Water Rescue Policy: Guidelines and Responsibilities

Overview of Water Rescue Policy

• This document outlines TFD's (city of Tucson Fire Department) policy to reduce safety risks for firefighters during water rescues.
• Procedures for water rescue operation size-up are detailed.
• The policy applies to all TFD uniformed personnel.
• This document supersedes "TFD Policy 5029: Water Hazards" from March 2009.
• No specific forms are associated with this document.
• Related information can be found in:
  • TFD Policy 2001: Incident Management System (IMS)
  • TFD Policy 2020: Personnel Accountability System
  • TFD Policy 4007: Marine Firefighting and Rescue

Responsibilities

• The Assistant Chief of Administration maintains this document.
• The Incident Commander is in charge of sizing up the situation and developing a risk-minimizing action plan.
• The Incident Safety Officer ensures safety for bystanders and TFD personnel and establishes personnel accountability.
• Company Officers and Paramedics In-Charge ensure TFD personnel follow the guidelines.
• Fire Communications Center (FCC) personnel dispatch resources, including outside agency support.
• All TFD personnel must know and follow these guidelines.

Definitions

• Capacity plate: A manufacturer-installed plate lists max persons and equipment for a boat.
• MAR 49: The radio call sign for the 17-foot Boston Whaler is located at TFD Station 6.
• MAR 50: The radio call sign for the 15-foot Mercury rigid inflatable boat (RIB) mounted on TFD Fireboat Commencement.
• Personal flotation device (PFD): A Coast Guard-approved flotation coat or vest
• PPE: Personal protective equipment.
• SCUBA: Self-contained underwater breathing apparatus.
• Size up: This is a systematic process by the first arriving crew, to assesses the incident and determine the scope, key problems and hazards.
• Small vessel: Boats from 12 to 66 feet; includes governmental, commercial, and privately owned vessels.
• Swift water: Water faster than 1 knot (1.15 mph).

Rules and Regulations

• Marine firefighting/rescue using the TFD fireboat follows TFD Policy 4007.
• Incident Commanders at water rescues should utilize the National Incident Management System (NIMS), as appropriate, in accordance with with TFD Policy 2001.
• TFD personnel safety is paramount during water rescues:
  • Water rescues should have minimal risk.
• Only trained TFD personnel with proper PFDs enter water to reach a victim.
• Frontline TFD vehicles must carry PFDs.
• Personnel accountability follows TFD Policy 2020.
• Prior to entering the water, the Incident Commander makes sure that TFD personnel understand the objectives, tasks and hazards.
• The lowest risk water rescue action should be taken.
• TFD personnel cannot perform breath-holding surface dives, SCUBA dives, or enter swift water.
• TFD personnel cannot participate in property recovery, such as cabling a car out of the water.
• If SCUBA or swift water techniques, are needed, the Incident Commander will request assistance from the Fire Communications Center (FCC).
• FCC dispatches an outside agency with the right certifications.
• SCUBA divers are used for recovering bodies and freeing victims from underwater entrapments.

Water Rescue Actions (Lowest to Highest Risk)

• TALK: Encourage self-rescue, when the victim is not in imminent danger.
• REACH: Extend an object for the victim to grab.
• THROW: Throw a lifeline or flotation device.
• ROW: Use a small vessel to get to the victim.
• GO: Enter the water as a last resort, with an extra PFD for the victim.

Small Vessel Usage

• TFD personnel may use small vessels like MAR49 and MAR50.
  • The operator must be qualified.
  • TFD Policy 4007 applies when operating MAR49 or MAR50.
  • Lanyards must be correctly fastened for vessels equipped with ignition cut-offs.
• TFD personnel must be aware of scene conditions including hazards and weather.
• Small vessels should be loaded using the capacity plate.
  • If no capacity plate exits, err on the side of caution.
• During good weather conditions, load vessels according to the capacity plate.
• In adverse weather, reduce the number of personnel and equipment.
• Fasten the lanyard if the vessel has an ignition switch cut-off.

Guidelines for Using Personal Flotation Devices

• TFD personnel must wear US Coast Guard approved Type I, Type III or inflatable personal flotation devices (PFD) supplied by TFD.
• Situations when PFDs must be worn:
  • No barrier to prevent falling into chest-deep or deeper water.
  • Workspace or scene increases risk of falling into the water.
  • Onboard any TFD vessel, unless below deck or in an enclosed cabin.
  • On an open deck or any vessel not enclosed by railings.
  • Working within 10 feet of the water during water rescue operations.
  • When going in the water to perform a rescue.
  • When there is a potential for drowning.
• PFDs for Civilians
  • Civilians must wear PFD's when the vessel is underway if not in enclosed space.
• PFD's are not required when:
  • Wearing full PPE and SCBA during firefighting.
• Tasks performed taking place
  • Behind guardrails where there in no risk of falling in the water
  • Below deck
  • Passageways being used are docks of walkways
  • Rescue activities that involve swimming pools or hot tubs.

Water Rescue Size-Up Procedure

• Incident Commander responsibilities:
  • Establish Command
  • Assign an Incident Safety Officer
  • Maintain visual confirmation on victim or attempt to determine "last seen" location.
  • Assign one person to keep the victim in sight at all times.
  • If the victim can not be seen, ask reliable witnesses
    • Keep the witnesses on the scene
• Evaluate hazards:
  • Effect of hypothermia
  • Adverse weather
  • Amount of daylight available
  • Velocity, volume, depth, and hydraulic effect of the water.
  • Floating debris.
  • Extreme drop-off near water's edge.
• Consider the risk benefit before beginning
• Determine objective
• Determine the need for any addition resources
  • Additional lighting
  • County dive team
  • County swift water rescue team