46 S.O.G. 

SECTION: Equipment

SUBJECT: Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) Qualifications & Use

REVISED: 05/2002

The Town of Watertown Fire Department will have minimum qualifications for members who wear self-contained breathing apparatus.

These guidelines will be adhered to for the safety of personnel at all incidents where self-contained breathing apparatus is required.

A. The objective of this policy is to improve safety, by requiring the use of (SCBA), whenever exposure to hazardous atmospheres is likely to occur.

A. This department shall provide a comprehensive training program and departmental certification for members involved in the use of SCBA’s.

B. The use of SCBA’s shall be mandatory at all fires where 11/2” or larger hose lines are used. This policy shall cover all personnel, actively engaged in fire suppression or assigned to duties where exposure to hazardous atmospheres is likely.

C. Only personnel qualified and certified shall use SCBA’s. Personnel shall e properly trained in SCBA use in accordance with OSHA and NFPA requirements, and shall be approved for SCBA use by the Chief. SCBA’s shall only be used with full turnout as required by NFPA 1500.

D. Each individual SCBA will be inspected weekly, monthly by the Captain of that vehicle on truck reports, and after every use.

E. All SCBA will be cleaned to manufacturers recommendations.

F. If a SCBA is found to be defective, the unit will be placed out of service, the Chief will be notified.

G. Before wearing SCBA’s personnel shall have pulmonary testing performed prior to being qualified and every year thereafter.

H. SCBA qualified personnel (interior firefighters), shall have a physical prior to being qualified, and every year thereafter.

I. All deviations from this policy shall require a written report. The incident commander shall report the names of any personnel involved with deviations of this policy to the executive committee. A notation shall be made in each individual’s personnel file, upon that individual’s exposure to hazardous products.

A. The incident commander shall be responsible for the implementation of this policy.

1. Personnel regardless of the reason shall not be permitted in the area without appropriate respiratory protection.

2. The use of SCBA’s shall not be discontinued without the approval of the incident commander.

B. It is the responsibility of all personnel to ensure their respiratory safety, and all personnel on the incident scene.

C. The department Chief is responsible to ensure that pulmonary testing and physicals are current and up to date.

A. For the safety of personnel, the Town of Watertown Fire Department will utilize only one manufacturer of self-contained breathing apparatus.

B. All SCBA will be MSA MMR low-pressure mask mounted regulators with in-line pass devices.

                                        C. Proper donning and doffing procedures will be taught for the safety of the users.