STANDARD
OPERATING
GUIDELINES
Twin Valley Forest Fire Crew
25 Hall St
Elverson, Pa 19520
SUBJECT: FORESTRY CREW ORGINZATION & MANAGEMENT
EFFECTIVE Jan 1, 2005
I. Purpose.
The purpose of this SOG is to provide direction for the management and administration of Elverson Fire
Company (EFC) related to Wildland Firefighting. The crew shall be called the Twin Valley Forest Fire Crew
II. Scope.
This SOG applies to all operational personnel.
III. Objectives.
Through this SOG, it is EFC’s goal to:
•Establish a system that ensures the Elverson Fire Company has trained and qualified fire crews.
• Ensure the standardization of procedures for management of EFC crews.
• Provide administrative and supervisory direction for management of all forestry crews.
IV. Crew Management.
Fire Crew Composition: The EFC fire suppression crew will be composed of one (1) Squad boss and
at least two (2) crew members. No more than two (2) inexperienced crew member shall be considered
for each crew.
A. Pennsylvania Forest Fire Warden: The Warden is the principle officer of the crew and derives
his or her authority from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The Warden’s duties and
responsibilities are:
1. Responsible for the over-all preparedness, and operational readiness of the crew, it’s
equipment and individual members.
2. Over-all supervision and administration of the crew during fire calls, training sessions, and
special events. In connection with the exercise of these duties, the warden acts as Chief of the
crew in the same manner as a fire or police chief would.
B. Special Assistant Warden: The Special Assistant Warden is appointed by the Warden to act in his
or her place during his/her absence. The Assistant Warden’s duties and responsibilities are as follows:
1. Assist the Warden in performance of the duties and responsibilities outlined in Section IV
paragraph A 1,2.
2. Maintain a list of active crew members and contact information.
3. Maintain an equipment inventory.
4. Other duties as assigned by the Warden.
C. Squad Boss: A qualified squad boss, preferably initial attack qualified, will accompany each EFC
crew. The crew boss is directly responsible for work effectiveness, safety, conduct, welfare,
organization, briefings, and discipline of the crew at all times. A squad boss trainee may be assigned.
The squad boss is determined at the time of departure
D. Crew Member: Each crewmember will join the crew at the assembly point and accompany them
to the same location on return. Each crewmember will be fully qualified, unless responding as a
trainee. Must be 18 years of age.
D. Crew Member Trainee: A crewmember trainee is minimum 16 years of age, with basic wild land
firefighting skills (I-130). A 16 –18 year old must file working papers with the district office. The
trainee is assigned to a crewmember. The Pa child labor laws (Appendix A) will be followed. A limit
of 1 to 2 crew member trainee to a response. No Initial attack duties for 16-17 year olds.
E. Driver / Operator: The driver of the vehicle must posses a valid Pa drivers license. A driver will
be qualified by each stations policies or procedures for their own vehicles.
F. Chain of Command: See Appendix B
V. Qualifications.
A. Physical Requirements: Fire crewmembers must physically be able to perform the duties
assigned to him or her. If a member has any Allergies (i.e. bee stings) or take medications they
must let the local warden know of that condition.
B. Training Requirements:
I-130 (minimum for crew member)
I-190
ICS (Incident Command System) I-100 recommended
Each member must complete at least 3-hour refresher every year
PMS 416 Firefighter Safety and Surviaval
VI. Sawyers
If the Incident Management Team wants chainsaws, and qualified personnel
Are available on the EFC crew, they can be used on the incident. At a minimum, EFC
Members designated, as sawyers will have successfully completed Power saw Training, S212, and demonstrated to EFC they have attained appropriate chainsaw use experience.
Designating and qualifying sawyers will be the responsibility of EFC. Qualifications
Shall be documented in the individual crewmember’s record..
• FALA Class A: Qualified to cut 0” to 8”.
• FALA Class B: Qualified to cut 8” to 24”.
VII. Dispatch and Mobilization Procedures.
A. Dispatch Center: When the EFC forestry crew is requested they will be dispatched through the
Chester County communications center.
1. The Fire warden or his assistants determines the crew and its availability with notification to
the Fire Chief so they are not left short handed..
2. Team designation with Chester, Berks and Lancaster will be 17-16
3. If Fire warden is on scene he or she must notify the appropriate county and that they are on
scene.
4. All requests for team response must be approved by the FFSS ( Forest Fire Specialist
Suppervisor, AKA Chief 17 )
B. Crew Mobilization: Each EFC member wishing to do so will be assigned to an authorized crew.
Crews will be rotated so each individual is given an opportunity for assignment. The Forest Fire
Warden will annually establish crew list to be submitted to the district office by January 15 of the new
year.
