Removal Date:          RETAIN                                                                      Memo #: 08-010R

To:                  All Career & Volunteer Suppression Personnel

From:              Harry H. Tinsley, Assistant Chief of Operations 

Date:               30 June 2008

Re:                  Fuel Efficiency Initiatives

With the increasing cost of fuel and the amount of fuel consumption within the operations division we are implementing the following guidelines effective immediately. 

Division Chiefs and Battalion Chiefs will ensure compliance with these directives and have the authority to adjust as needed.

These directives are in no way intended to reduce or restrict essential services such as responses, training, necessary meetings, and the handling of other department business.  They are intended to reduce unnecessary fuel consumption.  Fire companies must remain in their territory available to respond without delay.  The Division Chief and Battalion Chiefs are responsible for maintaining adequate fire coverage throughout the City and County, and for maintaining appropriate fire company response times. 

Any personnel needing routine uniform items from Logistics will need to handle these needs during their off-duty time or as outlined below.  Fire companies will not be taken out of service for routine trips to Logistics to retrieve these type of non-emergency items.

Fire apparatus will no longer leave their area to visit Logistics unless approved by the Division Chief or Battalion Chief.  Any personnel needing PPE or other immediate equipment or the like, will need to notify their Battalion.  All Battalions have supply lockers in their quarters that are stocked with various supplies.  Personnel will confer with the Battalion regarding any logistical needs while on duty.  If it is decided that the need is immediate then the Battalion will arrange pick up and delivery from Logistics.  The use of smaller support vehicles will be used were applicable.  Logistics personnel make regular deliveries for supplies; personnel will forecast their needs and can schedule any non-emergency delivery of items during these stops.  Logistics Fire Flow Technicians can make deliveries if they are testing within a stations area.  A call to Logistics to confirm this will need to be made by 0830 hours.  However, this procedure will not be used to handle needs that should be addressed while off-duty.

Fire Companies will remain in quarters unless responding to calls or handling “official department business” and or routine Station business.  Trips to the grocery store should be coordinated with normal responses and handled on the way back from a call or while handling department business.  It is understood that there are times when personnel need to handle an issue, however please use sound judgment and reduce unnecessary movement of fire apparatus.  Officers can cut-down the company and allow a member to go to the store or address a need by using a POV and carrying a WT to remain in contact with the company.  Pass Port Tags must be maintained when doing so.  

Fire Companies will not leave their assigned territory without approval from their Division or Battalion Chief. 

All fire Apparatus (Engines, Ladders, Rescues, Tankers, & Brush Trucks) must be fueled when the fuel tank level falls at or below ¾.  Smaller support vehicles should be fueled as needed.

Shift training will be coordinated as before when approved by the Division and/or Battalion Chief, however companies are encouraged to conduct training within Battalions to reduce the amount of apparatus traveling distances.  Shift training groups will need to coordinate this with Battalions.

Companies are encouraged to conduct in-Station training where applicable.

Battalion Chiefs will remain in their assigned territory unless attending a scheduled meeting or on official business.  Battalion Chiefs are encouraged to reduce the number of trips to Station 1 unless necessary.  Division Chiefs are asked to coordinate their shift meetings with Battalion Chiefs to reduce the need to come to Station 1.  Battalions do have the authority to adjust their schedules and move about as needed; however coverage between the Battalions must be worked out to provide adequate response.  Please remember that Battalion Chiefs are strategically placed throughout the City and County to allow for adequate timely responses to emergencies within their territory.  Quick on scene command and control is paramount and to achieve this timely response they must remain within their assigned territory as much as possible.

Battalion Chiefs will refrain from calling unnecessary meetings within their Battalions, and will not have fire companies come to their stations to sign time sheets and to pick up pay checks as a routine.  Battalions will need to make such deliveries as a routine as this gives them the opportunity to visit their personnel and discuss and address any concerns.

Battalions are asked not to have the second driver of the County stations leave in the brush truck to make routine stops and or deliveries.  It is understood that there will be times when this is necessary, however it must be done strategically and not as routine.  These drivers must not leave the Station together in the same vehicle unless responding to medical calls or approved by the Battalion.  Volunteer personnel must be notified when their station is unmanned.

E-mail will be used to communicate and paper documents can be scanned and e-mailed to reduce the need to make inter-office mail deliveries.

All vehicles, apparatus, and equipment will comply with the City Idling Policy.

Fire companies operating at the scene of emergencies will continue as normal, however, those apparatus and vehicles not being used for scene mitigation (pumping, PTO, lighting, etc.) will be shut-down.  With the recent addition of traffic cones and safety signs on each truck, fire trucks can now shut down and these safety items can be used rather than idling for the use of warning lights.  Scene safety will be maintained and the incident commander must make adjustments as deemed necessary.  This will not only reduce fuel consumption it reduces scene exhaust emissions and noise.

Personnel are encouraged to use smaller departmental support vehicles to make deliveries when feasible.  These vehicles are housed at various Stations throughout the City and County.  They are to be used for “official department business only”. 

Personnel will not make stops to Station 1 on fire apparatus to handle personal employment business; they will need to handle such business while off-duty.  We will not take fire companies out of service for such routine business.  There are times when personnel will be instructed to report to fire Administration for department business by the command staff.

Rehab 1 will not respond on calls unless requested through the Battalion Chief, Division Chief and/or incident commander.  Rehab 1 will respond if requested non-emergency to calls unless requested by the incident commander for emergency response.  Safe rehabilitation of on scene personnel will require adequate response and forecasting, if an emergency response is warranted it must be communicated through command.

Fire Companies are encouraged to use the Richland County mapping website for street area and hydrant familiarization in lieu or riding territory.  However, territory familiarization with apparatus is strongly encouraged, but using mapping software first and then riding to reduce unnecessary fuel consumption.

We must all be good stewards of the resources entrusted to us as employees and everyone’s cooperation is necessary to achieve a successful and efficient operation while being ready to respond to any situation.  Personnel are encouraged to seek additional ways to reduce fuel consumption and any suggestions are welcomed.  Please forward any comments to my office through normal chain of command procedures.