Guide to Developing Effective Standard Operating Procedures for Fire and EMSDepartments

摘要

The Guide is designed to assist emergency service managers in establishingeffective standard operating procedures (SOPs) within their organizations. It will serve as a valuable resource for personnel seeking a clear understanding of operational issues, and will facilitate compliance with current laws, regulations, and standards related to the emergency services. The Guide explains how SOPs can be developed, lists topic areas that should be covered, and describes various styles and formats. While this material will prove helpful for fire and EMS departments developing SOPs, it is important to note that each department must conduct its own analysis, rather than copy verbatim the policies and procedures of another agency. SOPs are not 'one size fits all;' they must be customized to the unique requirements of the department and community. The Guide was developed by a team of experts in the emergency services. Participants included fire and EMS officers, educators, attorneys, physicians, and other experts. The material was reviewed for accuracy and comprehensiveness by members of a Quality Review Panel made up of experts from the emergency services and pertinent federal agencies.