Vehicle Extrication Operations PDF

Procedure 407 Chesapeake Fire Department Fire Procedure Manual Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/03/25, All Rights Reserved.Published with permission by Chesapeake Fire Department Vehicle Extrication Operations - 1 Vehicle Extrication Operations 407.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE This procedure provides arriva...

Procedure 407 Chesapeake Fire Department Fire Procedure Manual Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/03/25, All Rights Reserved.Published with permission by Chesapeake Fire Department Vehicle Extrication Operations - 1 Vehicle Extrication Operations 407.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE This procedure provides arrival and on-scene procedures for Chesapeake Fire Department units responding to an incident involving extrication from a motor vehicle. Corresponding Policies: 904 High Visibility Safety Vests 300 Incident Management 914 Personal Protective Equipment 309 Staging 409 Operating on Roadway Incidents 407.2 FIRST FIVE MINUTES The first arriving Chesapeake Fire Department unit sho uld: #Contact the Emergency Communications Center and provide the follo wing information: • Unit on-scene • Initial scene size-up • Unit assuming incident command (IC) #Confirm that at least one unit has been dispatched carrying full vehicle extrication tools and personnel trained in the use of the tools. This should include hydraulic extrication systems, cribbing, bracing, shoring and blocking. The IC should: #Designate at least one fire suppression team and at least one extrication team with an assigned officer for each. #Establish the department personnel accountability system. #Perform or direct another member to perform a 360 assessment to identify: • Hazardous materials (HAZMAT) placards. • Overhead wires or other involved utility equipment. • Leaking or venting motor fuel, liquid propane (LP) or compressed natural gas (CNG) or other HAZMAT conditions. • Vehicle stability. • Total number of victims and initial triage. • Number of entrapped victims. Chesapeake Fire Department Fire Procedure Manual Vehicle Extrication Operations Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/03/25, All Rights Reserved.Published with permission by Chesapeake Fire Department Vehicle Extrication Operations - 2 • Any other conditions which could interfere with extrication operations or create an immediately dangerous to life and health environment. • Reasonable efforts to locate the driver of the involved vehicle should be made to identify any hazardous materials that may be present. #If a commercial vehicle is involved, the driver should be located and questioned to determine what is being carried and the presence of hazardous materials. #If any of the following indicators or conditions are present, develop an initial incident action plan and respond in accordance with the Hazardous Materials Initial Incident Response Procedure and consult the Emergency Response Guidebook: • A HAZMAT placard, material safety data sheet or notice • A visible HAZMAT • Presence of leaking motor fuel • Leaking or venting LP or CNG tanks #If it reasonably appears hazardous materials are present, including leaking or venting motor fuel, LP or CNG, suppression and extrication operations should not begin until the IC or the Incident Safety Officer approves. #Call for any additional resources required. 407.3 PROCEDURES 407.3.1 RESOURCE DEPLOYMENT (a) Apparatus 1. Priority positions should be given to: • Units with extrication systems and equipment. • Fire suppression units. • EMS. 2. If any of these units are not yet on-scene, sufficient room should be left for approach and placement upon their arrival. Apparatus and EMS units should not be placed closer than 100 feet to any involved vehicle(s). (b) Personnel 1. Personnel should don and remain in full PPE and remain with their assigned apparatus until otherwise directed by the IC. Extrication team personnel should wear no less than the following PPE: (a) Helmet (b) Eye Protection (c) Extrication gloves with medical grade nitrile or latex gloves underneath Chesapeake Fire Department Fire Procedure Manual Vehicle Extrication Operations Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/03/25, All Rights Reserved.Published with permission by Chesapeake Fire Department Vehicle Extrication Operations - 3 (d) Structural Firefighting gear or USAR gear (e) Structural Firefighting boots 2. Any crews or members working in close proximity to the vehicle will have on full PPE as required for the extrication team. 3. Any crews or members not assigned to suppression or extrication will have a minimum of a High Visibility Safety vest and helmet. The department issued reflective rain coat may be substituted during periods of inclement weather. 407.3.2 OPERATIONS (a) Suppression Team 1. The fire suppression activities should be in accordance with the traffic collision and vehicle fire response procedure. In addition, the fire suppression team should: (a) Have at least one firefighter keep a charged line trained on the extrication team and their activities. (b) Prop open all doors, hoods and trunk lids that may have been opened during fire suppression operations. (c) A thorough Primary and Secondary search will be conducted on vehicles and Freight Transport units. (b) Extrication Team 1. The extrication team should consist of an officer and a minimum of two firefighters. (a) The assigned extrication officer should: 1. Establish a marked extrication zone. Access to this area should be limited only to those firefighters involved in the extrication process, Field Medical Officer and no more than two EMS personnel. 2. Keep the IC informed of the status of extrication operations. 3. See that tools and extrication systems reasonably expected to be used are brought to the extrication zone and request additional tools and resources when needed. 4. Work with EMS command to coordinate the best and most efficient means of extrication. In developing an extrication strategy, the extrication officer should consider: • Scene safety. • Vehicle stability. • Fire and EMS personnel safety. • Patient assessment and treatment. Chesapeake Fire Department Fire Procedure Manual Vehicle Extrication Operations Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/03/25, All Rights Reserved.Published with permission by Chesapeake Fire Department Vehicle Extrication Operations - 4 407.4 UNIVERSAL PRACTICES 1. Airbags can deploy without warning. Unless an airbag has deployed and is exposed or personnel are otherwise advised by the IC or Extrication Officer, assume every steering wheel, door, seat, pillar, window and panel contains an undeployed airbag or curtain. To the extent possible, avoid and work around these areas. 2. Energized vehicles can short circuit, start unexpectedly, pump fuel, ignite and/or deploy airbags. If the vehicle can be approached: • Place in park. • Set the parking brake. • Turn off ignition and remove the key. • Cut the battery cables. 3. Pillars and panels can also contain wiring and compressed gas cylinders. Remove all plastic trim to expose areas where cutting is planned. 4. Extrication activity can compromise vehicle stability without warning. Appropriate stabilization should be planned and placed prior to engaging in extrication. Chesapeake Fire Department Fire Procedure Manual Vehicle Extrication Operations Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/03/25, All Rights Reserved.Published with permission by Chesapeake Fire Department Vehicle Extrication Operations - 5 407.5 PROCEDURE DECISION TREE