Confined Space & Trench Rescue Operations (Hard)

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary role of a Competent Person at an incident site?

To provide equipment maintenance and support

To supervise emergency medical teams

To manage the media relations during a rescue

To oversee all operations and ensure safety compliance (correct)

Which area describes where non-essential firefighters are contained?

Emergency Zone

Warm Zone

Cold Zone (correct)

Hot Zone

What is the definition of a Confined Space?

A space with limited egress that can have hazardous atmospheres (correct)

Any space that allows easy ingress and egress

A non-restricted area with good ventilation

A space designed for human occupancy

What material is a Rescue Rope typically constructed from?

Static kernmantle Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following locations is NOT considered a Confined Space?

Office Buildings Signup and view all the answers

What does the term Surcharge refer to in excavation terminology?

Excess weight placed near the trench lip Signup and view all the answers

What is the main risk associated with a Spoil Pile during excavation?

It may lead to initial and subsequent cave-ins Signup and view all the answers

What is a Fissure in the context of excavation safety?

A large crack that signifies unstable ground Signup and view all the answers

What is the main responsibility of the Incident Commander during an emergency incident?

To direct and coordinate all emergency services and outside agencies Signup and view all the answers

Which unit is NOT involved in the initial response to an incident as listed in the dispatch?

Emergency Management Agency Signup and view all the answers

What role does the Rescue/Extrication Officer play at a trench rescue incident?

Coordinates rescue operations within the Hot Zone Signup and view all the answers

What should be established according to the first responders upon arrival at the scene?

Initial hot and cold zones Signup and view all the answers

What must the Incident Commander provide before the end of their workday?

A brief narrative report detailing the incident Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a key consideration for the Rescue/Extrication Officer when planning a rescue attempt?

Victim survival profile and associated risk Signup and view all the answers

Who is responsible for confirming the dispatch units prior to the response?

The dispatch operator Signup and view all the answers

Which personnel should be selected to oversee Hot Zone Safety during a rescue operation?

A member trained in confined space rescue Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary responsibility of the Safety Officer during an incident?

Ensure overall safety of the incident Signup and view all the answers

What should be established before any rescue operations begin?

An incident command structure Signup and view all the answers

Who is responsible for executing the incident action plan during a rescue?

Rescue Firefighters Signup and view all the answers

What role do Support Firefighters play during an incident?

Providing access control and rehab support Signup and view all the answers

What factor should dictate the resource level maintained during an operation?

Extreme weather conditions Signup and view all the answers

What is a key component to be created and discussed with all rescue teams before entry?

An incident action plan Signup and view all the answers

What must be completed to assess the risk/benefit of entry before rescue operations?

Victim survival profile Signup and view all the answers

Who monitors the atmosphere prior to initial entry during a rescue operation?

Designated monitoring member Signup and view all the answers

What is the maximum width of a trench as defined in the content?

15 feet Signup and view all the answers

Which type of trench collapse is characterized by large masses of soil falling from the sides, creating a dangerous overhang?

Belly in or Wall Slough Signup and view all the answers

What action is indicated when there is a very high probability that a viable patient exists following a trench incident?

Rescue Mode Signup and view all the answers

In the content, what is described as a protective device placed within a trench?

Trench Box Signup and view all the answers

What typically causes a Lip Slide collapse in a trench?

Spoil pile being too close to the edge Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes a Tunnel as defined in the content?

Any enclosure with a vertical or horizontal shaft Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary responsibility of Dispatch during a trench incident?

Ascertain details about the incident, especially regarding confined space Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes the Warm Zone in a trench rescue operation?

It usually lies within 100 feet of the Hot Zone and contains Decon and Access areas. Signup and view all the answers

What is the first action to be taken by the first arriving officer at a trench rescue?

Complete a scene size up Signup and view all the answers

Which hazard control method is NOT listed as a safety measure for confined spaces?

Mineralization Signup and view all the answers

What must be done with all ignition sources within the hot zone?

They must be removed or restricted Signup and view all the answers

What should be determined before allowing anyone to enter a confined space?

Number of patients and their locations Signup and view all the answers

If a victim in a confined space was potentially exposed to hazardous materials, what is the next best step?

Obtain the relevant Safety Data Sheet Signup and view all the answers

What approach should be taken when assessing the trench for stability?

Approach from the ends of the trench Signup and view all the answers

In a confined space, what is the purpose of conducting air monitoring?

To ensure the safety of the atmosphere Signup and view all the answers

Who has the authority to permit entry into a confined space?

Rescue/Extrication Officer or Incident Commander Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Zones

The Hot Zone is for only the Technical Rescue Team, Hazardous Materials Responders, and other essential personnel.
The Warm Zone is within 100 feet of the Hot Zone, where Back-Up, Decon, and Access are contained.
The Cold Zone is within 100 feet of the Warm Zone, where Command, Support, Resource, Rehab, and non-essential firefighters are located. The media and other non-essential agencies are staged outside this zone.

