UNSEEN FIRE & RESCUE SERVICE

STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES (SOPs)

THIS ISN'T ANOTHER FIVEM CITY. THIS IS UNSEEN.

Department: Unseen Fire & Rescue Service (UFRS)
Model: England Fire and Rescue Service
Version: 1.0
Classification: Official Departmental Handbook
Applies to: All firefighters, trainees, crew managers, watch managers and senior officers

1. PURPOSE & CORE RESPONSIBILITIES

Unseen Fire & Rescue Service exists to protect life, prevent harm, protect property and respond professionally to emergencies.

Our responsibilities include:

• Responding to building and vehicle fires.
• Rescuing people from dangerous situations.
• Attending road traffic collisions.
• Supporting casualty extrication.
• Responding to hazardous material incidents.
• Assisting at floods and water-related incidents.
• Conducting fire safety activities.
• Supporting other emergency services.
• Investigating fire circumstances within the department's capabilities.
• Promoting community fire safety.

Our priority is the preservation of life, not simply extinguishing fires as quickly as possible.

Firefighters must demonstrate professional judgement, realistic roleplay, appropriate risk assessment and respect for the public.

2. PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT

2.1 Professionalism

All personnel must behave professionally while on duty.

Firefighters are expected to:

• Treat the public respectfully.
• Remain calm during emergencies.
• Communicate clearly.
• Follow appropriate instructions.
• Respect other emergency services.
• Take responsibility for their actions.
• Work safely within their qualifications.
• Maintain realistic roleplay.

2.2 Abuse of Position

Fire service personnel must not:

• Misuse emergency vehicles.
• Abuse restricted equipment.
• Provide equipment to civilians without authority.
• Access confidential information for personal benefit.
• Assist criminal activity while on duty.
• Deliberately damage property without operational justification.
• Use their role to bypass server rules.

2.3 Realistic Roleplay

Firefighters must not treat incidents as opportunities to perform unrealistic stunts.

Just because a game mechanic allows something does not mean it is appropriate.

2.4 Impartiality

All individuals must receive appropriate assistance regardless of their background, criminal history, occupation or personal relationships.

3. FIRE SERVICE RANK STRUCTURE

Unseen will use a UK-inspired fire service structure.

Rank alone does not grant specialist qualifications.

For example, a Station Manager must not undertake specialist water rescue without appropriate training simply because they outrank another firefighter.

4. STARTING & ENDING DUTY

4.1 Beginning Duty

Before responding to calls, personnel must:

1. Sign on duty.
2. Wear the appropriate uniform.
3. Check their radio.
4. Confirm availability with control.
5. Inspect assigned appliances.
6. Check necessary equipment.
7. Confirm the crew's capabilities and qualifications.

4.2 Personal Protective Equipment

Operational personnel must wear appropriate PPE for the incident.

This may include:

• Firefighting tunic and trousers.
• Fire helmet.
• Protective gloves.
• Fire boots.
• Suitable eye protection.
• Breathing apparatus where required and authorised.
• Incident-specific protective equipment.

PPE must be appropriate to the hazards present.

4.3 Ending Duty

Before finishing duty, personnel must:

• Complete or hand over active incidents.
• Return to station where appropriate.
• Replenish equipment.
• Report damaged equipment.
• Complete relevant incident records.
• Sign off duty.

Firefighters must not abandon active incidents without an appropriate handover.

5. FIRE SERVICE CONTROL & DISPATCH

Fire Control is responsible for receiving emergency calls and mobilising appropriate resources.

5.1 Dispatch Information

Crews should be provided with:

• Location.
• Type of incident.
• Known hazards.
• Potential casualties.
• Resources required.
• Relevant information from callers.

5.2 Incident Priorities

Life-threatening incidents

Examples include persons reported trapped in a fire, serious road traffic collisions involving entrapment and significant rescue emergencies.

Urgent incidents

Examples include developed fires, vehicle fires and incidents creating significant risks.

Lower-priority incidents

Examples include selected non-emergency assistance requests or incidents where immediate intervention is not required.

5.3 Fire Control Communications

Firefighters must provide concise, relevant information.

