Daily drills may be scheduled during morning, afternoon or evening sessions, with a limit of no more than two sessions per day. The morning sessions shall be scheduled from 0800 to 1130 up to three and one-half (3 ½) hours, the afternoon session shall be scheduled from 1300 to 1600 up to three (3) hours, and evening sessions shall be scheduled from 1900 to 2100 up to two (2) hours. Companies scheduled to drill at 0800 must be notified on the tour before the drill.
Drill may be scheduled Monday through Saturday, excluding the seven (7) major holidays, December 24 (afternoon and evening), Good Friday (afternoon and evening). When it is necessary for a Battalion Chief or Company officer to schedule a drill on Sunday due to variable factors; traffic conditions, raising aerial ladders downtown, etc., the time spent in these drills will be used in lieu of the next scheduled drill. However, special stand-by may be done on Saturdays or Sundays and the excludable days listed above.
Inspections (exclusive of occupancy checks) will be scheduled on Thursdays (exclusive of holidays) when weather conditions are within the guidelines noted below. Occupancy checks may be made on any day throughout the year.
Company inspections will be limited to high hazard, pre-fire plan, organized drills by the battalion or deputy chief, or any special hazard the company officer, battalion or deputy chief feels requires it.
Inspections, special assignments, and outdoor drills may be canceled on a city-wide basis by the Operations Deputy, or his designee, because of inclement weather or for other reasons. Notice of such cancellation will be given as far in advance as possible. Inclement weather for outdoor inspections and drills is defined as rain, hail, sleet, excessive snow, high heat index or low wind chill. Temperature extremes are defined as above 85 degrees F. and below 40 degrees F. When the temperature is at or near the upper temperature extreme, the Deputy shall consider the humidity factor.
Inclement weather for indoor inspections is defined as hail, sleet, excessive snow or temperature extremes of 90 degrees F. and above, with high heat index and below 25 degrees F. with wind chill. The Operations Deputy or his designee will check with the U.S. Weather Bureau at 1245 hours and again at 1430 hours. If the companies are on the street and either extreme is met, they will be called back to quarters by the Deputy or his designee. Or if at quarters, they may not be sent out due to any inclement weather change. The Company Officer, upon notification to the Battalion Chief shall have the authority to cancel or delay inspections, or other outdoor programs of their company whenever inclement weather conditions (exclusive of temperature) exist in their district that have not caused cancellation on a city wide basis, or whenever other duties or circumstances dictate such cancellation.
In emergency situations inspections can be made notwithstanding the above indicated language.
Uniform clothing for drill, inspections, shall be the fatigue uniform without tie. Fire fighting clothing need not be worn during these activities unless made necessary by the nature of the activity being performed.
Inspection of the bottom of apparatus shall be limited to a safety inspection, regarding apparatus maintenance.
It shall be the responsibility of the Company Officer to meet the requirements of these inspections and drill programs along with all other departmental duties, special assignments or activities. In the event that a scheduled assignment is interrupted by emergency duties, that time lost need not be made up. This does not relieve the Company Officer of the responsibility for completing the assigned duties within the time period allotted.
(Ord. 594-06. Passed 8-22-06.)