Purpose: The purpose of this SOG is to create a uniform procedure on the use, maintenance and storage of SCBA on apparatus.

Definitions:

IDLH: Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health

Incipient Fire: A fire in the initial or beginning stages which can be controlled or extinguished by portable fire extinguishers.

CO: Carbon Monoxide

Policy:

1. SCBA shall be utilized by any personnel when operating in any environment where the atmosphere is potentially or immediately dangerous to life and health (IDLH). This condition should be assumed for:

A. Interior operations at all structure fires, wherever a fire has advanced beyond the incipient phase.

B. Any interior or exterior firefighting operations where personnel may be expected to or encounter significant amounts of smoke or toxic gases.

2. Personnel operating in an IDLH atmosphere utilizing SCBA shall work in teams of two or more (2+). Personnel must also maintain voice or visual contact with each other at all times.

3. During overhaul or salvage operations, atmospheric monitoring should be utilized to establish that a safe atmosphere exists prior to discontinuing the use of SCBA. Any of the following conditions in the working area require continued use of self-contained breathing apparatus:

A. CO levels of 35ppm or greater

B. Oxygen (O2) levels of 19.5% or less

C. Continued presence of smoke from combustion

D. Activation of a Co or hydrogen sulfide detector, (such as the cart area at the devils knob golf clubhouse).

SCBA’s shall be stored on the engines in their designated area with the bottle valve off.

SCBA’s and pass devices will be checked according to the daily checklist. Whenever an engine is to be inspected, All SCBA/Pass apparatus shall be inspected as well. Pressures will be written on the daily checklist and any that are below 4,000 psi will be topped off. Any that are having a problem will be taken out of service and an appropriate officer will be notified.