Unnecessary radio traffic must be avoided.

5.4 Initial Attendance

The first crew attending must assess the incident and provide an appropriate situation report.

6. INCIDENT COMMAND SYSTEM

Unseen will use a British-style Fire and Rescue Incident Command System.

Every operational incident must have an identified Incident Commander.

6.1 Incident Commander

The Incident Commander is responsible for managing the fire service response.

Responsibilities include:

• Assessing hazards.
• Establishing incident priorities.
• Conducting dynamic risk assessments.
• Determining an operational plan.
• Allocating tasks.
• Requesting additional resources.
• Monitoring firefighter safety.
• Reviewing changing conditions.
• Ensuring appropriate incident records.

6.2 Command Transfer

Where a more suitably qualified or senior officer takes command, the handover must be clear.

The outgoing commander should explain:

• The incident situation.
• Identified hazards.
• Current operational objectives.
• Resources deployed.
• Personnel assignments.
• Outstanding safety concerns.

Command must not be transferred silently.

6.3 Dynamic Risk Assessment

Risk assessment is continuous.

Firefighters and commanders must reassess conditions as incidents develop.

No firefighter should enter an unsafe environment purely because an incident needs to be completed quickly.

6.4 Major Incident Command

Significant incidents may use Gold, Silver and Bronze command arrangements when appropriate.

The complexity of command must reflect the scale of the incident.

A small vehicle fire does not require an unnecessarily elaborate command structure.

7. ARRIVING AT INCIDENTS

7.1 Initial Assessment

Before beginning operations, firefighters must assess:

• Nature of the incident.
• Hazards present.
• Persons at risk.
• Fire or smoke conditions.
• Access and escape routes.
• Available equipment.
• Required emergency service support.

7.2 Safe Vehicle Positioning

Fire appliances must be positioned to support operations without creating unnecessary hazards.

Drivers must consider road traffic, access, terrain and the ability of other emergency services to attend.

7.3 Establishing Control

The Incident Commander should establish operational responsibilities and scene boundaries where appropriate.

7.4 Requesting Assistance

Additional resources must be requested when the incident exceeds the available crew's safe operating capabilities.

Firefighters must not attempt specialist operations without the personnel or equipment required.

8. STRUCTURAL FIRES

8.1 Fireground Assessment

Building fires must be assessed before crews commit to operational tasks.

Relevant factors include:

• Occupancy.
• Persons potentially trapped.
• Building layout.
• Smoke conditions.
• Fire development.
• Structural hazards.
• Available access.
• Escape routes.
• Resources available.

8.2 Firefighting Operations

Firefighting activity must remain within personnel training and the incident commander's plan.

Crews should use appropriate equipment and methods for the situation.

8.3 Entering Burning Buildings

Firefighters must not automatically enter burning buildings.

Entry must be justified by the operational objective, risk assessment and available safety measures.

8.4 Realistic Fire Behaviour

Personnel must recognise that smoke, heat and structural damage create hazards.

Unacceptable behaviour includes:

• Sprinting through severe smoke without appropriate protection.
• Ignoring structural hazards.
• Remaining in dangerous conditions without justification.
• Treating firefighting PPE as making personnel invulnerable.
• Entering buildings alone against established safety procedures.

8.5 Firefighter Accountability

The Incident Commander must maintain an appropriate awareness of crews assigned to operational activities.

Where required, entry-control and personnel-accountability procedures must be followed.

8.6 Scene Conclusion

Before leaving, crews should ensure the incident has been appropriately resolved, hazards assessed and relevant scene handovers completed.

9. BREATHING APPARATUS (BA)

9.1 BA Qualifications

Only trained and authorised personnel may use breathing apparatus operationally.

9.2 BA Deployment

Breathing apparatus must be used where required by the risk assessment and safe system of work.

9.3 Entry Control

BA operations require an appropriate system for monitoring entry, personnel and safety.

9.4 Team Working

BA operations must follow the approved team deployment and safety procedures.

Firefighters must not undertake unauthorised solo BA operations.

9.5 Air Supply

Air supply limitations must be considered.

