Kent County Chiefs Association

By-Laws, S.O.G.’s & S.O.P.’s

Subject: Entry Level, Support, Interior Firefighter, Fire Apparatus Operator & Fire/Rescue Boat Support Personnel & Operator Qualifications

S.O.G. 1-1-31

Approved

April 2026

Approved by: President James L. Price, Jr.

Revised

I.   Purpose

To establish standard guidelines for Entry Level Firefighter and Support Firefighter and Interior Firefighter and Fire Apparatus Operator and Fire/Rescue Boat Support Personnel and Fire/Rescue Boat Operator Qualifications.

II. Definition

1. S.O.G. – Standard Operating Guidelines

2. S.O.P. – Standard Operating Procedures

3. EMS – Emergency Medical Service

4. CPR – Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation

5. MFRI – Maryland Fire Rescue Institute

6. DSFS – Delaware State Fire School

7. EMR – Emergency Medical Responder

8. EMT – Emergency Medical Technician

III. Policy

A.    It shall be the policy of the Kent County Chiefs’ Association for members of a Kent County Volunteer Fire/EMS/Rescue Company/Department to be able to ride and/or operate the Fire Apparatus in accordance with Kent County Chiefs’ Association S.O.G. 1-1-31.

IV. Entry Level Firefighter

A.    The qualifications for Entry Level Firefighter are as follows.

8. 1. Must complete the following training before being allowed to ride the Fire apparatus.

a.  The members Company/Department orientation for Fire.

b.  Must successfully complete FEMA IS-700: NIMS, An Introduction.

c.  Must successfully complete FEMA IC-800: National Response Framework,

  An Introduction

8. 2. Must complete the following training within six months.

a. ICS-100: Introduction to ICS or equivalent as determined by the Kent County

    Chiefs’ Association.

b.  ICS-200: Basic ICS or equivalent as determined by the Kent County Chiefs’     Association.

                3. According with Kent County Chiefs’ Association S.O.G. 1-1-5 Entry Level

                       Firefighters shall be issued a yellow helmet.

V.  Support Firefighter

  A.  The qualifications for Support Firefighter are as follows.

        1. Must meet the qualifications for Entry Level Firefighter

        2. Must successfully complete the following training

                a.  MFRI Support Firefighter or equivalent as determined by the Kent County Chiefs’

                     Association.

                b.  MFRI Hazardous Materials Awareness or equivalent as determined by the Kent

                     County Chiefs’ Association.

        3. According with Kent County Chiefs’ Association S.O.G. 1-1-5, Support Firefighters                shall be issued a yellow helmet.

VI. Interior Firefighter

  A.  The qualifications for Interior Firefighter are as follows.

        1. Must meet the qualifications for Entry Level Firefighter

        2. Must successfully complete the following training.

                a.  MFRI Firefighter I or equivalent as determined by the Kent County Chiefs’                               Association,

                b.  MFRI Hazardous Materials Operations or equivalent as determined by the

                  Kent County Chiefs’ Association.

        3. According to Kent County Chiefs’ Association S.O.G. 1-1-5, Interior Firefighters shall             be issued a black helmet

VII. Fire Apparatus Driver Operator

     A.  The qualifications for Fire Apparatus Driver Operator are as follows.

1.      Must meet the qualifications for Entry Level Firefighter

2.      Must meet the qualifications set forth by the members Company/Department

3.      Must successfully complete MFRI Pump Operator Course or equivalent as determined by the Kent County Chief Association or the members Company/Department Level Pump Operator Course to operate the apparatus with fire pumps.

4.      Must successfully complete MFRI Aerial Apparatus Driver/Operator Course or equivalent as determined by the Kent County Chiefs Association or the members Company/Department Level Aerial Operator Course to operate apparatus with an aerial.

5.      Must successfully complete MFRI Hazardous Materials Awareness or equivalent as determined by the Kent County Chiefs Association.

6.      According to Kent County Chiefs’ Association S.O.G. 1-1-5, Fire Apparatus Driver Operators that meet the qualification of Entry Level or Support Firefighter shall be issued a yellow helmet.

7.      According to Kent County Chiefs’ Association S.O.G. 1-1-5 Fire Apparatus Driver that meets the qualifications of Interior Firefighter shall be issued a black helmet.

VIII. Fire/Rescue Boat Support Personnel

A.    The qualifications for Fire/Rescue Boat Support Personnel are as follows:

1.      Must meet the qualifications for EMS Support Provider or Support Firefighter

2.      Must meet the qualifications set for by the members Company/Department

3.      Must successfully complete the Maryland Basic Boating Course or equivalent as determined by the Kent County Chiefs’ Association.

4.      Support Firefighter shall be able to operate the fire pump as equipped.

5.      Shall be familiar with all equipment carried on the Fire Boat.

IX. Fire/Rescue Boat Operator

  A. The qualifications for Fire/Rescue Boat Operator are as follows.

1.      Must meet the qualifications for Support Firefighter.

2.      Must meet the qualifications set forth by the members Company/Department

3.      Must successfully complete the Maryland Basic Boating Course or equivalent as determined by the Kent County Chiefs Association.

4.      Must successfully complete the Maryland Natural Resource Police Level 3 Boat Operators Verification Program or equivalent as determined by the Kent County Chiefs’ Association.

5.      Must successfully complete MFRI Hazardous Materials Awareness or equivalent as determined by the Kent County Chiefs’ Association.

6.      Shall be able to operate the fire pump if equipped and all firefighting related equipment.

7.      Shall be familiar with all equipment carried on the Fire/Rescue Boat.

Betterton Volunteer Fire Company, Inc.

Chief Renny Grapes

YES      NO      NOT PRESENT

Chestertown Volunteer Fire Company, Inc.

Chief John Darling

YES      NO      NOT PRESENT

Community Volunteer Fire Company of Millington, Inc.

Chief Vince Baxter

YES      NO      NOT PRESENT

Galena Volunteer Fire Company, Inc.

Chief Jeffrey R. Haley

YES      NO      NOT PRESENT

Kennedyville Volunteer Fire Department, Inc.

Chief James L. Price, Jr.

YES      NO      NOT PRESENT

Kent & Queen Anne’s Rescue Squad, Inc.

Chief Jason Lobley

YES      NO      NOT PRESENT

Rock Hall Volunteer Fire Company, Inc.

Chief Mike Pinder

YES      NO      NOT PRESENT

Kent County Emergency Service Board

Chair Lynn Sutton

Submitted for Emergency Service Board Approval on ____May 4th, 2026________________

Compliance Date _________June 3rd, 2026_________________________________________