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PROCEDURE MANUAL Code: 2-6-10

Fire Services
Volunteer Response Utilizing Privately-Owned Vehicles
Original Date: Revised Date:

10.01 PURPOSE

To establish clear guidelines for volunteer personnel who respond to requests for service in
privately owned vehicles.

10.02 SCOPE

All DES and CSA 40 Staff

10.03 POLICY

It is the policy of the Sonoma County Department of Emergency Services and their CSA 40
partners that volunteers, with the exceptions noted within these procedures, shall not respond to
any request for service unless the volunteer has first responded to their assigned fire station to
respond as a company member.

10.04 PROCEDURES

1. GENERAL

All personnel shall maintain a current California Drivers license of the appropriate classification.

a. Personnel responding to a request for service in privately owned vehicles shall abide by all
requirements of the California Vehicle Code. Should a member of Law Enforcement stop
you, you may be cited, as would any other private citizen.

b. Any member of DES or CSA 40 departments, who observe another member driving in an
unsafe manner, shall report that individual to a supervisor / superior officer.

c. Members who are under the influence of alcohol or medication that impairs their
availability to operate vehicles and/or mechanical equipment shall not respond to requests
for service.

2. RESPONDING TO REQUESTS FOR SERVICE

Upon notification/tone-out to a fire, medical aid, or other type of request for service,
personnel shall:

a. Respond directly to their assigned station, obeying all traffic laws.

b. Upon arrival at their assigned station, report to a Senior Officer and respond as a
company. (1)

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3. PASSING BY LOCATION OF SERVICE REQUEST

The following exception and procedures shall apply if a member must drive past the
incident/reported incident to report to their assigned station:

a. Responding member shall park private vehicle well away from the incident and in
such a manner as to not block incoming emergency vehicles.

b. Prior to leaving vehicle the responding member shall fully dress in the appropriate
protective clothing dependent upon the type of call reported.

• Structure Fire – Full turn-out gear

• Wildland Fire – Nomex-webgear, etc.
• Medical Aid – Proper protective measures

c. Report to Senior Officer at scene or in the absence of other members; take appropriate
actions within limitations of equipment and circumstances.

4. FAILURE TO ADHERE TO PROCEDURES

Failure to adhere to any or all of these outlined procedures may result in disciplinary action up to
and including release from position.

10.05 REFERENCES

None

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