Chesapeake Fire Department Marine Response PDF

Procedure 507 Chesapeake Fire Department Fire Procedure Manual Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/03/25, All Rights Reserved.Published with permission by Chesapeake Fire Department Marine Response - 1 Marine Response 507.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE This Standard Operating Procedure will provide directi...

Procedure 507 Chesapeake Fire Department Fire Procedure Manual Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/03/25, All Rights Reserved.Published with permission by Chesapeake Fire Department Marine Response - 1 Marine Response 507.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE This Standard Operating Procedure will provide direction for efficient, safe, and consistent operation of the Fire Rescue Boat 1and to articulate its mission. To ensure completion of mission, the following procedures and policies have been established and approved by the Chesapeake Fire Department. 507.2 GUIDELINES Minimum staffing on the boat can be safely achieved with two qualified members. However, when there is the potential for a swimmer to be deployed, a minimum of three qualified members is required. The Marine Fire/Rescue support vehicle will be dispatched as needed on all incidents to which Fire Boat 1 is assigned. Fire Boat 1 will be dispatched to any incident reported to involve persons overboard, drowning, bodies in the water, etc., when Fire Boat support is necessary (excluding incidents in swimming pools, streams, creeks, etc.) Fire Boat 1 will be dispatched to all reports of environmental/hazardous incidents which might enter the harbor or its tributaries. Fire Boat 1 will be dispatched to provide Emergency Medical Services for medical emergencies aboard pleasure crafts, small vessels in the stream or ships at anchor. When Fire Boat 1 is dispatched, the assigned Battalion Chief is to be notified. When operating at an incident with other CFD boats, the coxswain of the larger vessel will coordinate the efforts of marine units, in the absence of a Chief Officer. When operating at incidents with land based units, the boat is under the command of the Incident Commander communicating on the assigned fire ground channel. However, the coxswain will be the overall authority concerning both the boat and boat crew's safety. The Emergency Communictions Center will be notified via the Emergency Communications Center (ECC) "Chesapeake" FD DISP of any response initiated as a result of a marine radio request, stating actions to be taken. During an emergency response, all warning lights, siren and electronic navigational equipment will be operational and utilized. The ECC will notify the U.S. Coast Guard Marine Safety Office at 441-3314 if Fire Boat 1 is dispatched, providing all pertinent information (i.e. location and type of emergency). Chesapeake Fire Department Fire Procedure Manual Marine Response Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/03/25, All Rights Reserved.Published with permission by Chesapeake Fire Department Marine Response - 2 507.2.1 FIRE OPERATIONS During fire emergencies on or along the waterfront, the primary mission of Fire Boat 1 is two-fold: (1) to be a "floating" platform to fight fire independent of land units or (2) to provide water to land units in support of land based fire suppression operations. (a) When responding to fires aboard ship, Fire Boat 1 will transport land based teams to fight the fire.The boat crew will provide support in the form of water and tools and will act as an observation platform for incident command as needed. (b) When supporting land based units at a major fire, a maximum of 5" appliances will be used. As well as short sections of LDH to land units.This will allow the land unit to take maximum advantage of the boat’s pumping capabilities. (c) While pumping to land units, the land unit must provide hose lays of significant length (up to 1,000 feet) to the boat and provide relay operations to other land units in accordance with standard operating procedures.This is necessary due to the limited amount of space onboard to carry/store large amounts of hose. (d) During fire operations, self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) will be used to the maximum extent practical, taking into consideration wind and water conditions.If necessary, all operations will cease if the safety of the boat or its crew is as risk. (e) All fire fighting operations using the forward monitor will be through the forward cabin pop-up hatch. No fire fighting will be performed on the bow deck using any size hand line. 507.2.2 MEDICAL EMERGENCY During medical emergencies, Fire Boat 1 will provide Basic Life Support (BLS) services the same as provided by land based engine companies. Persons requiring more advanced medical treatment will be stabilized for transport to a land based Advanced Life Support (ALS) unit for treatment and transport to a medical facility, or transport ALS providers to the scene. When a direct call for assistance is received via the marine radio, your unit must obtain the following information: (a) Location of the vessel. (b) Nature of the emergency (c) Have vessel requiring assistance switch its marine radio to the appropriate channel, continue to obtain any additional information necessary, and give information to them of ETA and the fact that a trained EMT is aboard. (d) Notify the ECC (FD DISP) of your situation indicating that you are in service and responding (e) Upon arrival, notify the ECC ("Chesapeake") that you are on the scene. Have your EMT/crewman board the vessel and evaluate the patient’s condition. They should take with them a backpack medic bag and portable radio tuned to FD DISP (f) All communications to the ECC will come through Fire Boat 1 mobile radio FD DISP after patient information is relayed via portable. It will be the coxswain’s responsibility Chesapeake Fire Department Fire Procedure Manual Marine Response Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/03/25, All Rights Reserved.Published with permission by Chesapeake Fire Department Marine Response - 3 to call for additional assistance such as Marine Police or Coast Guard, if such resources are needed. (g) If transport is necessary, pick an accessible debarkation location nearby. Notify the ECC to dispatch an ALS medic unit and give your ETA. Patient update information should be given via FD DISP. (h) If, while monitoring Marine Channel 16 on normal patrol, you hear a call for medical assistance to the Coast Guard, continue to monitor the call to obtain all necessary information. After you hear the Coast Guard, switch the vessel to a working frequency to determine the following: 1. That the distress vessel is in your response area 2. That there are no units closer to the distress vessel. 3. Using Coast Guard Channel 22, notify the Coast Guard of your location and availability. Be guided by their directions. If you are requested to respond, carry out Section 3 above. 507.2.3 BOARDING OTHER VESSELS All due caution is to be used when it becomes apparent that placing a crew member on board another vessel is necessary. Prior to boarding, all applicable information is to be obtained as to the type of assistance needed so the boarding member can have at his disposal all required equipment necessary, i.e.medic bag, extinguisher, etc. Upon arriving at the scene, notify the ECC of your situation, providing the vessel's name or number and approximate location if possible. The coxswain must remain with Fire Boat 1 at all times. The crewman will carry a FD portable radio tuned to FD DISP to maintain communications between the boarding member and Fire Boat 1. The coxswain using the mobile radio will accomplish all communications with the ECC. Fire Boat 1 and deployed personnel should communicate using a channel other than FD DISP 1. All appropriate reports will be filed and the appropriate log maintained. 507.2.4 CAPSIZED VESSELS No attempt will be made by Fire Boat 1 crew members to upright another vessel. The required training and the limitations of Fire Boat 1’s hardware as well as the liability for damage prohibits such action. However, every attempt to recover persons in the water or on the capsized vessel should be made. A concerted effort to account for all personnel aboard the capsized vessel, including those who may have been taken aboard another craft should also be made. The Loran or GPS should be utilized to mark the vessel’s location by latitude and longitude. Any medical treatment necessary, including conveyance of the injured should be made when appropriate. Chesapeake Fire Department Fire Procedure Manual Marine Response Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/03/25, All Rights Reserved.Published with permission by Chesapeake Fire Department Marine Response - 4 Fire Boat 1 should provide accurate information to the Coast Guard Search units so that a search pattern can begin as soon as possible. 507.2.5 SWIMMER DEPLOYED The following actions are to be taken when an emergency situation requires a swimmer to be deployed to assist in the recovery of a person from the surface of the water. In order to be a designated swimmer, that person must comply with paragraph II.B.6.c. of this SOP as a minimum. Prior to deploying a swimmer, all efforts to retrieve a person from the water with a throwable PFD must be attempted. (a) The crewmember may be deployed in an emergency situation only, where loss of life is imminent. (b) The crewmember will use the unit’s swimming harness and tethered line, without exception (c) The tethered line will be tended at all times to ensure the safety of the swimmer. (d) Consideration must be given to water temperature and sea conditions before deploying a swimmer. (Refer to II.C.2.) (e) The swimmer will have his PFD or exposure suit on with the swimming harness worn over the floatation. (f) No attempt will be made to dive below the surface. Personal SCUBA gear is not to be used. Only qualified Chesapeake Dive Team members, or equivalent, will be allowed to participate in diving operations. (g) The swimmer will have a water activated rescue light attached to his PFD and keep the unit attached during the entire time he is in the water. (h) Recovery of the victim is foremost, as additional medical treatment for hypothermia may be required. (i) Engines will be shut off if any personnel are in the water closer than 10 feet to the propellers. 