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What is the main responsibility of the Incident Commander during a confined space or trench incident?
What is the main responsibility of the Incident Commander during a confined space or trench incident?
Who is required to have proper training before entering a confined space?
Who is required to have proper training before entering a confined space?
What does the term 'Hot Zone' refer to in the context of rescue operations?
What does the term 'Hot Zone' refer to in the context of rescue operations?
Who is responsible for reviewing the confined space and trench rescue guidelines annually?
Who is responsible for reviewing the confined space and trench rescue guidelines annually?
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Which standard serves as the primary guideline for compliance in confined space operations?
Which standard serves as the primary guideline for compliance in confined space operations?
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What does 'Benching' refer to in trench rescue operations?
What does 'Benching' refer to in trench rescue operations?
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Which role is specifically responsible for safety-related functions during an incident?
Which role is specifically responsible for safety-related functions during an incident?
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What guiding materials are referenced for rescue and safety operations?
What guiding materials are referenced for rescue and safety operations?
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What must be determined before allowing underground entry in cases of potential toxic or combustible atmospheres?
What must be determined before allowing underground entry in cases of potential toxic or combustible atmospheres?
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Who is permitted to enter a confined space where there is a potential for a hazardous atmosphere?
Who is permitted to enter a confined space where there is a potential for a hazardous atmosphere?
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What is the role of the Incident Commander (IC) regarding the rehabilitation area?
What is the role of the Incident Commander (IC) regarding the rehabilitation area?
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What is the primary function of law enforcement at an incident scene?
What is the primary function of law enforcement at an incident scene?
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Which of the following is a critical step taken by the first arriving unit at an incident?
Which of the following is a critical step taken by the first arriving unit at an incident?
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What information should the first arriving unit report to the responding companies?
What information should the first arriving unit report to the responding companies?
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What should be done if a potentially hazardous confined space is identified?
What should be done if a potentially hazardous confined space is identified?
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What is a key responsibility of the designated responder in the hot zone?
What is a key responsibility of the designated responder in the hot zone?
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What should be conducted before entering a confined space to ensure safety?
What should be conducted before entering a confined space to ensure safety?
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Which of the following is NOT a hazard control measure to be taken by the company?
Which of the following is NOT a hazard control measure to be taken by the company?
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When arriving at a trench rescue, what is the primary duty of the first arriving officer?
When arriving at a trench rescue, what is the primary duty of the first arriving officer?
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In the event of a medical-related emergency in a confined space, what must occur to allow entry?
In the event of a medical-related emergency in a confined space, what must occur to allow entry?
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What key piece of information should be gathered first by the initial arriving companies on a trench rescue?
What key piece of information should be gathered first by the initial arriving companies on a trench rescue?
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What is the appropriate action regarding ignition sources in the hot zone?
What is the appropriate action regarding ignition sources in the hot zone?
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If no blueprints or maps are available at a rescue site, what should the responder do?
If no blueprints or maps are available at a rescue site, what should the responder do?
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What is indicated by the presence of a Safety Data Sheet (SDS)?
What is indicated by the presence of a Safety Data Sheet (SDS)?
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What hand signal indicates distress and the need for assistance?
What hand signal indicates distress and the need for assistance?
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Which of the following actions is not permitted for untrained personnel during rescue operations?
Which of the following actions is not permitted for untrained personnel during rescue operations?
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What is the minimum required PPE for all members operating at the scene of a rescue?
What is the minimum required PPE for all members operating at the scene of a rescue?
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At what wind speed should ladder/towers not be deployed?
At what wind speed should ladder/towers not be deployed?
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What must be done if metal hardware is dropped from a height greater than three feet?
What must be done if metal hardware is dropped from a height greater than three feet?
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Which of the following is true regarding the integrity of knots during rescue operations?
Which of the following is true regarding the integrity of knots during rescue operations?
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What should members do when they identify a safety hazard during operations?
What should members do when they identify a safety hazard during operations?
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What is a common misconception regarding trench incidents?
What is a common misconception regarding trench incidents?
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What must be true for personnel to enter a trench that is between 5 and 10 feet deep?
What must be true for personnel to enter a trench that is between 5 and 10 feet deep?
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Which position is responsible for overseeing the scene during a rescue operation?
Which position is responsible for overseeing the scene during a rescue operation?
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What is NOT a requirement before operations can begin at a rescue scene?
What is NOT a requirement before operations can begin at a rescue scene?
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How often must a ladder be provided for egress in a trench?
How often must a ladder be provided for egress in a trench?
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What is the initial task of the first arriving officer at a rescue operation?
What is the initial task of the first arriving officer at a rescue operation?
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Which of the following is a responsibility of the Rescue/Extrication Officer?
Which of the following is a responsibility of the Rescue/Extrication Officer?
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What should rescuers avoid when conducting operations in the hot zone?
What should rescuers avoid when conducting operations in the hot zone?
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What information should be obtained for evacuated victims if possible?
