Capabilities & Competencies

VCOS VISION imageThe existing national standards prescribe a one-size-fits-all training curriculum for structural firefighters. States may or may not follow the national standards or may modify the national standard to fit their individual situation. Some states have reciprocity and some do not.

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4x4 SOP City of Reno (Nevada) Fire Department

SOP for safe 4x4 operations.

Alaska's Project Code Red/Basic Firefighter

Alaska Department of Public Safety Project Code Red/Basic firefighter program.
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Backing of Apparatus SOP (Elgin (Illinois) Fire Department)

Sample SOP of Backing of Apparatus from Elgin (Illinois) Fire Department
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Cone & Flare Deployment at Roadway Incidents

Guidelines for Establishing Advance Warning and Transition Areas at Highway where members are working in or near moving traffic
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Driver Training Program

Example materials covering pumper, rescue and tower apparatus driver training.
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Driver Training SOG Albuquerque (New Mexico) Fire Department

SOG for a a comprehensive driver training and education program.
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Driving Emergency Vehicles SOP St. George (Louisiana) Fire Protection District

SOP to set minimum standards and safety regulation for department vehicle operators.
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Emergency Driving of Fire Service Vehicles SOP (Meriden (Connecticut) Fire Department)

Emergency vehicle operation SOP from Meriden (Connecticut) Fire Department.
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Emergency Response Driving SOG (Stickney (Illinois) Fire Department)

Emergency response driving SOG.
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Emergency Response Pocedures for Vehicles SOG Omaha (Nebraska) Fire Department

Example SOG for emergency response procedures with department vehicles.
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Emergency Vehicle Driving SOP (Roseville (Minnesota) Fire Department)

Emergency Vehicle Driving SOP from Roseville Fire Department.
  • Ambulance

Emergency Vehicle Operations Guidelines

Example of emergency vehicle operations guidelines.
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Emergency Vehicle Operations SOP West Metro (Colorado) Fire Protection District

SOP on emergency vehicle driver responsibilities.
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Emergency Vehicle Operations Training SOP (Catoosa (Oklahoma) Fire Department)

Outlines the responsibility, training requirements and details of operating an apparatus
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Emergency Vehicle Response SOG Depauville (New York) Volunteer Fire Department

Guidance on proper response of department emergency vehicles.
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Fire Department Vehicle Driving SOP (Newport Beach (California) Fire Department)

SOP to ensure safe driving of department vehicles.
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Fire Department Vehicle Safety SOP (Reno (Nevada) Fire Department

Operation of fire department vehicles SOP from Reno (Nevada) Fire Department.

Firefighter Training: Best Practices for Exterior Firefighters

Recommended minimum training standards based on firefighter tasks and promote best practices for firefighter training and education.

Florida Volunteer Firefighter Training

Florida Division of State Fire Marshal and Florida State Fire College volunteer firefighter training.
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Lost or Trapped Firefighter SOP (Example Elgin (Illinois) Fire Department)

SOP identifying the required actions for the search and rescue of lost or trapped firefighter(s).
  • VCOS logo - IAFC Volunteer and Combination Officers Section

Management Minute: New Techniques

6 things the fire service needs.

Mississippi Training and Certification Programs for Volunteer Firefighters

Mississippi State Fire Academy training & certification programs for volunteer firefighters.
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Modified Response SOP West Metro (Colorado) Fire Rescue

Example of a modified response SOP from West Metro (Colorado) Fire Rescue
  • Ponderosa Fire Department

Multiple Operational Guidelines (Ponderosa Vol Fire Dept, TX)

Standard operational guidelines provided by Ponderosa Vol Fire Dept. as samples.
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Multiple Vehicle SOPs (Genesee Charter Township (Michigan) Fire Department)

Multiple vehicle SOPs from Genesee Charter Township (Michigan) Fire Department

NFPA 1001 Standard for Fire Fighter Professional Qualifications

NAFTD official position on NFPA 1001.

Ohio Volunteer Firefighter Training

Ohio Department of Public Safety's Volunteer Firefighter Training program.

Oregon Fire Ground Leader Task Book

Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training's Fire Ground Leader Task Book.

Oregon Fire Ground Leader Training Program

Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training fire ground leader training program
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Positioning in Traffic Conditions SOG Albuquerue (New Mexico) Fire Department

Example SOG for safe positioning in traffic conditions.
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Preventing Deaths and Injuries to Firefighters Working at Strip Mall Fires

NIOSH has recommended precautions that fire departments should take while fighting strip mall fires.

Rapid Intervention Operations Manual

Sample rapid intervention operations manual.
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Rapid Intervention Team (Pierce Fire Rescue)

This guideline outlines a procedure to ensure risks faced by personnel are minimized through sound practices and safety procedures.
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Response Matrix SOG Eden (North Carolina) Fire Department

SOG for the dispatch and engine response mode for services.
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Roadway Operations SOP Springdale (Arkansas) Fire Department

Example roadway operations SOP to improve safety from Springdale (Arkansas) Fire Department.
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Safe Driving Sample Policy

Sample safe driving policy for you to customize for your department.
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Safe Parking While Operating in or Near Vehicle Traffic SOP (Phoenix (Arizona) Regional Fire Department)

Unit placement SOP from Phoenix (Arizona) Regional Fire Department.
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SCBA SOP (Elgin (Illinois) Fire Department)

Elgin (Illinois) Fire Department’s Respiratory Protection Program as they relate to SCBA.
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TAMPA 2 Report: Carrying the Safety Message into the Future

Final report from NFFF’s 2014 TAMPA 2 Firefighter Life Safety Summit to review and discuss the 16 life safety initiatives.
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TransCanada Pipeline Incident Information Visor Card

Use this Pipeline Incident Information Visor Card to record important information during pipeline incidents.
  • BACKING UP OF FIRE APPARATUS

Vehicle Backing and Signals SOP (Phoenix (Arizona) Regional Fire Department)

SOP to ensure safe backing of vehicles.

White Paper on Volunteer Firefighter Training

Policy position stating that all volunteer fire departments should establish a goal to train all personnel based on NFPA 1001.