IRP Appendix M- Initial Action for Water Rescue Incidents PDF

IRP Appendix M- Initial Action for Water Rescue Incidents January 1, 2019 - For personnel certi ed by MCFRS @ Water Rescue Operations level, not for Water Rescue Technicians, nor does it describe how swift water rescue team (SWRT) will o...

IRP Appendix M- Initial Action for Water Rescue Incidents January 1, 2019 - For personnel certi ed by MCFRS @ Water Rescue Operations level, not for Water Rescue Technicians, nor does it describe how swift water rescue team (SWRT) will operate - written to encourage decisively, execution of removal of people from hazard within there certi cation level and when risk analysis supports it - Reduce time frame for SWRT assets 3 Basic types of water rescue 1. Swift water - water moving faster then the average person can comfortably walk 2. Flat water - water moving slower then the average person can comfortably walk 3. Ice Rescue - any quantity regardless of quality, strength and related to swift or at water Certi cation Levels - Awareness Level - taught @ practical rescue/ rescue tech. Site Ops. - Operations Level - Certi ed by MCFRS as Boat Crew or Operator - Technician Level - Certi ed by MCFRS as SWRT Boat Crew or SWRT Boat Operator - High risk, low frequency and cause unusual stress with signi cant pressure from bystanders to ,“do something”, actions and tempo are set by a rational risk based approach 3 Common Occurrences For the Basis of this Appendix 1. Urban street ooding - rainfall exceeds the storm water management system- Rapid water level Rise but recedes quickly 2. Creek Flooding - over owing banks and rapidly owing down stream 3. Flat Water Emergencies - users fall into water or are stranded on disabled water craft ( Potomac River upstream of Seneca Breaks, Triadelphia Reservoir, Lake Needwood and Lake Frank or others) SWRT handles events downstream of Seneca Breaks General Approach - all actions for water related incidents must be based on clear objectives and an ongoing risk analysis - risk assessment must provide a chance for mission success due to the increased risk to personnel fi fi fl fi fl fi fi fl fi fl ACRE Assess- scene, travel routes, staging areas, identify hazards and conduct risk assessment Control- hazards, isolate/deny entry, identify hazards, isolation zones. Including spotters up and down stream to support SWRT Rescue - resources and equipment to separate people from hazards Evacuate- remove victim(s) safely Water Hazards A. Potomac River below Seneca Breaks (near Rileys lock)- di cult and dangerous stretches of river in the country B. Risk on the Potomac increase/ decreases based on water level C. Urban - Flood waters rise and subside quickly, danger 1 minute and not the next D. Moving water may remove manhole covers E. Undermined roads can wash away F. Water has pressure and is e ected by speed and surface area G. Ice is unpredictable, will act under a load and makes rescues more di cult and requires high levels of stamina Risk Assessment A. Emotional charged, resist urge to rush B. Hazards are hidden under the surface C. Tremendous pressure, shallow water moving at speed can knock personnel o there feet Risk Assessment Reduction A. Cert. level of available personnel B. Danger victims are in C. Circumstance of situation D. Obvious/ Potential Hazards E. Time lag between rst responders and specialty teams F. Scene stability (water level- rising, receding or stable) Risk Reduction- lowest achievable level risk mitigation levels A. establishment of IC B. Flooding- encourage staying in place, especially if water is receding C. Mark water line, monitor from safe distance D. Downstream safety E. Up stream spotter F. develop/ communicate incident objectives G. Safety Plan fi ff ffi ffi ff  Policy A. Must not perform tasks above their level B. Swift water hot zone- SWRT Only C. Personnel actions support objectives D. Non-SWRT are not permitted to connect PFD to a rope unless operating on ice E. No Structural PPE within 10’ of waters edge unless ice rescue at the discretion of the IC to worn in the warm zone for protection from the elements F. Non-SWRT may operate in the hot zone upstream of Seneca Breaks @ Rileys locks when water levels are below - Less then 5’5” @ Point of Rocks from Fredrick line to Edwards Ferry - Less then 8’ @ Edwards Ferry Gauge from Edwards Ferry to Seneca Breaks G. Flooding - Stay in place, especially receding water - Mark water edge (secure object that won’t wash away) - Monitor Water levels continuously H. Min. PPE in Hot Zone - Properly Sized Flotation Device - Approve Helmet - Whistles - Dry Suits when combined water and air temp. Is below 120*F or maybe contaminated by sewage, excessive run o or other hazards I. IC may increase PPE as necessary J. Water is Hot Zone K. Warm Zone - Waters edge extending a min of 10’ away - Conditions like terrain, weather or risk of personnel inadvertently entering the water may require the warm zone to be expanded - Warm Zone PPE - PFD - Throw bag (if available) - Free of all structural PPE L. Boat Based rescue likely with properly trained personnel prior to the arrival SWRT sta the following positions - down stream safety - down stream safety opposite bank - up stream spotters M. Down stream safety and upstream spotters used when having a reasonable chance of impacting the overall safety of the mission - ops outside the reach of throw bags, may not require a down stream safety N. Safety's/ Spotters- teams of 2, PFDs and throw bags in hand- Downstream be prepared to rescue victim or rescuers O. Shallow Water Crossing- water less then 18” deep to make rescue P. Shallow Water Crossing - Min. Of Boat crew cert. - 18” less water - use a shallow water crossing pole ff ff  Q. Boat Based Rescue - min. Boat crew requirements (ops level for at water or SWBC) - 1 boat operator on board - safety plan in place R. PFD for victims before being moved S. Only SWRT may operate on ice with water moving on or under it T. Decontaminate Personnel with Mild detergent U. Fire Chief can publish or update checklists V. Unit o cer must us the checklist when one exists W. SWRT Only may rescue animals X. Initial Action 1. Primary Unit O cer- IOSR 2. Primary Unit O cer- Assess scene, talk to direct incidents, provide SUR including LCAN and stationary or tactical command * personnel are responsible for knowing there current situation level ffi ffi ffi fl