What information should be obtained for evacuated victims if possible?
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Study Notes
Confined Space & Trench Rescue Operations
- The Spring Fire Department has a policy and procedure document, SFD.070 for Confined Space & Trench Rescue Operations.
- The document establishes guidelines for all Spring Fire Department personnel responding to incidents involving confined spaces or trenches requiring entry.
- The document requires compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations, Title 29, Part 1910.146, “Permit Required Confined Spaces for General Industry minimum standards”.
- The document defines roles and responsibilities for key personnel involved in rescue operations: Incident Commander, Safety Officer, Rescue/Extrication Officer.
Confined Space Response Protocol
- The first arriving unit establishes Incident Command and sizes up the situation.
- The first arriving unit determines the nature of the incident and reports to responding companies.
- The first arriving unit attempts to determine the number of patients, patient(s) condition, and severity of injuries.
- The first arriving unit identifies potential hazards such as traffic, downed wires, exposed utilities, and spectators.
- The first arriving unit locates and secures the job site supervisor or other company representative on the scene.
- The first arriving unit determines the type of confined space and attempts to obtain the confined space entry permit from the local site management.
- The first arriving unit determines the number of entry points and locations.
- The first arriving unit attempts to obtain blueprints, maps, or related details of the site.
- The first arriving unit ensures fire control measures are in place if needed.
- The first arriving unit conducts air monitoring within the hot zone and within the confined space.
- The first arriving unit removes or restricts all ignition sources within the hot zone.
- A confined space tactical worksheet (appendix) is completed.
- At no time shall anyone be allowed to enter the confined space unless the incident involves a medical related emergency with no hazards, or the entry is authorized by the Rescue/Extrication Officer or Incident Commander.
Trench Rescue Protocol
- When dispatched to a trench rescue, the first arriving officer shall complete a scene size up and attempt to determine the time of collapse, type of the collapse, and number of victims.
- The initial arriving companies stabilize the surface area around the trench and gather information.
- Extreme care should be exercised when approaching the trench. Members should approach the trench from the ends.
- Secondary collapse is usually imminent. Members shall not enter or attempt to enter a non-shored/stabilized trench at any time.
Safety Protocol
- All members involved in Rescue functions will utilize SFD owned equipment at all times.
- Members located in elevated positions shall don wear a department issued harness and be tied off to a fixed shock proof anchor point when working within 3 ft.of the edge of a building, hole, trench, or related elevated area.
- Members should not wear bunker gear or related department issued firefighting PPE while working in a confined space or trench if at all possible.
- No untrained personnel will be permitted operate any lowering, hauling, shoring, or safety system.
- All motion orders (lower, raise, stop, etc.) will be given by the Incident Commander, Rescue/Extrication Officer or specific designee.
- Required PPE for all members operating at the scene will be a minimum of helmet, eye protection and gloves.
- Integrity of all knots and safety knots will be continually checked throughout rescue as needed.
- Ladders/towers are not to be deployed in winds greater than 35 MPH.
- Any drops of metal hardware over three feet will require that equipment to be removed from service, tagged “DROPPED”, and turned in to the Quartermaster.
- Not all trench incidents are cave-ins. Injured workers can be found within a trench that has not caved in.
- Rescuers and EMS personnel must use extreme caution any time they need to enter a trench over 4-feet deep. They shall not enter a trench that is over 5- feet deep, unless it is properly shored, shielded, sloped, or benched. Also, there must be a good atmosphere and at least one ladder for egress every 25 feet.
Emergency Operations
- All confined space and trench rescue operations will follow department incident command procedures and will include the following identified command/operations positions: Incident Commander, Safety Officer, Rescue/Extrication Officer, Rescue trained members for rescue and safety team functions if needed.
- Operations shall not begin until appropriate personnel are on location and an incident action plan is discussed with all onsite personnel.
- The incident commander is the ultimate responsible party for the scene; however, the Rescue/Extrication officer is in command of all placements of shoring equipment, setting of shoring struts, excavation, raising, lowering, and safety functions from the time that rescuers are in the hot zone until operations have been completed.
- Operations should be conducted with as little risk to the SFD personnel as possible, this may not always be the case, but should be considered.
- When needed, Special Operations Team personnel from SFD or mutual aid companies should be used for critical command & operational positions.
- Evacuated victims shall be removed in the safest manner possible. Once on the ground or safe location, evacuated persons shall be medically evaluated and transported by EMS if necessary.
- Evacuee names, date of birth and addresses should be obtained if possible.
- If an event is extended, could be considered “High Profile” or otherwise attract media attention, the Incident Commander shall designate a specific media operations area.
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Description
This quiz focuses on the guidelines and protocols established by the Spring Fire Department for confined space and trench rescue operations. It covers the roles and responsibilities of key personnel, compliance with OSHA regulations, and the incident command procedures for effective rescue missions. Test your knowledge of these critical safety protocols.
