SOP FFT 1 Squad Boss
FFT1 Handbook
and
Wildland Firefighting
Standard Operating Procedures
2024
Position Description
An FFT1 at Pacific Oasis is expected
to be completely competent with all fire operations
as well as company protocols for dispatch and return from assignment. FFT1 are the driving force behind the
production of the crew and the company culture. FFT1 is a working supervisory position
that often requires one to lead by example to ensure that squad members learn
and complete tasks to the company standard. On assignment FFT1’s main
responsibility is the safety of their squad and the completion of the
operational tasks. In addition, FFT1s are expected to help facilitate the
logistical needs of the crew pre\post shift and pre\post assignment. As an FFT1
at Pacific Oasis you are expected to be among the most trusted and helpful
members on the crew. Maintaining
a professional and positive attitude, appearance and demeanor is imperative.
Never underestimate the influence you have on your squad and the impact you
have on the company culture.
Expectation
and Responsibilities
-
Adhere to company
code of conduct
-
Promote a healthy
company culture
-
Understand and up
hold the SOPs of FFT2, and FFT1
-
Maintain situational awareness.
-
Establish (LCES) and make sure it is known by all crew
members.
-
Ensure operational tasks are completed safely.
-
Facilitate logistical needs of the crew pre and post
shift, as well as, pre and post assignment
-
Ensure completion of all Dispatch and Return Checklists
-
Maintain a level of physical fitness adequate to conduct
fire operations
Dispatch
Standard:
For Initial Attack dispatch calls, the overhead team needs to arrive at the
dispatch within one hour of the dispatch call.
Intent:
You must be there to lead the group before they arrive.
Standard: For scheduled dispatch calls
(ie. Be at briefing on Wednesday morning) The overhead team shows up half an
hour before the crew.
Intent:
You must be there to lead the group before they arrive.
Having your own food for the first 24hours is
imperative to the crew efficiency and getting the crew to the fire on time.
After you have been away from your home for more than 24 hours the incident
command team is responsible for facilitating food via camp meals or daily
stipend.
Standard: Oversee
dispatch tasks. (The following tasks & checklists are to be completed and
signed by qualified FFT1/FFT1-T or the SRB)
SAWS
§
Check that all saws start, and run properly
§
Make sure serial numbers match tool manifest
§
Check gas and bar oil supply
§
Saw box check list completed and signed
COMMUNICATION
·
Get Radio Box from Radio Room
·
Complete Radio Box checklist
·
Program Crew frequency and if time allows any
other frequencies listed on the Resource Order
PERSONNEL INSPECTION AND ORGANIZATION
·
Use crew manifest as PPE check list.
o
PPE
o
ID
o
Adequate personal gear/meals for 24hours.
·
Direct crew members to appropriate squad and
vehicle
o
Alpha- Truck 1
o
Bravo- Truck 2
o
Charlie- Truck 3
o
Delta- Truck 4
·
Ensure overnight gear and line bags are within
industry weight standards and stored properly and in the appropriate
vehicle.
MOTHERSHIP/COMMAND SHIP
·
Complete Mothership checklist
·
Complete Command-ship checklist
·
Restock all missing components of the Mothership/command
ship check list
Intent: These tasks and checklists are
in place to specifically address the contractual requirements of a crew
arriving on a fire and need to be completed signed and turned in
Arrival
Standard:
Arrive to the incident on time.
Intent:
Being late is unacceptable. It establishes a negative precedent. First
impressions are everything.
Standard:
Complete all of check-in process before unloading anything.
o If the crew inspection and check-in are
happening simultaneously, delegate a FFT1 to unload necessary tools and
equipment.
Intent:
The crew must remain loaded in the vehicle until the assignment is received.
This is required to keep the crew fully mobile and operational until the final
unloading destination and time is known.
Standard:
With multiple POI crews, crew camp locations will remain separate. In other
words, camp with your crew.
Intent:
When crew members are intermingled and wearing the same uniform, maintaining
operational control of your forces is difficult. We need to be able to find any
member of the crew at any moment.
Standard:
Once the crew camp area has been established, the vehicles will be fully
unloaded.
Intent:
Scattered crew members setting up camp and running back and forth to the rigs
appears unprofessional. A line of 20 firefighters with 100% of their equipment
on their backs appears seamless, professional and well-prepared.
Standard:
Tent configuration must be uniform (IE: 10x2, 5x4)
Intent:
This establishes a professional appearance to our campsite. There are no
questions about where our group begins or ends
Standard:
Arrival should NEVER awaken other firefighters in the camp.
