Rope Rescue Policy PDF - Chesapeake Fire Department

Policy 335 Chesapeake Fire Department Policy Manual Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/03/29, All Rights Reserved.Published with permission by Chesapeake Fire Department Rope Rescue - 1 Rope Rescue 335.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE This policy provides guidance on various rope rescue operations pursuant to Vir...

Policy 335 Chesapeake Fire Department Policy Manual Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/03/29, All Rights Reserved.Published with permission by Chesapeake Fire Department Rope Rescue - 1 Rope Rescue 335.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE This policy provides guidance on various rope rescue operations pursuant to Virginia Occupational Safety and Health (VOSH) Compliance Program rules (29 CFR 1910.; 16 VAC 25-90-1910.140). 335.2 POLICY It is the policy of the Chesapeake Fire Department to establish rope rescue incident response guidelines in compliance with applicable regulations and VOSH Compliance Program rules, and required training and equipment to reasonably ensure members’ safety while they are performing rope rescues (16 VAC 25-90- 1910). 335.3 GUIDELINES Rope rescue operations should only be attempted after other means of access, escape, and/ or egress have been considered. As early as is possible a determination should be made as to whether operations are to be directed toward affecting a rescue or if the operations are to be downgraded to a recovery. All rope rescues shall be conducted by members of the Chesapeake Fire Department (CFD) Technical Rescue Team in accordance with the Chesapeake Fire Department Technical Rescue Program SOP and VDFP Rope Rescue Level 2, Technician. If the information gathered suggests that rescue by rope is the only viable method of rescue available, the incident Commander will utilize members of the Department’s Technical Rescue Team. 335.4 PROCEDURE 1. At no time should someone perform a rope rescue that is not certified to Rope Rescue Level 2, Technician. 2. Rope rescue operations should only be attempted as a last option. All other means of access, escape, and/or egress should be considered first. 3. As early as is possible a determination should be made as to whether operations are to be directed toward affecting a rescue or if the operations are to be downgraded to a recovery. 4. During the initial stages of a potential incident the following information needs to be gathered: 1. Victim’s location 2. Is the victim suspended or supported 3. Type of injuries – if any. Consider suspension trauma (suspension > 15 min) 4. Can the victim be reached by any other method 5. If at all possible, use CFD aerial ladder apparatus to aid in rescue. Chesapeake Fire Department Policy Manual Rope Rescue Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/03/29, All Rights Reserved.Published with permission by Chesapeake Fire Department Rope Rescue - 2 6. Using the Incident Command System (ICS), the first-in company shall attempt to determine the following: 1. Who is in charge at the site and what happened? 2. How many victims are involved and where are they located? 3. Is a rescue possible or is this a body recovery. 4. Can the victims be reached by any other method? 7. An extrication and safety officer should be assigned to: 1. Monitor the status of all personnel involved in the rescue. 2. Monitor the site for signs of potential system failure (e.g., unprotected surfaces, anchors with signs of failing, falling debris). 8. A hazard zone should be established within a 50-foot perimeter around the incident site using ICS methods. 9. Minimally, the equipment required to be available for rescue personnel to work at heights should include: 1. A safety harness, safety lines, or a basket stretcher. 2. A helmet. 3. Rope gloves. 10. When determining whether the evacuation is safe for emergency responders to enter, the following will be considered: 1. Adequate anchor system has been established. 2. Adequate protection for people working in the hazard zone. 11. If the rescue effort is protracted, personnel may need to be rotated and/or additional alarms requested for appropriate relief.