Operations at Fire Stations: Difference between revisions
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===Self determination to deploy=== | ===Self determination to deploy=== | ||
Individual volunteers have personal discretion to deploy when the self-deployment protocols are met [[Operations at Fire Stations#Deployment Protocols at Fire Stations|as described above]]. The decision to deploy following a disaster is a volunteer’s own, and a volunteer may never be coerced into deploying. A volunteer who chooses not to deploy will not be subject to any consequences related to his or her standing in the BEECN program. | Individual volunteers have personal discretion to deploy when the self-deployment protocols are met [[Operations at Fire Stations#Deployment Protocols at Fire Stations|as described above]]. The decision to deploy following a disaster is a volunteer’s own, and a volunteer may never be coerced into deploying. A volunteer who chooses not to deploy will not be subject to any consequences related to his or her standing in the BEECN program. | ||
===Deployment Guiding Principles=== | |||
During the course of any deployment or exercise, BEECN volunteers must ensure that all chosen actions conform to the following guiding principles: | |||
#Safety is always the top priority. | |||
#Always use the buddy system and always work in pairs. It takes at least two volunteers to operate at a fire station. | |||
#If you see something unsafe, say so. Everyone has permission to say, “That does not seem safe” or “I do not feel safe.” | |||
#If someone points out an unsafe condition at the fire station, stop operations and ask for help from PF&R personnel to correct it. | |||
====Conduct==== | |||
When operating from a fire station, volunteers should act as guests on the property. Please be respectful and avoid damaging the grounds or any property at the location. If PF&R personnel are present, volunteers should follow any and all instructions given by them. Please represent PBEM professionally and respectfully. | |||
====Personal Security==== | |||
#As indicated in the [[PBEM Volunteer Code of Conduct|Volunteer Code of Conduct]], volunteers must never carry firearms or other weapons when volunteering at a BEECN. A folding knife or knife with less than a twelve-inch blade is acceptable as a tool. | |||
#If confronted by a person at any time who intends to take the equipment and/or harm the volunteers, volunteers must not engage physically or verbally. Take the handheld UHF radio if it is safe to do so, leave all other equipment and walk away, and call out for help. Do not attempt to confront any threatening person. | |||
====Media Requests==== | |||
It is critical that public messaging be kept consistent and only government representatives should talk with the press during an emergency. All requests from the media to speak on the record about an emergency must be relayed to PBEM for approval. Unless authorized by PBEM, BEECN volunteers may not interview with media representatives or answer media questions about the emergency. | |||
== X == | == X == | ||
