Fire Service Mission and Regulations
Course
Firefighter I
Unit II
Safety and
Orientation
Essential
Question
Why is it
important for
firefighters and
emergency
response
personnel to
review,
understand, and
communicate
policy as it
relates to the
mission of the fire
service?
TEKS
§130.299(c)
(2)(A)(C)
(15)(C)(D)(E)
Prior Student
Learning
Familiarity with
local fire and
emergency
service’s
published
mission
statement and
the “Save Lives
and Property”
statement
Estimated Time
2 hours
Rationale
Universally, the mission of the fire service is to save lives and property.
Included in this mission is the responsibility of the fire service to protect, as
best it can, the men and women of the fire service who respond to
emergency incidents. Risk management includes operating and practicing
the use of standard tactical priorities commonly used by most departments.
Those priorities in order are life safety, incident stabilization, and property
conservation. Because the fire service’s responsibilities to the public are
ever-changing, while mitigating all types of emergencies, it is important that
the fire service mission be understood and practiced.
Objectives
The student will be able to:
1. Analyze the rules and regulations common to most fire departments
2. Identify the mission of the fire service and the local fire department
according to the authority that has jurisdiction
Engage
Engage the students in a discussion about the mission of the fire service,
“To Save Lives and Property” (refer to your local jurisdiction website as a
resource; i.e. www.elpasotexas.gov/fire), and the fire service’s tactical
priorities.
Use the following questions and suggestions for the discussion. Use the
Discussion Rubric for assessment.
 What functions or jobs performed by firefighters support the common
mission statement of the fire service?
 What other public service organizations or professions would you
expect to have similar mission statements?
 Within the scope of “Saving Lives and Property,” when do you feel it
is appropriate and justified for a firefighter to risk his or her life, and
when is it not?
Note: Emphasize life safety, including that of fire service personnel and its
obligation to serve the public under ethical and moral standards. To
communicate the fire service mission to the public is critical to the success
of local fire service agencies. Relate fire service’s responsibility to the
common rules and regulations established by most jurisdictions that guide
personnel in those efforts. Emphasize an understanding of the needs for
regulations, policies, and procedures that make the fire service efficient and
responsible to the public’s needs.
Key Points
I. Rules and Regulations
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A. Common in the fire service; can be used for administrative purposes
as well as emergency scenes
B. Generally categorized as a policies or a procedures
1. Policies
a) An organization’s guide for decision making
b) Originate at the top of an organization
c) Set boundaries and expectations relative to specific
situations
2. Procedures
a) Closely associated with policies
b) Communicated in written form
c) Outlined step-by-step; aid in carrying out organizational
policies
3. Policies and procedures are implemented through orders and
directives, either of which may be written or verbal
a) Orders are based on policies and/or procedures, and
compliance is required
b) Directives are not based on policies and procedures, and
may come in the form of a suggestion or a request, but they
are expected to be followed, particularly in an emergency
response situation
II. Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s)
A. Rules or plans that fire department members are expected to use in
order to complete a routine task or respond to a specific situation
1. May also be called Standard Operating Guidelines (SOG’s) or
General Operating Guidelines (GOG’s)
2. Provide a standard response that is based on an Incident Action
Plan (IAP)
3. Commonly written in a handbook of local policies and
procedures with which each department member should be
familiar
4. Established with the fire service mission and fire-ground tactical
priorities in mind; the tactical priorities (in order) are
a) Life-safety
b) Incident stabilization
c) Property conservation
5. Safety is always the priority when writing SOP’s
a) They reduce confusion at the fire scene
b) They reduce duplication of effort
c) They help to establish and maintain coordination among fire
crews
B. Many fire organizations carry out personnel and administrative
functions through the use of SOP’s. These may include but are not
limited to regulations on
1. Dress
2
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2. Conduct
3. Vacation and sick leave
4. Station assignment
5. Part-time employment
6. Vehicle use
7. Travel
8. Purchasing
9. Emergency response
10. Medical protocols
III. Rules and Procedures Manuals common to most Authority Having
Jurisdiction (AHJ’s)
A. Inspection Manual – includes inspection forms and procedures for
line company firefighters and fire marshal personnel to use when
