California BLM Policy for Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) Units
May 17, 2010
In Reply Refer To:
9210 (CA943) P
EMS TRANSMISSION: 5/17/10
Instruction Memorandum No. CA-2010-016
Expires: 9/30/11
To: District and Field Office Managers
ATTN: District and Field Office FMOs
From: Acting State Director
Subject: California BLM Policy for Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) Units
Program Area: Fire Management
Purpose: This Instruction Memorandum (IM) updates and replaces the policy for Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) use as originally directed in Instruction Memorandum No. CA-2008-026, which expired 09/30/09.
Policy/Action: In order to comply with the statewide policy for the use of SCBA’s, a notification of policy compliance letter from the District/Field Manager is required to be sent to the State Director. This letter will confirm compliance with all the implementation procedures of the SCBA program. Documentation needs to be completed by June 1 annually. This is a statewide program policy, therefore all District/Field Offices must be compliant before SCBA’s are placed on engines within the state.
Timeframe: Effective immediately.
Budget Impact: None
Background: Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) units are used in some California wildland fire organizations. Their use provides additional protection to firefighters responding to fires threatening public lands that may have originated from vehicle fires, dump fires or structure fires. Increased occurrence of these types of fires has elevated the potential exposure to toxic smoke and gases at wildland fire incidents. It is BLM California’s policy that personnel not be exposed to a hazardous atmosphere without the available benefit of SCBA’s. Standards for SCBA use are found in the December 3, 2008 BLM California SCBA Standard Operating Procedures Guide. The BLM California SCBA Standard Operating Procedures and Training Course Guides are available from the Field Office Fire Management Staff and at Fire Stations. Districts must meet the standards for medical requirements, equipment, training and clothing as established in the BLM California SCBA Standard Operating Procedures Guide.
The California BLM Fire Management Program has taken steps to provide protection to the firefighter by supplying positive pressure SCBA units for all Type 3 engines (class 665) within California. These SCBA units are the only approved units, and are required to be installed on all Type 3 engines.
The BLM emphasis in using SCBA units on structure fires will continue to be to preserve life and protect property. Our policy of NOT entering structures for suppression efforts will remain the same. We will continue to provide structure defense from the exterior only.
Use of SCBA units on fires will be according to the Standard Operating Procedures guide. The SCBA units must be worn throughout the extinguishment and mop-up phases of these incidents. To offer maximum safety to the firefighter during these types of fires, foam will be utilized at all times during extinguishment and mop-up. As a reminder, supervisors are responsible for grooming standards per sub-section 5 of the “Use of Respiratory Equipment” section.
Our objective for providing the SCBA’s is not to provide a new way for our firefighters to fight fires, but to provide protection from what they are already exposed to. Risk assessments and tactical alternatives should be considered before using the SCBA equipment. A decision to take action utilizing the SCBA will always be in conjunction with the appropriate business practice and management control protocols.
If you have any questions or need additional copies of the guide and training manual, please contact Ken Hood, State Aviation and Equipment Manager, at 916-978-4435.
Signed by:
Jan Bedrosian
Acting Acting State Director
Authenticated by:
Richard A. Erickson
Records Management