Water Rescue.pdf

SOG Coral Springs-Parkland Fire Department 327 Fire Procedure Manual Water Rescue Operations 327.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE To establish guidelines for the CSFD Dive Rescue Team, some general and some very specific, covering functions and operations. No policy can cover all possible contingencies, whic...

SOG Coral Springs-Parkland Fire Department 327 Fire Procedure Manual Water Rescue Operations 327.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE To establish guidelines for the CSFD Dive Rescue Team, some general and some very specific, covering functions and operations. No policy can cover all possible contingencies, which the team will encounter. With this in mind, the prime consideration must be the SAFETY of all department members by a constant assessment of RISK/BENEFIT factors in all operations undertaken by the team. Members of the team will need to demonstrate good team work but at the same time, will need to be able to function independently when the situation arises. Independent function, should not sacrifice safety or be detrimental to the team functioning as a unit. Sections of this SOP will be revised in the future based upon the changing needs, functions, and objectives of the team. 327.2 POLICY This Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) shall apply to all members of the Coral Springs Fire Department (CSFD) and shall address the procedures to be followed by members participating in Water Rescue operations. 327.3 PROCEDURE Team Goals (a) Provide Public Safety and Rescue Diving Services to the public. (b) Provide these services in a professional manner. (c) Encourage education, training, and knowledge of SCUBA with a strong emphasis on Public Safety Diving and Dive Rescue operations. (d) Rescue, when possible, those victims who are within "The Golden Hour." The Golden Hour shall start at time of dispatch. Personnel 1. Team Composition 1. General. All members have voluntarily been appointed per the CBA and offer their services for Public Safety Diving and for this purpose are contributing their unique skills, knowledge, and time to the Coral Springs-Parkland Fire Department Dive Team. Each person is consequently a respected, integral part of the "Team." 2. Specific Members (a) Surface Support Personnel. Any dive team member or non-dive team member may be part of the surface support group. Non-dive team members will receive specific training given by the team members on dive Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/11/08, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Coral Springs-Parkland Fire Department ***DRAFT*** Water Rescue Operations - 1 Coral Springs-Parkland Fire Department Fire Procedure Manual Water Rescue Operations operations. Those functioning as surface support personnel will be under the direction of the Dive Team Leader or Officer in Charge of the operation. (b) 2. 3. Diving Personnel. Divers must have completed at a minimum Public Safety Diver and/or a nationally recognized Open Water Dive organization (ie. NAUI, PADI, etc. and Dive Rescue I from Dive Rescue International to be eligible to become a member of the team. Other classes such as MedDive and Dive Rescue II are encouraged. Sworn Officers 1. Members of various law enforcement agencies are encouraged to participate. Mutual Aid permits the team greater flexibility in responding to crime scenes that involve underwater investigation as well as integration of various resources. 2. When the dive team responds to a crime scene, or a situation in which a crime may have been committed, the officer who has jurisdiction at the scene will be the officer in charge. The dive team will provide the required cooperation and assistance for the investigation, under the direction of that officer, providing the dive operation has a reasonable Risk/Benefit and the divers feel the operation can be performed safely. Organization 1. The Fire Chief of the Coral Springs Fire Department established the Dive Team. The Fire Chief is ultimately responsible for any action or inaction on the part of the Coral Springs-Parkland Fire Department (CSPFD) Dive Team. 2. The Deputy Chief of Operations has overall responsibility for the direction of all activities of the team. 3. Under the immediate supervision of the Deputy Chief of Operations is the Dive Team Commander. They will be responsible for the immediate direction of all activities of the Team. This direction will be accomplished through written and oral orders, policy, directives, and guidelines. 4. At each dive site, whether during training or an operation, there will be an On-Site Supervisor who will be responsible for overall direction of the team's activities. This supervisor must be delineated prior to ANY Dive Team operation. (a) When the Dive Team Commander is present at the dive site, he/she will be the On-Site supervisor who reports to the Incident Commander. (b) n the absence of the Dive Team Commander, the Shift Coordinator or most senior diver will assume this position (unless needed as a diver). In the event there is no diver to designate as the On-Site Supervisor, the Incident Commander shall designate one. 5. Dive Team Shift Coordinator. Team leader designees will be responsible for coordinating activities of team divers. 