·
If you
arrive after 10PM, respect camp quiet hours.
·
No talking
is required during camp set up.
·
If
necessary, the crew should stay out of the camp if they arrive after 10pm.
Intent: We should never draw undue
attention to our crews. Waking people who are sleeping is the fastest way to do
that.
Camp Etiquette
Standard:
Ensure you and your crew adhere to camp quiet hours. All additional camp rules
will be followed.
o
No loud
conversations in the crew camp space.
This includes, but is not limited to:
§
Phone calls
§
Crew interactions and conversations
§
Music and other media
o
Smoking
areas are the only acceptable places to smoke.
o
Language
will be monitored.
§
Swearing, sexist, racist, lewd or xenophobic
comments are unacceptable in any workplace. Sexual harassment or bullying of
any kind will not be tolerated. Everyone must uphold the Code of Conduct
§
Respect all individuals in the camp and/or
nearby communities.
Standard:
Leaving the camp for non-crew related business is not necessary. Only a minimum
number of crew members will be allowed to leave the camp when necessary.
Intent:
Casual trips outside of the Incident Command Center are not advised.
Standard:
Monitor and ensure that the crew meets the two-to-one work/rest ratio.
Intent:
It is important that the crew is well-rested. The overhead needs to ensure that
all crew members get ample rest.
Hotel Etiquette
Standard: Ensure you and your crew adhere to hotel quiet hours,
and all hotel rules and regulations must be followed.
o
Smoking
areas are the only acceptable places to smoke.
o
Language
will be monitored.
§
Swearing, sexist, racist, lewd or xenophobic
comments are unacceptable in any workplace. Sexual harassment or bullying of
any kind will not be tolerated. Everyone must uphold the Code of Conduct
§
Respect all individuals in the hotel and/or
nearby communities.
Intent:
The crew must conduct itself in a professional manner at all times.
Firefighting is a community service, you are placed on a pedestal, act like it.
We are proud that Pacific Oasis crews are regularly recognized for their polite
behavior and we strive to maintain that reputation.
Standard: No more than one overhead member to a room
Intent: Our overhead and trainees are supposed to be example crew
members and therefore should be spread out to ensure company standards are
being upheld.
Intent: Fire operations can change hour by
hour you may not return to the same place you started your day. The crew cannot
afford to take unnecessary detours or pay for additional hotel charges if we
are not actually staying there.
Intent: The rooms are being rented on company
cards and therefore you should conduct yourself in a respectful manner as a
representative of the company.
Intent:
You are responsible for how you conduct yourself on and off the line violating
hotel rules or leaving the rooms in any condition to be charged an additional
fee is unacceptable.
Standard: Company vehicles are not to be used for anything outside
the scope of the job.
Intent: Oftentimes hotels mean the crew is self-sufficient.
Therefore off line hours require peak efficiency to feed and resupply your
crew. Leisure trips in company vehicles will not be tolerated.
Standard:
Monitor and ensure that you and the crew meet the two-to-one work/rest ratio.
Intent: It is important that the crew is
well-rested. The overhead needs to ensure that all crew members get ample rest.
Daily Crew Procedures
Standard: Wake entire crew one hour before
briefing.
Intent: The entire crew needs to be awake and
ready to begin their day with enough time to do all of the remaining morning
tasks. They should be given ample time to ensure there are no loose ends by the
time overhead return from briefing.
Standard: The crew will move to breakfast in a
single-file line. The crew will be dressed uniformly at this time. Account for
temperature. Acceptable company uniforms will be described in the miscellaneous
section of this document.
Intent: This appears professional. Order is the firefighter standard.
Standard: When touchless meals are provided (aka no chow line) send
only one squad to get the breakfasts for the crew. Oftentimes the same squad
will be responsible for lunch and water for that shift.
Intent: Reduce the traffic in camp.
Standard: Ensure the crew is “Fire
Ready” for the days shift. The following tasks are completed by Bravo, Charlie,
Delta squads between the end of crew breakfast and the end of the general
briefing and breakout briefing.
o Daily food and water in line packs.
o Trash from previous days lunch and that
morning’s breakfast disposed of.
o Batteries for radios and new frequencies
inputted.
o Tools prepared.
o Vehicle preparation
§ Cleaning
the vehicles inside and out
§ Check air
filter and oil
§ Wash
Windows and Mirrors
§ If
relevant: Weed wash or other ground support requirements
§ Note any
damage that may have occurred during previous shift
o First aid needs addressed.
o Crew members are in full uniform ready to go.
