CHAPTER 15 The ISO at Technical Rescue Incidents

Technical Rescue Overview

• Technical rescue encompasses complex search and rescue operations requiring specialized knowledge, skills, and equipment.
• The term applies to incidents involving ropes, confined spaces, structural collapses, machinery, water, wilderness, mines, tunnels, and caves.
• An Incident Safety Officer (ISO) is mandatory for managing safety in technical rescue incidents.

Federal Regulations Impacting ISO Functions

• Relevant OSHA regulations affecting ISO responsibilities include:
  • Occupational Noise Exposure (29 CFR 1910.95)
  • Hazardous Waste Operations (29 CFR 1910.120)
  • Respiratory Protection (29 CFR 1910.134)
  • Permit-Required Confined Spaces (29 CFR 1910.146)
• Legal liability exists when regulations are in place; an ISO is essential for confined space and hazmat incidents.

ISO General Functions

• The ISO must assess the situation status (sitstat) including:
  • Victim location, predicament, likelihood of rescue, and environmental integrity.
• Understanding of committed resources (restat) and plans from the command post is vital.
• Factors for updating the incident action plan (IAP) include risk profiles, control zone requirements, personnel safety systems, and traffic management.

Risk Evaluation

• Risk levels correspond to operation modes:
  • Rescue Mode: Feasibility of saving victims with apparent need.
  • Recovery Mode: Victims presumed deceased with unsafe conditions.
  • Incident Stabilization Mode: Rescued victims with potential for further hazards.

Control Zones

• Established zones (hot, warm, cold) are crucial for the safety of responders; boundaries may need practical markings.
• The ISO determines PPE requirements based on realistic worst-case scenarios to safeguard personnel.

Safety Systems Effectiveness

• Accountability Systems: Track assigned resources to mitigate risks of freelancing.
• Communications: Constant instruction through radio must be managed carefully to avoid congestion.
• Rehabilitation: Continuous evaluation of comfort, energy replacement, and medical observation is necessary during extended operations.

Helicopter Operations

• Increased media attention can distract responders, requiring proactive management from the ISO/ASOs.
• Helicopters introduce hazards like rotor wash; effective landing zone preparation is essential.

Considerations for Specific Incidents

• Building Collapse: Classify collapses by severity to understand appropriate risks and response needs.
• Industrial Entrapments: Focus on hazards from machinery, unsecured energy, and complicated access to ensure safety.
• Trench Rescues: Must adhere to OSHA regulations; an effective safety plan addressing potential hazards is critical.
• Confined Spaces: Governed by stringent regulations; a comprehensive site safety plan is mandatory.
• Water Rescues: Multiple water scenarios present various hazards; proper PPE and timekeeping are essential for safety.
• Rope Rescues: High-angle incidents necessitate careful risk management and awareness of the environment and personnel readiness.
• Transportation Incidents: Focus on traffic barriers and calming strategies to protect responders; prepare for potentially hazardous environments.

Summary of Technical Rescue Dynamics

• The compelling drive for action in technical rescues must be balanced with safety, adherence to regulations, and proper assignment of roles like ISO and ASO.
• Initial ISO activities include establishing situational awareness and safety measures to prevent accidents, ensuring effective rescue outcomes while prioritizing responder safety.### IAP Evaluation and Adjustment
• Overall risk-taking profile should be assessed, tailored to modes of operation: active rescue, recovery, or incident stabilization.
• Risk-taking should be minimized during recovery and stabilization operations to enhance safety.
• Control zones must be established, and appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) should be mandated.

Safety Systems and Personnel Accountability

• Personnel safety systems encompass accountability measures, communication protocols, and rehabilitation processes.
• Critical issues related to traffic management and medevac helicopter operations require thorough evaluation.

MedEvac Helicopter Hazards

• Hazards associated with medevac helicopters primarily involve rotary wings and tail rotors, increasing the risk of accidents.
• Inspection of the landing zone (LZ) by the Incident Safety Officer (ISO) or Air Safety Officer (ASO) is essential before helicopter operations.
• An LZ officer should oversee operations to ensure adherence to procedures and safety briefings for crews.

Building Collapse Classifications

• Building collapses can be categorized as surface, light, moderate, or heavy based on construction type and damage severity.
• Familiarity with Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) building classification and structural assessment marking systems is crucial for ISO/ASOs.
• Addressing the needs for structural engineering assistance, air monitoring, and improvisation is vital during collapses.

Cave-ins and Trench Rescues

• Cave-ins and trench rescues are regulated by OSHA; formal safety briefings and situational safety plans are required.
• The LCES acronym (lookouts, communications, escape routes, and safety zones) serves as a framework for safety briefing development.

Confined Space and Water Rescues

• Compliance with OSHA regulations is essential for confined space incidents.
• Water rescues necessitate the use of PPE and personal floatation devices (PFD) to mitigate environmental risks.
• Dive rescue operations require precise timekeeping to inform risk-reduction decisions.

Flood Incident Challenges

• Flooding rescues can create access difficulties and strain available resources.
• Operations should consider decontaminating responders and documenting exposures for health risk assessments.

Rope Rescue Considerations

• Rope rescues must be evaluated by an ASO-RT to verify that rigging is thoroughly inspected (triple-checked).

Roadway Incident Safety

• Immediate threats during roadway/transportation incidents include the potential for responders being struck by vehicles.
• Mandatory traffic safety measures include employing barriers (large apparatus) and traffic-calming devices such as cones, flaggers, and flashing lights.