Chapter 5 – Adult Custody and Security Operations

The Department shall provide reasonably safe facilities for inmates and furnish a place of employment that is reasonably safe and healthful.

Fire and safety related activities shall be in accordance with updated revisions of the CCRCalifornia Code of Regulations. In the event that state or local codes are not applicable, recommendations/standards of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPANational Fire Protection Association) (current edition) shall apply.

Life safety and fire prevention are the responsibility of every employee. Each employee shall attend appropriate training for providing a reasonably safe working and living environment for staff, inmates, and visitors.

The Warden at each facility shall have in place fire prevention and suppression programs.

The purpose of this section is to provide for the prevention and prompt, efficient suppression of fire within the institutions and to ensure that all concerned, by an effective means of communication, know and understand their role in a fire safety program.

Each fire department shall have the following positions:

• Fire Chief, Correctional Facility.

• Firefighters, Correctional Institution.

• Inmate firefighters. Each institution shall be minimally staffed at a level of four (4) inmate firefighters per fire engine and two (2) per supplemental vehicle if applicable, with the exception of LACCalifornia State Prison, Los Angeles County and NCWF.

Fire Service/Training Specialist, Correctional Facility or Firefighter, Correctional Institution, may be established on a part-time/permanent intermittent basis at the discretion of the appointing authority.

The Fire Chief:

• Performs administrative duties and manages the fire department’s operation and personnel.

• Develops training programs for fire fighting personnel (including inmates) utilizing the California Fire Service Training and Education Program (CFSTEP), and Certification Programs, recognized by the State Fire Marshal (SFMState Fire Marshall).

• Develops work schedules for firefighters/personnel under their jurisdiction.

• Coordinates staff training in fire prevention and suppression methods and technology through, and with the cooperation of, the ISTIn-Service Training Office.

• Makes or provides for frequent inspections of the institution for fire and life safety hazards and reports findings from the inspections to the Warden/designee.

• Participates in the safety program of the institution.

• Provides inspection and maintenance of fire fighting equipment/systems throughout the institution.

• Takes command during a fire /hazardous material or other life safety related emergency implementing the incident command system as required by the CCRCalifornia Code of Regulations (19) Standardized Emergency Management System including:

  • Directing fire fighting operations, rescue operations, building evacuations, etc., with the assistance and cooperation of custody personnel.

  • Ensure that water from fire hoses is not directed into occupied inmate housing units, cells, or dormitories, unless absolutely necessary to extinguish a fire.

• Requests mutual aid in accordance with established facility plans and procedures.

• Conducts post-fire investigations after the fire is suppressed to determine the cause and prepares required reports.

• Notifies the SFMState Fire Marshall’s Office, Arson and Bomb Investigation Unit, of all fires and explosions pursuant to H&SCHealth and Safety Code 13107.

  • Note: SFMState Fire Marshall may choose not to investigate every fire. The decision rests with the SFMState Fire Marshall.

• Maintains the fire station, adjacent grounds, all hydrants, exterior standpipes, etc., in conjunction with the Correctional Plant Manager.

• Assists the SFMState Fire Marshall’s representative on all SFMState Fire Marshall inspections or surveys.

• Performs as lead person and staff resource for developing and maintaining an effective emergency evacuation plan for every area of the facility in cooperation with all departments. The plan shall provide for quarterly fire drills, the manner in which they are to be conducted, and the designated staff responsible for evacuation procedures.

• Develops fire prevention programs and fire safety procedures in cooperation with appointed facility personnel and the office of the SFMState Fire Marshall.

• Performs custodial duties relating to inmates assigned to the fire department.

The institutional firefighter(s) and/or Fire Training Specialist:

• Acts as Fire Chief in their absence when designated.

• Assists the Fire Chief in training, fire prevention, safety, hazardous material, inspections, investigations, and carries out duties as assigned by the Fire Chief.