§ Green,
yellow, boots, belt & hat.
§ Crew
members are at vehicles ready to load and roll
Intent:
The crew needs to be able to leave for work at the end of the morning briefing.
Standard: The crew will leave to the jobsite
as early as possible.
Intent: A sense of urgency to arrive at the
jobsite matches the tenure of the job. We are an emergency service, appearing
casual about the job is not consistent with our role.
Mornings (Hotels)
Standard: Wake the
crew with ample time to facilitate all self-sufficient needs and be at briefing
on time.
Intent: The entire crew needs to be awake and
ready to begin their day with enough time to do all of the remaining morning
tasks. They should be given ample time to ensure
there are no loose ends by the time overhead return from briefing.
Standard: Whenever possible finding a hotel with a continental
breakfast is the first step in facilitating breakfast. If the continental
breakfast is inadequate or the hotel does not provide it, one squad should be
sent to procure breakfasts for the crew. Finding places like McDonalds, Denny’s
and other chains with capacity to make all 20 breakfasts for the crew is
suggested. Finding and ordering breakfast the night before will expedite the
morning routine. (Breakfast and lunch should be delegated to separate squads to
ensure both are taken care of.)
Standard: Lunch and water for the crew on a self-sufficient run should
be taken care of by one squad each day. If possible, call places like Subway or
Firehouse Subs the night before to have food ready for pick up in the morning.
When in towns with chain grocery stores (Albertsons, Safeway, Walmart, etc.) We
recommend standardizing your daily “sack lunch” and do not sacrifice calories
for diversity in meals. (Breakfast and lunch should be delegated to separate
squads to ensure both are taken care of.)
Intent: Crew lunches are very important to
keeping your crew fed on assignment, it takes all three meals in a day to stay
in front of calorie intake for self-sufficient runs.
Standard: In addition to individual lunches, weather your crew is
self-sufficient or provided sack lunches from camp you should have either MRE’s
or 2 loafs of bread and PB&J or cheese and salami. Whenever anyone tells
you they are hungry direct them to the supplemental calories.
Intent: Supplementing
calories for extra hungry fire fighters is a small extra effort that can head
off much bigger problems.
Standard: Ensure the crew is “Fire Ready” for
the days shift. The following tasks are completed by Bravo, Charlie, Delta
squads between the end of crew breakfast and the end of the general briefing
and breakout briefing.
o
Daily food
and water in line packs
o
Trash from
previous days lunch and that morning’s breakfast disposed of.
o
Batteries
for radios and new frequencies inputted.
o
Tools prepared.
o
Vehicle
preparation
§
Cleaning the vehicles inside and out
§
Check air filter and oil
§
If relevant: Weed wash or other ground support
requirements
o
First aid
needs addressed
o
Crew
members are in full uniform.
§
Green, yellow, boots, belt & hat is the
van uniform.
Intent: The crew needs to be able to leave for
work at the end of the morning briefing.
During
Shift/On the Line
Standard: The crew will be briefed from the briefing
checklist in the IRPG.
Intent: Using the briefing checklist will ensure that all necessary
points are touched on every day.
Standard: Maintain a positive attitude and willingness to complete the
task at hand.
Intent: This is a job. It may be an
interesting job at times but it is still a job and you are expected to perform
the assigned duties whatever the operational task may be. (Not every hour on an
assignment is exciting but they all pay the same stay positive and work hard.)
Standard: Inappropriate equipment should remain in the line
pack.
Intent: Extra gear like personal knives should remain in your
pack except when being used gadgets for display purposes are not needed.
Additionally depleting equipment when it does not need to be used is wasteful. (I.E. Wearing your headlamp on
your helmet during the day.)
Standard:
A uniform appearance is required throughout the shift.
Intent:
Sloppy appearance during the shift is unprofessional.
Standard: Inappropriate equipment should remain in the line
pack.
Intent: Extra gear like personal knives should remain in your
pack except when being used gadgets for display purposes are not needed.
Additionally depleting equipment when it does not need to be used is wasteful. (I.E. Wearing your headlamp on
your helmet during the day.)
Standard:
The crew will hold an AAR daily.
Intent: To
address any safety concerns, check on the health of the crew members and assess
their equipment needs. The AAR shall discuss the parameters of the assignment,
how assignment tasks were carried out and possible improvements.
