Assistance to Firefighter Grant Program (AFGP) 

Fire Apparatus Equipment and Drivers Operators Apprartus Safety NFPA 1500 2007

NFPA 1500 Chapter 6 Fire Apparatus Equipment and Drivers Operators 2007

Grantees must certify, in their application and at award, that they have adopted or will adopt and enforce SOPs that comply with NFPA 1500. Chapter 6 Fire Apparatus, Equipment, and Drivers/Operators

6.1 Fire Department Apparatus.

6.1.1* The fire department shall consider safety and health as primary concerns in the specification, design, construction, acquisition, operation, maintenance, inspection, and repair of all fire department apparatus.

6.1.1.1* The fire department shall specify restraint devices for fire apparatus, including those restraint devices for emergency medical service (EMS) members operating in the patient compartment of the ambulance.

6.1.2 All new fire apparatus shall be specified and ordered to meet the applicable requirements of NFPA 1901, Standard for Automotive Fire Apparatus.

6.1.3 All new wildland fire apparatus shall be specified and ordered to meet the requirements of NFPA 1906, Standard for Wildland Fire Apparatus.

6.1.4 All marine fire-fighting vessels shall be specified and ordered to meet the requirements of NFPA 1925, Standard on Marine Fire-Fighting Vessels.

6.1.5* Where tools, equipment, or respiratory protection are carried within enclosed seating areas of fire apparatus or the patient compartment of an ambulance, such items shall be secured by either a positive mechanical means of holding the item in its stowed position or by placement in a compartment with a positive latching door.

6.1.6 When fire apparatus is refurbished, it shall be specified and ordered to meet the applicable requirements of NFPA 1912, Standard for Fire Apparatus Refurbishing.

6.1.7 Fire departments that operate their own fixed-wing or rotary aircraft for fire department operations shall provide four-point restraints for all pilots and passengers, not including any EMS patients.

6.1.7.1 Members performing hoist rescue in the passenger area of the aircraft shall be secured by a vehicle safety harness or seat belt system.

6.2 Drivers/Operators of Fire Department Apparatus.

6.2.1* Fire apparatus shall be operated only by members who have successfully completed an approved driver training program commensurate with the type of apparatus the member will operate or by trainee drivers who are under the supervision of a qualified driver.

6.2.2* The driver of a fire department vehicle shall be required to possess a valid driver's license for the class of vehicle, as specified by the AHJ.

6.2.2.1 Fire department vehicles shall be operated in compliance with all applicable traffic laws, including special provisions pertaining to emergency vehicles as established by the AHJ, as well as specific rules, regulations, and procedures adopted by the fire department.

6.2.3* The fire department shall establish specific rules, regulations, and procedures relating to the operation of fire department vehicles in an emergency mode, including guidelines to establish when emergency response is authorized and when emergency response is not authorized.

6.2.4* Drivers of fire apparatus shall be directly responsible for the safe and prudent operation of the vehicles under all conditions.

6.2.4.1 When the driver is under the direct supervision of an officer, that officer shall also assume responsibility for the driver's actions.

6.2.5 Drivers shall not move fire apparatus until all persons on the vehicle are seated and secured with seat belts in approved riding positions, other than as specifically allowed in this chapter.

6.2.6 Drivers of fire apparatus shall obey all traffic control signals and signs and all laws and rules of the road of the jurisdiction for the operation of motor vehicles.

6.2.7* The fire department shall develop standard operating procedures for safely driving fire apparatus during non-emergency travel and emergency response and shall include specific criteria for vehicle speed, crossing intersections, traversing railroad grade crossings, the use of emergency warning devices, and the backing of fire apparatus.

6.2.7.1* Procedures for all responses shall emphasize that the safe arrival of fire apparatus to the incident scene is the first priority.

6.2.8* During emergency response, drivers of fire apparatus shall bring the vehicle to a complete stop under any of the following circumstances:

(1) When directed by a law enforcement officer

(2) At red traffic lights

(3) At stop signs

(4) At negative right-of-way intersections

(5) At blind intersections

(6) When the driver cannot account for all lanes of traffic in an intersection

(7) When other intersection hazards are present

(8) When encountering a stopped school bus with flashing warning lights

6.2.9 Drivers shall proceed through intersections only when the driver can account for all lanes of traffic in the intersection.

6.2.10* During emergency response or non-emergency travel, drivers of fire apparatus shall come to a complete stop at all unguarded railroad grade crossings and ensure that it is safe to proceed before crossing the railroad track(s).

6.2.11 Drivers shall use caution when approaching and crossing any guarded railroad grade crossing.

6.2.12 The fire department shall include information on the potential hazards of retarders, such as engine, transmission, and driveline retarders, in the driver training program and shall develop written procedures pertaining to the use of such retarders.

6.2.13 The fire department shall develop written procedures requiring drivers to discontinue the use of manual brake limiting valves, frequently labeled as a “wet road/dry road” switch, and requiring that the valve/switch remains in the “dry road” position.

6.2.14* Where members are authorized to respond to incidents or to fire stations in private vehicles, the fire department shall establish specific rules, regulations, and procedures relating to the operation of private vehicles in an emergency mode.

6.2.14.1 These rules and regulations shall be at least equal to the provisions regulating the operation of fire department vehicles.

6.2.14.2* These rules and regulations shall also apply to the use of emergency lighting equipment, audible warning devices, or both on private vehicles.

