Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Training / Qualification; Situational Awareness; Communication Breakdown
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Ground Event / Encounter Other / Unknown
General None Reported / Taken
Procedure; Human Factors; Company Policy; Staffing
The First Officer and I coordinated a return to gate with dispatch and maintenance and they agreed with the decision to keep passengers onboard. While maintenance personnel were working; I called dispatch and coordinated getting more fuel. The Fire Department arrived with the Fueler. I spoke with the Fire Chief and he explained a new airport policy which required the Fire Department to be present during fueling (even with both engines off). The Fire Chief also explained that the new policy requires two forms of egress for passengers onboard the plane. We already had the jet bridge attached and the Fire Chief recommended to me that a Flight Attendant arm an exit and standby in case of required egress. I called dispatch and they were unaware of the new return to gate procedure that required the Fire Department to be present during fueling. I then explained the full situation to the Lead Flight Attendant (including the Fire Chiefs direction and reason for arming the door) and under the Fire Chief's direction; requested that an aft door be armed and a Flight Attendant stand-by at the door in order for us to comply with the fueling requirements. The Flight Attendants armed the door and did not express concern or that they were uncomfortable with the door being armed. My intention was to operate safely and to comply with the new fueling requirements under the direction of the Fire Chief.  Helpful information for the future would be company guidance regarding this new return to gate fueling policy and how we are to comply with the requirement for two forms of egress. On the Airbus the overwing slides are always armed. This is possibly an acceptable form of ready egress without having any Flight Attendant arm doors.
Flight crew reported a lack of company guidance regarding a new return to gate fueling policy and how to comply with the requirement for two forms of egress.