inspecting businesses and residences in the AHJ
B. Administrative Procedures Manual – a reference for policies,
procedures, regulations, and information issued and developed by
the fire department administration to provide a uniformed approach
to its management policy (for example,
http://www.uncg.edu/sft/pdfs/safety_manual/section0170.pdf)
C. Equipment Operations Manual – a reference for vehicle equipment
maintenance as well as other equipment and tools used in the fire
service such as hose, Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA),
and communications equipment
D. Fire Operations Manual – a reference for fire operation rules and fire
company evaluations. It may also reference but is not limited to
referencing mutual aid response, haz-mat operations, and general
response rules established by the AHJ (for example,
http://sdnorthzone.net/PDF/EOM/sections/511.pdf)
E. Safety Manual – a reference for AHJ safety regulations, emergency
vehicle accident prevention, and infection control procedures and
policies; it also establishes a department safety committee and
safety officer (for example,
http://www.usfa.fema.gov/pdf/efop/efo29272.pdf)
F. Station Operations Manual – a reference for station energy
conservation measures, station chain of command, cold and hot
weather procedures, and station management in general
G. Rules and Regulations Manual – a reference for, but not limited to,
personnel rules and regulations, discipline, grooming and dress,
ethics policies, and alcohol or drug policies (for example,
http://phoenix.gov/FIRE/volume1.html)
H. Medical Procedures Manual – a reference for medical protocols of
the local jurisdiction; establishes continuing education credits and
mandates within the AHJ
Activities
3
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Mission Statement. Have each student write a mission statement for a fire
department that includes the types of services the department will deliver,
and to whom those services will be delivered. Use the Fire Service Mission
Statement Handout for the activity and use the Writing Rubric for
assessment.
Assessments
Fire Service and Mission Exam and Key
Discussion Rubric
Presentation Rubric
Research Rubric
Writing Rubric
Materials
Fire Service Mission and Regulations computer-based presentation
Fire Service Mission Statement Handout
Copies of local fire department SOP’s pertaining to department rules and
procedures (ask for a hard copy or a link from the local jurisdiction if
available)
Resources
0135151112, Essentials of Firefighting (5th Edition), International Fire
Service Training Association (IFSTA), 2008
1418073245, Firefighter’s Handbook: Essentials of Firefighting (3rd Edition),
Delmar Cengage Learning, 2008
www.cityorchicago.org/city/en/depts/cfd/provdrs/prevent/svcs/fpb_inspection
_manual.html
http://www.uncg.edu/sft/pdfs/safety_manual/section0170.pdf
http://sdnorthzone.net/PDF/EOM/sections/511.pdf
http://www.usfa.fema.gov/pdf/efop/efo29272.pdf
http://phoenix.gov/FIRE/volume1.html
Accommodations for Learning Differences
For reinforcement, students will interview three firefighters and ask each to
1) share their understanding of risk management in the fire service and 2)
identify a circumstance in which they believe risking a firefighter’s life is not
justified. Students must then choose one of those three circumstances and
give an explanation of whether they agree with the firefighter or not. Use the
Writing Rubric for assessment.
For enrichment, students will research one of the 343 firefighter deaths at
the World Trade Center on 9-11 and decide if their research aligns with the
fire service mission of “Saving Lives and Property.” The students will present
their findings to the class. Use the Research Rubric and the Presentation
Rubric as needed for assessment.
4
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State Education Standards
Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Career and Technical Education
§130.299. Firefighter I (One to Two Credits).
(2)
The student executes safety procedures and protocols
associated with fire management services. The student is
expected to:
(A)
apply local, state, and federal regulations pertaining to
safety issues;
(C)
practice personal safety procedures.
(15) The student recognizes all aspects of the fire department
organization. The student is expected to:
(C)
analyze the rules and regulations common to most fire
departments;
(D)
identify the mission of the fire service and of the local
fire department according to the authority having
jurisdiction;
(E)
describe the function of a standard operating system;
College and Career Readiness Standards
English/Language Arts Standards
I. Writing
A. Compose a variety of texts that demonstrate clear focus, the logical
development of ideas in well-organized paragraphs, and the use of
appropriate language that advances the author’s purpose.
1. Determine effective approaches, forms, and rhetorical
techniques that demonstrate understanding of the writer’s
purpose and audience.
2. Generate ideas and gather information relevant to the topic
and purpose, keeping careful records of outside sources.