• Inspects fire apparatus and equipment at the fire department at the beginning of each tour of duty.

• Ensures the cleanliness, orderliness, and sanitation of fire department facilities.

• Assists the Fire Chief in record keeping and completing required reports as necessary.

• Responds to emergency alarms in accordance with procedures.

• Performs custodial duties relative to inmates assigned to the fire department and maintains accountability of inmates, equipment, and tools.

Inmate firefighters:

• Shall be assigned to the fire department as a full-time assignment.

• Shall be fed and quartered at the fire department as space and food preparation facilities are available.

• Shall maintain the fire department building, grounds, and equipment.

• Shall be on call at all times.

• Shall participate in fire training through SCCSierra Conservation Center, when possible and program space exists. Regular OJTOn-the-Job Training) provided at each facility fire department shall be in accordance with the CFSTEP.

• Female inmate firefighter shall be trained by a qualified Fire Training Officer or Fire Chief.

Supervisory staff shall ensure daily visual inspections of their immediate work areas are performed, making certain that fire extinguishers are placed in their assigned location and charged; fire hoses have not been altered or tampered with; evacuation routes, plot plans, and exit signs are posted; and the area conforms to all fire and life safety regulations.

All employees shall notify their supervisors of any fire hazard condition.

Suspected malfunctioning, damaged, or missing fire suppression equipment required in the work or living areas shall be reported to the supervisor of the area and to the fire department immediately.

All employees shall be familiar with the requirements of their assignments, including the appropriate actions to follow in the event of a fire or other life-threatening emergency.

Accident(s)

• Deviations from planned events that cause an unexpected and undesirable end result or effect.

Emergency Evacuation Plans

• A posted plan of the area with exits clearly marked the layout of the area, and arrows indicating the appropriate direction to take.

  • Posting shall be by means of a durable sign having a contrasting color from the background to which it is attached. Other effective means of communication, including verbal orientation, shall be used for inmates with disabilities for whom such signs do not provide the needed communication.

  • Figures shall be of an approved type and shall be maintained in a legible manner.

  • No person shall deface or remove such signs except as authorized by the Fire Chief.

Evacuation

• Movement of occupants to a safe area of the facility, a minimum of 50 feet from the building, or to the designated area of refuge of sufficient size to accommodate all occupants.

Exit(s)

• A continuous and unobstructed means of egress to a public way; and shall include aisle(s), intervening doors, doorways, corridors, exterior exit balconies, ramps, stairways, smoke-proof enclosures, horizontal exits, exit passageways, courts, and yards.

Fire Drill(s)

• A practiced plan which follows a written evacuation plan of action for removal of staff, inmates, and visitors in the event of a fire or major emergency. Written evacuation plans must be in accordance with the NFPANational Fire Protection Association standards and approved by the SFMState Fire Marshall. Fire drills shall be performed quarterly by all appropriate staff.

First-Aid

• Treatment of minor scratches, cuts, burns, splinters, abrasions, etc., which do not ordinarily require further medical care. May also include any emergency treatment provided by a person certified in first aid and/or cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) for the purpose of sustaining life until appropriate professional medical personnel can arrive.

Healthful and Safe

• Freedom from danger to the life and well being of staff, inmates, and visitors as the nature of the employment and environment reasonably permits. Healthful shall also mean clean.

Injury Illness Prevention Program

• A written program to ensure that employees comply with safe and healthy work practices.

Personnel and Staff

• Any non-incarcerated person employed by the Department and/or working under the jurisdiction thereof.

All firefighters, including the Fire Chief, shall be trained in the latest methods of fire prevention and suppression in accordance with the CFSTEP. Staff firefighters should attend the Basic Safety Training Course offered by the Office of Insurance and Risk Management Program.

All full-time firefighters shall be required to maintain current peace officer standard training according to PCPenal Code 832 and other legally mandated training required by their bargaining unit contracts.

