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Questions and Answers
What is the primary purpose of the Spring Fire Department's boat operations?
What safety equipment must members wear when operating boats?
Who must approve the use of boats for special events or law enforcement assistance?
What training is required for boat captains and attendants?
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What does the standard operating procedure primarily focus on?
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What is a required routine for maintaining boat operational readiness?
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What factors should be considered when conducting boat operations?
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What type of boats does the Spring Fire Department operate?
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What is required for all members while operating boats or working along waterways?
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What should be determined prior to launching boats into moving water?
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What is the maximum water speed defined as swift water?
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What is the authority of the Incident Commander or Boat Captain regarding waterborne activities?
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How should the capacity of each boat be determined?
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What kind of weather conditions can lead to the suspension of waterborne activities?
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Which of the following items should all crew members carry while operating in boats?
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What is the protocol if water quality is suspected of being poor?
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What must be established before entering the water for a rescue operation?
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Which signal indicates that a rescuer requires medical assistance?
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What should NOT be used to attach rescue personnel to a lifeline?
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What is indicated by three blasts of a whistle?
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What must happen with evacuated persons once they reach dry land?
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What is an essential factor for launching a boat safely?
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What should be done with boats after operations conclude?
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Who is responsible for designating a media staging area for high-profile events?
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What must all victims or non-fire department passengers wear while onboard the boat?
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What is the primary role of the Boat Captain during operations?
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Under what condition will operations not begin in boat rescue scenarios?
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Which action should be taken first by the first arriving officer at the scene?
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What should be done if water is calm or slow-moving during a rescue attempt?
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What is the minimum staffing required for boat operations?
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What should personnel do regarding nonessential individuals during rescue operations?
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Which option describes the correct approach to boat speed in flooded areas?
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What should be done with cleaned wet equipment before repacking?
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Which training is NOT required for Boat Captains?
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What should be checked in the fuel tanks during maintenance?
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Which of the following is part of routine weekly maintenance for boats?
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Who should be contacted if any equipment is damaged or non-operational?
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What type of evaluation is required for Boat Attendants?
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What is a minimum requirement for the boat operations course for Boat Attendants?
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What should a visual inspection of the boat include?
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Study Notes
Boat & Waterborne Operations Overview
- On-duty, trained crews are authorized to operate boats for rescuing or evacuating victims; boats can be used for special events or law enforcement assistance with Fire Chief approval
- Members must wear personal flotation devices (PFDs) and avoid wearing firefighting gear while operating boats
- Operations should be conducted cautiously considering water speed, weather, and water quality; minimizing risk to personnel and victims is a key priority
- Specific procedures are in place for emergency operations, including:
- size-up,
- information gathering,
- hazard assessment, and
- command structure to ensure safe and effective operations
- Boat captains and attendants must have specific training and annual refresher courses to ensure they are equipped with the necessary skills for waterborne operations.
- Routine maintenance and inspections, including weekly checks and post-operation procedures, are essential to maintain operational readiness for boats.
Safety
- Members must wear PFDs while operating boats or along waterways; departmental PFDs are required for each crew member
- One throw bag of floating rope is required for each member
- No member can work alone
- No firefighting gear can be worn while operating boats or near waterways, but helmets are required
- A handheld light per crew member is required when operating in low light or within two hours of dawn/dusk
- Untrained individuals are not allowed in boats during any rescue, recovery, or special event
- Water speed should be determined before launching or maneuvering boats into moving water;
- Water speed exceeding 2 knots should be limited to imminent rescue situations or approved by the incident commander and safety officer
- Boats should be launched downstream and motored upstream to reduce the risk of impacting victims with the boats
- Boat crews must operate in sight of shore support or maintain radio contact
- Waterborne activation is prohibited during lightning storms or sustained winds over 30mph
- Special consideration must be given to water conditions/quality and temperature; adequate warming capabilities may be needed for victims or evacuees in cold water
- Gross decontamination should be established if water quality is suspected to be poor or contaminated
- Boat capacity limitations are strictly enforced
- Victims or passengers must wear an SFD PFD from point of entry until arrival on dry ground
- Operations in flooded areas where submerged objects may be present should be conducted with caution; boat approach and departure speeds should be minimized.
