What You Should be Asking Your Fire Chief

What You Should be Asking Your Fire Chief Best Practices For Ohio s Fire Service Jeff A. Hussey State Fire Marshal 2 Overview of your division, how it plays a role in Commerce as a The Ohio whole, Department etc. of Commerce is focused on equipping businesses and protecting consumers. Commerce has seven Divisions including (insert your Division here). Our goal is to keep Ohioan s safe, sound and secure. 1

3 Role of Township Trustees in Managing Fire Department Set high level goals and objectives Type of services (i.e. EMS, code enforcement, technical rescue) Response time objectives Collaboration with neighboring communities (i.e. contracts, districts) Appointment of personnel Budget establishment and compliance 4 Fire Chief Responsibilities Plan, manage and execute goals of government leadership Highly complex environment Numerous legal implications (liability) Utilize best practices Development of high performing work group and culture Leadership Communications internally and externally 2

5 Trust and Confirm Presentation intended to create productive dialogue between Fire Chief and Trustees Budgetary support Compliance with ORC, OAC, Fire Code, recognized standards Support of projects and initiatives Help evaluate your operations Identify opportunities for improvement and collaboration 6 Acronyms NFPA National Fire Protection Association ISO Insurance Services Office OFC - Ohio Fire Code IFC Model Codes International Fire Code OBC Ohio Building Code AFG/SAFER/FP Grants Assistance to Firefighter Grant 3

7 Review of Key ORC Sections Requirement to provide service Appointment of personnel Role of Fire Prevention Officer Fire Districts and Joint Fire Districts Contracts Fire Chief Authority at Emergency Scenes ORC 3737 Fire Marshal and Fire Safety 505.37 Fire protection services The board of township trustees may establish all necessary rules to guard against the occurrence of fires and to protect the property and lives of the citizens against damage and accidents 4

505.38 Appointment of firefighting personnel In each township or fire district that has a fire department, the head of the department shall be a fire chief, appointed by the board of township trustees, except that, in a joint fire district, the fire chief shall be appointed by the board of fire district trustees. Neither this section nor any other section of the Revised Code requires, or shall be construed to require, that the fire chief be a resident of the township or fire district. 505.38 Appointment of firefighting personnel Full-time must be certified as FF II Volunteers must obtain 36 hr. VFF certification within one year Removal just cause, hearing, appeal process Medical exam required within 60 days BCI background check may be requested 5

505.38 Appointment of firefighting personnel (cont.) Fire Prevention Officer - In each township not having a fire department, the board of township trustees shall appoint a fire prevention officer who shall exercise all of the duties of a fire chief except those involving the maintenance and operation of fire apparatus. May appoint one or more deputy fire prevention officers. 505.371 Joint fire district creation The boards of township trustees of one or more townships and the legislative authorities of one or more municipal corporations, or the legislative authorities of two or more municipal corporations, or the boards of township trustees of two or more townships, may create a joint fire district comprising the municipal corporations and all or any portions of the townships as are mutually agreed upon. 6

9.60 Contracts for firefighting agency, private fire company, or emergency medical service organization. Any governmental entity in this state may contract with any firefighting agency, private fire company, or emergency medical service organization of this state or another jurisdiction to obtain fire protection or emergency medical services, as appropriate, whether on a regular basis or only in times of emergency, upon the approval of the governing boards or administrative heads of the entities that are parties to the contract. 3737.80 Chief of fire department responsible for primary coordination in emergency situation In any emergency situation relating to the prevention of an imminent release of a hazardous material, to the cleanup or disposal of a hazardous material that has been released, or to the related mitigation of the effects of a release of a hazardous material, the chief of the fire department in whose jurisdiction the emergency situation is occurring or his designee is responsible for primary coordination of the on-scene activities of all agencies 7

104.11 Authority at fires and other emergencies. (OFC) The fire chief or officer of the fire department in charge at the scene of a fire or other emergency involving the protection of life or property, or any part thereof, shall have the authority to direct such operation as necessary to extinguish or control any fire, perform any rescue operation, investigate the existence of suspected or reported fires, gas leaks or other hazardous conditions or situations, or take any other action necessary in the reasonable performance of duty. Chapter 3737: FIRE MARSHAL; FIRE SAFETY This chapter is the basis for the Ohio Fire Code, local code enforcement, and fire prevention rules Establishes duties of State Fire Marshal Local fire code enforcement is often done by a Certified Fire Safety Inspector (CFSI) essentially an agent of the State Fire Marshal 8