507.2.6 SUSPECTED ALCOHOL OR DRUG ABUSE The Commonwealth of Virginia has in effect a law that references operation of a boat in Virginia waters while under the influence of alcohol. The United Stated Coast Guard with concurrent jurisdiction has in effect a law which references drug use aboard vessels on navigable waters of the United States and an Adaptable Zero Tolerance policy. The above departments are trained to intercept, test and seize drugs and will handle all situations where suspected operator of a vessel is under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Members of Fire Boat 1 should take the following action: (a) Denote a complete description of the vessel, including its name, registration number and occupants aboard. Chesapeake Fire Department Fire Procedure Manual Marine Response Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/03/25, All Rights Reserved.Published with permission by Chesapeake Fire Department Marine Response - 5 (b) Request via Fire Department radio a unit of the Marine Police or Coast Guard (c) Request via Marine Radio Channel 22 a Coast Guard unit (d) Maintain and keep a safe distance from the vessel and standby (e) Notice if any items are thrown overboard, using a means to determine exact latitude and longitude (f) Do not board the vessel unless a medical emergency exists and then with the utmost caution. 507.3 DISABLED VESSELS A disabled vessel will not be treated as an emergency response unless the following conditions exist: (a) 1.The vessel is disabled in a shipping channel and is a danger to navigation in that channel. (b) 2.The vessel must be in immediate danger. Sudden or impending weather conditions could account for such danger. (c) 3.Disablement includes in operative electrical system, which would deprive the craft of navigation lights after sunset. 507.3.1 EMERGENCY TOWING Fire Boat 1 may: • Tow a disabled vessel if the vessel is in a major shipping channel and unable to clear the channel for ship traffic. • Tow a vessel after a fire aboard a vessel, to dewater. • Tow a craft that is taking on water to shallow water to prevent the entire loss of the vessel. • Tow after handling a medical emergency, when no other person can operate the vessel. • Tow a disabled vessel when weather, sea or other conditions place craft in immediate danger. Limitations: No attempt will be made to tow a wood, fiberglass, aluminum, steel or concrete vessel at any time that is: • Over 30 feet in length. • In excess of 10,000 lbs. 507.3.2 NON-EMERGENCY TOWING Fire Boat 1 will not offer towing assistance when any of the following are available within a two hour time frame to assist the boating public: • Civilian Boater Chesapeake Fire Department Fire Procedure Manual Marine Response Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/03/25, All Rights Reserved.Published with permission by Chesapeake Fire Department Marine Response - 6 • Commercial Towing Firm • Commercial Marina • Coast Guard or Auxiliary • Marine Police/Patrol 507.3.3 GROUNDING The Fire/Rescue Boat will not handle grounding of either sail or power driven vessels for the following reasons: • Not designed for such duty. Personnel are not sufficiently trained to handle such a mission. • The breaking strength of the cleats and towing bit are not known or tested for a sustained pull which would be required to handle freeing a grounded vessel. • Considerable liability exists through improper procedures without a thorough inspection of the grounded vessel, how it went aground, and at what speed it went aground. 507.4 COXSWAIN (DRIVER/OPERATOR) The designated Coxswain (Driver/Operator) has sole responsibility for the safe operation of the boat, completion of the mission or response, safety the crew or any personnel on board, and is in charge of all boat operations. The Coxswain will not operate the vessel in a careless or negligent manner, so as to cause injury or damage. The Coxswain acknowledges that they are responsible for the boat’s wake and damage their wake may cause to other craft and/or property, to include emergency responses. The Coxswain will not leave the vessel unattended at any time. This practice includes those instances when the boat is underway, to board another vessel or when at a pier other than the Fire/Police/Coast Guard stations. The Coxswain is responsible to maintain a thorough knowledge of the boat’s capabilities and limitations and will not place themselves, the crew, or boat at jeopardy by exceeding these limits or by exceeding the limits of the training received. The Coxswain will be familiar with the response area, all applicable navigation charts, navigational equipment aboard the boat, including compass, radar, Ray chart and depth sounder, to ensure the position of the vessel is known at all times and ready for immediate response. The Coxswain will utilize and keep operational all appropriate navigational lights during times from sunset to sunrise, as well as during periods of restricted visibility. The Coxswain will submit, maintain and file all required reports and records and will maintain the boat's radio log and boat log in an appropriate manner. The following certifications/training requirements are the minimum required for a member to function as the Coxswain; Chesapeake Fire Department Fire Procedure Manual Marine Response Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/03/25, All Rights Reserved.Published with permission by Chesapeake Fire Department Marine Response - 7 (a) U.S. Coast Guard Boating Skills and Seamanship course. (b) Radar Observer Course or equivalent. (c) A pump course approved by the Chesapeake Fire Department Training Division. (d) Chesapeake Firefighter jump seat qualified. (e) The designated crew member is responsible for: 1. The maintenance and operational readiness of the boat, including engines, pumps and electronic devices, etc. 2. The safe and proper stowage of equipment and maintenance associated with the fire boat 3. Forwarding all necessary reports and maintenance of required records. 