HomeMy WebLinkAboutSOG 301.02 REVISED 6-2014_Vehicle Safety Restraints301.02 — Use of Vehicle Safety Restraints
Effective. 8/1/2001
Revised: 6/5/2014
Replaces: UOG/SOG 301.01 D
I. Guiding PhilosophX
According to current statistics, 24% of all firefighter fatalities and an increasing number
of serious injuries occur in response related accidents. It is widely recognized that the consistent
use of seat belts will lessen the severity of injuries and greatly improve the chance of surviving a
serious vehicular accident. We recognize that our employees are our most valued asset and
because of this, do our best to provide for their safety and welfare when traveling in vehicles and
apparatus.
II. Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to establish the performance expectation relative to use of
vehicle safety restraints while riding in fire department vehicles and apparatus.
III. Goals
The goals of this policy are to:
A. Communicate the department's general policy relative to utilization of vehicle
safety restraints.
B. Set the performance standard relative to utilization of vehicle safety restraints
while responding to an alarm.
C. Convey responsibilities related to compliance.
IV. Definitions
A. Vehicular Restraint — Safety belt and/or safety bar.
V. General Polic
A. All personnel are RhIg H,1R TO) fS S" i ii TIP" when operating a fire
department vehicle equipped with seat belts. Anyone driving or riding as a
passenger in a fire department or other City vehicle is required to use seat belts
where provided.
B. On older apparatus outfitted with safety bars, the safety bar will be in the "down"
position at all times while the vehicle is in motion.
C. Members will inspect seat belts and/or safety bars for proper function as a part of
the daily apparatus check, and report any problems or issues through the
appropriate channels.
D. All personnel shall be in a seated position when the apparatus is in motion. This
may necessitate completing the donning of protective clothing before the unit
leaves the station or after the unit arrives on scene.
VI. Resoondina to an Alarm
A. It is understood that there is both a need to not delay response times and a
requirement to still be secured with a seat belt on all emergency calls while the
vehicle is in motion. One method to accomplish this on emergency calls that
require full PPE, including SCBA, is for personnel to don bunker boots, pants and
coat then put on their seat belt before the apparatus starts the response.
B. While enroute to the call, personnel can continue to don whatever protective
clothing that they can without removing the seat belt. If the SCBA cannot be
donned without removing the seat belt then it should be donned immediately upon
arrival. This process minimizes any delay in response and still ensures that
members are always buckled up for safety.
VII. Compliance
A. All personnel are responsible for complying with this policy.
B. Company and Chief Officers are responsible for ensuring that their personnel
understand this policy, and for taking appropriate supervisory actions to insure
that compliance is consistently maintained.
SOG 301.02 — Use of Vehicle Safety Restraints Page 2 of 2