C. Crew/Individual Preparedness Guidelines: Crewmembers must be familiar with both
mobilization and demobilization procedures.
1. Crew members must have a current EFC ID card.
2. Crew members will not possess, or be under the influence of, alcohol or drugs at any time
during the assignment. This includes all time (travel, work, “R & R”, on and off shift) from
point of departure until return after an assignment is ended.
3. Crew members shall be in good mental and physical condition; they cannot be sick, injured,
or recovering from a recent injury or illness.
4. Crew members shall not carry expensive personal items, i.e., radio, camera, tape recorder,
jewelry. EFC is not responsible for lost, stolen, damaged, or destroyed personal items not
essential to the job.
5. Individuals accepting an assignment agree, under ordinary circumstances, they will remain
with the crew for the duration of the assignment. Examples of extraordinary circumstances
include illness, injury, or disciplinary actions.
D. Personal Equipment: All firefighters should keep a fire pack with personal gear ready at all times
to reduce response time and the chance of forgetting something. All gear and personal items will be
carried inside the bag and not attached outside. No aluminum frames will be allowed.
Property that is owned by the fire company shall remain property of such, if a crew member leaves the
crew all equipment that is company owned shall be returned within 72 hours of written termination. If
he or she does not do such they will be held financially responsible for that equipment
Each firefighter should furnish the following personal and EFC issue items:
EFC will supply some items as financially possible; otherwise it is up to each member to provide the
following items, as they feel necessary to carry
• Boots: minimum 8”, all-leather tops; lace-up with vibram rubber lug soles.
• Coat, jacket or sweatshirt; and gloves.
• Socks: heavy wool or heavy cotton.
• Handkerchiefs.
• Rain parka or poncho.(optional)
• Hardhat.
Wardens = White Squad Boss = Red Crew Member = Yellow
• Flame resistant shirt
• Flame resistant trousers
• First Aid Kit (Squad boss).
• Personal pack.
• Canteen (fire line crews only).
• Headlamp.
• Work gloves, all leather.
• Individual first aid kit (Optional for crew members).
• Non perishable snack foods.
• Spare batteries for headlamp.
• Whistle, compass, flagging
• 10/18 card to be carried on your person at all times
• Personal items: prescription medications (at least a 2-day supply if going out of district).
Keep informed of present and potential weather conditions where fires are
Occurring. Planning for the worst weather conditions is your responsibility.
All personnel shall wear flame resistant shirts and pants when on fire
Assignments.
IT IS EACH CREW MEMBERS RESPOSIBILITY TO KEEP THERE GEAR AND EQUIPMENT
CLEAN AND READY FOR RESPONSE. CLEAN GEAR IS NOT ONLY A HYGENE ISSUE BUT
IMPORTANT TO KEEP POSSIBLE FUELS OFF YOUR GEAR.
VIII. EFC Responsibilities
EFC will be responsible for recruiting, outfitting, training, Administration, and determining the assembly
point and will arrange for support activities.
During mobilization and demobilization of crews. EFC will:
A. Issue and maintain company owned gear.
B. Provide meals as necessary (including sack lunches), transportation, and all crew supervision prior
to departure.
C. Check all personnel to ensure they have ID cards and all necessary gear for the assignment.
D. Insure squad bosses provide a final pre-travel briefing to their crews prior to departure.
IX. General Policies.
A. Rules of Conduct: Unsatisfactory performance or conduct will not be tolerated. Every firefighter is
important to the overall effectiveness of the crew. Firefighters will obey and follow instructions issued by
supervisors. Organization and discipline will be maintained from the time a crew leaves their point of
departure until they return. Disciplinary action for unsatisfactory performance or conduct enroute to or from
the fire, on the fire, or at the duty station is the responsibility of the Squad boss. Crews are expected to
complete work assignments given and to maintain orderly conduct during the entire period of deployment,
from point of departure through the assignment and return to point of departure.
EFC members will:
1. Fight fire aggressively and safely.
2. Complete work assignments within given timeframes.
3. Conduct themselves in an orderly manner while on the fire line, in fire camp, on “R & R”, in travel
status, and during ordered standby duty.
4. Follow safe working practices at all times. Observe the “10 Standard Firefighting Orders” and “18
Situations that Shout WATCH OUT”, and use safety equipment provided to them.
