SCBA USAGE:

1. Personnel will use SCBA’s at all alarms where smoke is visible or where there is ANY possibility that Toxic Gases, Dust or any other respiratory danger might exist.

2. Personnel utilizing SCBA’s will operate in teams of two (2) or more.

3. No Engine Company will respond to any alarm unless it carries at least one (1) SCBA for each person responding on that unit. The SCBA will be in easy reach of each person operating on that unit except the Driver. The Driver will have an SCBA available; however, it can be located in a compartment.

4. When SCBA’s are utilized, they are to be utilized in full compliance of the Manufacturers Operating Instructions.

5. All components, such as straps and belts, are to be fastened in place. Waist belts are NOT to be altered, left loose or folded away. They must be in place and worn.

6. Nomex hoods will be worn outside the face piece sealing. Wearing Nomex hood between the face piece seal and the skin could cause leakage in the face piece and place the user in danger.

7. All personnel are to assure that facial hair does not interfere with face piece sealing. Regulations on facial hair for fire operations personnel are as follows:

1. No Beards will be allowed.

2. Sideburns are to be kept trim to the point where they are not dense or thick where they prevent proper face piece sealing.

3. Mustaches will be allowed as long as they do not interfere with face piece sealing.

4. Excessive head hair will not be allowed if it interferes with face piece sealing or proper operation of face piece straps.

5. Eyeglasses are not to be worn when using SCBA’s.

8. SCBA’s are to be used during overhaul operations in accordance with the department’s Incident Command System.

INSPECTION:

1. All SCBA’s utilized in the Fire Department will comply with state law in regards to types purchased, tests, inspections, etc.

2. Each SCBA will be thoroughly inspected monthly. A Texas Commission on Fire Protection Personnel Standard and Education Report will be completed and turned into the Fire Lieutenant. The report will indicate “pass” or “fail” on each SCBA and each air cylinder and any failures will be noted on the reverse side of the report describing action taken.

3. Each SCBA will be inspected daily by personnel assigned to that unit. Any malfunctions, problems, etc. with any SCBA will be noted in the Department Daily Inspection and Maintenance log book and reported to the Lieutenant or shift leader.

4. Each spare cylinder will be inspected daily by the personnel assigned to the unit which carries spare cylinders. Any malfunctions, problems, etc. with any SCBA will be noted in the Cibolo Fire Department SCBA Daily Inspection and Maintenance log book and reported to the Lieutenant.

5. Company Officers or shift leaders will assign personnel to inspect SCBA’s and spare cylinders on units, which do not have assigned personnel.

6. Repairs to SCBA’s will be performed only by personnel who are certified to do so.

7. Personal Alert Safety System (PASS) devices shall be inspected daily, at the beginning of each duty cycle, or after each use in accordance with the manufactures specifications. Batteries in the PASS device will be changed when the battery indicator shows no less than one-half full.

AIR TESTING:

1. Breathing air produced by the SCBA compressor (Cascade System) will be tested every four months.

2. SCBA duty officer will be responsible to assure air testing is completed on schedule.

3. SCBA duty officer will monitor air test results and assure all air used by SCBA’s meets applicable standards.

4. Every Thursday, the Lieutenant or shift leader will be responsible for a weekly inspection on Cascade System (air compressor) and any malfunctions, problems, etc. will be noted in the Air Compressor Log Book.