Chapter 5: Firefighters Responding to an Incident; Driver Training

Firefighters Respond to an Incident

The Duties of Officers and Firefighters are many and varied. It is the intention of this Chapter to outline how firefighters should respond to an incident. While safety is Number One, it is not the intention of this SOG to list, rank, and describe all the duties of fire department members as they respond to an incident. Some "common sense" is required. This SOG will try to give priority to what needs to be done and what should be done as the firefighter responds to an incident.

Firefighters’ Responsibilities

When an alarm is received by the firefighter, as a volunteer, she/he should try to respond as quickly as possible. She/He should speed or break any motor vehicle laws while responding. She/He should drive the speed limit, or a slightly faster speed if possible. She/He should not EXPECT other drivers to give the right of way simply because she/he is responding to an emergency. If the firefighter uses one flashing red light in her/his vehicle, it is to ask for "right of way". This red light in her/his vehicle is not a license to break the law. If the right of way is asked, it may not be received. In that case, the firefighter may not break the law to get to the fire hall. The firefighter must obey all traffic signs and speed-limits. It is better to arrive alive and live to fight fire another day. If you are late to the hall, and the truck has already rolled, you may respond to the scene in your personally owned vehicle [POV]. Be sure to park it out of the way so that the fire department, police, and rescue may accomplish their own missions. These important points are emphasized below. See also Chapter 18, "Emergency Vehicle Operations and Safety".

When Responding in your POV:

Do not break any laws to arrive at the fire hall or the scene

Come to the fire hall to ride the fire truck to the scene

If you have permission from the Chief, you may carry your PPE in your Personal Vehicle and respond from home without first reporting to the Fire Hall

If you arrive late, take your gear and POV to the scene. If you are permitted by the Chief, you may take another Fire Vehicle, if you have been trained on its operation and in EVOC.

Park away from the scene - not in the scene

You may use a red light on your POV. It must meet certain standards. Ask your Chief Officer for guidelines. In Virginia, it is now legal to use one red and one white light on your POV.

When arriving at the hall, report to the Incident Commander [IC]. You will be assigned a position. Know your job; do your job.

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