Confined Spaces

A confined space has limited egress points, is not meant for prolonged human occupancy, and can have a dangerous atmosphere.
Confined spaces can have hazardous dust, mists, gases, or vapors that natural ventilation cannot remove.
Examples of confined spaces include below-grade basements, brewers vats, collapsed structures, sewage systems, cargo holds, and silos.

Excavation Definitions

Excavation is any man-made cut, cavity, trench, or depression in the earth's surface.
Fissure is a large crack in the earth that indicates unstable ground.
Ground Pad is a 2’ x 4' sheet of 3/4 " thick plywood for dispersing the weight of rescuers at the trench lip.
Sloping is angling the side of a trench to reduce the risk of collapse.
Spoil Pile is the soil removed during excavation, which, if placed too close to the trench lip, is the primary cause of cave-ins.
Surcharge is any type of excess weight added to the trench lip, including rescuers.
Trench is an excavation of earth deeper than its width, but less than 15 feet wide.
Trench Box or Shields are placed within a trench to provide a safe work environment for workers. They do not prevent trench wall collapse.

Trench Collapse Types

Belly in or Wall Slough - Large masses of soil falling from the side of a trench, leaving a large overhang.
Lip Slide - The most common type of collapse, usually caused by the spoil pile being too close to the edge.
Side Wall Shear - An entire wall of a trench shears away from the side.
Toe Slough - The bottom wall of the trench kicks into the floor, typically followed by a wall slough.

Tunnel

A tunnel is an above or below-grade enclosure with a vertical and/or horizontal shaft.

Rescue Modes

Recovery Mode is used when there is little probability of finding a viable victim.
Rescue Mode is used when there is a high probability of a viable victim, and actions are required to safely extricate them.

Incident Response

Dispatch (North Comm) will gather information on the incident and dispatch the following units: District 70, 1 Engine, Tower 70, Rescue 71, Technical Rescue Trailer 71 / Squad 71, Woodlands FD Rescue 106, Houston FD Heavy Rescue 11, Harris County Haz-Mat, HCESD 11 Medic Unit, HCESD 11 Supervisor.
First Responders and/or EMS Units will assess if it is a rescue or recovery situation.
Incident Commander will direct and coordinate all emergency services and outside agencies.
First Arriving Captain will direct their crew to ensure safety and prepare for the arrival of Technical Rescue personnel.
Rescue/Extrication Officer will be responsible for all rescue operations within the Hot Zone and coordinate with the IC to develop an incident action plan and determine if a rescue attempt is appropriate.
Safety Officer is responsible for the overall safety of an incident and will work in conjunction with the Hot Zone Safety Officer and the IC.
Rescue Firefighters are members of the Technical Rescue Team who are responsible for executing the incident action plan and conducting the rescue or recovery.
Support Firefighters are on responding apparatus but are not trained in technical rescue; they are utilized in a support role, such as access control, rehab, or related tasks as designated by the IC.

Scene Management and Operations Considerations

Scene Management - The Incident Command System will be established at the beginning of every confined space rescue incident.
Before any rescue operations begin, a victim survival profile shall be completed.
The following tasks should be established prior to confined space or trench entry:
- Incident command is established
- A rescue/extrication officer is appointed
- An entry team is established
- A back up/RIT team is established
- A safety officer is appointed
- An incident action plan is created and discussed with all rescue/standby teams
Establish a resource pool of fresh, trained responders to provide relief for those completing the rescue.
The Incident Commander or Rescue/Extrication officer will designate a member who will be responsible for monitoring the atmosphere prior to initial entry and on an ongoing basis.
Atmospheric monitoring shall be documented on the confined space tactical worksheet.

Important Considerations for Confined Space Rescue

Determine the number of victims
Gather information from supervisors or competent people on site
Determine the type of work being performed
Conduct atmospheric testing before and after work
Understand the hazard controls taken by the company (if applicable), including ventilation, lock out/tag out, purging, and inerting
Determine the number of entry points and locations
Determine the number of patients, their location, and the time they entered the space
Obtain or create blueprints, maps, or related details of the space
If a victim was possibly exposed to a hazardous material, obtain the Safety Data Sheet for the relevant chemicals.
Ensure fire control measures are in place if needed.
Conduct air monitoring within the hot zone and within the confined space. Provide ventilation within the hot zone as needed.
Remove or restrict all ignition sources within the hot zone, this includes radios, telephones, and cameras.
Complete a confined space tactical worksheet.

Trench Rescue

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.
Stabilization of the surface area around the trench and gathering information is the most important duty of the initial arriving companies.
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.

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Description

This quiz focuses on the definitions and classifications of emergency response zones, particularly the Hot, Warm, and Cold Zones, along with the characteristics of confined spaces. It also addresses excavation definitions and safety concerns. Test your knowledge on these crucial emergency management topics.