Technical training available through SCCSierra Conservation Center, other fire service agencies, local colleges, etc., shall be coordinated through the local ISTIn-Service Training Manager, to meet the employee record keeping requirements, and the institution Fire Chief.

All fire department personnel shall be trained and certified in first aid and CPR.

Practice Drills

• Mandatory team drills for staff firefighters shall be held for a minimum period of four hours per quarter. Drills shall include training in fire prevention methods, fire suppression techniques, operation of apparatus and life support equipment, and joint mutual aid training per local agreements.

Fire Department Training Records

• Fire department staff training records shall be maintained by the Fire Chief at the fire department with a copy forwarded to the institution ISTIn-Service Training office.

As soon as possible after reporting to work, all new staff shall be trained in the proper steps to take in the event of a fire or other life threatening emergency. Training shall include, at minimum:

• Fire and emergency reporting procedures for the institution.

• Location and use of fire extinguishers.

• Knowledge of fire exits and evacuation routes.

• Effects of smoke inhalation.

• Proper manner of reporting emergencies and safety hazards.

Administrative and Custodial Supervisors

• Administrative and custodial supervisors shall attend annual refresher courses to ensure they are current in meeting their training needs for fire and life safety compliance.

• All supervisory staff shall be trained in appropriate fire and life safety and sanitation inspections to ensure clean, healthy, and safe working and living environments within their own and adjacent work areas.

• All institution staff, including administrative staff, shall attend quarterly fire drills as often as possible.

• Fire drills shall be documented by supervisors on Health and Welfare Agency Form DS 5003, Fire/Evacuation Drill Report. Attendance shall be documented as OJTOn-the-Job Training by the area supervisor in the employee’s training file.

Inspections shall provide for correction of areas that may be potentially dangerous or deficient in meeting acceptable fire and life safety standards.

The maximum degree of safety shall be provided to protect staff, inmates, and visitors from injury or illness caused by fire or other hazards.

Staff shall conduct inspections at the specified interval and in the manner prescribed.

Assigned staff shall conduct daily visual inspections of their immediate work or living areas to ensure fire extinguishers are placed in their assigned location and charged; fire hoses have not been altered or tampered with; evacuation routes, plot plans, and exit signs are posted; and all areas conform to fire, safety, and health regulations.

Weekly inspections shall be performed in every work and living area. These inspections should be performed by the immediate area supervisor. Deficiencies or items needing correction shall be brought to the attention of the area department/section head so that corrective action can be taken quickly.

On-going monthly inspections for compliance with safety, hazardous materials, and fire prevention standards shall be performed by the area department/section head.

• Inspection reports shall be consistent with the Injury and Illness Prevention Program.

• Copies of the monthly inspections shall be forwarded to the Fire Chief and safety coordinator.

Quarterly inspections shall be performed on all manual or automatic alarm systems, sprinkler systems, communications systems, detection equipment, and all other types of fire protection equipment, including exit locking devices, doors, fire trucks, and equipment for fire fighting. These systems may be inspected monthly if time and staff allows. The Fire Chief or their designee shall perform these inspections. (Sprinkler systems shall be serviced by State licensed personnel as required by the CCRCalifornia Code of Regulations.)

Semi-annual inspections for compliance with safety and fire/accident prevention standards shall be performed by the Fire Chief and/or their designee of the entire institution/facility and grounds. A report shall be generated by the Fire Chief through the chain of command to the Warden on all activities of the fire department and inspection deficiencies not corrected as required by code.

Annual inspections should be performed by SFMState Fire Marshall in the manner prescribed by law.

• The SFMState Fire Marshall has statutory responsibility for institution fire prevention and public safety inspections. The SFMState Fire Marshall shall have access for annual fire and life safety inspections to all areas within the institution and grounds. The Fire Chief, or designee, shall accompany the SFMState Fire Marshall on each inspection. Each area supervisor is responsible to participate in the inspection of their own working or living area. Reports of these findings shall be forwarded to:

  • Warden.