5. Maintain assigned EFC and government equipment and tools in good, serviceable condition and, at
the end of the assignment, return equipment in good condition to the place or person designated.
6. Report for duty at the place and time designated, ready to begin the assignment. This will include
the possession of the proper tools, equipment, and supplies needed for the assignment.
7. Carry out instructions from supervisors unless otherwise prevented by unsafe conditions situations.
8. Maintain clean, orderly living areas including fire camps. Garbage, tools, and equipment will be
picked up and disposed of or stored properly at all times.
9. Maintain compatible working relationships with fellow workers, other crews, and supervisors. An
attitude of cooperation will be expected from all crewmembers.
B. Sexual or ethnic harassment will not be tolerated. Conduct of this nature will be considered grounds for
immediate removal.
C. Possession of firearms, intoxicating beverages, marijuana, and any form of controlled substance not
prescribed by a physician is prohibited. Possession or any evidence of usage constitutes grounds for
immediate discharge. This applies from the time of dispatch until returned to point of hire.
D. All members have the responsibility to see that these rules are followed and to take action to prevent
violations.
E. Violation of any of the above rules of conduct can result in the immediate removal of the individual(s)
involved from the fire and camp. Violations by individual crewmembers may result in the entire crew being
sent home. All violations will be reported to the Home Unit for possible disciplinary action.
XI. Injury Compensation.
A.Individuals must disclose any and all existing ailments or injuries before being sent on assignment.
B. All injuries or illnesses are to be reported to the work supervisor immediately. Injuries or illnesses
requiring medical treatment should be reported to the Squad boss as soon as possible. The member and
supervisor must complete all appropriate accident reporting forms.
C. Decisions as to whether to retain personnel who sustained injuries or illnesses will
be based on advice provided by medical personnel providing treatment.
D. Once called up by the Bureau of Forestry a member is covered by their Workman’s Comp. Insurance
XIV. Disciplinary Procedures.
A. Responsibilities
Crew bosses will provide written, complete, accurate, unbiased documentation of all offenses. Documentation
will include supporting statements and all facts pertinent to the commission of the offense(s).
B. Notification/Documentation: Within 15 days, EFC will send a letter to the affected individual(s) or crew,
which states:
1. Nature of the offense.
2. Additional disciplinary action imposed, if any, beyond the initial action, and when such disciplinary action
is to begin and end.
3. Suggestion(s) for what the individual or crew should do to correct the offense or prevent future termination,
probation, or suspension.
4. Name and address to which the individual(s) or crew may appeal.
5. That the affected parties must given written notice of their desire to appeal.
6. That the written notice of appeal must be hand-delivered or postmarked within thirty (30) days of receipt of
the letter.
7. That copies must be sent of the letter via Certified Mail, Return Receipt Requested, as follows:
• In the case of an individual, send to the individual, crew boss, and EFC Fire Chief.
• In the case of a crew, send to the crew boss (with instructions to inform other crewmembers), and EFC Fire
Chief.
XV: DISTRICT 17 BLUE CARD QUALIFICATION SYSTEM
PURPOSE: To provide an alternative Qualification and Dispatch tracking system for District 17 Wildland
Fdirefighters and Warden Crews. The program falls within existing condition of appointment to Wardens and
maintains authority to the District Forest Fire Warden and the Forest Fire Specialist Supervisors (FFSS).
INTRODUCTION: The system concept is based on natural training progression from basic local crews to
the Red Card Specialized Crews that are already established. This is a three tier approach to District 17
guidelines.
1. Basic “IN DISTRICT” local warden crews will remain as is with the Forest Fire Warden or Assistant
Warden encouraging the minimum training standard. IE Pa -130, I-100. The crews, Wardens and
Assistant Wardens will be compensated per the published Fire Equipment and Manpower Rates for the
specific year.
2. Wardens and Crews wishing to travel out of district would require additional training. The standard
level of training for this level shall be Pa-130, S-190, I-100, PMS-416. Also required would be Fitness
level B which is the 25lb. Walk test for two miles in 30 minutes. This group would be issued a District
17 “BLUE CARD” which is good for two years, but will require annual refresher training for fitness
test and fire shelter deployment. Additional advanced training would also be noted on the card such as
s-212 sawyer, s-211 pumps, etc… Blue card holders would be placed up on a call-up list the same a s
a red card firefighter. Blue card firefighters must understand that the standard work shift on any out of
district assignment will be 12 hours on the fire scene, including assignment briefing and orientation. A
Blue carded Warden or Assistant Warden on assignment must supervise blue carded firefighters. Blue
Cards can be terminated at any time by the Warden. Assistant Warden, FFSS, District Fire Warden,
State Forest Fire Warden.