An in-game breathing apparatus system must not be treated as providing unlimited air.

9.6 Emergency Procedures

BA emergencies must be communicated immediately and managed through the appropriate emergency arrangements.

9.7 Firefighter Safety

No firefighter may deliberately ignore safety procedures because they believe the game will allow them to survive.

10. ROAD TRAFFIC COLLISIONS (RTCs)

10.1 Fire Service Responsibilities

Firefighters may attend road traffic collisions to:

• Make the scene safer.
• Support casualty access.
• Assist with rescue and extrication.
• Manage fire-related hazards.
• Support ambulance personnel.
• Assist other emergency services.

10.2 Scene Assessment

Crews must consider:

• Passing traffic.
• Vehicle instability.
• Fire or fuel hazards.
• Damaged electrical systems.
• Casualties.
• Dangerous loads.
• Available access.

10.3 Vehicle Extrication

Rescue equipment may only be used by trained and authorised personnel.

Extrication must be coordinated with the appropriate medical and incident command personnel.

10.4 Medical Coordination

Ambulance personnel are responsible for clinical assessment and treatment.

Firefighters may provide care within their training and support safe casualty access and movement.

10.5 Realistic Vehicle Damage

A seriously damaged vehicle must not be treated as though it is fully operational.

10.6 Police Coordination

Police may manage traffic, investigate relevant offences and preserve evidence.

Firefighters must cooperate while maintaining their own safety responsibilities.

11. VEHICLE FIRES

11.1 Assessment

Firefighters must assess hazards before approaching a vehicle fire.

Potential hazards include:

• Fuel.
• Batteries.
• Pressurised components.
• Hazardous cargo.
• Nearby vehicles.
• Members of the public.

11.2 Appropriate Equipment

Crews must use equipment appropriate to the incident and their training.

11.3 Electric & Hybrid Vehicles

Electric and hybrid vehicles may present different hazards from conventional vehicles.

Specialist guidance and resources should be requested where necessary.

11.4 Scene Safety

Members of the public must not be allowed into operational danger areas.

11.5 Police Investigation

Where a vehicle fire may involve criminal activity, relevant observations should be passed to police.

Firefighters must not deliberately compromise potential evidence.

12. HAZARDOUS MATERIALS (HAZMAT)

12.1 Hazard Identification

Incidents involving chemicals, gas, dangerous substances or unknown materials must be approached cautiously.

12.2 Specialist Response

Personnel must not enter potentially hazardous environments without appropriate training, equipment and authorisation.

12.3 Incident Command

The Incident Commander must consider:

• Nature of the hazard.
• Persons exposed.
• Environmental risks.
• Access restrictions.
• Specialist assistance.
• Coordination with other agencies.

12.4 Decontamination

Where required, appropriate decontamination arrangements must be considered within the department's capabilities.

12.5 No Unrealistic Immunity

Firefighting uniforms do not automatically protect against every chemical or hazardous substance.

13. WATER RESCUE

13.1 Training Requirements

Water rescue is a specialist activity.

Personnel may only undertake tasks for which they are trained and equipped.

13.2 Safe Deployment

Untrained firefighters must not enter dangerous water simply because a casualty is visible.

13.3 Requesting Specialists

Where the risks exceed available capabilities, the Incident Commander must request suitable specialist support.

13.4 Patient Handover

Rescued patients must be assessed by appropriate medical personnel.

13.5 Realism

Firefighters must not act as though they can swim indefinitely, withstand severe conditions or carry out impossible rescues.

14. RESCUES AT HEIGHT & CONFINED SPACES

14.1 Specialist Operations

Height rescue and confined-space rescue require additional training and suitable equipment.

14.2 Scene Assessment

Crews must assess the hazards and establish a safe plan.

14.3 No Unauthorised Rescue

Firefighters must not perform dangerous rescue activities beyond their qualifications.

14.4 Patient Care

Medical needs must be considered when planning casualty recovery.

14.5 Realistic Consequences

Falls, equipment failures and difficult environments must carry appropriate roleplay consequences.

15. FIRE SERVICE & AMBULANCE COOPERATION

15.1 Clinical Authority

Ambulance personnel are responsible for clinical assessment and treatment within their competence.

