SOP 205.13 PERSONAL ALERT SAFETY SYSTEM

   PURPOSE

A.  To help prevent the occurrence of a fire fighter being in distress, missing, lost, injured,    trapped or   unconscious and not being able to summon assistance.

 

   B.  To provide each fire fighter with a device to be worn on the SCBA which emits an audible alarm signal in order to summon assistance in the event that the fire fighter becomes incapacitated or needs assistance.

       C.  To provide each fire fighter with training, which when complete, will give the fire fighter the knowledge and skills necessary to inspect, use, search for, locate and maintain in working order the Personal Alert Safety System (PASS) device.

POLICY

               A.   Each Ennis Fire Department SCBA which is placed in service on any piece of apparatus shall be equipped with a PASS device. 

               B.   It shall be mandatory that these devices be placed in the "ARM" position whenever the SCBA cylinder valve is turned to the open position during incidents, training exercises, and evolutions.

               C.   Fire fighters will not be permitted to operate in any hazardous environment without a PASS device in operation.

               D.  PASS devices will be located on the SCBA waist belt, for all SCBA’s manufactured by ISI. 

               E.   The PASS device shall not be removed from the SCBA by any personnel other than those authorized to perform repairs and maintenance on the device.

               F.   The device will be checked for proper functioning during the SCBA inspection at him beginning of each shift, after each use, whenever a replacement unit is issued or any time personnel are replaced by other personnel.

               G.  The SCBA and the PASS unit are considered to be one piece, therefore, if one or the other is found to be malfunctioning, both units will be considered out of service.

               H.  The OIC once properly notified will arrange immediate replacement of both the SCBA and PASS unit.

               I.    Batteries will automatically be replaced every six (6) months to assure each device has a fresh battery, and on an as-needed basis.  Batteries are to be replaced January 1st and July 1st of each year.

               J.   Training utilizing the PASS devices will be conducted twice annually to maintain both the knowledge and skills necessary   to inspect, use, search for, locate, and maintain in working order the PASS devices.  This training shall be mandatory for all Suppression personnel.

      

PROCEDURES

               A.  PASS Device Inspection

                     The following steps will be followed for PASS inspection:

                               1.  Check for visible damage to device.

                               2.  Place control knob to the “ON" position.  A loud, pulsating distress sound should sound immediately let device sound for five (5) seconds.

                               3.  After testing the “ON” position, place the control knob to the “ARM” POSITION.   A tone should sound briefly,   then   silence.    Let the device remain motionless.  A loud, pulsating distress sound should activate automatically within 30 seconds.

                               4.  Turn the device off by placing the control knob to the "OFF" position.

               B.  PASS Device Malfunction

                     The following steps will be followed when a device is found to be malfunctioning:

                               1.  Whenever a PASS device is found to be malfunctioning, the device and the SCBA harness it is attached to shall be removed from service.  At all times the PASS device shall remain attached to the SCBA harness.   Only exception shall be during repair or servicing by authorized personnel who will perform repairs and/or maintenance on the device.

                               2.   An EFD Form (Report of Defective or Missing Equipment)   shall   be   submitted   describing the malfunction.

3.       The OIC  shall be made aware of the malfunction and arrange immediate replacement of both the SCBA and PASS device.

               C.  PASS Device Use

                               1.  Anytime the SCBA is in use, the PASS device shall be placed in the "ARM" POSITION.  The front side of the control knob will show ORANGE in color when in the position.  This arming shall be done at the time the SCBA cylinder valve is turned on.  The device will automatically sound an alarm should the firefighter become disabled and remain motionless for more than 30 seconds.

                               2.  The PASS device may be manually activated by a firefighter in distress by placing the control knob in the "ON” position.  A loud, pulsating distress sound will sound continuously until manually turned to the “OFF" position.

 

                               3.  When in the "ARM" position, the PASS device will sound a low volume distress signal.  If the fire fighter is not in distress, a simple tapping or shaking of the device will stop the tone and reset the device should the PASS device activate a distress signal accidentally, reset the device by turning the control knob to the "OFF" position, and then back to the "ARM" position.

                               4.  The PASS device will sound a low volume "beep" sound as a low battery indication.   If a low battery is indicated, complete EFD form, notify the OIC will arrange for the immediate replacement of   the battery.    The OIC can authorize and   designate personnel to service the PASS devices to replace batteries.

                               5.  When SCBA are being worn, even in a non-hazardous environment, and the wearer is working alone he/she should arm the PASS device in the event of and accident.