  • Assistant Deputy Director, Office of Environmental, Health and Safety Management.

  • Deputy Director, ASDSee Division of Administrative Services (DAS) (see ASB).

  • Assistant Director, OOCOffice Of Compliance (see OACC).

  • Deputy Director, Institutions Division.

  • Deputy Director, P&CDPlanning and Construction Division (see FPCM).

  • Chief, PFABProgram and Fiscal Audits Branch (see OACC).

  • Fire Chief.

Records of all inspections and corrective actions taken shall be maintained by the fire department for the current year, plus two (2) years.

The Fire Chief is responsible for the maintenance and repair of all fire fighting equipment. All fire equipment shall be inspected, tested, and maintained in serviceable condition to ensure its proper operation when a fire or other life-threatening emergency occurs.

All fire alarm systems, fire detection systems, automatic sprinklers or extinguishing systems, communications systems, and all other equipment, materials, or systems required shall be maintained in an operable condition at all times. When the fire protective qualities of such equipment, materials, or systems are disrupted or diminished, immediate action shall be instituted to reestablish such equipment, material, or systems to their original normal and operational condition.

The fire department is responsible for numbering, checking, testing, color-coding, and lubricating all fire hydrants. In addition, the fire department is responsible for the following:

• Hydrants shall be inspected quarterly and flow tested annually. Any repairs necessary shall be reported by the Fire Chief to the Correctional Plant Manager.

• Plot plans indicating the location of fire hydrants throughout the facility grounds shall be maintained at the firehouse.

• The area immediately adjacent to the fire hydrants shall be maintained free of grass, shrubbery, parked cars, or other obstructions.

Fire department staff shall service or test portable fire extinguishers and shall secure a certificate of registration from the SFMState Fire Marshall. The required fee is to be paid by the State for fire department staff or inmates required to possess this certificate of registration.

• Fire department staff shall be trained, pursuant to CCRCalifornia Code of Regulations, to conduct the appropriate service and testing.

• Fire extinguishers shall be serviced as specified in CCRCalifornia Code of Regulations (8) General Industry Safety Orders. Servicing shall be performed in accordance with the CCRCalifornia Code of Regulations.

The Fire Chief shall ensure the maintenance and repair of all vehicles assigned to the fire department. Such maintenance and repair shall be performed on a “first priority basis for fire vehicles.” The primary objective of this provision is to keep vehicle out-of-service time to an absolute minimum. Overtime shall be authorized when necessary.

In order to accomplish the stated primary objective, maintenance and/or repair services shall be performed by one of the following:

• Fire department personnel.

• Personnel assigned to the facility garage.

• A local independent dealer, vendor, or repair facility which shall be determined by the Fire Chief in cooperation with an inspector of automotive services from the DGSDepartment of General Services.

Records of all maintenance and repair work performed by the facility garage or outside vendors shall be maintained by the vehicle maintenance garage. Vehicle Daily Inspection forms conducted by the fire department staff/inmates shall be kept at the fire department and stored for the current year, plus two (2) years.

A complete inventory of all fire fighting equipment, apparatus, and vehicles shall be maintained. This inventory shall specify the equipment item(s), name, date of purchase (or age), installation (if available), and condition upon last inspection. If a replacement item has been ordered, indicate the date the order was placed.

Rooms used for assembly, classrooms, or similar purposes having an occupant load of fifty persons or more, where fixed seats are not installed, shall have an occupant load (capacity of the room) posted in a conspicuous place near the main exit from the room.

• Posting shall be by means of a durable sign having a contrasting color from the background to which it is attached.

• Figures (lettering) shall be of an approved type and shall be maintained in a legible manner.

• No person shall deface or remove such signs except by authority of the SFMState Fire Marshall.