3. Red Card holders will still follow Specialized Crew Standards and can be issued a Blue Card upon
request if they are a member of a Forest Fire Wardens Crew. Blue Cards will be issued from the
District 17 Office and signed by the District Forest Fire Warden. Blue Cards will be sent to the FFSS
for review and signature, and then they will be forwarded to the Crews Warden.
Blue Carded Crews: The crew must have a Warden or Assistant that has a valid blue card.
Membership: Must be 18 years of age.
Work Capacity: Must walk 2 mile in 30 minutes with 25lb pack (must be done every year)
Training Requirements:
PA-130
Basic Wild land Firefighting
S-190
Introduction to Wild land Fire Behavior
I-100
Introduction to ICS
PMS-416
Standards for survival
Annual Fire shelter deployment refresher
16 hour course
6 hour course
2 hour course
8 hour course
2 hours a year
Personal Protective Equipment: All fire line members must wear PPE as required in the PA-130 Course.
Team Building: All fire line members must work together as a team and engage in a positive and productive
behavior.
Supervision: The crew must be under supervision of a blue card Warden or Assistant.
OUT OF DISTRICT ASSIGNMENTS:
Crew size: The standard crew size shall be 10 firefighters. If a crew responds out of district with less than 10,
those members will be paired with another crew once on scene.
Standard Work Shift: 12 hours on fire line including assignment briefing ,orientation and transport time to
fire line.
Fire Line Tools: The crew will respond with their own hand tools. The crew must be self supportive for a 12
hour work period.
Communications: The Crew will respond with a hand held VHF FM Radio that is field programmable. The
crew may use their own radios for intra crew communications.
Transportation: The transportation starts from the time a crew member leaves their residence to a destination
point. Warden or Assistant and Crew members will meet at a designated area, -location will be given by the
FFSS or designee. At this location, the Warden or Assistant, will have a roster completed in duplicate with
NAME, SSN, TRAVEL MILAGE, AND TRAVEL TIMES. A copy will be turned into an ICS representative
upon arrival.
Wardens Responsibility: Submit form 35 to FFSS. The FFSS reviews and submits to receiving district.
Manpower & Mileage Rates: The Crew will be compensated per the yearly published rates.
Pennsylvania Child Labor Laws
Section 7.1. No minor under sixteen years of age shall be employed or permitted to work in, about, or in connection
with, any establishment or in any occupation before seven o'clock in the morning or after seven o'clock in the evening
of any day except during school vacation period from June to Labor Day when such minor may work between the
hours of seven o'clock in the morning and ten o'clock in the evening nor shall such minor who is enrolled in school and
working outside school hours be employed or permitted to work in, about, or in connection with, any establishment or
in any occupation more than four hours on a school day, or more than eight hours on any other day, or more than
eighteen hours during a school week: Provided, That, students fourteen years of age and over whose employment is
part of a recognized school-work program, supervised by a recognized school authority, may be employed for hours
which, combined with the hours spent in school, do not exceed eight a day: And further provided, That minors over the
age of fourteen may be employed in the distribution, sale, exposing or offering for sale, of any newspaper, magazine,
periodical or other publication for not more than fifty-one hours in any one week, or more than nine hours in any one
day, and after six o'clock in the morning and before eight o'clock in the evening: And further provided, That a minor
under sixteen years of age employed on a farm by a person other than the farmer in the hatching, raising or harvesting
of poultry may be employed or permitted to work until 10 o'clock in the evening as long as the minor is not working in
an agricultural occupation declared hazardous by the United States Secretary of Labor.
No minor under eighteen years of age shall be employed or permitted to work in, about, or in connection with, any
establishment between the hours of twelve in the evening and six in the morning if such minor is enrolled in regular
day school: Provided, That, minors sixteen and seventeen years of age may be employed until, but not after, one
o'clock in the morning on Fridays and Saturdays, and on days preceding a school vacation occurring during the school
year, excepting the last day of such vacation period
Section 7.2. Any minor of the age of seventeen years who is a high school graduate or who is declared to have
attained his academic potential by the chief administrator of the school district wherein he resides shall, for the
purposes of this act, be deemed to be a minor of the age of eighteen years.
Section 7.3. Minor Volunteer Fire Company, Volunteer Ambulance Corps, Volunteer Rescue Squads and Volunteer
Forest Fire Crew Member Activities.
