technical rescue awareness program

Technical Rescue Awareness Program

I like to call this TRAP training

It is designed with all Firefighters in the State of Illinois in mind.

Course Effective Date 01January 2001

• This course will replace, Confined space / Trench Awareness 01/2002

• This course will replace Structural Collapse Awareness 01/2002

• This course will be a prerequisite for all RESCUE COURSES 01/2002

• Any questions?????????

A Little about me

• Robert Bush (BOB)

• Full time Firefighter – Naperville Fire

• Safety / TSO – Roselle Fire

• Member of the Technical Rescue AD HOC Committee.

• I have been in the fire service for 13 years

• I am prior service “ARMY”

• Certified in numerous areas within the state of Illinois, OSFM.

• If you ever get a chance, please call Mitzi in Springfield. She spend many hour typing and correcting our mistakes for the past year

• 815/###-####

1-1 Definitions

(See Objectives)

(See Objectives)

You will need to know all of these.

Start Date 01/01/20012-1 GeneralGeneral

This Technical Rescue Awareness course has been developed by fellow firefighters within the State of Illinois in conjunction with the Office of the State Fire Marshals Office. The members of the steering committee followed the guidelines of the OSFM and NFPA 1670.


This course is meant to provide you a means in which to identify and properly react to uncommon, dangerous and difficult rescue situations. Further training is required for actual rescue operations and practices.

• This course does not contain hands on training. The AHJ is responsible for training per NFPA 1670, Operations and Training for Technical Rescue Incidents. NFPA 1670 refers to Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and Basic Life Support (BLS). It is the AHJ’s responsibility to properly instruct members in emergency medical care.


EMS cannot be taught at this level due to the vast number of systems within the State of Illinois, the lack of uniform policies and procedures / guidelines with the separate regions in Illinois, and the training requirements as established by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH).

Technical Rescue Awareness

This course will cover basic and general knowledge on the following topic areas:

Structural Collapse. - Various types of building collapses.Rope Rescue - Various rescue situations require rope work.Confined Space - Rescues in confined spaces, Vats, Sewers, silos, etc.Vehicle and Machinery - Roadway extrication and Industrial rescue/ extrication.Water. - Ice, surf, dive and swift water.Wilderness Search and Rescue - Search patterns and situation analysis.Trench and Excavation.

OSFM Requirements for certification:

Certified Firefighter II.

100% attendance of the 8 hours awareness course.

Passing the state written exam by 70%.

Each AHJ needs to have an action plan and policies in place to handle technical rescue incidents.

The AHJ has complete and total control over all resources requested.

Given this, they also have the authority to stop any rescue attempts if warranted.

A hazard analysis and risk assessment will provide the AHJ with the information needed to make an informed decision on the likelihood of an incident, where it might occur, and the effects on the community.

AHJ are required to establish written standard operating procedures/guidelines consistent with one of the following operational levels:

1. Awareness – Basic initial company response. Responders at this level have the basic information to identify the type of incident and start initial company operations.

2. Operations – This is a basic technical response. Individuals at this level of training are able to deal with most non-complex situations.

3. Technician – Individuals at this level are considered expert in the specific field. They are trained to deal with complex and difficult incidents.

F.Awareness level personnel are those who may be first on the scene through the course of regular job duties of a technical rescue incident. Generally, they are not considered “rescuers” as such. The AHJ should ensure these people know the hazards that are in their jurisdiction.

Elements of safety at a technical rescue

Personnel accountability system (PAS)- The AHJ must be accountable for all members operating at an incident.


Evacuation Procedures/guidelines. - Every member operating at the incident must know these procedures / guidelines. Each sector must know what its’ action will be in the event an evacuation order is given.


Personnel Protective Equipment - Each AHJ is responsible for determining personnel protective equipment.

Hazard and Risk assessment (SIZE-UP).

The need for continuous size up must never be over looked. Every technical rescue, no matter what magnitude, can change in a given second. The initial assessment and hazard analysis will set the groundwork for the entire incident.

Size-Up

1. Size-Up, Scope, magnitude, and nature of the incident. 2. Location and number of victims. 3. Risk / Benefit analysis. – Will the end result justify the means? 4. Pre-plans - will address more then one way to get to the area. 5. Environmental Factors. – Loss of life can be expected to rise in time of extreme heat and cold.

Size-Up

6. Patient Contact. – Your safety is paramount. Can you see or hear the patients? Hailing, tags lines, radios, and con-space systems can be used. Does the victim know you are there?

HELPHELP

Availability / necessary resources. – What resources do you have available?

Incident Management System / Incident Command System. – In order to manage the incident, command and control must be established.

SECTORS

For the technical rescue incident the following sectors are a minimum that must be established.