Standard:
Ensure requisite tool maintenance is carried out during the shift.
Intent: The tools need to be ready for the
next shift before the shift ends.
Post-Shift
Standard:
Ensure crew members remove their work uniforms and put on their post-shift
uniforms upon arrival to the camp.
Intent:
The assigned company sweatshirt and T shirt are uniforms for the camp. We do
not provide a blue undershirt and hoodie; we provide a short sleeve and long
sleeve camp uniform.
Standard:
The crew will walk to their dinner in a single file line. Uniform appearance
will be maintained throughout dinner. Wash hands before eating dinner. Yellow
shirts are not appropriate as they are a health and cleanliness concern around
food.
Intent:
The crew should appear professional and conscious of all health concerns. This
is why we walk in lines and eat in the cleanest manner possible.
Standard:
If possible, crew and crew member needs will be taken care of post-shift.
Intent: All pre-shift time has been accounted
for thus things that can be done the night before should be done the night
before. This allows time for unforeseen circumstances.
Post-Shift
(Hotels)
Standard: Dinners on a self-sufficient run should be done by
vehicle.
Intent: Breaking the crew out by vehicle for dinners is the most
efficient way to feed your crew post shift. Getting 20 people to agree on where
to eat and finding a place to feed 20 people in a timely manner is unlikely.
Standard:
If possible, crew and crew member needs will be taken care of post-shift.
Intent:
All pre-shift time has been accounted for thus things that can be done the
night before should be done the night before. This allows time for unforeseen
circumstances.
Demobilization
Standard: Do NOT return to the
shop with excess waste/trash.
Intent:
One crews waste from fire lunches or breakfasts guarantees someone from the
shop will be making a dump run. We hate the dump.
Standard:
When the crew leaves for the home unit, they should call the home unit and
timestamp their departure.
Intent:
This is both an organizational and safety concern.
Standard:
During travel, the vehicles should maintain a caravan when possible.
Intent:
This is a logistical and safety concern.
Standard:
Deviating from the route (unless it is impeded) or taking unneeded stops during
travel to the home unit will not be tolerated.
Intent:
The crew needs to be on the route they are expected to be on. Casual or long
stops along the way are not as desirable as arriving to the home unit in a
timely fashion.
Shop Return
Standard:
The crew will be briefed on the shop return protocols prior to arrival at the
shop.
Intent:
The list of things that needs to get done is long. A well-briefed crew will
move through the process more effectively.
Standard: Complete
the shop return checklist before any crew member leaves the dispatch location.
Intent: The complete crew operates well as a
unit; but when members break away, people feel they are being given an undue
portion of the work. Keep them together until the job is done.
Standard: Complete vehicle maintenance
logs and report any vehicle needs directly to shop staff.
Intent: We
can’t fix problems that are not brought to our attention.
Standard:
Oversee return tasks. (The following tasks & checklists are to be completed
and signed by qualified FFT1/FFT1-T or SRB)
SAWS
§
Check that all saws start, and run properly
§
Flag and replace broken saws
§
Make sure serial numbers match tool manifest
(Only necessary when equipment swaps have been made)
§
Check gas and bar oil supply
§
Compile a list of needs
§
Saw box check list completed and signed
COMMUNICATION
·
Return Radio Box to Radio Room
·
Flag and replace broken radios/equipment
·
Complete Radio Box checklist
PERSONNEL INSPECTION AND ORGANIZATION
·
Use crew manifest as a PPE check list. Ensure
crew is fire ready for next run
o
PPE (flag and replace broken gear)
o
Complete list of availability for next run.
MOTHERSHIP/COMMAND SHIP
·
Complete Mothership check list
·
Complete Command ship Checklist
·
Restock all missing components of the
Mothership & Command ship checklists
Intent: These tasks and checklists are
in place to specifically address the contractual requirements of a crew and
need to be completed signed and turned in. The more work that gets done upon
return from assignment the more seamless future dispatches will be.
Standard: SRB & FFT1 trainers must
fill out task books & evaluations for trainees
Intent:
All trainers and Trainees need to take an active role to develop our
organizational leadership. Completing task books/evaluations will give Trainers
Trainees and an active role in their development
Standard:
Returning home before dark the crew must complete all shop duties and return
checklists.
Intent: Being “Fire Ready” ASAP upon
return will lessen the load for the shop staff and eliminate the need for
additional crew members to return the following day. Many hands make light
work.