Fire Code Building Inspections Buildings should be inspected at least annually Records must be kept, follow up inspections Citations must be properly written to be effective CFSI Inspectors must understand code and authority Ohio Fire Code applies in all jurisdictions without local adoption Chapter 3737.42 Issuing citation or notice of violation If, upon inspection or investigation, the fire marshal, an assistant fire marshal, or a certified fire safety inspector believes that the state fire code or an associated order has been violated, the fire marshal, assistant fire marshal, or certified fire safety inspector shall, with reasonable promptness, issue a citation to the responsible person. When the citation is issued by a certified fire safety inspector or an assistant fire marshal, a copy of the citation shall be furnished to the fire marshal. 9

OFC 103.1 (per 3737.82 Adopting state fire code) Fire code(s) within a political subdivision. Consistent with this paragraph, a political subdivision may, but is not required to, adopt and enforce a local fire code in accordance with the provisions of Ohio law. If a political subdivision adopts a local fire code, that local fire code constitutes an additional set of fire safety regulations in the applicable jurisdiction. A local fire code shall not and does not modify, repeal, invalidate or otherwise nullify any provisions of this code Fire Hydrant Inspections Per ISO, flush and flow test twice annually Flow test key areas Dry hydrants back flush annually Check for dry barrel before freezing weather self draining vs. nonself draining hydrants 10

21 Review of Key OAC Sections BWC and Public Employee Risk Reduction (PERRP) Program OAC 4123-21 1-7 Firefighter Safety Open Burning Regulations OEPA 22 OAC 4123:1-21 Protective standards for all regular members of lawfully constituted fire departments of municipal corporations and townships, whether paid or volunteer, and employees employed in private or contractualtype fire departments that serve the public, who are engaged in the act of fire fighting. 11

23 BWC Rules Include: Protective Clothing Standards Turnouts Helmets Hoods Lots of detail on fasteners, reflectivity etc. 24 BWC Respiratory 4123-21-2: SCBA and PASS Respiratory protection policy required Annual medical certification from physician Annual SCBA fit test required Quarterly breathing air quality test Annual SCBA bench test Hydrostatic cylinder testing 12

25 BWC Medical Clearance: Shall be medically certified by a physician, or by a state of Ohio licensed health care professional who can perform medical evaluations under the supervision of a physician, on an annual basis. 26 BWC Fit Testing: The facepiece seal capability of each member qualified to use "SCBA" shall be verified by quantitative fit testing on an annual basis and whenever new types of "SCBA" or facepieces are issued. Each new member shall be tested before being permitted to use SCBA in a hazardous atmosphere. Only members with a properly fitting facepiece shall be permitted by the fire department to function in a hazardous atmosphere with "SCBA." 13

27 BWC Seatbelts Required: A fully enclosed driving or crew compartment with seating for no fewer than two persons shall be provided. Seat belts shall be provided and shall be utilized by each occupant of the cab. 28 BWC Apparatus Standards: In wildland fire fighting, employees shall be required to ride within a fully enclosed personnel area. 14

29 BWC Annual Pump and Aerial Testing: Fire pumps on apparatus shall be service tested in accordance with the frequency and procedures specified in NFPA 1911. All aerial devices shall be inspected and service tested in accordance with the frequency and procedures specified in NFPA 1911. 30 BWC Drivers Training 4123-21-4: Fire department vehicles shall be operated only by members who have successfully completed an established or recognized driver training program 15

31 BWC Ground Ladders 4123-21-5: Ground ladder annual testing per NFPA 1932 32 BWC FD Safety and Health 4123-21-7: An incident management system shall be established with written standard operating procedures applying to all members involved in emergency operations. The incident management system shall be utilized at all emergency incidents. (NIMS) No risk to the safety of members shall be acceptable when there is no possibility to save lives or property. 16

33 BWC FD Safety and Health 4123-21-7: The employer shall establish written standard operating procedures for a personnel accountability system that provides for the tracking and inventory of all members operating at an emergency incident It shall be the responsibility of all employees operating at an emergency incident to actively participate in the personnel accountability system Employees operating in hazardous environments at emergency incidents shall operate in teams of two or more. 34 BWC FD Safety and Health 4123-21-7: A minimum of four employees shall be required, consisting of two employees working as a team in the hazardous atmosphere, who shall remain in voice or visual contact with each other; and two members who are located outside the hazardous atmosphere, who shall be responsible for maintaining a constant awareness of the number and identity of those operating in the hazardous atmosphere Where immediate action could prevent the loss of life or serious injury, such action shall be permitted with less than 4 employees 17

