I-9 - NFPA Standards - 2014

the fire department to deliver; those services should be assigned to another agency. The fire department should be no different from any other government agency that has the parameters of its authority and services clearly defined by the governing body. A.1.4 See Annex B. A.3.2.1 Approved. The National Fire Protection Association does not approve, inspect, or certify any installations, procedures, equipment, or materials; nor does it approve or evaluate testing laboratories. In determining the acceptability of installations, procedures, equipment, or materials, the authority having jurisdiction may base acceptance on compliance with NFPA or other appropriate standards. In the absence of such standards, said authority may require evidence of proper installation, procedure, or use. The authority having jurisdiction may also refer to the listings or labeling practices of an organization that is concerned with product evaluations and is thus in a position to determine compliance with appropriate standards for the current production of listed items. A.3.2.2 Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ). The phrase “authority having jurisdiction,” or its acronym AHJ, is used in NFPA documents in a broad manner, since jurisdictions and approval agencies vary, as do their responsibilities. Where public safety is primary, the authority having jurisdiction may be a federal, state, local, or other regional department or individual such as a fire chief; fire marshal; chief of a fire prevention bureau, labor department, or health department; building official; electrical inspector; or others having statutory authority. For insurance purposes, an insurance inspection department, rating bureau, or other insurance company representative may be the authority having jurisdiction. In many circumstances, the property owner or his or her designated agent assumes the role of the authority having jurisdiction; at government installations, the commanding officer or departmental official may be the authority having jurisdiction. A.3.3.2.1 Automatic Aid. Automatic aid is established through a written agreement between AHJs that provides for the simultaneous dispatch of a predetermined response of personnel and equipment to a neighboring jurisdiction upon receipt of an alarm, and is included as part of a communication center’s dispatch protocols. A.3.3.3 Alarm. In some jurisdictions, an alarm is referred to as an incident or call for service. A.3.3.9 Company Officer. This person could be someone appointed in an acting capacity. The rank structure could be either sergeant, lieutenant, or captain. A.3.3.11 Demand Zones. A demand zone can be a single building or a group of buildings. It is usually defined in terms of geographical boundaries, called fire management areas or fire management zones. A.3.3.19 Fire Suppression. Fire suppression includes all activities performed at the scene of a fire incident or training exercise that expose fire department members to the dangers of heat, flame, smoke, and other products of combustion, explosion, or structural collapse. [1500, 2013] A.3.3.20 First Responder (EMS). A first responder also assists higher level EMS providers. A.3.3.21 Hazard. Hazards include the characteristics of facilities, equipment systems, property, hardware, or other objects; and the actions and inactions of people that create such hazards. A.3.3.25 Incident Management System (IMS). The system should be consistent with NIMS and the National Response Framework. The system is also referred to as an incident command system (ICS). A.3.3.27.2 Basic Life Support (BLS). Basic life support could also include expediting the safe and timely transport of the patient to a hospital emergency department for definitive medical care. A.3.3.28 Member. A fire department member can be a full-time or part-time employee or a paid or unpaid volunteer, can occupy any position or rank within the fire department, and can engage in emergency operations. [1500, 2013] A.3.3.30.2 Special Operations. Special operations include water rescue, extrication, hazardous materials, confined space entry, high-angle rescue, aircraft rescue and fire fighting, and other operations requiring specialized training. [1500, 2013] A.3.3.31 Rapid Intervention Crew (RIC). Emergency services personnel respond to many incidents that present a high risk to personnel safety. Departments in compliance with 29 CFR 1910.134 need to have a minimum of two people on scene fully equipped when members are operating in an immediately dangerous to life and health (IDLH) or potentially IDLH atmosphere. The primary purpose is the rescue of injured, lost, or trapped fire fighters. Departments utilizing an incident management system in accordance with NFPA 1561, or 29 CFR 1910.120 along with a personnel accountability system, have incorporated the RIC into their management system. Many departments have redefined their response plans to include the dispatch of an additional company (i.e., engine, rescue, or truck) to respond to incidents and to stand by as the RIC/company. Incident commanders can assign additional RICs based on the size and complexity of the incident scene. This requirement is also included as part of special operations incidents in NFPA 1500, Chapter 8. A.4.1 Suppression capability is an expression of how much fire-fighting power can be put into action at a fire. It includes the amount of apparatus, equipment, and personnel available; the time needed to respond and place equipment in action; the water supply; the application of strategy and tactics; the level of training; and all of the components that add up to effective fireground operations. A.4.1.1 Departmental regulations and operating procedures and orders should be developed for the purpose of ensuring uniformity and effectiveness in department actions and operations. These procedures should be published and circulated to all members, and training should be provided whenever major changes or additions are made. A system should be established that requires each member to read and acknowledge existing and revised regulations and procedures. Such procedures should cover matters not subject to frequent changes and should be reviewed at least annually to ensure that they are current. All members should have access to the system of orders and directives that relate to their unit. Orders should be reviewed periodically by company officers during company meetings or training sessions. The departmental procedures should specify the channels through which orders are to be transmitted. All orders should pass through the established chain of command and should be acknowledged. The chain of command also should be followed, in reverse order, for reports and other communications from units to headquarters.