Rope Rescue Response Procedure PDF

Procedure 506 Chesapeake Fire Department Fire Procedure Manual Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/03/25, All Rights Reserved.Published with permission by Chesapeake Fire Department Rope Rescue Response - 1 Rope Rescue Response 506.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE This document provides general guidelines for...

Procedure 506 Chesapeake Fire Department Fire Procedure Manual Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/03/25, All Rights Reserved.Published with permission by Chesapeake Fire Department Rope Rescue Response - 1 Rope Rescue Response 506.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE This document provides general guidelines for dealing with any incident requiring rescue by rope. During rope rescue operations judgment, experience, training and coordination among team members is an absolute necessity. 506.2 PROCEDURE At no time should someone perform a rope rescue that is not certified to Rope Rescue Level 2, Technician. (a) Any incident in which a person is in distress, trapped or experiencing a medical emergency requiring rescue by rope, above or below grade shall require the response of the CFD Technical Rescue Team (TRT). (b) All rope rescues shall be conducted by members of the Chesapeake Fire Department (CFD) Technical Rescue Team or other members who have completed approved rope rescue training, 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. (c) Personnel assigned to perform rope rescue operations must be highly skilled in rope rescue techniques. These personnel must be capable of trouble shooting systems, and have a thorough understanding of the dynamics associated with rope rescue. Rope rescue operations should only be attempted as a last option. All other means of access, escape, and/or egress should be considered first. (d) 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. (Note: All operations shall be directed towards a rescue unless circumstances and/or information prove otherwise). (e) 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 (f) If at all possible, use CFD aerial ladder apparatus to aid in rescue. (g) NFPA 1983-01(Standard on Fire Service Life Safety Rope and Systems Components) will be followed whenever possible. (h) A RIG MASTER and SAFETY OFFICER will be established and identified. When possible the highest rope rescue trained team member (preferably a member at the Chesapeake Fire Department Fire Procedure Manual Rope Rescue Response Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/03/25, All Rights Reserved.Published with permission by Chesapeake Fire Department Rope Rescue Response - 2 Technician level) shall be designated as the RIG MASTER in accordance with NFPA 1670 Technical Rescue Operations and Training. (i) Only rope that is certified for rescue shall be used to support victim and/or personnel loads. All victim loads will be on at least two separate lines of at least half-inch in diameter. Both lines will be attached to separate bombproof anchors. (j) All non-essential personnel shall be removed from the rigging and operations areas. (k) Access shall be gained to a safe area above the victim. If the victim is secured or hanging from a rope or scaffolding system (i.e., window washer, construction worker,etc.) every effort should be made to secure his/her rigging system, access the victim, and stabilize his/her position until systems can be rigged to either raise or lower the victims. (l) Suitable anchor points (i.e., “bombproof”) shall be selected for rigging rope rescue systems. These anchor points should be separate from any existing rigging points that may have been used by the victim. The use of multiple anchor points for any rope rescue system is highly encouraged. (m) Any point where the rope passes a stationary object, the object must be padded with edge protection or the direction of the rope altered to prevent chafing. (n) All members working at or within 6’ feet of any “Leading edge” shall utilize fall arrest or positioning protection. Members shall also be assigned to serve as “Edge Tenders” when any member is working at or near the edge. These individuals shall wear fall arrest or positioning protection. (o) All victim transport systems (i.e. Stokes basket, LSP Halfback, Miller board and Class II harnesses) must be securely attached to the victim. No free, short non- secured rides will be permissible. (p) Once Life Safety rope has been used for rescue or any other purpose it shall be properly inspected per manufacture’s recommendations prior to being placed back into service. The usage and inspection of the rope shall be properly documented. (q) The Technical Rescue Tactical Worksheet for Rope Rescue shall be used by command to ensure all incident benchmarks are completed. 506.3 PHASE ONE: SCENE PREPARATION In the event a rope rescue is the only viable means of rescue, all phases shall be handled under the direction of, and by the CFD Technical Rescue Team. 506.3.1 SIZE UP Establish Incident Command (IC) (a) Secure witnesses, area supervisor, and/or responsible party (b) Determine location, number, and condition of victims (c) Make the general area safe (d) Determine rescue or recovery mode Chesapeake Fire Department Fire Procedure Manual Rope Rescue Response Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/03/25, All Rights Reserved.Published with permission by Chesapeake Fire Department Rope Rescue Response - 3 (e) Identify and control hazards (f) Secure utilities, Lock Out-Tag Out (g) Assess the need for additional equipment or personnel,ie.CFDTechnical Rescue Team 506.3.2 INCIDENT STABILIZATION Should be completed by first due companies prior to the arrival of the Tech Team (a) Attempt to contact the victim(s) and evaluate their level of consciousness (b) All non-essential personnel shall be removed from rigging and operations areas (c) Use Extreme Caution- Make an effort to prevent the person(s) from falling any further (If conscious this can be completed by simply lowering a rope that can be attached easily to them or their system) (d) Use Extreme Caution-Take up the slack and connect the stabilization rope(s) to a “bomb proof” anchor (e) Stand by for the arrival of the CFD Technical Rescue Team 506.4 PHASE TWO: PRE-RESCUE OPERATIONS Establish hot, warm, and cold zones (a) Develop an incident action plan and a back-up plan (b) Assess optimum routes for access and egress (c) Identify proper PPE (d) Identify and stage equipment. (e) Identify and establish ICS sectors/groups (f) Control utilities and assure that utility companies have a representative present if possible (g) A clearly identified "RIG MASTER" and "SAFETY OFFICER" shall be established (The most qualified and experienced rope rescue level certified team member and/or Squad Officer should be designated the rig master) (h) Pre entry briefing 506.5 PHASE THREE: RESCUE OPERATIONS (a) All rope operations shall utilize a dual rope technique (main and belay) of at least 1/2 inch in diameter rope, ensuring that adequate anchors are utilized or multiple anchors, if necessary (b) All stages of the rescue operations shall be communicated to the Incident Commander for logging of times and coordination (c) Technical Rescue Team paramedics should coordinate and direct patient care at all times in accordance with Tidewater EMS protocols Chesapeake Fire Department Fire Procedure Manual Rope Rescue Response Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/03/25, All Rights Reserved.Published with permission by Chesapeake Fire Department Rope Rescue Response - 4 (d) Notes: 1. determination of time suspended, removal of patient’s load in their harness should be exercised with caution and under TRT Paramedic supervision 2. consideration of extraordinary measures and crush syndrome TEMS protocols 3. a hasty and expedited rescue of a suspended victim in a harness without consideration and treatment for crush syndrome can cause lethal, long term consequences (e) Use of proper rope commands (f) Deploy victim access plan (g) Determine best patient packaging system (h) Deploy victim egress plan (i) Transfer patient to Medical sector 506.6 PHASE FOUR: TERMINATION (a) PAR check (personnel accountability) (b) Deploy demobilization plan (c) Clean, inspect, and inventory all ropes and hardware (d) Consider CISD