SOP 622 Personnel Rehabilitation

Recycling vs. Rehabilitation

• Recycling allows crews to continue working without undergoing formal rehab, necessary when SCBAs alarm at 1/3 of a cylinder.
• Crew officers decide when to recycle or go to formal rehab, coordinating with the Incident Commander (IC).
• Crews can recycle one or two times before mandatory formal rehab; communication with the IC is essential throughout.

Responsibilities of Personnel

• Personnel must maintain physical conditioning to combat negative effects of strenuous activities.
• Employees should disclose physical or mental conditions and medications that impair performance.
• Hydration and nutrition should be prioritized before, during, and after incidents or training.
• Crew integrity and accountability are crucial during rehab processes.

Establishment of Rehab Operations

• A Rehab Operation should be considered early in an incident and re-evaluated based on the incident's needs.
• Factors influencing rehab include incident size, duration, environmental conditions, and physical intensity.
• Self-rehabilitation can occur during breaks in routine incidents, ensuring accountability procedures are followed.

Level I Rehab Operation

• Objectives include adjusting clothing/PPE, at least 10 minutes rest, hydration, and self-monitoring for medical needs.

Level II Rehab Operation

• Includes all Level I objectives plus documented check-in/out processes managed by a Rehab Group Supervisor.
• The Company Officer checks in with a PAR report and ensures proper hydration/nutrition for crew members.

Location of Rehab

• Rehab sites should be distanced from operational effects and provide mental rest from stress.
• Should be positioned away from hazards such as combustion products and environmental stressors, ensuring appropriate shelter from weather.

Medical Evaluations

• At least two EMS personnel, including one paramedic, must be present during Level II Rehab.
• Vitals are recorded both upon entry and exit, assessing heart rate, blood pressure, and symptoms of dehydration or stress.
• Personnel can only leave rehab if specific criteria are met, such as a heart rate below 100 bpm and controlled blood pressure.

Procedures for Personnel Outside of Norms

• If maintaining elevated heart rates, additional monitoring and potential reevaluation through another rehab period are necessary.
• Personnel consistently outside set medical thresholds are treated as patients within rehab protocols.

Purpose and Scope of SOP 622

• Aims to maintain the physical and mental condition of personnel during emergency responses, training, or special events to ensure safety.
• Applies to all strenuous activities that necessitate rehabilitation processes for crews to withstand extreme conditions.

Definitions of Rehab Levels

• Level I Rehab: Informal, for brief situations, providing basic hydration and rest.
• Level II Rehab: Formal, requiring significant resources, including EMS, and enhanced supervision by a designated Rehab Supervisor.

This quiz covers the recycling protocols for firefighting crews as an alternative to formal rehabilitation. It discusses the importance of cylinder management and the decision-making process involved in recycling versus rehab. Understanding these protocols is crucial for maintaining operational effectiveness during firefighting operations.