Emergency exits shall be provided to ensure the safety of staff, inmates, and visitors. Exits should be positioned in such a manner that if one exit is blocked by fire and/or smoke, the other exit is available. All exits shall be continuously visible at all times, kept clear and free of obstructions, and maintained in a usable condition. Exits shall lead directly to a hazard free area where adequate supervision can be provided.

Provision for emergency access and exit shall be in accordance with the CCRCalifornia Code of Regulations to allow for efficient removal of handicapped persons.

No person may impede, modify, or otherwise obstruct any designated emergency exit without approval of the Fire Chief.

Fire apparatus and personnel responding to an emergency scene shall not be detained. Each institution shall develop procedures to ensure compliance.

The fire department shall respond to all fires and fire alarms.

• Off-duty firefighters may be called in to work whenever their services are needed during a fire or inmate disturbance.

• No fire fighting member/staff shall leave the scene of a fire, fire drill, or other situation where apparatus/equipment has been used until the apparatus/equipment is returned to service condition, unless given express permission by the Fire Chief or their designee.

• Fire department staff shall take matters of internal operations to the Fire Chief.

• Fire department staff shall direct all persons seeking information relative to fires or the fire department operations to the Fire Chief.

• The fire department also may be required to respond to other institutional emergencies.

The Fire Chief shall make recommendations to the Warden with respect to matters of policy, personnel, and administration of the fire department.

All written SFMState Fire Marshall’s orders, special or otherwise, shall be conspicuously posted on a bulletin board for a minimum of three days or until the SFMState Fire Marshall cited condition (violation) is corrected. All citations shall be maintained for the current year, plus two (2) years.

The SFMState Fire Marshall has certain responsibilities concerning fire, life, and panic safety in the institution. A working arrangement exists with the SFMState Fire Marshall’s Office for them to periodically confer with the Associate Warden, Business Services, the Fire Chief, and/or any other interested supervisory personnel in the fulfillment of fire and life safety needs in the institution. The SFMState Fire Marshall’s Office will also assist the Fire Chief in developing procedures pertaining to fire suppression in the institution.

• Whenever it becomes necessary to remodel or otherwise modify existing buildings (add or remove walls, install additional doors, etc.), plans shall be submitted to the Fire Chief for review and comment/approval. Plans shall be forwarded by the P&CDPlanning and Construction Division (see FPCM) in Central Office, to the SFMState Fire Marshall for final approval prior to the beginning of a project.

It is the duty and responsibility of every employee discovering a fire or fire hazard to report it to the fire department immediately or as soon as reasonably possible.

• All fire emergencies shall be reported by the fire department emergency telephone number. A record of all fire calls shall be maintained indefinitely at the institution fire department.

• Any fire which has been extinguished by other than fire department staff or inmates shall be reported by the fire department business telephone number.

When reporting a fire, employees shall provide the following information:

• Exact location and extent of the fire.

• Amount of smoke present.

• Action being taken to control the problem.

• Information relative to any disturbance accompanying the fire.

• Whether inmates or staff are being (or have been) evacuated.

• Nature of any known hazardous substances located within the fire area.

If possible, take corrective action to combat the fire and/or evacuate the area.

Fire protection practices and departmental policy mandate that all employees be instructed and trained concerning their duties and responsibilities should it become necessary to conduct an emergency evacuation for any fire or life threatening condition.

Fire emergency and evacuation plot plans and routes shall be conspicuously posted in every area throughout the institution. Area supervisors shall ensure that all employees and inmates are aware of the correct route to take in the event of an evacuation. Special instructions shall be provided for inmates with disabilities to effectively communicate the correct route to take in the event of an evacuation.

Fire and emergency evacuation procedures shall be modified as necessary to ensure the safe and efficient evacuation of individuals with disabilities. Particular attention should be given to housing units designated for inmates with disabilities. Whenever possible, inmates with disabilities, who may require assistance during an emergency evacuation, should be housed in cells and dorms closest to the emergency exits.

