scope:

This standard contains minimum requirements relating to the organization and deployment of fire suppression operations, emergency medical operations, and special operations to the public by substantially all career fire departments.

The requirements address functions and objectives of fire department emergency service delivery, response capabilities, and resources.

This standard also contains general requirements for managing resources and systems, such as health and safety, incident management, training, communications, and preincident planning.

This standard addresses the strategic and system issues involving the organization, operation, and deployment of a fire department and does not address tactical operations at a specific emergency incident.

Purpose

The purpose of this standard is to specify the minimum criteria addressing the effectiveness and efficiency of the career public fire suppression operations, emergency medical service, and special operations delivery in protecting the citizens of the jurisdiction and the occupational safety and health of fire department employees.

Nothing herein is intended to restrict any jurisdiction from exceeding these minimum requirements.