New Respose Policy

Lowell Rural Fire Protection District

Board of Directors

Policy B-1001

Response – Private Bridges, Culverts, Roads and Driveways

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103.0Purpose

 1.               To establish a method for assuring the safety of personnel and apparatus traveling on private roadways, access roads, driveways and private culverts and bridges.

 2.               To provide for notification of property owners that, do not provide sufficient structural integrity of roadways for the safe movement of fire and emergency apparatus to access the property and structures.

103.2Scope

 1.               This policy shall apply to all private roadways, access roads, driveways and private culverts and bridges located within the boundary’s of the fire district, and district personnel responding in district apparatus.

103.3Policy

 1.               It is the policy of the Lowell Rural Fire Protection District (the District) to promote safety in all aspects and phases of its operations.

 2.               It is the intent of the District to do what it can to ensure the safety of its personnel while responding in District apparatus over bridges, culverts, roads and driveways.

 3.               It is the policy of the Lowell Rural Fire Protection District that District personnel shall not operate Fire District apparatus on or over any private bridge, culvert, road or driveway, which is incapable of supporting a minimum of 50,000 pounds.

 4.               The 50,000 pound load capacity for private bridges and culverts shall be confirmed by a certified engineer’s report, which shall be maintained on file at the Lowell Rural Fire Protection District in the Fire Chief’s office.  Such engineer’s reports shall specify the length of time for which the certification shall be effective.

 5.               The Fire Chief shall have the discretion to waive the requirement for an engineer’s report in those circumstances where the Fire Chief can clearly determine that a load capacity of at least 50,000 pounds exists. 

 6.               The Fire Chief shall have the further discretion to require an engineer’s report for any road or driveway, which the Fire Chief believes, may pose a risk/hazard to Fire District personnel.

 7.               A “Notice of Insufficient Access Road to Private Property”, (Attachment), form shall be developed and be provided to each effected property owner and resident.  Such notice shall be forwarded to the property owner and resident by “Certified – Return Receipt” US Mail.

 8.               The notice shall specify consequences associated with failure to comply with District road safety requirements.