OG 4035 Use of External Equipment

Issued By: SAFETY (D. Meldrum)    
Date of Issue:  2008/05/07

PURPOSE: 

To establish the conditions required for the safe use of equipment which is not owned by Halifax Regional Fire & Emergency (HRFE).

OBJECTIVE:

To ensure the safety of HRFE members while using external equipment. 

SCOPE: 

This operating guideline applies to career and volunteer members of HRFE. 

DEFINITIONS:

•    “Contracted Equipment” is specialized equipment which is hired by HRFE and is operated at an emergency scene by qualified employees of the contracted company. An excavator hired by HRFE and operated by an employee of the company which owns the excavator would be an example of contracted equipment.

•    “External Equipment” includes all equipment and materials which are not owned or maintained by the Halifax Regional Municipality. This includes small and large tools, vehicles or any other physical device. Contracted equipment is not considered external equipment for the purposes of this guideline.

PROCEDURE:

1.1    External Equipment should not be used if it is not Absolutely Necessary

Occasionally residents and bystanders may offer the use of equipment such as chainsaws, small boats, off-highway vehicles or other equipment to our Firefighters in an effort to assist in the mitigation of an emergency. Equipment which is not owned or operated by HRM may pose numerous hazards if used by our personnel. Risks associated with using external equipment include:

•    The maintenance history of the equipment is not known to HRFE. The equipment may not be properly maintained.
•    The equipment may be unfamiliar to our personnel. HRFE personnel may not be trained in the safe operation of the equipment. 
•    Using external equipment may attract the attention of the property owner and draw them close to the hazard area to watch or assist fire crews.

As a result, Incident Commanders shall not allow the use of external equipment unless this can be done safely and the use of that equipment will make an immediate and vital difference to the mitigation of an emergency.

1.2 HRFE Equipment Should be used if Available

In order to avoid the risks of using external equipment, HRFE owned equipment shall be used whenever possible. If an item is required and is available in another district or zone, the Incident
Commander shall call for these resources through dispatch. Specialty boats, off highway vehicles, tools and equipment are located in various stations within HRFE. Incident Commanders shall consider these assets before allowing the use of any external equipment.

1.3 Precautions Must be Followed if External Equipment is Used

The Incident Commander shall observe the following precautions before authorizing the use of external equipment:

•    The equipment must be suitable for the designated task and must meet the minimum safety requirements for work equipment as required by the Nova Scotia Occupational Safety General Regulations, or other applicable regulation. Many items sold for residential use are not suitable for commercial use.
•    Appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) must be available and worn by anyone operating the equipment.
•    The equipment must only be operated by personnel who are trained in its safe use.
•    Bystanders and other private citizens shall not operate equipment on behalf of HRFE. This does not include contracted equipment.

1.4 Special Equipment Considerations

Some types of equipment have special considerations, including:

•    Boats require trained personnel to operate, crews of two or more persons, and personal floatation devices or life jackets must be worn by everyone in the boat. 

•    Chainsaws must be in proper working order and have working safety brakes and anti-kickback devices. Operators must have full PPE, including approved chaps, helmets, gloves and eye protection. Chainsaw training is required for any operator. HRFE personnel must never fell standing trees.

•    Off highway vehicles (ATVs) should only be used if that uses will make an immediate and vital difference in the mitigation of the emergency, not simply for convenience. 
 
•    Passengers must not ride on or in cargo areas. All occupants must wear approved helmets. Operators must be trained in the safe operation of off highway vehicles.

1.5 Personal Equipment is Considered External Equipment

Equipment which is owned by our members shall be considered as external equipment and be treated in accordance with this guideline.

RELATED POLICIES/ OPERATING GUIDELINES:

•    P-607 PPE
•    OG 4038 Water Rescue Operations

OPERATING GUIDELINE REVIEW:

This operating guideline shall be reviewed when/if there are changes to the procedure to be followed for using external equipment.