5
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Name________________________________ Date__________________________
Fire Service Mission and Regulations Exam
Multiple Choice:
1. _____ Which of the following is not one of the three fire service risk management tactical
priorities?
a. Incident stabilization
b. Property conservation
c. Salvage and overhaul
d. Life safety
2. _____ Firefighter Lopez says that orders are solely based on policy. Firefighter Smith
disagrees, and says that orders may also be based upon written procedures.
Which firefighter is correct?
a. Firefighter Lopez
b. Firefighter Smith
c. Neither are correct
d. Both are correct
3. _____ Which of the following is not based on policies or procedures but is expected to be
followed, especially in an emergency situation?
a. Order
b. Policy
c. Procedure
d. Directive
4. _____ Compliance is required in which of the following?
a. Orders
b. Suggestions
c. Requests
d. Directives
e. All of the above
5. _____ A routine task or a response to a specific situation is carried out by using a what?
a. Standard Operating Guideline
b. Standard Operating Procedure
c. General Operating Guidelines
d. All of the above
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6. _____ Which of the following statements regarding Standard Operating Procedures
(SOP’s) is false?
a. SOP’s provide a standard response that is based on an Incident Action Plan
b. SOP’s are established without considering the fire service mission and fireground tactical priorities
c. Many fire organizations carry out personnel and administrative functions
through the use of SOP’s
d. All of the above
7. _____ A reference for a fire department’s policies and procedures would be the
department’s what?
a. Administrative Procedures Manual
b. Operations Manual
c. Rules and Regulations Manual
d. Station Manual
8. _____ Which list has the correct fire service tactical priorities in the proper order?
a. Rescue, Salvage and Overhaul, Fire Control
b. Fire Attack, Containment, Search and Rescue
c. Life Safety, Incident Stabilization, Property Conservation
d. Life Safety, Salvage and Overhaul, Incident Stabilization
9. _____ Which of the following statements about SOP’s is true?
a. Safety is always the priority when writing SOP’s.
b. SOP’s help reduce confusion at a fire scene.
c. SOP’s reduce duplication of effort among firefighters, and help establish and
maintain coordination among fire crews.
d. All of the above
10. _____ Which manual would likely include information regarding infection control
procedures?
a. Medical Procedures Manual
b. Safety Manual
c. Operations Manual
d. Administrative Procedures Manual
Short Answer Questions:
11. What is the difference between a policy and procedure?
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12. What are directives, and in what particular circumstances are they expected to be
followed?
13. What is the purpose of a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP)?
14. When writing an SOP, what are the tactical priorities that must be kept in mind?
15. Many fire organizations carry out personnel and administrative tasks through the use of
SOP’s that address regulation on several areas. What are three of those areas?
16. List three organizations that fire service personnel may interact with?
17. What procedure manual is a reference source for policies, procedures, regulations, and
information used to provide a uniformed approach to a fire department’s management
policy?
18. As a reference source for personnel rules and regulations, including discipline, grooming
and dress, and ethics policies, are there any other areas that Rules and Regulations
Manuals can address?
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19. In what occupancies do a fire department’s inspection forms and procedures for company
firefighters and fire marshal personnel apply to?
20. In your opinion, is there any circumstance in which the life of a fire victim would outweigh
the life of a firefighter when you consider the risk management policy that many
departments have adopted?
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Fire Service Mission and Regulations Exam Key
1. C
2. B
3. D
4. A
5. D
6. B
7. A
8. C
9. D
10. B
11. Policies are guides to decision making, and are relative to specific situations.
Procedures are closely related to policies, and they are written, step-by-step ways to
carry out a policy.
12. Suggestions or requests that are expected to be followed, particularly in an emergency
response situation.
13. A Standard Operating Procedure is a rule or plan that fire service members are
expected to use to carry out routine tasks or to respond to a specific situation.
