507 - Marine Response

9 Questions

What is the minimum number of qualified members required to be on Fire Boat 1?

Two

Who is responsible for the safety of Fire Boat 1 and its crew?

The coxswain

What is the primary purpose of Fire Boat 1 during medical emergencies?

To provide BLS services and stabilize patients for transport to a land-based ALS unit

What is the proper procedure for crew members when boarding other vessels?

They should use all due caution when boarding.

When is it appropriate to deploy a designated swimmer?

Only in emergency situations where loss of life is imminent

What is the crew required to wear at all times while underway?

Proper PFD or exposure suit

What radio channels must the crew monitor while underway?

FD DISP (800 MHz) and marine VHF Channel 13

What is required after fueling Fire Boat 1?

Compartments, doors, ports, and hatches must be reopened and ventilated thoroughly.

What is the obligation of the Master or person in charge of a vessel when someone is in danger of being lost at sea?

They are obligated to provide assistance to any individual at sea in danger of being lost.

Study Notes

The Chesapeake Fire Department has a Fire Procedure Manual for marine response.
Fire Boat 1 is used to respond to incidents involving persons overboard, drowning, bodies in the water, or environmental/hazardous incidents.
Minimum staffing on the boat is two qualified members, but three are required when there is potential for a swimmer to be deployed.
The boat is under the command of the Incident Commander when operating with land-based units, but the coxswain is responsible for the boat and crew's safety.
During fire emergencies, Fire Boat 1 can be used as a platform to fight fire or provide water to land units.
During medical emergencies, Fire Boat 1 provides BLS services and stabilizes patients for transport to a land-based ALS unit.
All due caution is to be used when boarding other vessels, and the coxswain must remain with Fire Boat 1 at all times.
Fire Boat 1 crew members do not attempt to upright another vessel but make every attempt to recover persons in the water or on the capsized vessel.
Fire Boat 1 provides accurate information to the Coast Guard Search units in case of a capsized vessel.
Swimmer deployment follows specific procedures.
SOP for Chesapeake Fire Department's Marine Response
Designated swimmer must comply with SOP and all efforts to retrieve person with throwable PFD must be attempted
Crewmember may only be deployed in emergency situation where loss of life is imminent
Fire Boat 1 should denote complete description of vessel and request assistance from Marine Police or Coast Guard
Disabled vessel will not be treated as emergency response unless it poses danger to navigation or is in immediate danger
Fire Boat 1 may tow disabled vessel in certain situations and has limitations
Fire Boat 1 will not handle grounding of vessels
Coxswain has sole responsibility for safe operation of boat and crew
Coxswain must maintain thorough knowledge of boat's capabilities and limitations
Crew members must wear proper PFD or exposure suit at all times while underway.

Water temperature is critical due to the possibility of hypothermia.
PFDs must be worn.
Crew members must wear standard issue firefighting gear during all fire operations.
Crew members must monitor FD DISP (800 MHz) while underway.
Crew members must monitor marine VHF Channel 13 and set the radio to scanning capability.
Prior to fueling, all compartments, doors, ports, and hatches must be closed off to limit fuel vapors.
All smoking materials must be extinguished before fueling.
After fueling, compartments, doors, ports, and hatches must be reopened and ventilated thoroughly.
A written boating accident report is required within 48 hours if a person dies, disappears, or is injured beyond first aid.
The Master or person in charge of a vessel is obligated to provide assistance to any individual at sea in danger of being lost.