation

SAFR shall cooperate with:

Law Enforcement

EMS Agencies

Neighboring Fire Departments

SECTION 17 — ACCOUNTABILITY SYSTEM

17.1 Personnel Accountability

All personnel shall remain assigned to crews unless reassigned by command.

Freelancing is prohibited.

SECTION 18 — TRAINING DIVISION

18.1 Required Training

Personnel must complete:

Weekly drills

Monthly evaluations

Annual certifications

18.2 Training Records

Training records shall be maintained by the Training Division.

SECTION 19 — PROMOTIONS & EVALUATIONS

19.1 Promotions

Promotions may consider:

Activity

Leadership

Conduct

Training performance

19.2 Evaluations

Personnel evaluations may include:

Response performance

Professionalism

Teamwork

Attendance

SECTION 20 — INTERNAL AFFAIRS & DISCIPLINE

20.1 Investigations

Internal Affairs may investigate:

Misconduct

Policy violations

Abuse of authority

20.2 Discipline Levels

Discipline may include:

Counseling

Written warning

Suspension

Demotion

Termination

SECTION 21 — STATION DUTIES

21.1 Daily Responsibilities

Personnel shall:

Clean apparatus

Inspect equipment

Maintain station cleanliness

Complete assignments

SECTION 22 — APPARATUS INSPECTIONS

22.1 Daily Checks

Daily inspections shall include:

Lights

Sirens

Tires

Fuel

Water levels

Medical supplies

SECTION 23 — SAFETY & RISK MANAGEMENT

23.1 Firefighter Safety

Safety is the department’s highest operational priority.

Personnel shall not take unnecessary risks.

23.2 Rehab Operations

Rehab sectors shall be established during prolonged incidents.

SECTION 24 — PROBATIONARY FIREFIGHTERS

24.1 Probation Standards

Probationary firefighters shall:

Demonstrate professionalism

Complete training requirements

Follow all instructions

SECTION 25 — SOCIAL MEDIA & PUBLIC RELATIONS

25.1 Social Media Policy

Personnel shall not:

Leak department information

Share confidential incidents

Post inappropriate content involving SAFR

SECTION 26 — LEAVE POLICIES

26.1 Leave Requests

Personnel requesting leave shall notify supervisors in advance whenever possible.

SECTION 27 — SPECIAL OPERATIONS DIVISION

27.1 Specialized Units

Special Operations may include:

Hazmat Team

Technical Rescue Team

Marine Unit

Air Operations

SECTION 28 — FINAL AUTHORIZATION

This SOP Manual serves as the official operational guideline for San Andreas Fire & Rescue.

All personnel are expected to understand and comply with these policies.

Failure to comply may result in disciplinary action.

APPROVED BY:

Chief Frank Robertson

San Andreas Fire & Rescue

Effective Date: May 28, 2026

“Honor, Service, Dedication.”