1.Command

2.Safety

3.Rescue

4.Optional sectors

SECTORS

1. Command – Responsible for the entire incident.

2. Safety – Safety sector should be trained to the level of the incident.

SECTORS

3. Rescue – The rescue sector is responsible for establishing a rescue plan, informing all sectors of the plan, and insuring the plan is carried out.

SECTORS

4.Optional sectors – Logistics, Public Information, Staging, Rehab, Suppression, EMS, and numerous others as outline in NFPA1561, Standard in Fire Department Incident Management.

Scene control/Initial Company Operations

Control Zones – These zones will replicate the Hot, Warm and Cold zones established during a hazardous materials incident.

Witness interviews – Who, what, where, why, when must be solicited from all individuals in the area.

SCENE CONTROL

Patient Contact – Control who talks to the victim and what the victim hears.

Bystander Interaction – Establishing control zones will keep all non - essential personnel out of harms way

SCENE CONTROL

Police Assistance –

The Police departments are an extremely valuable resource at your disposal.

SCENE CONTROL

Machinery / Vehicles – With machinery, find someone with expertise. What are the actions of a “full cycle machine”? Use of apparatus to block traffic, not personnel.

SCENE CONTROL

Utilities - Have their emergency contact

numbers available on all apparatus.

3-1 Structural Collapse

Awareness level functions that occur at a Structural Collapse Incident

1. Size up 2. Triage Criteria

Destructive Forces that effect structures

1.Earthquakes2. Wind3. Floods4. Snow and Rain5. Construction Problems6. Explosions7. Structural Decay8. Fire9. Transportation Accidents

Various roles within the Response System

1. Initial Spontaneous response

2. Planned Community response

3.Void Space rescue

4.Technical, Urban Search and Rescue

General hazards as they relate to:

1. Operation level response

a. Light Frame ordinary constructionb. Un-reinforced and reinforced masonry

COLLAPSE

Wood Houses WWood Houses W

2s

COLLAPSE

URM Bearing Wall BldgURM Bearing Wall Bldg

3s

2. Technician level response

a. Concrete tilt up

COLLAPSE

TiltTilt--Up Wall Buildings TUUp Wall Buildings TU

3s

COLLAPSE

b. Reinforced concrete

COLLAPSE

Precast Concrete Bldgs PC2Precast Concrete Bldgs PC2

3s

Five major types of collapse and victim locations

1. Lean-to

2. V-shape

3. A-shape

4. Pancake

5. Cantilever

Collapse Patterns

Heavy Wall Collapse PatternsHeavy Wall Collapse Patterns

Wood Floor Collapse Patterns Wood Floor Collapse Patterns 3s

Lean-To Vee

Pancake Cantilever

COLLAPSE

Secondary collapse

1. Chalk2. Spray3. Mechanical devices

COLLAPSE

External equipment that may be used to locate trapped victims

1. Visual2. Verbal and / or Audible

SEARCH MARKINGS

• H. Identify and explain the procedures / guidelines for recognition and implementation of the Marking Systems

1. Building Marking System2. Structure Marking System3. FEMA Task Force Search and Rescue Marking System

SEARCH MARKINGS

STRUCTURE / HAZARDSMARK

• Structure relatively safe for S&Rops. There is little chance of furtherCollapse.– Victims could be trapped by contents

– or could be unconscious

SEARCH MARKINGS


• Structure is Significantly Damaged.Some areas may be relatively safe, butothers may need shoring, bracing,removal, and/or monitoring of hazards– Building could be completely pancaked

SEARCH MARKINGS

STRUCTURE / HAZARDS MARK• Structure is NOT SAFE for Rescue Ops

and may be subject to Sudden Collapse.Remote search Ops may proceed atsignificant risk. If rescue Ops areundertaken, Safe Haven areas, & rapidevacuation routes (with StructureMonitoring) Should be Created.

SEARCH MARKINGS


• Arrow next to Marking Boxindicates the direction ofSafest Entry to Structure

SEARCH MARKINGS


• HM indicates hazardousmaterial condition in oradjacent to structure. S&R Opsnormally will not be alloweduntil condition is better definedor eliminated.

HM

SEARCH MARKINGS

STRUCTURE / HAZARDSMARK - SUMMARY

15JUN92

HM NATURAL GAS

OR-1

No entry until gas is turned off. Whenit’s mitigated, should line out the HM

mark and record new date and TF

SEARCH MARKINGS

SEARCH ASSESSMENT MARK

First slash madewhen entering

Crossing slash made as TF exits

15JUL921400 HR

RATS

3 DEAD

OR-1

2’ x 2’ X neareach entry

STREET ID

I. D. by Street & Number• Case 1 - If some numbers are known, fill in

600 700 Block Alpha Street 800

701

706

702 704 708 710

703 705 707 709

STREET ID

I. D. by Street & Number• Case 2 - No numbers known, use low no’s

800 900 Block Alpha Street 1000

900 902 904 906 908

901 903 905 907 909

SIDES

SIDES OF STRUCTURE• If more than one side, use more numbers

700 Block Alpha Street

SIDE THREE

SIDE ONE

SIDE FOUR

SIDE TWO

QUADRANTS

Quadrants within Structure• Also use and MARK column grid

700 Block Alpha Street

E

Quad. B

Quad. A

Quad. C

Quad. D

MULTI- FLOOR

MULTI - STORY STRUCTURES

• Ground Floor is 1, Second is 2, Third is 3, etc.

