Riding assignments and who uses them

[Fat92boy2001]

I started this thread to get feed back on riding assignments and who uses them. Currently we have them and they are laminated and placed in the rig for quick reference for each position. We are a full-time department in a Chicago suburb that runs approx 4000 calls a year. The problem with the posting is guys are now trying to say that it limits them. :confused: The reason they were developed in the first place is because people weren't doing the job in the first place :mad: . We all know who the mutts are in each of our departments but I am trying to compile a list to show how many use them and why. Please state if you have them and if they are posted for easy access, either in the rig or where.

I appreciate this, stay safe

Chris

[opie5461]

We have riding assignments posted on our bulletin board. It tells the person what apparatus they have to checkout (we crossman everything from engine, truck, amb, and brush truck), what they have to clean in the station and any other extra duties they have. They just don't tell what they have to do on calls.

[phyrngn]

We haven't yet put the riding assignments into place--we're having the same problems with mutts as you...This'll be a good post for me to use as ammunition, also....

(On a side note, I've seen riding assignments on Kentland 33 (Volunteer) and Rohrerstown 67 (Volunteer) )

[Truckinainteasy]

Use them in career and vol companies
Posted in day rooms with names attached for duty shift
Posted in apparatus room (poster sized)
Posted in apparatus

Vol members thought the same thing, you are micromanaging. After teaching and implementing they learned they have alot more responsibility, just in a single area and really like them.

[Fat92boy2001]

This topic will hopefully spark some more discussion. I thank you guys for speaking up.
This was how it all started, I had CASE'd (Copy And Steal Everything) assignments from other departments and reworked them to fit our manning. I then presented them as a training issue to the training group and further tweaked them after 6 months of use and posted them in January of this year. Now that they are actually on the rigs people are saying it holds them to responsible and doesn't give them the flexibility to perform.

Their performance isn't hindered in any way. Theassignments don't tell you how to pull hose, how to force doors, etc... They give you an assignment based on the building you are working at. For example: On a single family the truck operator is throwing ladders instead of standing with the truck(past practice) and the ambulance crew supplements the truck to make it a 5 or 6 man truck. Guys are now upset the have to work :mad: It doesn't tell you to exit truck through curb side door, walk to rear, yada, yada, yada. Sorry had to vent, oh wait is that an assingnment :)

If anyone wants a copy of what we use, let me know I will fax them to ya.

[helmet1]

You have to have your personnel willing to except the duties by assignment. If there not willing to do it it will never work. We us assignemnt boards in two parts of the station. When you enter the station you are given an assignment by the officer, what apparatus you are assigned to. each sit on the un its has a diffrent assignment, for example.

E -1 TK -5 Sq-2

Dr. Dr. Dr.
OIC OIC OIC
Line Hook Hook
Bar Bar Bar
back up LLF Extra
Layout Extra Extra


LLF = Lights , ladders , Fans

each position has a type of duty to handle, these duties are pre set with our station SOP's for everyone to view. The personnel have the responsiblity to careout there job unless other wise told to do something else by the OIC on there unit.

Driver = gets us there safely and home, water sources, and assist Truck company drive if nessassary.Driver always keeps Apparatus in view

Oic = Incharge of crew, if on box alarm or house fire 360, starts search with barman. assists with fire room after search.

Lineman = fire attack, has opion to choose his own line, unless OIC wants something else. stays with piece of appparatus if nothing is showing on arrival. on medical calls is EMT.


Barman= force entry, and in most cases before OIC and Lineman get to front door. Starts search, and opens up egress points prior to RIT goning into place as other units arrive on scene. Handles utilitys inside of house.


as you can see its really up to your company to come up with roles for positions but as far as hanging tags, your guys should know there position prior to get on the piece. its not time to learn goning down the road. everyone on the apparatus should know what every sit does.

I hope i wasn;t to forward there.....

[Fat92boy2001]

I agree they should know their jobs, the problem was in the past it was a hodge-podge of poor leadership that never developed proper techniques and always beat the progressive guys down. We've come a long way in the past 8 years and it's getting better but know it is time to step into the arena of professionals instead of mutts and that's were the resistance is coming from. And no you weren't forward at all. I really appreciate the help here.

[P.G. Brother]

We use an a tag accountability system in my dept. We have a board in the rigs with assignments on it. Where ever your tag goes that's the assignment you perform. It goes by seniority on the rig for who gets what position.

[Veritas]

I've seen Stations utilize a simple Magnetic Dry Erase Board for the riding positions. This way you have the stickers with apparatus names/numbers and riding positions already posted on the board. So, each day that a new shift comes in, the captain in charge will write in the staff names. Now, obviously, since this is a dry erase board, any changes that are being made are done within seconds.

Having the riding assignment board is one of the best tools that a Department can use, especially in those Departments that do not always have a "full house". That way, you can plan for any type of a situation- your FFII can say either ride the engine, drive the Tanker, or ride aide on the Ambo, all depending on the next call that goes out. This way, when you DO get a major call, everyone knows what everyone's position is.

I really like Helmet1's technique, though. I think that it's something that every Department can benefit from

[Veritas]

Sorry, totally forgot to add something else:

Since the board is magnetic, some Stations use magnetic strips with the staff names on them. that way, all you have to do is stick the magnet on and you're done