Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)

A task analysis can be summarized as asking yourself basic questions about your unit or crew and making a list of factors that will influence you SOPs.

• What areas of my operation need SOPs?
• What situation am I trying to clarify?
• What process do I want my crew to use for a given situation?
• Is the development of an SOP the answer to these questions or should I resolve these issues in another manner?

There are eight basic steps in the formal SOP development process. You may only need to conduct steps four through eight, however.

1. Build the Development Team
2. Provide Organizational Support
3. Establish Team Procedures
4. Gather Information and Identify Alternatives
5. Analyze and Select Alternatives
6. Write the SOP
7. Review and Test the SOP
8. Ratify and Approve the SOP

In many circumstances, the SOP development team will be a single person or maybe two members of the overhead structure from a unit or crew. It is important to take a few minutes and identify alternatives and then analyze each and select the best method. Just because your unit has always done something in a specific manner does not mean it is the way it should be done. Take the time to select the best alternative since the SOP should be one that stays with your organization for some time. You do not have to “reinvent the wheel.” Most situations are faced by your peers as well. Ask your peers how they handle specific situations and share your SOPs with them. Some questions to ask yourself during SOP development are:

1. Is the proposed procedure realistic? Can it work on the fireline, in the office, etc.?
2. Can the procedure be readily implemented given the current resources of the unit?
3. Will training be required?
4. Must equipment be procured?
5. Does the procedure comply with agency policy and guidelines?
6. How will this procedure impact individual crewmembers?
7. Will the procedure survive outside scrutiny?

A standardized format for SOPs helps streamline the writing process. Additional benefits include ease of revision or updating and enhanced usability. Regardless of the format, several items are usually included in any single SOP. Samples of the single SOP format can be found  below. Single SOPs should be incorporated into a comprehensive SOP manual or as an appendix to a crew operations plan.

• Numbering system – Important for reference, usability, and integrating SOPs into an overall manual.
• Effective date – Date the SOP is officially adopted for use in the field. This may be different from the date of issue.
• Expiration/review date – Important for ensuring the currency of SOPs by establishing a date for periodic review and revision, if needed.
• Title – Name given to the procedure.
• Description of purpose or rationale statement – Describes the purpose of the SOP, why it is needed, and what it intends to accomplish.
• Authority signature(s) – Indicates that the SOP was properly created, reviewed, and approved by the crew leader, FMO, or line officer.
• Scope – Describes situations for which the SOP was created and the intended audience.
• General procedures – The body of the SOP; sets forth broad procedural guidelines for operations.
• Specific procedures – Specific actions necessary under the SOP to safely mitigate a situation.
• References – Source material used to create the SOP or useful in the future evaluations.

Implementation includes all the steps that a unit takes to introduce the SOP to users and make it an integral part of normal operations. The implementation process should be designed to ensure that:

• Everyone is informed about the new or modified SOP and understands the significance of the change.
• Copies of the SOP are distributed as needed and readily accessible to all potential users.
• Personnel know their roles and have the knowledge and skills necessary to implement the SOP safely and effectively (including an understanding of consequences for failing to comply).
• A mechanism exists to monitor performance, identify potential problems, and provide support in the implementation process.

To determine training needed for implementation of a new SOP, ask the following questions:

• Who needs to be trained in the new or revised SOP?
• What instructional content should be covered? What training methods will be most effective? Will a simple crew meeting with distribution and discussion of the new SOP be adequate?
• How will understanding and competence be evaluated?
• How long will the training sessions take? How will training be scheduled and administered?

Keep in mind that training is perhaps the most critical component of the SOP implementation process. Training is the means by which the SOP becomes a useful and intuitive operational tool. Some procedures will not require extensive orientation and are self-defining; others will require more explanations and definition. The best SOP will be ineffective or even dangerous if crew members are not capable of carrying it out. It is up to you to ensure that each crewmember understands the SOP and is capable of carrying it out.

Some questions to ask yourself when preparing for training are:

• What training materials are needed? Who will prepare them?
• Who can teach this material effectively?
• What facilities, special equipment, and supplies are needed?
• What timeframe is appropriate for initial training and refresher training?
• Can training be integrated with other training or unit activities?
• What records should be maintained? What reporting requirements are applicable?

Every SOP should undergo a periodic review. Evaluations may be needed more often initially. The goal of an evaluation is to assess the results of the SOP, a task that requires asking the following questions:

• What were employee behaviors and actions before the SOP was implemented?
• What administrative or operational problem was the SOP designed to address?
• Was the new SOP fully implemented, or were there unexpected barriers to full implementation?
• How did employee behaviors and actions change after introduction of the SOP?
• Were the changes in behaviors and actions what were intended? Was the purpose of the SOP accomplished?

Is the need for the SOP still current? Is the current SOP the best solution?

You will find that following the process outlined for the development, implementation, and evaluation of SOPs is helpful in the development of a crew or unit operations guide as well.

Start at the beginning by conducting a task analysis and walk through the process, bypassing those steps which do not apply to your situation. It is important to note that an operations guide, like a stand-alone SOP, is only effective as your ability to communicate its purpose, use, and individual accountability in its application.

The following is a suggested format for an operations guide along with topical material contained therein. You may find that your crew or unit has specific needs that are not addressed here and should adapt this format as necessary.

• Cover page with document title, unit/crew name and logo, and date.
• Table of Contents
• Vision Statement and Expectations
• Ideally the development of a Vision Statement would involve all affected employees.
• Ground Rules for the crew or unit:
  • Uniform Policy
  • Call Back/Availability Protocol
  • Scheduling of Leave
  • Alcohol and Drug Policy
  • Vehicle Use
  • Physical Training
  • Facilities Maintenance
  • Administration
  • Injury Reporting
  • Fire Assignment Responsibilities
• Organizational Structure:
  • Chain of Command
  • Administrative Configuration
  • Operational Configuration
  • Collateral Duties of all personnel
• Safety and Training
  • Safety Plan
  • Training Curriculum
  • Training Nomination and Prioritization Process
• Operational Procedures – These SOPs will obviously vary with the specific job functions performed by the crew/unit. Review the task analysis information found above in the SOP development section to help determine areas in need of Standard Operating Procedures.
• Appendices as necessary