15.2 Rescue Authority

Fire personnel manage fire and technical rescue activities within their competence.

15.3 Joint Decisions

Where rescue and medical priorities interact, the relevant commanders and clinicians must communicate and agree an appropriate plan.

15.4 Patient Handling

Firefighters may assist ambulance personnel with moving casualties using suitable training and equipment.

15.5 Injured Firefighters

Firefighters who suffer significant injuries must receive appropriate assessment.

Being a firefighter does not make someone immune to injury.

16. FIRE SERVICE & POLICE COOPERATION

16.1 Criminal Incidents

Firefighters must not enter active violent scenes without appropriate safety arrangements.

16.2 Scene Security

Police may manage criminal threats and relevant public safety issues.

16.3 Evidence Preservation

Firefighters should avoid unnecessary interference with evidence while prioritising life safety.

16.4 Suspicious Fires

Where arson or another crime is suspected, police must be informed.

16.5 No Police Powers

Firefighters do not possess general police powers simply by being emergency service personnel.

They must not conduct routine criminal arrests, searches or investigations as though they are police officers.

17. JESIP – JOINT EMERGENCY SERVICE WORKING

Unseen will adopt the principles of JESIP for incidents involving multiple emergency services.

The five principles are:

1. Co-locate – Commanders work together where safe and practical.
2. Communicate – Exchange clear and relevant information.
3. Co-ordinate – Agree operational priorities and responsibilities.
4. Jointly Understand Risk – Share information about threats and hazards.
5. Shared Situational Awareness – Maintain a common understanding of the incident.

17.1 M/ETHANE Reports

Major incidents should use the M/ETHANE structure:

• M – Major Incident: Declared or standby.
• E – Exact Location: Where the incident is occurring.
• T – Type: Nature of the incident.
• H – Hazards: Present and potential hazards.
• A – Access: Safe access and exit routes.
• N – Number: Number and severity of casualties.
• E – Emergency Services: Resources present and required.

17.2 Joint Command

No agency automatically controls every aspect of an incident.

Fire, police and ambulance services must respect their respective responsibilities and cooperate to achieve a safe outcome.

18. FIRE INVESTIGATION

18.1 Initial Observations

Crews should record relevant observations at potentially suspicious fires.

18.2 Specialist Investigation

Determining the origin and cause of a fire may require specially trained fire investigators.

18.3 Evidence

Firefighters must not fabricate evidence or declare arson without appropriate grounds.

18.4 Police Involvement

Suspected criminal offences must be referred to police.

18.5 Documentation

Relevant findings and observations must be recorded accurately.

19. FIRE PREVENTION & COMMUNITY SAFETY

Firefighters are encouraged to contribute to everyday civilian roleplay.

Activities may include:

• Community fire safety visits.
• Fire safety education.
• Public demonstrations.
• Business fire safety advice.
• Community events.
• Fire station open days.
• Home safety discussions.

19.1 Business Visits

Fire crews may engage with businesses to promote safety and build community relationships.

19.2 Enforcement

Formal fire safety enforcement must only be carried out by appropriately authorised personnel under a defined in-game legal framework.

Ordinary firefighters must not invent fines or close businesses without authority.

19.3 Community Engagement

Not every interaction should involve an emergency.

Firefighters should be recognisable members of the community.

20. FIRE APPLIANCES & DRIVING

20.1 Vehicle Qualifications

Only authorised drivers may operate fire appliances.

20.2 Emergency Driving

Emergency warning equipment may only be used for legitimate operational purposes.

20.3 Realistic Driving

Fire appliances are large, heavy vehicles with handling limitations.

Drivers must account for:

• Vehicle size.
• Turning circles.
• Braking distance.
• Road conditions.
• Traffic.
• Pedestrian safety.
• Vehicle damage.

20.4 GTA Driving Prohibited

Firefighters must not:

• Perform unrealistic jumps.
• Drive up extreme mountain terrain.
• Use fire appliances for racing.
• Deliberately ram through traffic.
• Ignore major collisions.
• Drive vehicles beyond their realistic capabilities.

