BOSTON FIRE DEPARTMENT

STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE NO. 13

RESPONSE TO FIRE AND OTHER EMERGENCIES

May 2, 2011
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S.O.P. # 13

RESPONSE TO FIRE AND OTHER EMERGENCIES

PURPOSE AND SCOPE

13.1 To establish safe practices to ensure emergency vehicles are safely operated during
emergency responses.

13.2 The Boston Fire Department has established the following policies that apply to
employees/members who are driving fire department vehicles in an emergency response
mode. (The same policies apply to the emergency operation of any other vehicle within the

13.3 Alarms of fire or emergency shall be instantly responded to irrespective of any other
consideration.

13.4 Upon receipt of an alarm of fire or emergency to which company responds every
member on duty shall promptly report to the apparatus floor.

13.5 Drivers shall keep themselves informed of street conditions as posted at or near the
patrol desk and shall follow prescribed routes as near as possible in response to alarms of
fire, unless otherwise ordered by a superior officer.

13.6 All employees are required to use seat belts at all times when operating a Fire
Department vehicle. All personnel shall ride only in regular seats provided with seat belts.
Riding on tailboards or other exposed positions is not permitted on any vehicle at any time.
The company officer and driver of the vehicle shall confirm that all personnel and riders on-
board, are properly attired, with seat belts on, before the vehicle is permitted to move. This

13.7 When leaving quarters in response to an alarm of fire or other emergency, extreme
caution must be exercised to avoid an accident. This is particularly important, where
reduced visibility or heavy traffic is involved.

13.8 Warning lights and audible warning devices shall be used when fire department
vehicles are responding in an emergency mode een ordered. Both
warning lights and audible devices must be operated in order to meet the legal definition of
an emergency vehicle.

13.9 Horns shall be used as necessary to warn other drivers and pedestrians of the
approach of an emergency vehicle and request the right-of-way. Horns shall be used in

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moderation when they are not required to provide warning (light traffic or open road
situations).

13.10 CODE "C" (RESPONSE CAUTION SIGNAL) The first unit at the scene of an
incident shall report conditions to the Fire Alarm Office upon their arrival. At the earliest
possible moment when it becomes clear that a Code "C" response is required, the Incident
Commander shall announce to the Fire Alarm Office, "this is a Code "C" response". The
Fire Alarm Office shall then announce that apparatus responding to the incident shall follow
Code "C" guidelines.
Code "C" indicates that, based on the information received from the Incident Commander, a
response at reduced speed is in effect for units responding but not yet at the scene. Such
units shall discontinue use of audible warning devices, reduce speed and continue to the
location, keeping alert for further radio communications which could upgrade the response.

13.11 During the investigation process an incident may be upgraded at any time and Fire
Alarm shall make an announcement to that effect.

COMPLIANCE WITH TRAFFIC LAWS

13.12 Vehicles shall be operated in compliance with the State Motor Vehicle Code. This
code provides specific legal exceptions to regular traffic regulations that apply to Fire
Department vehicles only when responding to an emergency incident. Emergency response
does not absolve the driver or the company officer of any responsibility to drive with due
caution. The driver and officer of the emergency vehicle are responsible for the safe
operation at all times.

13.13 In compliance with such statute law, drivers shall, while proceeding to cover other
quarters on multiple alarms or otherwise, and while returning from fires or other quarters,
comply with the provisions of all statutes, rules, regulations, ordinances, and by-laws
relating to the operation and parking of vehicles. A driver of fire apparatus is given special
consideration only "while responding to a fire or other emergency

WHAT IS A TRUE EMERGENCY?

13.14 State Law allows for fire apparatus to respond contrary to certain traffic laws to
facilitate a speedy response to an incident in order to reduce the risk to the public.
Consequently, the Driver and Officer shall take into account the type of incident that they
caution and
due regard for the safety of persons and property .

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13.15 teristics:

1. High probability of death or serious injury.

2. Property is imperiled.

EMERG

13.16 The use of sirens and warning lights does not automatically give the right-of-way to
the emergency vehicle. These emergency devices simply request the right-of-way from
other drivers, based on their awareness of the emergency vehicle presence. Emergency
vehicle drivers and company officers must make every possible effort to make their
presence and intended actions known to other drivers, and must drive defensively to be
prepared for the unexpected or inappropriate actions of others.

13.17 Sirens shall not be used when a vehicle is operating in a non-emergency mode.
Warning lights shall be used when the fire department vehicle is maneuvering or stopped in
a location where it creates a traffic hazard.

STOPPED SCHOOL BUS

13.18 The emergency vehicle shall not pass a school bus that has stopped with red lights
flashing to load or discharge passengers, except when directed by a police officer. All
members must be vigilant for children while approaching and passing the bus. The
emergency vehicle driver must be prepared to stop immediately when approaching,
passing, and leaving the area in which the school bus is stopped.

PEDESTRIAN CROSSWALK

13.19 The emergency vehicle shall not exceed the posted speed limit when approaching a
pedestrian crosswalk. If the crosswalk is occupied, the emergency vehicle shall slow down
and be prepared to stop if the pedestrian does not yield the right-of-way.

PASSING TRAFFIC IN AN EMERGENCY VEHICLE

13.20 When overtaking traffic that is moving in the same direction, the driver shall give
other drivers an opportunity to yield the right-of-way before passing. If it is necessary to
pass a vehicle that has not yielded the right-of-way, the emergency vehicle shall provide as
wide a clearance as possible. A fire department emergency vehicle shall not overtake
another emergency vehicle that is traveling in the same direction unless the driver of the
lead vehicle has indicated that the other may pass. A minimum distance of 150 feet shall be

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maintained between responding vehicles. A following vehicle may contact a leading

vehicle by radio to request permission to pass.