14. Life Safety, Incident Stabilization, and Property Conservation
15. Any three of the following:
Dress
Conduct
Vacation and Sick Leave
Vehicle Use
Travel
Station Assignment
Purchasing
Part-time employment
Medical Protocols
Emergency Response
16. Any three of the following:
Police Department
U. S. Military
Red Cross
Salvation Army
17. Administrative Procedures Manual
18. Alcohol and Drug Policies
19. Both business and residential occupancies
20. Open-ended question (determine if the student understands why the tactical priorities
were established)
10
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Fire Service Mission Statement Handout
Write a mission statement for a fire department that includes the types of service that the
department will deliver and to whom those services will be delivered. Your mission statement
will provide purpose and direction. Be specific with your statement so that the people your
department serves will know what services your department does and does not provide.
A mission statement should not limit what your fire department can do, rather it should
emphasize what services your fire department provides to its community. Remember that
universally the mission of the fire service is to “save lives and property,” and this message
should be reflected in your mission statement.
Services commonly provided by fire departments include but are not limited to
 Fire suppression
 Rescue and extrication
 Fire prevention, inspection, and code enforcement
 Emergency medical services
 Public education
Use the mission statement given below as an example:
The Midway Fire Department is organized to deliver fire prevention, fire suppression
(extinguishment), and rescue services to the citizens of its protection area. This will
include response to conduct vehicle extrication, hazardous materials mitigation,
and basic life support emergency medical services. (Firefighter’s Handbook, 2008)
You will be graded using the Writing Rubric on
 Assignment objective
 Context, Purpose, and Audience Awareness
 Language
 Organization
 Mechanics (spelling and grammar)
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Name_______________________________________
Date_______________________________
Discussion Rubric
Objectives
4 pts.
Excellent
3 pts.
Good
2 pts. Needs Some
Improvement
1 pt. Needs Much
Improvement
N/A
Pts.
Participates in group discussion
Encourages others to join the
conversation
Keeps the discussion progressing
to achieve goals
Shares thoughts actively while
offering helpful recommendations to
others
Gives credit to others for their ideas
Respects the opinions of others
Involves others by asking questions
or requesting input
Expresses thoughts and ideas
clearly and effectively
Total Points (32 pts.)
Comments:
12
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Name:____________________________________
Date:_____________________________
Presentation Rubric
4 pts.
Excellent
Objectives
3 pts.
Good
2 pts. Needs Some
Improvement
1 pt. Needs Much
Improvement
N/A
Pts.
Topic/Content
 Topic discussed completely and in-depth
 Includes properly cited sources (if used)
Creativity/Neatness
 Integrates a variety of multimedia effects
to create a professional presentation
(transition and graphics) or appropriate
visual aid used
 Title slide, table of contents, bibliography
are included, using acceptable format
Mechanics
 Grammar, spelling, punctuation, and
capitalization are correct
 Image and font size are legible to the
entire audience
Oral Presentation
 Communicates with enthusiasm and eye
contact
 Voice delivery and projection are
dynamic and audible
Audience Interaction
 Presentation holds audience’s attention
and relates a clear message
 Clearly and effectively communicates the
content throughout the presentation
Total Points (20 pts.)
Comments:
13
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Name______________________________________
Date_______________________________________
Research Rubric
4 pts.
Excellent
Objectives
3 pts.
Good
2 pts. Needs Some
Improvement
1 pt. Needs Much
Improvement
N/A
Pts.
Question/goal
Student identified and communicated a question
or goal of the research
Research/Gathering information (if relevant)
Student used a variety of methods and sources
to gather information. Student took notes while
gathering information
Conclusion/Summary
Student drew insightful conclusions and
observations from the information gathered.
Information is organized in a logical manner
Communication
Student communicated the information gathered
and summary or conclusions persuasively.
Student demonstrated skill in the use of media
used to communicate the results of research
Reflection
Student reflected on the importance of the
research and its potential application
Total Points (20 pts.)
Comments:
14
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Name:____________________________________
Date:_____________________________
Writing Rubric
4 pts.
Excellent
Objectives
3 pts.
Good
2 pts. Needs Some
Improvement
1 pt. Needs Much
Improvement
N/A
Pts.
The writing has all required parts from
introduction to conclusion in smooth
transition.
The writing is interesting, supportive,
and complete.
The writing demonstrates that the
writer comprehends the writing
process.
Accurate spelling, grammar, and
punctuation
The content of paragraphs
emphasizes appropriate points.
The writer shows an understanding of
sentence structure, paragraphing, and
punctuation.
All sources and references are clearly
and accurately documented.
Total Points (28 pts.)
Comments:
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