Standard: After hours arrival to the home unit, only complete the
necessary return protocols and plan on returning the following day to complete
all shop duties to ensure the crew is “Fire Ready”
Intent: If your crew returns to their home
unit after hours getting in and out of the shop in a timely manner is the
priority. Overhead will be expected to return the follow days to get their crew
“Fire Ready”
Miscellaneous
Dress Code
On line:
Full standard PPE for task at hand. All equipment is to be worn, unaltered, as
intended
Off line / on assignment: Green pants, company
top, company hat, boots & belt.
In camp
considerations will be made for shower and sleep attire however an appropriate
level of professionalism is expected, covering yourself adequately so as not to
draw unwanted attention to yourself or the company is preferred.
No
shirtless / revealing outfits and no clothing with explicit or inappropriate
content.
Excess Food
Standard: Direct crew
members to put any unwanted nonperishable foods into Pacific Oasis food drive
bag in the mother ship.
Intent: reduce food waste,
create a food bank for anyone within the company who wants to access it.
Medical
Issues
Standard: Compile a list of any pre-existing
medical issues on your crew. This includes but is not limited to allergies,
dietary restrictions, severe reactions to poison oak, etc.
Intent: You are responsible for the crew health and safety. Knowing ahead
of time if there is a potential for medical emergencies will ensure the
appropriate response.
Intent: There is a range of tasks that will
need to begin in the office after any workplace injury. Expediting that process
is crucial at times. Make a habit of informing the office sooner, rather than
later, of any injuries large or small.
Intent: The health and safety of our crew
members is our top priority. If a crew member requires medical assistance, we
need a chaperone to facilitate communications with the home unit as well as
transport of the affected person. The SRB cannot be the person accompanying the
injured crew member because they must stay and manage their crew.
Incidents Within Incidents
Standard:
Any incident within an incident must be reported to the office ASAP.
Intent:
There is a range of tasks that will need to begin in the office after any
incident within an incident. Expediting that process is crucial at times. Make
a habit of informing the office sooner, rather than later, with whatever
information you have at the time.
Standard:
The SRB and FFT1’s on site should document, in writing, as many details as
possible during incidents within incidents.
Intent:
Documentation of events can be a crucial tool. Err on the side of writing down
more details than you think you’ll need.
First
Aid Tent /Supply Cache
Standard: The minimum number of crew personnel
should visit the First Aid Tent.
Intent: This does not say the minimum number
of crew personnel should receive first aid, to the contrary, anyone who needs
it should receive it in full. However,
when practical, one crewmember should visit the tent for supplies needed by the
rest of the crew.
Standard: An FFT1 will be delegated the
responsibility of supply cache manager
Intent: The minimum number of crew personnel should visit supply. This is
a requirement of the contract intent meeting held in June 2014
Standard: Only items crucial to crew success
should be taken from supply.
Intent: We want to portray an appearance of
preparedness. Consumables in supply are an exception however, use discretion
when getting supplies for the crewmembers, obviously, take whatever you items
you need to perform the job.
IE Batteries, Flagging, Tape, Plastic sheeting
Driving (SLOW DOWN!)
Standard: Drivers in company vehicles will follow all driving laws.
Drivers in company vehicles should never exceed the posted speed limits.
Intent: Driving is the most dangerous thing
you do every day and should be taken seriously.
Standard: When Parking on fire assignment always back into your spot.
Always have a “backer” when parking your vehicle on assignment.
Intent: Parking facing out during fire
operations is the industry standard. Having a backer reduces the chance driver
error.
Standard: Any
routine or unplanned maintenance done to company vehicles should be noted in
the vehicle maintenance log.
Intent:
Recording everything done in the maintenance log ensures all routine upkeep is
completed on time every time.
Credit Cards / Draws
Intent: We want you to have the things you
want and need to be successful on assignments. However, this is only courtesy
we offer NOT something we are required to provide.
Standard: Credit
cards are only to be used for purchases directly related to crew operations.
I.E. Gas, Hotels, Crew meals.
Intent:
Company credit cards are not intended to be used for petty cash draws. This
causes an unnecessary amount of additional labor in reconciling company
accounts crew cash is provided at the beginning of runs to cover small cash
loans for creature comforts on a run.
Intent: We understand the difficulty in
handling the logistics of life when on a fire and want to help facilitate your
needs at home while you are on assignment. However, this is only courtesy we
offer NOT something we are required to provide.
