This is my homework assignment for Firefighter 1 that I did back in 1998. The requirements may have changed since then but this document is very extensive. Instead of doing the assignment on my small volunteer department, I used the Midwest City Fire Department to answer the questions asked. Hope it helps you to get you assignment done. Exhibits 1-4 have not been included in this document. They are drawings or rigs and their equipment and the organizational structure.

FIREFIGHTER 1
 
Homework Assignment
HICKORY HILLS FIRE DEPARTMENT
SSN XXX-XX-XXXX
JULY 9, 1998

1. Which governing body and individual in that governing body controls the fire department in your city?

2. Give a description of your fire department including the following:

The Midwest City Fire Department is charged with the responsibility of reducing risks to lives, property and the environment from man-made and natural disasters, to the lowest extent possible through the effective use of all resources made available.

The Midwest City Fire Department shall strive to achieve this mission by: responding to and mitigating emergency incidents; preparing for emergency situations that may be anticipated to occur; reducing the risk within our jurisdiction by preventative measures against the outbreak of fires and other emergencies; limiting the extent and severity of such emergencies through risk reduction and built-in control measures; providing for the treatment, removal and rescue of injured and/or endangered persons and to control emergencies that occur.

  1. Fire Chief
  2. Deputy Chief
  3. Assistant Fire Chief
  4. Fire Marshall
  5. Training Officer
  6. Captain

FIRE CHIEF:

  1. He establishes the departmental policies and procedures and makes sure they are practiced.
  2. He controls management and directs all of the members of the Fire Department:
  3. He has the power to have any or all personnel report to any emergency or public event.
  4. He is responsible for the Code Enforcement.
  5. He reports to the City Council and other members of the City.
  6. He is responsible for communication and the explanation of new policies and procedures to the department.
  7. He establishes public relations and promotes cooperation with fire protection.
  8. He has an effective labor relationship with members of the department.
  9. He has control of the budget and allocates the funds to proper positions.
  10. He will receive all reports, requests and information to the proper position.

DEPUTY FIRE CHIEF:

  1. He can perform duties of the Fire Chief in his absence.
  2. He Coordinates and plans activities for the Training Office, Fire Prevention Bureau and the Code Enforcement.
  3. He is the liaison between the Fire Department and 911 or Dispatch.
  4. He assists in departmental policies, procedures and practices.
  5. He administrates departmental expenditures.
  6. He performs duties including performance evaluation, discipline of employees, staffing and supervisory duties.
  7. He coordinates Mutual Aid Fire Protection Programs.
  8. He assists with Fire Prevention and Fire Education.
  9. He performs Mutual Aid Fire Protection Programs with other cities.
  10. He coordinates public education through schools and various groups.

ASSISTANT FIRE CHIEF:

  1. He coordinates pre-fire planning procedures and sees that they are followed.
  2. He directs all activities of all fire companies while on duty and assists in performing there duties.
  3. He develops and coordinates standard operating procedures.
  4. He upholds public relations through lectures, conferences and tours of the department.
  5. He can perform the duties of the Fire Chief in his absence.

FIRE MARSHALL:

  1. He is responsible for municipal and state fire codes.
  2. He investigates causes and circumstances of fire inside the City of Midwest City.
  3. He is responsible for the operation of the Fire Prevention Program.
  4. He coordinates fire prevention, fire plans and public education.
  5. He is responsible for all maintenance records for fire prevention which includes reports, construction plans, hazardous material and investigation reports.
  6. He is responsible for pubic relations through the community.
  7. He works with various law enforcement agencies, insurance companies and investigative agencies.
  8. He performs evaluations and disciplinary action according to policies and procedures.
  9. He assists the Fire Chief and Deputy Chief.

TRAINING OFFICER:

  1. He designs and develops training programs for the fire service.
  2. He is under the direction of the Deputy Chief.
  3. He conducts classroom training sessions related to fire prevention, fire protection, practice/training, emergency response and rescue operation.
  4. He helps or assists the Fire Chief and Deputy Chief in the annual budget.
  5. He plans training programs for Fire Department personnel.
  6. He conducts classroom and outside drills.
  7. He is responsible for the training of new employees for Firefighter 1 and other examinations for the first year.
  8. He conducts entry-level testing and assists in promotional testing.

CAPTAIN:

  1. He performs supervisory duties of one company.
  2. He directs the fire company in protecting property, saving lives, emergency rescues and any other emergencies.
  3. He supervises the upkeep and he the maintenance of the equipment at one fire station.
  4. He is responsible for salvage and overhaul operations.
  5. He maintains personnel records, trip reports, daily and monthly stats.
  6. He is in charge of pre-fire planning.
  7. He oversees all policies and procedures.
  8. He assists in fire prevention.

A description of your role, as a firefighters in the organization including the responsibilities, duties, rules and regulations that apply to your position.

  1. Inspection of the firefighting equipment and maintenance.
  2. Maintenance and upkeep of fire station, grounds and cleaning.
  3. Follows the direction of the Captain in firefighting operations and other emergencies.
  4. He is responsible for extinguishment of fires and directing fire streams.
  5. Administers first aid to patients as needed.
  6. The removal of victims in smoke, heat and toxic gas environments.
  7. He assists in public education, pre-fire planning and performs salvage and overhaul procedures.
  8. Follows all orders given by supervision and shows proper respect to authority.
  9. Your responsibilities, as a firefighter, that pertains to occupational health and safety:
  10. Have an understanding and good working knowledge of all OSHA regulations and safety policies.

3. Describe and/or quote local statutes/ordinances pertaining to fire department organization/operation.

Ordinance Article 1 Section 14-1 states:

4. Describe your role, as a firefighters with your fire department's standard operation procedures at a:

FIRE SCENE:

EMERGENCY MEDICAL CALL:

5. Describe your role, as a firefighters within your fire departments Incident Management System (IMS) at a:

6. What are the roles of other agencies that may respond simultaneously or to assist your fire department at the scene of an emergency or at a disaster?

7. Does your fire department have a member or employee assistance program available?  What is its purpose and what are its components?

8. Describe the procedure in your area for a citizen to report a fire or other emergency.

9. Describe the procedures you would take upon receiving an alarm.

From Dispatch:

10. Define the purpose and describe the function of all alarm receiving equipment (ie. telephone) and personnel alerting equipment (ie. pager) utilized by your fire department and its members.

11. Describe the procedures for receipt and processing of personal and business calls.

12. Give, in detail, your department' s radio procedures (including codes, etc.) for the following situations:

13. What is the purpose of salvage and what is it value to the public and the fire department?

14. What is the purpose of overhaul?

15. What are the duties of firefighters left at the scene for fire and security surveillance?

16. Consult recognized literature and list five common causes of fire and their prevention. identify the source used.

17. What is the importance of inspection and public fire education programs to the community and to fire department public relations?

18. Describe procedures to use when conducting fire prevention inspections in private dwellings.

19. Describe local procedures for shutting off electrical and gas services to a building during an emergency response by your department.

20. Prepare a list of all of the equipment carried on the f ire apparatus that you are currently assigned to. Also include the year, manufacturer, type of apparatus, size and manufacturer of pump, tank capacity, amount and size of hose and number and types of nozzles.

21. Identify and list the location, duration and manufacturer of all SCBA's and spare cylinders on the apparatus.

22. Describe your department' s policies and procedures for routine and periodic maintenance and inspection procedures for SCBA' s. Include a description of the record keeping system used to document this maintenance.

23. List the items carried on your apparatus that may be used for forcible entry and describe their use.

24.   List the type of ladders carried on your apparatus. Include their length, construction and material. Give a brief description of the uses of each type.