Evacuations may be ordered prior to or during a fire or other emergency by the Fire Chief, institution firefighter, unit lieutenant or other personnel in charge of the life threatening area.

Whenever possible, at least two designated exits shall be identified to permit the prompt evacuation of staff, inmates, and visitors.

Evacuation drills shall be held quarterly under varying conditions on all three watches by designated supervisors. Such drills shall be actual unless the drill would cause a security or unusual safety problem with removing the inmates.

• Where actual evacuation is not feasible due to custody, safety, and welfare of staff or inmates, staff will walk through the evacuation procedures without actual evacuation.

• Such walk through drills shall be monitored by the area supervisor to ascertain that actual evacuation could be accomplished as required. All staff and inmates will be familiar with fire evacuation routes, exits, and procedures.

At the conclusion of fire drills, the area supervisor shall complete a DS 5003 indicating the necessary information, and forward a copy to the Fire Chief.

A complete report of all fires, hazardous materials, medical, standbys, public assist, or mutual aid incidents shall be prepared by responding fire department staff and forwarded to the SFMState Fire Marshall’s Office as required by California Fire Incident Reporting System.

• Fire department staff shall conduct a complete investigation of the scene to ensure that the fire is completely extinguished.

• All materials burned or destroyed by the fire shall be itemized and the name of the person or persons involved shall be recorded on the report.

On fires where an inmate or employee is injured or dies as a result of the fire, or when the Fire Chief considers conditions related to a certain incident sufficiently unusual, a written report accompanied by appropriate photographs shall be completed and copies submitted to the SFMState Fire Marshall and the Assistant Deputy Director, Office of Environmental, Health and Safety Management, Central Office. In addition a copy of the written report shall be sent to the Division of Labor Statistics and Research, DIRDepartment of Industrial Relations.

Mutual Aid, by definition, is a fire district request for supplement fire suppression aid in the event of a fire or other emergency beyond the immediate control of that district.

• The Fire Chief or designee may either request assistance from or dispatch firefighters and equipment to the fire district outside of the institution grounds, in accordance with the established local Mutual Aid Plan, existing agreements with the fire district requesting the assistance, and the state OES.

• Mutual aid requests or responses shall not place the institution in jeopardy or violate minimum safety standards.

• Mutual aid requests shall be processed through the institution Fire Chief or designee.

• When a request is received, the Fire Chief or firefighters shall determine the type of fire equipment required and the number of inmate firefighters or staff needed to respond.

• Mutual aid requests from fire districts may be verbal or in writing (prior to the emergency). Such requests shall outline the area to be responded to and the type of incident anticipated. The fire department may respond to such requests, based upon availability of required firefighter staffing and equipment that can be excused from regular duty assignments at the time of the emergency.

• Only inmates who have been so classified in accordance with local procedures in conjunction with the CCRCalifornia Code of Regulations or DOMDepartment Operations Manual 62070, once approved for use, are eligible to participate in mutual aid responses.

• Fire apparatus (engines/vehicles) shall be driven by the Fire Chief or firefighter only, when off institution property. All fire department staff shall be trained and licensed in accordance with the VCVehicle Code.

• Prior to leaving the institution grounds with inmate firefighters, the Fire Chief or firefighter shall call the watch commander and advise them of the location of the emergency, names and numbers of inmate firefighters, and staff responding.

• Upon return to the institution after a mutual aid call, the employee in charge shall call the watch commander to advise of the return and report any unusual incidents or activity while away from the institution.

• Inmate firefighters shall not drive on a public road, except in an extreme emergency.

• On extended mutual aid responses where the crew is to be away from the institution for more than one day, the employee in charge shall notify the watch commander at least every 24 hours, or as soon as practical thereafter, of the status of the crew.

The Deputy Director, Administration Services, or designee shall ensure that the contents of this section are current.

CCRCalifornia Code of Regulations.

National Fire Protection Association Life Safety Code.

PCPenal Code.

VCVehicle Code.