6. Investigating Officer. (a) When the Team has responded to a scene, which requires criminal or potential criminal investigation, the Team will assist and lend the required Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/11/08, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Coral Springs-Parkland Fire Department ***DRAFT*** Water Rescue Operations - 2 Coral Springs-Parkland Fire Department Fire Procedure Manual Water Rescue Operations support for the Officer to conduct the investigation, keeping in mind safety and the Risk/Benefit Factor in all-diving operations. 4. Forms 1. (a) Operations worksheet- This form will be used to track the divers time in the water including their PSI and depths. This will be filled out by surface support personnel. (b) Dive call report- This form will be used to document all actions that take place on dive scenes and will be filled out by the dive team leader for that incident. (c) Dive call narrative- This form will be filled out with every dive call report by each diver of that incident. (d) Pre- dive checklist- This form will be filled out before any diver enters the water (when practical) to ensure that all dive equipment is in working order prior to any dives. To be filled out by person conducting pre-dive checkout. (e) Operations worksheet- This form will be used to track the divers time in the water including their PSI and depths. This will be filled out by surface support personnel. (f) Dive call report- This form will be used to document all actions that take place on dive scenes and will be filled out by the dive team leader for that incident. (g) Dive call narrative- This form will be filled out with every dive call report by each diver of that incident. (h) Pre- dive checklist- This form will be filled out before any diver enters the water (when practical) to ensure that all dive equipment is in working order prior to any dives. To be filled out by person conducting pre-dive checkout. 2. All forms can be found in the following location f/data/fire/dive/forms 3. The following forms shall be filled out on every dive operation: 4. 5. The following forms will be used in order to document all dive team operations, including but not limited to dive calls, training, and daily/ monthly checkouts. (a) Pre- dive checklist (b) Line tending worksheet (c) Dive operations worksheet (d) Dive call report (e) Dive call narrative (f) Body recovery report (if applicable) After all forms have been completed, paperwork shall be turned into the Dive Commander. These forms must be completed within 24 hours of the call. Equipment Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/11/08, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Coral Springs-Parkland Fire Department ***DRAFT*** Water Rescue Operations - 3 Coral Springs-Parkland Fire Department Fire Procedure Manual Water Rescue Operations 1. 2. SCUBA Tanks (a) Visual Inspection. Each SCUBA tank must undergo a visual inspection yearly by personnel certified to perform visual inspections or at an authorized dive shop. When the tank passes this inspection, a sticker will be placed on the tank. No tank may be used for diving, which is beyond the date of the last visual inspection. A new tank will require its first visual inspection prior to initial purchase. Thus even new tanks will have a visual inspection sticker on them. (b) Hydrostatic Test. Each tank must undergo a hydrostatic test, or Hydro, every five years. When a tank passes the Hydro test, the test date will be stamped on the tank. No tank may be used for diving which is five years beyond the date of the last Hydro test (c) Responsibility for Currency of SCUBA Tanks. The Dive Team Coordinator (or his delegate) will be responsible for being sure every tank is current for the visual inspection and hydro. (d) SCUBA Tank General Inspection. The tank's exterior should be inspected for any evidence of damage (corrosion, dents, cracks, etc.) and the presence of a functional "O" ring by the Diver. If there is an apparent problem with any tank, the Captain/supervisor shall be notified. (If a tank has a boot, remove the boot at least every six months and check for local corrosion.) Regulators (a) 3. Regulators are warrantee equipment, and the warrantee must be maintained by following the manufactures recommendations for service. Only authorized personnel are permitted to work on this equipment. Equipment Malfunction (a) General. If any equipment malfunctions during a dive, the dive operation will be terminated and the malfunction reported to the On-Site Supervisor. No further dives will be permitted with that piece of equipment until the equipment is repaired by a SCUBA facility authorized to work on that particular piece of equipment. A copy of the repair work must be submitted to the Supervisor/Coordinator prior to using the equipment in further dives. (b) The equipment is to be secured and not altered in any manner until an investigation of the malfunction has been completed. (c) Injury or Death from Equipment Malfunction. If any equipment malfunction, known or suspected, results in injury or death to a diver, the equipment will be kept intact (do not disassemble) this equipment is not to be disturbed in any manner. The equipment will become the responsibility of the most senior fire officer on scene. The Executive Officer of the Sheriff's 327.3.1 SUBSECTION TITLE Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/11/08, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Coral Springs-Parkland Fire Department ***DRAFT*** Water Rescue Operations - 4