4. Overall maintenance of the boat. Only those fire department members trained for boat operations will be assigned to the boat. Personnel will not be allowed to operate the boat(s) in an emergency situation/call without this training being completed and documented. Training for the boat crew will consist of the following minimum requirements: (a) U.S. Coast Guard Boating Skills and Seamanship Course. (b) Chesapeake Firefighter jump seat qualified. (c) Red Cross Lifesaver or equivalent is mandatory for swimmers. (d) Emergency Medical Technician (desirable). 507.5 PROTECTIVE CLOTHING Prior to getting underway, crew members will don proper personal floatation devices (PFD) or exposure suits. Without Exception PFD's or exposure suits will be worn at all times while the boat is underway. PFD's will also be worn while working over the side. During water rescue attempts, exposure suits will be worn instead of PFD's whenever the combination of air and water temperature is below 120 degrees. Example: • Air temp. 65 degrees F., water temp. 50 degrees F.= 115 degrees F. anti- exposure suits will be worn • Air temp. 60 degrees F. water temp. 61 degrees F. = 121 degrees F. and PFD's may be worn. Water temperature being the most critical factor, due to the possibility of hypothermia. Exposure suits are not to be used for close in or interior fire fighting. Each crew member must don standard issue fire fighting gear during all fire operations. Chesapeake Fire Department Fire Procedure Manual Marine Response Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/03/25, All Rights Reserved.Published with permission by Chesapeake Fire Department Marine Response - 8 507.6 RADIO EQUIPMENT AND PROCEDURE Crew members will monitor FD DISP (800 MHz) while underway. Crew members will monitor marine VHF Channel 13 and will set the radio to its scanning capability in order to hear Channel 16 (hailing and distress frequency) during an emergency call. Members must have a working knowledge of both Fire and Marine VHF frequencies to properly communicate with other marine units and fire departments. 507.7 FUELING Because of the volatile nature of boating fuel, fueling the vessel is one of the most dangerous tasks associated with the fire boat. Prior to fueling the following steps must be initiated. (a) Close off all compartments, doors, ports and hatches to limit fuel vapors from accumulating in spaces. (b) Turn off all electrical equipment that might cause a spark. (c) Extinguish all smoking materials After fueling the vessel (a) Re-open all compartments, doors, ports, and hatches and ventilate thoroughly before starting engines. (b) Run blowers for 4-5 minutes and check all spaces by carefully sniffing for fuel vapors. (c) If vapors are detected, all operations must cease until the source of the leak is identified and corrected. 507.8 GETTING UNDERWAY Before getting underway, the coxswain and crew must check all of the vessel's systems and gear using the check list provided. This check-off will include (a) Checking fuel and all oil levels. (b) Checking all lights, horns and whistles (c) Check all bilges (d) Have hand lines ready for use (e) Ensure PFD's are ready for use (f) Open all hatches and ports to check for fuel vapors (g) Turn on blowers (h) Turn on all electronic gear (i) Start engines and check water flow and all exhausts. Let engines idle to temp (AVOID EXCESSIVE IDLING) Prior to getting underway the following procedures should be implemented: Chesapeake Fire Department Fire Procedure Manual Marine Response Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/03/25, All Rights Reserved.Published with permission by Chesapeake Fire Department Marine Response - 9 (a) Carefully inspect immediate surroundings for obstructions (b) Observe strength of wind and current (c) Take in all fenders, mooring and hand lines, and secure all loose gear about the decks (d) Post the appropriate lookouts (e) Proceed with due caution 507.9 BOATING ACCIDENTS A written boating accident report is required within 48 hours if, as a result of the accident, a person dies, disappears from a vessel, or is injured and requires treatment beyond first aid. In addition, a written boating accident report must be submitted within 10 days if a vessel is lost, or damage to the vessel or other property exceeds $500. If a person is injured and requires medical treatment beyond normal first aid, the OPERATOR of the vessels involved in the accident must report the following information: (a) The date, time, and exact location of the accident. (b) The name of each person that was injured, disappeared, or disabled (c) The vessel's number (registration number) and/or name (d) The name and addresses of the owner and operator (e) If the operator cannot provide notification of the accident, another person on the vessel shall notify the authorities. The Master or person in charge of a vessel is obligated by law to provide whatever assistance can be safely given to any individual at sea in danger of being lost, and is subject to a fine or imprisonment for failure to do so. Other information that may be necessary can be ascertained by the calling the Coast Guard or Police Marine Unit since concurrent jurisdiction exists. Fire Boat 1 will comply with the above policy by ascertaining as much information as possible to properly complete the Fire Incident Report as well as any other pertinent information should the member be called as a witness in court or a Coast Guard Board of Inquiry.