Fire Operations | Team Concept | Engineer | Fire Field Training Officer | Aerial Truck Operator | Hazardous Materials
Fire Operations: Fire companies are staffed around the clock with two officers per fire apparatus. Patrol-based officers respond to supplement fire fighting efforts. A detailed system of automated response cards is maintained in Emergency Communications Center computers which allows for the appropriate number of fire companies and patrol personnel to be dispatched according to the nature, location and severity of an emergency.
Personnel assigned to the Fire Operations Bureau are responsible for all traditional fire service related activities including: suppression of fires, emergency rescues, hazardous materials incidents, inspections and enforcment of fire and life safety regulations, public education demonstrations, and emergency medical responses. The fire suppression personnel are assigned to 12 companies located in 6 strategically situated fire stations.
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Team Concept: Another device for making greater use of human resources is the application of the team concept to operations. The entire department is divided into teams, each of which is responsible for department tasks either during a given time period or in a certain geographical or functional area. Teams work and train together over a substantial period of time in order to develop the coordination required for effective performance. Also, through the team concept, personnel gain new perspectives of goals and problems.
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Engineer: All new Public Safety Officers are trained to perform at a fire ground as both a firefighter and a fire engineer (Apparatus Driver/Pump Operater). PSOs are also trained in EMS to the level of EMT-Basic. PSOs assigned to the Fire Brueau work a traditional "Kelly" schedule; three 24-hour shifts with 24-hours off in-between, and a four day weekend.
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Field Training Officer: A fire field training officer is carefully selected to do the on-the-job training. The broad background of knowledge needed by the effective officer cannot be gained entirely at the fire academy. The primary objective of the program is to produce a Public Safety Officer who can work in a safe and effective capacity in multiple roles on a fire ground. A six month assignment to the firehouse follows completion of police training. During those six months, a fire FTO will teach new PSOs to serve effectively as both a fire suppression and engineer firefighter. Completion of the program is mandatory prior to the end of probation.
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Aerial Truck Operator: Sunnyvale DPS maintains two Aerial Truck companies, each staffed by two PSOs.
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