20.5 Vehicle Damage

Damaged appliances must be assessed and removed from operational use when appropriate.

20.6 Specialist Vehicles

Aerial appliances, rescue units and specialist vehicles require appropriate training and authorisation.

21. FIREFIGHTER INJURIES & DEATH

21.1 Injury Roleplay

Firefighters must roleplay injuries realistically.

21.2 Serious Incidents

Significant injuries require appropriate medical assessment and realistic recovery.

21.3 No Instant Return

A firefighter suffering serious injuries must not automatically return to dangerous operational duties.

21.4 Death & NLR

Firefighters must follow Unseen's New Life Rule and permanent character death policies.

21.5 Incident Review

Serious incidents involving firefighter injury or death should receive appropriate departmental review.

22. TRAINING & QUALIFICATIONS

All personnel must complete suitable training before independent operational deployment.

22.1 Initial Training

Training should cover:

• Departmental conduct.
• Radio communication.
• Fireground safety.
• PPE.
• Basic firefighting knowledge.
• Equipment awareness.
• Incident command awareness.
• Dynamic risk assessment.
• Casualty care within role.
• Road traffic collision awareness.
• Emergency service cooperation.
• Realistic driving standards.

22.2 Supervised Deployment

Trainees must operate under appropriate supervision.

22.3 Specialist Qualifications

Additional training may include:

• Breathing apparatus.
• Emergency response driving.
• Incident command.
• Road traffic collision extrication.
• Water rescue.
• Height rescue.
• Hazardous materials.
• Fire investigation.
• Specialist appliance operation.

22.4 Maintaining Competence

Personnel may be required to complete refresher training or reassessments.

22.5 Qualification Restrictions

Staff must not undertake specialist activities solely because they have access to equipment or a particular vehicle.

23. SUPERVISION & ACCOUNTABILITY

23.1 Crew Managers

Crew Managers are responsible for supervising personnel and supporting safe crew operations.

23.2 Watch Managers

Watch Managers oversee watches, performance and operational activities within their qualifications.

23.3 Senior Officers

Senior officers are responsible for department standards, resources, training and appropriate incident command.

23.4 Leading by Example

Senior rank does not permit unsafe or unrealistic behaviour.

All personnel must follow the same core realism standards.

24. DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURES

24.1 Potential Misconduct

Examples include:

• Unsafe incident behaviour.
• Ignoring incident command.
• Unauthorised specialist operations.
• Abuse of emergency vehicles.
• Misuse of department equipment.
• Deliberately refusing assistance without appropriate justification.
• Harassment or discrimination.
• Criminal activity on duty.
• Falsifying incident reports.
• Reckless driving.
• Repeated violations of the Realism Guide.

24.2 Disciplinary Action

Depending on severity, action may include:

1. Informal guidance.
2. Formal warning.
3. Mandatory retraining.
4. Temporary removal of qualifications.
5. Suspension from duty.
6. Demotion.
7. Dismissal.

24.3 Complaints

Complaints must be reviewed fairly, considering available evidence and the circumstances.

24.4 Server Rules

Fire service personnel remain subject to all Unseen community and realism rules.

25. THE UNSEEN FIRE SERVICE STANDARD

Firefighting is not simply driving to a fire and clicking an extinguisher.

A realistic fire service requires teamwork, decision-making, risk assessment and communication.

Before acting, firefighters should ask themselves:

• Is the scene safe?
• What hazards are present?
• What is my objective?
• Am I trained for this task?
• Do I have the correct equipment?
• Has the Incident Commander authorised the activity?
• Do we need specialist assistance?
• Am I putting myself or others at unnecessary risk?
• Am I creating meaningful and believable roleplay?

We want a fire service that takes incidents seriously, works professionally alongside police and ambulance personnel, and contributes to the everyday life of Unseen.

Firefighters must understand that sometimes the correct operational decision is to wait, request additional resources or withdraw.

Taking unnecessary risks does not make you a better firefighter.

Professional judgement, teamwork and preservation of life define the service.

THIS ISN'T ANOTHER FIVEM CITY.

THIS IS UNSEEN.