(a) Minors who are members of a volunteer fire company and volunteer forest fire crew may participate in training and
fire-fighting activities as follows:
(1) Drivers of trucks, ambulances or other official fire vehicles must be eighteen years of age.
(2) Minors sixteen and seventeen years of age who have successfully completed a course of training
equal to the standards for basic fire-fighting established by the Department of Education and the
Department of Environmental Resources, may engage in fire-fighting activities provided that such
minors are under the direct supervision and control of the fire chief, an experienced line officer or a
designated forest fire warden.
(3) No person under eighteen years of age shall be permitted to
(i) operate an aerial ladder, aerial platform or hydraulic jack,
(ii) Use rubber electrical gloves, insulated wire gloves, insulated wire cutters, life nets
or acetylene cutting units,
(iii) Operate the pumps of any fire vehicle while at the scene of a fire, or
(iv) Enter a burning structure.
(b) The activities of minors under sixteen years of age shall be limited to:
(1) Training.
(2) First aid.
(3) Clean-up service at the scene of a fire, outside the structure, after the fire has been declared by the
fire official in charge to be under control.
(4) Coffee wagon and food services.
(c) In no case, however, shall minors under sixteen years of age be permitted to:
(1) Operate high pressure hose lines, except during training activities;
(2) Ascend ladders, except during training activities; or
(3) Enter a burning structure.
(d) All other activities by minors who are members of a volunteer fire company or a volunteer forest fire crewman shall
be permissible unless specifically prohibited by this act.
(e) No rule or regulation of any State agency concerning minor volunteer firemen shall be adopted or promulgated
except by amendment to this act.
(f) All other existing provisions of this act and the regulations promulgated there under affecting the employment of
minors shall be applicable in all cases, including the requirements for employment certificates and the limitations on
hours of employment: Provided, That a minor sixteen or seventeen years of age who is a member of a volunteer fire
company who answers a fire call while lawfully employed and continues in such service until excused by the one
acting as chief of that fire company shall not be considered in violation of this act for any part of the period so
occupied: And further provided, That a minor who is fourteen or fifteen years of age, who is a member of a volunteer
fire company and who performs the training or fire-fighting activities permitted for such minor under the provisions of
this act between the hours of seven o'clock in the evening and ten o'clock in the evening before a day of school with
written parental consent shall not be considered in violation of this act.
(g) Any minor who is a member of a volunteer ambulance corps or rescue squad may participate in training and any
other activity as provided by regulations adopted by the Department of Labor and Industry but in any case, drivers of
all ambulances or other official ambulance corps or rescue squad vehicles must be eighteen years of age.
Section 17. (a) All employers shall require the minor to have a valid employment certificate or transferable work permit
prior to the commencement of employment. A transferable work permit shall remain in the custody of the minor.
(b) It shall be the duty of every person who shall employ any minor possessing a general or vacation employment
certificate to acknowledge, in writing, to the official issuing the same, the receipt of the employment certificate of said
minor, within five days after the beginning of such employment. On termination of the employment of any such minor
the general employment certificate or vacation employment certificate issued for such minor shall be returned by mail,
by the employer, to the official issuing the same, immediately upon demand of the minor for whom the certificate was
issued, or otherwise, within five days after termination of said employment. The official to whom said certificate is so
returned shall file said certificate and preserve the same. Any minor whose employment certificate has been returned,
as above provided, shall be entitled to a new employment certificate upon presentation of a statement from the
prospective employer, as hereinabove provided.
(17 amended Dec. 21, 1988, P.L. 1908, No. 192)
Section 17.1. (a) Any employer employing a minor having a transferable work permit shall, within five days of
commencement of such employment, provide the school district issuing that permit with the following information in
writing:
(1) The permit number.
(2) The name and age of the minor employee hired.
(3) The number of hours per day and week such minor employee will be employed.
(4) The character of the employment
(b) An employer employing minors having transferable work permits shall maintain a record of minors at the work site
which contains, for each minor, the name of school district issuing the permit, the minor's birthday, the date of issue of
the permit, the permit number, and the occupation in which the minor is engaged. A photocopy of the transferable work
permit may be used as a record for the information contained on that permit: Provided, however, That the employer
record the occupation in which the minor is engaged on such photocopy.
(c) In addition, upon termination of the employment of such minor, the employer shall, within five days, notify in writing
the issuing school district of the fact employment has been terminated.
(d) The school district shall maintain for two years the records required to be filed by employers under subsection (a).
(17.1 amended Dec. 2, 1988, P.L. 1908, No. 192)