6.2.14.2.1 The rules and regulations shall specify the procedures for use of emergency lighting equipment and audible warning devices and shall be in compliance with the motor vehicle laws of the jurisdiction.

6.2.14.2.2 Emergency lighting equipment and audible warning devices shall not be installed without the fire department's approval.

6.3 Riding in Fire Apparatus.

6.3.1* All persons riding in fire apparatus shall be seated and belted securely by seat belts in approved riding positions at any time the vehicle is in motion other than as allowed in 6.3.4 and 6.3.5. Standing or riding on tail steps, sidesteps, running boards, or in any other exposed position shall be specifically prohibited.

6.3.2 Seat belts shall not be released or loosened for any purpose while the vehicle is in motion, including the donning of respiratory protection equipment or protective clothing.

6.3.3* Members actively performing necessary emergency medical care while the vehicle is in motion shall be secured to the vehicle by a seat belt, or by a vehicle safety harness designed for occupant restraint, to the extent consistent with the effective provision of such emergency medical care.

6.3.3.1 All other persons in the vehicle shall be seated and belted in approved riding positions while the vehicle is in motion.

6.3.4* Fire departments permitting hose loading operations while the vehicle is in motion shall develop written standard operating procedures addressing all safety aspects.

6.3.5* Fire departments permitting tiller training, where both the instructor and the trainee are at the tiller position, shall develop written standard operating procedures addressing all safety aspects.

6.3.6* Helmets shall be provided for and used by persons riding in open cab apparatus or open tiller seats.

6.3.7* Eye protection shall be provided for members riding in open cab apparatus or open tiller seats.

6.3.8* On existing fire apparatus where there is an insufficient number of seats available for the number of members assigned to or expected to ride on that piece of apparatus, alternate means of transportation that provide seated and belted positions shall be used.

6.4 Inspection, Maintenance, and Repair of Fire Apparatus.

6.4.1* All fire apparatus shall be inspected at least weekly, within 24 hours after any use or repair, and prior to being placed in service or used for emergency purposes, in order to identify and correct unsafe conditions.

6.4.2 A preventive maintenance program shall be established, and records shall be maintained as specified in 4.6.5.

6.4.3 Inspection, maintenance, and repair of fire apparatus shall be conducted in accordance with NFPA 1915, Standard for Fire Apparatus Preventive Maintenance Program.

6.4.4* The fire department shall establish a list of major defects to be utilized to evaluate when a vehicle shall be declared unsafe.

6.4.4.1 Any fire department vehicle found to be unsafe shall be placed out of service until repaired.

6.4.5 All repairs to fire department apparatus shall be performed by personnel meeting the requirements of NFPA 1071, Standard for Emergency Vehicle Technician Professional Qualifications, or personnel trained to meet the requirements identified by the manufacturers in their specifications and procedures for fire department vehicles and protective equipment.

6.4.6 Fire pumps on apparatus shall be service tested in accordance with the applicable requirements of NFPA 1911, Standard for Service Tests of Fire Pump Systems on Fire Apparatus.

6.4.7 All aerial devices shall be inspected and service tested in accordance with the applicable requirements of NFPA 1914, Standard for Testing Fire Department Aerial Devices.

6.4.8 All fire apparatus shall be cleaned and disinfected in accordance with NFPA 1581, Standard on Fire Department Infection Control Program.

6.5 Tools and Equipment.

6.5.1 The fire department shall consider safety and health as primary concerns in the specification, design, construction, acquisition, operation, maintenance, inspection, and repair of all tools and equipment.

6.5.2 The hearing conservation objectives of this standard shall be taken into account in the acquisition of new power tools and power equipment.

6.5.3 All new fire department ground ladders shall be specified and ordered to meet the applicable requirements of NFPA 1931, Standard for Manufacturer's Design of Fire Department Ground Ladders.

6.5.4 All new fire hose shall be specified and ordered to meet the applicable requirements of NFPA 1961, Standard on Fire Hose.

6.5.5 All new fire department spray nozzles shall be specified and ordered to meet the applicable requirements of NFPA 1964, Standard for Spray Nozzles.

6.5.6* All equipment carried on fire apparatus or designated for training shall be inspected at least weekly and within 24 hours after any use.

6.5.7 Inventory records shall be maintained for the equipment carried on each vehicle and for equipment designated for training.

6.5.8 All equipment carried on fire apparatus or designated for training shall be tested at least annually in accordance with manufacturers' instructions and applicable standards.

6.5.9 Fire-fighting equipment found to be defective or in unserviceable condition shall be removed from service and repaired or replaced.

6.5.10 All fire department equipment and tools shall be cleaned and disinfected in accordance with NFPA 1581.

6.5.11 All ground ladders shall be inspected and service tested in accordance with the applicable requirements of NFPA 1932, Standard on Use, Maintenance, and Service Testing of In-Service Fire Department Ground Ladders.

6.5.12 All fire hose shall be inspected and service tested in accordance with the applicable requirements of NFPA 1962, Standard for the Inspection, Care, and Use of Fire Hose, Couplings, and Nozzles and the Service Testing of Fire Hose.

6.5.13 All fire extinguishers shall be inspected and tested in accordance with the applicable requirements of NFPA 10, Standard for Portable Fire Extinguishers.

6.5.14 All fire department powered rescue tools shall meet the requirements of NFPA 1936, Standard on Powered Rescue Tools.

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