- SFD members are not allowed to enter swift water or similar hazardous conditions for body recoveries
Emergency Operations
- Departmental vehicles with towing capabilities should be used to transport the boat trailer; crews should respond cautiously due to the size, weight, and height of the trailer
- The first arriving officer performs a size-up of the situation, gathers information, assesses immediate and potential hazards, determines the need for additional resources, identifies the situation as a rescue or recovery, and keeps nonessential personnel and civilians out of the hazard zone
- All boat operations follow department identified command/operations positions:
- Incident Commander
- Boat Captain
- Boat Attendant
- Safety Officer
- Operations begin only when personnel are on location and an incident action plan has been discussed with all onsite personnel; minimum staffing for boat operations is at least one Boat Captain and one attendant
- The Boat Captain is the sole operator of the boat and is primarily responsible for navigation and boat operation
- Operations should be conducted with minimal risk to rescue personnel, considering:
- Talk – if water is calm or slow-moving, attempt to talk the victim into self-rescue or rescue with assistance
- Reach – if possible, utilize an object to reach the victim
- Throw – utilize a throw bag or other approved floatation device and haul the victim to the bank
- Row – this operation will be conducted when it is determined the need to put the boat into the water
- GO – if it is not possible to reach the victim by boat, consideration should be given to putting a rescuer in the water; this operation is high-risk and conducted by trained personnel only
- Rescue personnel will never be attached to a lifeline without a quick-release mechanism approved for water rescue
- Boats should be launched in a safe area with standing or slow-moving water, ease of access to dry land, and free of obstructions/debris; boats can be launched and walked by the operators until water depth permits the use of motors
- Evacuated victims will be removed in the safest manner possible; once on dry land, evacuated persons will be medically evaluated and transported by EMS if necessary
- The Incident Commander will designate a specific media staging area for events that are extended, considered high-profile, or otherwise attract media attention; the Incident Commander or Public Information Officer should provide regular media updates if necessary
Hand Signals and Whistle Commands
- Hand Signals:
- One Hand extended above the head: Distress, Need Assistance
- One Hand on the Head: Okay
- Point left/right: Move or swim left or right
- Both arms crossed above the head: Stop
- Both arms crossed in front of the chest: Need Medical Kit and Help
- Whistle Signals:
- 1 Blast: Stop or Attention
- 2 Blasts: Attention upstream
- 3 Blasts: Attention downstream
- 4 Blasts: Emergency or Rescue
Boat Operations Conclusion
- After operations, boats will be trailered and removed from the water
- Before returning to service, boats will be inspected, refueled, and inventoried as needed
- Upon returning to the fire station, boats and associated equipment will be cleaned with soap and water, visually inspected, and hung in a dry location to dry before being repacked
- Boat motors will be flushed with clean water, fuel tanks will be refueled, and oil reservoirs checked to ensure fluid levels are within the proper operational range
- A visual inspection of the interior and exterior areas of the boat will be completed to check for any obvious damage
- SFD Support Services will be contacted if any equipment is damaged, lost, or otherwise non-operational
- Fluid changes will be completed by Support Services as needed according to the manufacturer's recommendations
Boat Captain Qualifications
- Boat Captains must be trained individuals who have completed the following minimum training and an annual refresher course:
- TX Parks and Wildlife Boat Operators Course
- Annual swim evaluation (300 meters, any stroke, no stopping, with or without PFD)
- Basic boat awareness course (Internal)
- Boat operations course (External) meeting NFPA 1006 and 1670 Technician level
Boat Attendant Qualifications
- Boat attendants, or members assisting the Boat Captain, must at a minimum complete the following training and an annual refresher:
- Annual swim evaluation (300 meters any stroke, no stopping, with or without PFD)
- Basic boat awareness course (Internal)
- Boat operations course (External) meeting NFPA 1006 and 1670 Awareness level
Boat Maintenance
- Personnel assigned to stations equipped with boats are responsible for completing routine weekly maintenance for all boats
- Documented weekly boat operations testing and inspections will be completed in conjunction with apparatus day functions
- Inspection and operations testing include the following minimum items:
- Verification that trailer lights are operational
- Priming, starting, and running each motor at idle speed to ensure water flow through the motor is established to prevent damage
- Ensuring inflatable boats are inflated to the proper operational pressure
- Inspecting the hull and gunwales of each connector boat
- Checking fuel tanks to ensure tanks are filled to 3/4 fuel level or above
- Checking the oil level and refilling as needed
- Verifying boat inventory lists
- Rinsing or wiping dust/debris from boat hulls, sidewalls, and interior
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Description
This quiz covers the essential protocols and safety measures for boat operations in rescue and emergency scenarios. Participants will learn about the roles, responsibilities, and training required for boat operators and attendants. Emphasis is placed on minimizing risks and ensuring effective operations in varying water conditions.
