November 29, 2006

AFTER PAGE TO STATION DEPARTURE

 1. The Chief, Deputy Chief, Assistant Chief or their designated acting (only one person) will immediately notify the dispatching agent ("Kerrville Fire Com" or Fredericksburg Fire Dispatch) that the dispatch was received and secure additional information about the situation if possible.

 If a structure fire within our district, immediately request that the Kerrville and/or Harper Fire Department be dispatched.

 2. Suit up and put any extra gear in compartments; if turn out gear is needed, put on top of trucks or in a POV for later use.

 3. The Officer in Charge should see that all trucks that depart the station have a qualified Driver/Operator and at least one firefighter. No truck will respond to an emergency with only the driver, unless additional personnel are available to assist with truck operations at the scene.

 4. The Officer in Charge should make truck assignments with an objective to keep at least one Driver/Operator at the station, until such time the last truck departs.

 5. Walk around truck to be sure everything is in place and secure (hoses, etc.) and that storage compartments are closed. Also check the control panel to be sure all are in the correct position. Disconnect electric cord and air hose from the truck.

 6. Fill coolers with water, and place in compartment on the passenger side.

 7. Pick up a Hand Light off the wall panel (charging system), if required.

 8. The Officer in Charge and each Driver/Operator must be certain of their destination--refer to the map booklet in the truck. Also, someone shall be designated as the dispatcher who will remain at the station until relieved.

 9. Upon entering the cab, turn on the master power switch.

 10. Start the engine (for the tanker trucks, the shift lever must be in “neutral” and wait for the engine heater light to go “off’). Someone should start the building exhaust fan to clear diesel fumes from the station if needed. With the air charging system hooked up to each tanker, they can move out immediately as you will have adequate air pressure to release the brakes.

 11. Ensure the radio is set on the dispatching agencies channel --  "FireCom" for a Kerrville Fire Com dispatch or "Primary G" for a dispatch from Fredericksburg Fire Dispatch.  In all other situations, the radio should remain on "FireCom"  unless directed to change.

 12. Release the air brakes, shift to “drive,” and move out of the station.

STATION DEPARTURE TO SCENE ARRIVAL

 1. The Officer in Charge (only one person) will notify the non dispatching agency ("FireCom" for a Kerrville Fire Com dispatch or "Primary G" for a dispatch from Fredericksburg Fire Dispatch) of the equipment, personnel and other resources being committed to the scene.

 2. Each Driver/Operator will notify the dispatching agency ("FireCom" for a Kerrville Fire Com dispatch or "Primary G" for a dispatch from Fredericksburg Fire Dispatch) as they depart the station for the scene.

 3. Each Driver/Operator will continue to the original dispatch scene, until the original scenes Incident Commander negates the dispatch or releases them from the scene.

 4. Each vehicles light bar and other emergency lights will be on while traveling to the scene. The siren will be activated on blind curves, when private vehicles are in sight and when otherwise necessary.

 5. All Driver/Operators will observe all federal, state and local traffic laws.

 ARRIVAL AT THE SCENE

 1. Each Driver/Operator will notify the dispatching agency ("FireCom" for a Kerrville Fire Com dispatch or
     "Primary G" for a dispatch from Fredericksburg Fire Dispatch) that they have arrived at the scene.

 2. The Tierra Linda Officer in Charge will contact the Incident Commander to secure work instructions.

 3. If the Tierra Linda Officer in Charge is the Incident Commander, they will:

             a. Size up the situation. If a structure fire, immediately request that the Kerrville Fire Department be dispatched.

             b. Give the dispatching agency ("FireCom" for a Kerrville Fire Com dispatch or "Primary G" for a
                 dispatch from Fredericksburg Fire Dispatch) a brief description of the situation at the scene.  

             c. Notify the dispatching agency if current resources are adequate; if more help is needed, or if resources can
                 be released or canceled.

             d. Make contact with all resources and make work assignments.

SCENE DEPARTURE

 1. Do not depart the scene until authorized to do so by the Incident Commander.

 2. Ensure that all personnel and equipment are accounted for before departure.

 3. Each Driver/Operator will notify the dispatching agency ("FireCom" for a Kerrville Fire Com dispatch or "Primary G"  for a dispatch from Fredericksburg Fire Dispatch) that they are departing the scene.

 4. Each Driver/Operator will notify the non dispatching agency ("FireCom" for a Kerrville Fire Com dispatch or "Primary G" for a dispatch from Fredericksburg Fire Dispatch) that they have been released from the original scene and are available for service.

ARRIVAL BACK AT STATION

 1. Each Driver/Operator will notify the dispatching agency ("FireCom" for a Kerrville Fire Com dispatch or "Primary G" for a dispatch from Fredericksburg Fire Dispatch) that they are back at the station.

 2. On return to the station and before each Drive/Operator departs the station, be certain the following have been completed:

       a. Fill the fuel tanks if below “3/4” (Tankers go to Kerrville, and Brush Trucks go to the Ranch gas pump).

b. Fill water tanks.

c. Fill foam tanks and replenish foam concentrate on Brush Trucks.

d. All tools back in place, nozzles on hoses, ice chests put away, lay hoses out to dry, etc.

e. Make arrangements to clean the trucks the next day, if necessary.

OVERVIEW

 1. All units stay on "FireCom" if a Fire Com dispatch (Kerrville) or on "Primary G"  if a Fire Dispatch (Fredericksburg), until instructed otherwise.

 2. Each Driver/Operator will notify Kerrville FireCom or Fredericksburg Fire Dispatch (whoever is the dispatching agency) when:

       a. You depart the station.

       b. You arrive at the scene.

       c. You depart the scene.

       d. You arrive back at the station.