Chapter 5 – Adult Custody and Security Operations

52090.21 Mutual Aid

• 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.