INTERSECTION NAVIGATION POLICY

13.21 The fire department emergency vehicle shall come to a complete stop before
entering a negative right-of-way intersection (red light, flashing red light, or stop sign),
blind intersection, or any intersection where hazards are present and/or the driver cannot
account for all oncoming traffic lanes. The emergency vehicle shall not enter the
intersection until all approaching traffic has yielded the right-of-way and it is safe to
proceed. The emergency vehicle driver shall ensure that all approaching vehicles in all lanes
have yielded the right-of-way before advancing.

13.22 If necessary, due to traffic conditions or visual obstructions, the emergency vehicle
driver shall cross the intersection in stages, treating each lane as a separate intersection. The
driver shall stop the vehicle, as necessary, to ensure that each lane may be crossed safely.

13.23 When passing through an intersection where the emergency vehicle has the right-of-
way, by virtue of a green light in the direction of travel and/or a stop signal (stop sign) for
cross-traffic, the emergency vehicle shall not exceed the posted speed limit. Emergency
vehicle drivers should not assume that oncoming/opposing traffic has stopped, even when
fa
oncoming/opposing traffic is stopped while approaching any intersection, and be prepared
to stop immediately.

SPEED LIMITATIONS POLICY

13.24 The driver shall never exceed a speed that is safe and prudent, based on road and
weather conditions and other circumstances, including the design and capabilities of the
vehicle. The posted speed limit may be exceeded only when the required warning devices
are in use and when weather, traffic, and road conditions are favorable. The posted speed
limit shall not be exceeded under any other conditions. The maximum speed for any
Boston Fire Department vehicle shall take into account reasonable caution and due regard
for the safety of persons and property.

AGAINST THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC

13.25 Massachusetts State Law normally prohibits travel in oncoming traffic lanes (i.e.
beyond double yellow lines). However, when emergency vehicles must travel in oncoming
traffic lanes, as permitted by State Law, the maximum permissible speed shall take into
caution and due regard for the safety of persons and property.
limited access roadways (e.g. interstates, freeways, toll roads) the use of oncoming traffic

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lanes shall only be used at the request of the Police and only after it is assured that all
oncoming traffic is stopped. The Fire Department shall confirm the traffic has been stopped
before entering any roadway against traffic.

BACKING UP

13.26 Drivers shall avoid backing whenever possible. Where backing is unavoidable, at
least one spotter shall be used. If no spotter is available, the driver shall dismount and walk
completely around apparatus to determine if obstructions are present before backing.
Members shall not be permitted to ride on tailboard or running board while backing the
vehicle.

13.27 All officers and drivers in charge of moving apparatus will be held accountable for
following routes as designated for their companies on all first and second alarm
assignments. Such routes recommended by Company Commanders shall be established by
District Fire Chiefs and approved by Deputy Fire Chiefs.

13.28 Companies shall, if possible, approach the fire from the same direction in which
they would have approached the box, the object being to surround the location of the fire.
Companies shall be constantly on the alert for special instructions for approach to the fire.

13.29 Company Commanders of apparatus responding to alarms of fire, when interfered

with or delayed by any person operating streetcars or vehicles contrary to the laws relative
to the obstruction of fire apparatus, will take the number of such car or vehicles, the
location, etc., and forward it to the Fire Commissioner with all particulars relating thereto.

13.30 Emergency Personnel are at great risk while operating in or around moving traffic.
Members shall look before stepping into traffic and shall keep an eye on traffic at all times.
Members shall walk as close to the apparatus as possible.

13.31 The position of the apparatus at the incident scene is a primary consideration during
the initial size up. The emergency vehicle position shall be based on incident type, road
conditions and access. Drivers and Company Officers shall ensure that the emergency
vehicles are positioned to best protect the members and to allow for full utilization of the
vehicle. Consideration shall also be given to scene control and visibility.

13.32 When possible, angle apparatus toward the curb at a 40-45 degrees to direct
motorists around the scene. At intersections or where the incident may be near the middle
of the street, block the scene from the most critical side to the least critical. Allow enough
distance to prevent a moving vehicle from knocking fire apparatus into the incident area.

13.33 Wheel chocks shall be used whenever vehicles are parked outside of quarters.

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13.34 DISABLEMENT OF APPARATUS

(a) If disablement occurs while en route to or from an incident, the Fire Alarm
Office and the Motor Squad shall be notified immediately and the members
shall remain with the apparatus. The Fire Alarm Office shall notify the
District Chief.

(b) If disablement occurs in quarters while attempting to respond, or for any

reason, the Fire Alarm Office and the Motor Squad shall be notified. The
Fire Alarm Office shall notify the District Chief. The District Chief upon
investigation shall leave the necessary members of the disabled apparatus in
quarters and shall detail the remaining members throughout his/her district
depending on the duration of the disablement.

13.35 Procedure to follow upon discovering a fire while en route to an alarm: In the event
that a company discovers or is notified of a fire or emergency while responding to or
returning from an alarm, the Company Commander shall notify the Fire Alarm Office via
department radio of the location of the incident and whether or not the company is
remaining at the scene. If additional apparatus and manpower are needed, the Fire Alarm
Office shall so be notified. The Fire Alarm Office shall dispatch another company to the
original alarm to provide a full response of apparatus thereto.

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