ORGANIZATIONAL STATEMENTS
​I. PURPOSE
The purpose of this document is to clearly identify the legal authorization of the Rincon Valley Fire District (RVFD) to operate.
II. SCOPE
This document applies to all Rincon Valley Fire District operations.
III. POLICY
Rincon Valley Fire District will operate within its legal authority and will comply with all applicable regulatory requirements.

IV.  GUIDELINES
Authority:  Rincon Valley was created under Arizona Revised Statute 48-261 and ratified by the Pima County Board of Supervisors on October 31, 1984 to create a special taxation district.  The District is located in the southeast metropolitan Tucson area and was created by its residents to ensure that the community received consistent, high-quality emergency services. 
 
Mission Statement:  Prepare, Prevent, and Protect our Community from Harm   

Vision Statement:  Rincon Valley Fire District will be a safe place.                                                                                               

Values:  Our values define how we interact with each other.  They influence how we conduct ourselves and conduct business of the District each day.  We strive to keep our values in mind with everything we do.  These values shall be used to drive our policies, decisions, and actions based on what is equitable for all of our stakeholders.

Rincon Valley Fire District members are:
Responsible
We hold ourselves and each other accountable.  We seek self-improvement to better serve our customers.  We care for people, internally and externally, to the best of our abilities and with professionalism.  We conduct ourselves ethically with honor and pride.
Versatile
We deliver the highest level of service by using our resources wisely.  We adapt and overcome.  We are resilient.  We are dynamic to ensure we are prepared for the challenges of today and tomorrow.
Fair
Because people are our greatest resource, we create opportunities for all members to succeed.  We develop healthy and productive work relationships to accomplish our mission.  We respect the contribution of all members.  We understand that we are better because of our diverse backgrounds.
Dedicated
We commit ourselves for the betterment of the District and our members.  We will make sacrifices that provide for the health and safety of our community.  We uphold our oath each day.

1. Risk Management Statement:  RVFD manages risk according to the following concepts.
   1. We will begin our response on the assumption that we can protect lives and property.
   2. We may extend significant risk to protect savable lives.
   3. We may extend moderate risk to protect savable property.
2. We will not extend risk to save what is already lost.                                                                                     
   

Services: RVFD provides a wide variety of services.  The section below outlines those services.

1. Fire Suppression The department responds to incidents involving fires and explosions.
   1. RVFD provides full alarm responses to fires involving: permanent and mobile structures, large vehicle/machinery fires and fires of unknown extent.  Full alarm responses shall have an initial assignment consisting of: 2 engines, 2 ambulances and 1 command vehicle given units are not already committed on other calls.  Depending on the presence of hydrants, a water tender shall also respond.  After the initial response, a heavy rescue may also respond to provide scene support.
   2. RVFD provides still alarm responses to: vegetation fires refuse fires, small vehicle fires and unconfirmed fire alarms. Still alarm responses shall consist of 1 engine.
2. EMS RVFD provides Advanced Life Support (ALS) ambulance response in accordance with Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) regulations and agreements.  ADHS has issued RVFD a Certificate of Necessity (CON), certificate number 92.  Response times within the ADHS approved Certificate of Necessity will meet the following standards: arrival within 10 minutes with 55% reliability, arrival within 15 minutes with 75% reliability, arrival within 20 minutes with 95% reliability, arrival within 30 minutes with 100% reliability.  RVFD supplements its ambulance service with ALS equipped engine response.  RVFD will also provide ambulance response outside of the CON, but within RVFD’s fire response area, if resources are available.
3. Special Operations RVFD provides response to rescue and hazardous materials incidents.  Responses to these incidents shall have an initial full alarm assignment which will consist of 1 engine, 1 heavy rescue vehicle 2 ambulances and 1 command officer given units are not already committed on other calls. Responses shall be capable of providing the following service levels (as defined by NFPA):
   1. Rope Rescue- technical
   2. Structural Collapse Search and Rescue- none
   3. Confined Space Search and Rescue- awareness
   4. Vehicle Search and Rescue- technical
   5. Water Search and Rescue (surface only)- technical
   6. Trench and Excavation Search and Rescue- none
   7. Machinery Search and Rescue- awareness
   8. Cave Search and Rescue- operations
   9. Mine and Tunnel Search and Rescue- none
   10. Helicopter Search and Rescue- awareness
   11. Hazardous Materials- operations
   12. All service levels listed at less than the technical level will be supplemented by other agencies through mutual aid agreements.
4. Natural and Man-made Disaster Response The department maintains a constant state of readiness to respond to natural disasters incurred as a result of extreme weather conditions and as a first-response agency for man-made disasters (e.g. wildfires, explosions, environmental emergencies, etc.).  Since a disaster response typically exceeds the resources of the local fire district, Rincon Valley relies on other resources within the region.
5. Community Risk Reduction Rincon Valley Fire District has adopted the principles of community risk reduction.  As such, it provides life safety education at local schools, special events, and as requested by the community. The fire department performs annual inspections of public buildings and places of employment under the authority of A.R.S § 48-805.
6. Fire Investigation RVFD, through partnerships with other local fire departments and law enforcement agencies, will provide for the investigation of every fire that threatens our citizens to ensure the proper risk reduction measures are in place for a safer community.
7. Non-emergency Service Calls The fire department responds to a variety of non-emergency calls for assistance in the community. These include, but are not limited to animal rescue or removal, vehicle/structure lockouts, health/welfare checks and assisting with fire protection system problems
8. Mutual Aid RVFD cooperates (receiving and providing aid) with other local, state and federal agencies to improve the quality of life for all residents of the region.