Forum Responses
I. Case Study: Your department has just been awarded a grant for the purchase of new equipment that will likely require some changes to your procedures. Your lieutenant shares with you some sample SOPs and SOGs he located on the internet, but some are in direct conflict with each other. Although similar in format, none are consistent with the style of your department's SOPs.
A. How do you know which procedure is the best? The best procedure takes into consideration local procedures that reflect the departments budget, manning and equipment. Make adjustments where needed to create procedures that adhere to minimum standard with the expectation to further evolve over time.
B. Does the format or designation of SOP's or SOG's really matter? Format needs to be readable and easy to interpret, drafting, rewriting an polishing by multiple reviewers can generate the best end product. Designating when and how new procedures will come into effect sets the plan into motion with deadlines and accountability to ensure understanding and compliance.
C. What would be the benefit of standard policies and procedures? Standard policies and procedures would reduce confusion between stations in the long run.
1. Discuss the importance of establishing better training to be prepared for violent incidents. Better training for violent incidents raises awareness for Firefighters and EMT of particular events that may be intended to harm or kill them.
A. What additional concerns do emergency responders have in a post 9/11 era? IN the post 9/11 era emergency responders concern can include subsequent attacks, multiple shooters and sometimes Chemical or Biological contamination.
B. Do violent incidents suggest changes in uniform or additional personal protective equipment (PPE)? Violent crimes suggest that additional SOP be developed that outline how to react to violent crimes towards emergency responders and maybe the inclusion of body armor. Close coordination between Police, Firefighters and EMT's is necessary to develop effective response procedures.
What experience have you had with writing procedures and guidance in your line of work? What developmental steps worked to produce a good product?
2. Case Study: Your department has just been awarded a grant for the purchase of new equipment that will likely require some changes to your procedures. Your lieutenant shares with you some sample SOPs and SOGs he located on the internet, but some are in direct conflict with each other. Although similar in format, none are consistent with the style of your department's SOPs.
A. I would stay as closely to what the existing SOP and SOG plans are, as I think members that have been trained to them, making subtle changes would not be concerning, but completely changing the entire procedures could potentially have problems.
B. Again, I think that the format does matter. For a seasoned firefighter or officer that is trying to reference material in a hurry, if the format is changed it would delay the progress.
C. Procedures and standard policies would keep everyone running on the same page, instead of having multiple.
1. Discuss the importance of establishing better training to be prepared for violent incidents. As unfortunate as it is, firefighters should have more and better training to prepare in the event of violent incidents. As with any public safety official responding, awareness of your surroundings and how to protect yourself are priority.
Case Study: Your department has been conducting an annual review of your standard operating procedures (SOPs) and has solicited input from the membership for changes to existing procedures. After watching the news report of an active shooter in a grocery store, a discussion breaks out at the firehouse about the violent incidents that have been occurring throughout the country and how existing SOPs don't address many of the concerns that emergency res-ponders face. Your lieutenant agrees to bring the concerns up at the next officers' meeting, along with a list of suggestions for a procedure for responding to violent incidents.
A. Not only do emergency res-ponders have to worry about violence in general, additionally it is gun violence, and most recently, active shooters. There could be a deterrent for having companies arrive, then having a device go off, and possibly a secondary device as well.
B. I do believe that with increase in violent crimes there should be SOP's in place for additional PPE. You really cannot say just rescue personnel to wear armor, as engine and ladder companies also respond to EMS runs as well. Working in my field as a Fire Safety Inspector, I am required to wear body armor when I go to do operational nighttime reviews. It is sad that this is what it has come to.
The response should include a reference list. Double-space, using Times New Roman 12 pnt font, one-inch margins, and APA style of writing and citations.