Probation Department Policy/Procedure Manual

3.41 Fire Extinguishers in Vehicles

Location Vehicles
Section N/A
Subject 3.41 Fire Extinguishers
Purpose To establish the minimum standards for inspection, use and replacement of fire extinguishers in caged vehicles and the Probation Department buildings.
Effective Date 7/1/2019
Previous Effective Date

 

Overview

Department caged vehicles and Probation Department buildings will be outfitted with Class A-B-C fire extinguishers. Fire extinguishers will be available for deployment in the event an unforeseen fire related emergency occurs during the normal course of your duties.  

General Procedure

Caged Vehicles

  1. Officers will visually check the charge status (gauge needle is in the Green Zone) of the fire extinguisher each time they drive the vehicle.
  2. Fire Extinguishers found to be non-operational (gauge needle not in the Green Zone) must be taken to the county garage for replacement. If after hours, the next business day.
  3. Officers will ensure the fire extinguisher is securely mounted each time they drive the vehicle.
  4. In the event the fire extinguisher is deployed, the fire extinguisher is to be taken to the County garage for replacement during normal business hours. If after hours, contact the next business day.
  5. The County garage is responsible for the annual maintenance and inspection of the fire extinguishers.

Probation Department Buildings

  1. At the beginning of each month, Casa Loma Front Desk AA IIIs will visually check the charge status (gauge needle in the Green Zone) of the fire extinguishers at Casa Loma, Prado building and the Court House Hub. An AA III at JSC will visually check the charge status of the fire extinguishers at JSC. One of the JSO IIIs will visually check the charge status of the fire extinguishers at the Juvenile Hall.
  2. Fire Extinguishers found to be non-operational (gauge needle not in the Green Zone) need to be replaced by telephoning Silicon Valley Fire Inc. at 1-408-841-9700. If after hours, contact Silicon Valley Fire Inc. the next business day.
  3. In the event a fire extinguisher is deployed at Casa Loma, Prado building or the Court Hub, contact one of the Casa Loma Front Desk AA IIIs. In the event a fire extinguisher is deployed at JSC, contact one of the JSC AA IIIs.  In the event a fire extinguisher is deployed at the Juvenile Hall, contact one of the JSO IIIs.  If after hours, contact the next business day.
  4. Silicon Valley Fire Inc. is responsible for the annual maintenance and inspection of the fire extinguishers.

Deployment

The following protocol is considered Best Practices if you need to deploy the Fire Extinguisher.

Fire extinguishers operate using the following P.A.S.S. technique:

  1. PULL... Pull the pin. This will also break the tamper seal.
  2. AIM... Aim low, pointing the extinguisher nozzle (or its horn or hose) at the base of the fire.
  3. SQUEEZE... Squeeze the handle to release the extinguishing agent.
  4. SWEEP... Sweep from side to side at the base of the fire until it appears to be out. Watch the area. If the fire re-ignites, repeat steps 2 - 4.

If you have the slightest doubt about your ability to fight a fire, EVACUATE IMMEDIATELY!