Boat & Waterborne Operations (Hard)

Boat & Waterborne Operations

• Trained on-duty crews can use boats for victim evacuation or rescue with the Fire Chief's approval for special events or law enforcement assistance.
• Members must wear personal flotation devices and avoid wearing firefighting PPE while operating boats.
• Safety measures include carrying throw bags and handheld lights.
• Boat operations should be conducted with caution, considering water speed, weather conditions, and water quality, with a focus on minimizing risk to personnel and victims.
• Detailed procedures exist for responding to incidents, including size-up, information gathering, hazard assessment, and command structure for effective and safe operations.
• Boat captains and attendants require specific training and annual refreshers to be equipped with the necessary skills for waterborne operations.
• Routine maintenance and inspection protocols are established for boats, including weekly checks and post-operation procedures to maintain operational readiness.
• No untrained operators or attendants are permitted during any rescue, recovery, or special operational event.
• Prior to launching or maneuvering boats into moving water, the water speed should be determined.
• Operations in water moving over 2 knots should be limited to actions for imminent rescue or at the discretion of the incident commander and safety officer.
• Water speed in excess of 1.15 mph (1 knot) is considered swift water.
• Boats should be launched downstream of victim locations and motored upstream to reduce the risk of impacting the victim(s) with the vessels if possible.
• Boat crews will operate in sight of shore support or remain within radio contact with shore support/Incident Command.
• Waterborne activation should not be conducted during lightning storms or in sustained winds over 30 mph.
• The Incident Commander or Boat Captain has the authority to suspend or terminate waterborne activities if weather conditions pose an immediate danger to rescue personnel.
• Adequate warming capabilities may be needed for victims or evacuees in cold water and low air temperatures.
• Gross decontamination should be established if water quality is suspected to be poor or there is a possibility of contamination.
• The capacity of each boat will not exceed the listed capacity limitations on the USCG placard.
• All victims or non-fire department passengers will wear an SFD personal floatation device (red or blue) from their point of entry until arrival on dry ground.
• Care should be given to operations in flooded areas where impact with submerged objects is possible.
• SFD members will not enter swift water or similar hazardous waterborne conditions for body recoveries.
• When dispatched or otherwise necessary, SFD members will hitch the boat trailer to a department vehicle with towing capabilities and respond to the scene.

Emergency Operations

• The first arriving officer will perform a size-up of the situation and gather information, including the number of patients, location of patients, etc.
• Upon conclusion of operations, boats will be trailered and removed from the water.
• Prior to returning to service, the boats will be inspected, refueled, and inventoried as needed.
• Upon returning to the fire station, the boat and all associated equipment will be cleaned with soap and water and visually inspected.
• Fluid changes are to be completed by Support Services as needed by the manufacturer’s recommendations.

Boat Captain Qualifications

• Boat Captains must be trained individuals who have completed the following minimum training with an annual refresher:
  • TX Parks and Wildlife Boat Operators Course

This quiz covers essential protocols and safety measures for operating boats during victim evacuation and rescue missions. It highlights the importance of training, personal flotation devices, and adherence to safety procedures for effective waterborne operations. Participants will also learn about routine maintenance and inspection requirements for boats.