Applicable To: All employees assigned to the EMU Unit

Approval Authority:  Major S. L. Savage

Signature:  Signed by SLS

Date Signed:  9/28/2004

1.               PURPOSE

To establish procedures for the use, care and maintenance of the Communications Battery Van (CommBatt Van) used by the Atlanta Police Department.

2.               POLICY

The Communications Section requires that the CommBatt Van be maintained in good mechanical condition to provide assistance in keeping Atlanta Citywide Radio System (ACRS) users’ batteries charged during special events and crisis situations.  The CommBatt Van will be kept cleaned and the installed equipment will be kept in good repair and operational at all times.  The van will reflect the best image of the Department.

3.               RESPONSIBILITIES

3.1              Electronic Maintenance Unit (EMU) commander will ensure that the CommBatt Van is cleaned and scheduled maintenance is performed.

3.2              EMU supervisors are responsible for assuring that the CommBatt Van is inspected at least once a week.

4.               ACTION

4.1              The objective of the CommBatt van is to provide charged radio batteries for officers during special events, unusual occurrences and tactical situations.  The van will be deployed at the direction of a Communications section commander or designee.

4.2              The EMU commander will assign a Communications employee to drive the van and to stay with the van to keep it secure until properly relieved.

4.3              The section commander will coordinate with the incident commander as to deployment of van.  

4.4              Any employee who operates the van must maintain a diesel fuel level of at least a quarter of a tank in order for the generator to be operational and must assure that diesel fuel tank is full upon returning the vehicle.

4.5              The Electronic Maintenance Unit (EMU) will maintain inventory of all charged batteries that are ready for distribution to on-duty officers.

4.6              Employees are prohibited from using the CommBatt Van to give other vehicles (including patrol vehicles) a “jump start” as this may damage the generator and battery charger equipment.

4.7              EMU personnel must keep a log sheet (Weekly CommBatt Van Generator Testing) of how often the generator is tested.  The checklist will be completed, filed and held for three (3) years.

4.8              The CommBatt Van generator will be tested once a week for 30 minutes. This testing is to ensure that the van is in full operational status at all times.  The test will be logged on the “Weekly CommBatt Van Generator Testing” form.  The checklist will be completed, filed and held for three (3) years.

4.8.1           Operational Procedure for starting and shutting down CommBatt Van generator:

1.    Make certain the carbon dioxide detector (mounted in back of van) is operational before starting and shutting down  the generator.  This device is operational when the green light is on.

2.    Start the generator by pressing start button until generator starts.
 

3     Allow the generator to run 3 to 5 minutes.
 

4.    Turn on 50 amp breaker
 

5.    Turn on 20 amp breakers
 

6.    Shutting down van, turn off 20 amp breakers, then turn off the 50 amp breaker.
 

7.    Press the stop button on the generator

4.9              Only the employee assigned to the van will issue batteries.  The employee must receive an APD battery before issuing a replacement.

5.               DEFINITIONS

N/A

6.               CANCELLATIONS

N/A

7.               REFERENCES

                  N/A