35 BWC FD Safety and Health 4123-21-7: Operating at Traffic Incidents Fire apparatus shall be positioned in a blocking position, so if it is struck it will protect members and other persons at the incident scene. When acting as a shield, apparatus emergency/warning lights shall remain on. When employees are operating at a traffic incident and their assignment places them in potential conflict with motor vehicle traffic, they shall wear a garment that meets the ANSI/ISEA 107-2010, Class 2 or 3 "Standard for High - Visibility Safety Apparel 36 BWC FD Safety and Health 4123-21-7: Mandatory Risk Management Plan The employer shall develop and adopt a comprehensive written risk management plan. The plan shall consider all fire department policies and procedures, and it shall include goals and objectives to ensure that the risks associated with the emergency and non-emergency operations of the fire department are identified and effectively managed. 18

37 BWC FD Safety and Health 4123-21-7: Employee Fitness The employer shall establish and provide a health- related fitness and wellness program that enables members to develop and maintain a level of health and fitness to safely perform their assigned functions. This program will not be punitive, as the purpose of the program is to improve the health and well-being of the individual. It shall be the responsibility of all employees to actively participate in the fitness and wellness program. 38 BWC FD Safety and Health 4123-21-7: Infection Control The employer shall operate an infection control program that actively attempts to identify and limit or prevent the exposure of employees to infectious and contagious diseases in the performance of their assigned duties. Universal precautions shall be observed to prevent contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials. All body fluids shall be considered potentially infectious materials 19

39 BWC Violation Penalties: Violation of Specific Safety Rules (VSSR) Additional financial payments to employees or survivors Payments come from employer, not BWC May be up to 50% additional monthly payment to injured worker 40 Open Burning: Regulated by EPA Air Quality and Ohio Fire Code No trash, rubber, plastics Agricultural must have 1000 ft. from neighbor s residence, 20 x 20 Fire pits clean burning firewood. 3 x 3. OK within municipality Firefighter training with permit, asbestos abated, shingles removed Refer complaints to EPA pamphlet or website joint enforcement 20

41 Certifications Firefighters 36 hvolunteer not based on national standards Firefighter r. I 160 hr. Firefighter II 120 hr. additional EMS First Responder Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) 120 hr. EMT Advanced or Intermediate Paramedic 1200 hrs. 42 Certifications Additional Firefighter Certifications Certified Fire Safety Inspector Fire Instructor Non Certified Specialty Training Fire Investigator Hazardous Materials Operations/ Technician Rescue Technician Car Seat Technician 21

43 Recertification Continuing Education Fire Fighters Firefighter 54 hours/ 3 year cycle EMS First Responder 15 hours/ 3 year Emergency Medical Technician 40 hr. / 3 yr. EMT Advanced (Intermediate) 60 hr. / 3 yr. Paramedic 86 hours/ 3 yr. + ACLS CFSI Inspector 30 hours / 3 yr Instructor 6 hr. CE + 24 hr. teaching 44 Grant Opportunities FEMA AFG, SAFER, FP BWC Safety Innovation, FF PPE OSFM MARCS Firefighter Training Training Reimbursement Volunteer Equipment ODNR wildland fire gear and equipment 22

45 EMS Services Medical Director and Protocol Pharmacy License DEA and CLEA Permits Personnel Certifications and Competencies Quality of Care!!! 46 Other Operational Areas Technical Rescue High Angle and Agricultural Trench Confined Space Ice and Water Rescue Vehicle and Machinery HazMat Operations 23

47 National Incident Management System (NIMS) ALL Personnel IS 700,100 Supervisors IS 700,100,200 Senior FD Staff IS 700,100,200,300,400 EOC Operations Local vs. State School Emergency Procedures 48 Insurance Services Offices (ISO) PPC 1 10 1 is best 9 reflects minimal coverage or no water systems (8B or y) 10 reflects unrecognized coverage rural, beyond 5 miles ISO can be managed and reflects organizational capabilities 24

49 Fire Chief and Officer Development National Fire Academy Executive Fire Officer (EFO) Ohio Fire Chiefs Ohio Fire Executive (OFE) Fire Officer I IV Credentialling Ohio Fire Chief (OFC) CPSE Chief Fire Officer (CFO) international 50 Take Home Are we appointing firefighters and officers correctly? Are our contracts current? Do we need to appoint a Prevention Officer? (contract areas) Have we unnecessarily adopted a local fire code? Are we inspecting buildings with qualified CFSIs? Are we following BWC PERRP rules? 25

51 Take Home Do our firefighters receive appropriate CE training? Are we applying for grants? What technical services do we provide? Properly? Do we have NIMS compliance? What is our ISO rating? Are we providing professional development training to our FD leadership team? 52 Questions Please feel free to contact me with any questions: Jeff A. Hussey, OFE, OFC, CFO Jeff.Hussey@com.state.oh.us 614-752-7161 26

53 SFM Resources Bureaus Code Enforcement Fire Academy FEIB and Lab Fire Investigations BUSTR Underground fuel tanks Fire Prevention Testing and Registration Admin Grants, Fire Code, Support 27