Chapter 1 – Rules and Regulations, Policies, and Standard Operating Procedures

Fire Officers must thoroughly know the department’s regulations, policies and standard operating procedures. Officers, especially new ones, are expected to understand and enforce department rules. They must know the difference between rules & regulations, policies, and SOPs.

Rules and regulations are developed by various government or government-authorized organizations to implement a law that has been passed. Rules may also be established by a local jurisdiction or within a fire department that set conditions of employment. For example, a fire department may have a rule that requires all members to wear their seat belts when riding in vehicles.

Rules and Regulations do not leave any room for latitude or discretion.

Policies

Policies are developed to provide definite guidelines and act as a building block for present and future actions. Policies outline what is generally expected in stated conditions. Policies often require personnel to make judgments and to determine the best course of action within the stated policy. For example, a policy could state that the fire officer shall ensure that the station sidewalks are maintained to provide safety from slips and falls during winter conditions. This is a directive policy because it gives the officer latitude in determining how to ensure the safety of pedestrians.

Standard Operating Procedures / Standard Operating Guidelines

Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are sometimes referred to as Standard Operating Guidelines (SOGs) and are written by a specific response organization to standardize a method or activity performed by members of the organization. They provide detailed information to perform an expected action, and allow for judgement calls, recognizing that situations can be different. SOP’s affect only the organization that wrote them. They must conform to all applicable laws and regulations; for example, a response agency cannot have an SOP that directs members to operate in chemical protective clothing without any backup. SOPs should be in place to cover all areas of activity in which an organization’s members take part. They are reviewed and amended periodically and are approved by the chief of the department.

Rules and Regulations	Policies	Standard Operating Procedures
implement a law that has been passed	provide definite guidelines	provide detailed information to perform an expected action
do not leave any room for latitude or discretion	outline what is generally expected in stated conditions	affect only the organization that wrote them
	leave any room for latitude or discretion	leave any room for latitude or discretion