• First Floor below grade is B-1, Second is B-2, etc.

4-1 Rope

Rope rescue is the providing of aid to those in danger of injury or death in an environment where the use of rope and related equipment is necessary to perform the rescue safely and successfully.

A. Types of rope rescues

– 1 .High angle rescue2. Slope evacuation

B. Uses for rope rescue

High angle rescue Slope evacuationConfined space rescueTrenchWater rescueWild land search and rescue

C. Hazards associated with rope rescue.

Falls and Other hazards

A. Trip hazards

b. Uneven or wet ground

c. Entanglement or pinching hazards ( i.e. hands caught in rope

equipment)

Hazards associated with rope rescue

d.Falling objects (i.e. equipment, rocks, building components)

e.Utilities

f. Atmospheric hazards

g.Weather

Hazards associated with rope rescue

h.Untrained responders (misuse and abuse of equipment)

i. Hostile by-standers / victims

j. Hazards specific to the location of the rescue.

3. General Safety Considerations for Rope Rescue

It is the responsibility of the AHJ to pre-plan your response area to identify the location and hazards of potential rope rescue incidents and prepare for them through training and response procedures / guidelines.

D. First-Due Company Operations

It has been said that the first 5 minutes of an operation determines the next 5 hours. That can never be understated in rope rescue. First-due companies, even though not

considered “rescuers”, have many very important tasks to ensure to

overall success of the entire operation.

1. Size-up

Size-up must be a continuous process.

a. Scope, magnitude, and nature of the incidentb. Location of the incident.c. Risk versus benefit analysis (rescue vs. recovery)d. Access to the scene.e. Environmental factorsf. Available / necessary resources.g. Ability to contact victim(s) can this be done without endangering rescuers and victim(s)

2. Secure the general area.

a. This area will include an area within 300 ft. (or more, per incident command)

b. Make the area safe for rescuers

Control / limit traffic and sources of vibration in the area, this may include shutting down vehicles and equipment.

Control / limit access to the area by unnecessary personnel.

Identify all other hazards and remove or reduce their impact.

Notify a qualified rescue team to perform the Rescue.

• These teams should be identified by AHJ or department SOP / SOG.

5-1 Confined Space

• A. Permit Required Confined Space Law

1. OSHA law is 29CFR 1910.1462. IDOL (Illinois Department of Labor) has adopted this law3. Law identifies two types of spaces

Confined Space- contains all of following-(non-permit)

• i) Large enough and so configured to bodily enter

•ii) Limited or restricted means of entry and exit

• iii) Not designed for continuous human occupancy

Permit required confined space

•i) A confined space that contains one of the following

a) Contains or has the potential to contain a hazardous atmosphere (Any atmosphere that is oxygen deficient, contains a toxic or disease-producing contaminant, or is potentially explosive. A hazardous atmosphere could be immediately dangerous to life and health)

Permit required confined space

b)Contains a substance that could engulf the entrantc) Contains inwardly converging walls/floors that could trap an entrant causing asphyxiationd) Contains any other recognized serious safety or health hazard

Confined Space

• ii) Additionally the law allows the use of “alternate entry procedures” with Permit Required Confined Spaces in which the “…only hazard posed by the permit space is an actual or potential hazardous atmosphere”…, when it can be demonstrated “that continuous forced air ventilation alone is sufficient to maintain that permit space is safe for entry”.

Confined Space

• B. OSHA statistics regarding confined space deaths

1. Studies show 60-80% of deaths are would be rescuers2. Studies also show that up to 90% of deaths are from atmospheric problems

Confined Space

• C. Reasons for entering confined spaces

• 1. Inspections/Maintenance

• 2. Rescue

• 3. Training

Confined Space

• D. General Hazards associated with confined space rescue operations

1. Hazardous Atmospheres2. Falls3. Other Hazards- as determined by the AHJ4. Lack of specialized equipment and training to perform rescue safely, i.e. Trying to make entry through small openings by removing your SCBA from your back and pushing it ahead of you. If you can’t fit trough the opening with your SCBA on your back you need SABA (air-line).

Confined Space

E.Initial tasks of first in companies

1. Size-up: as discussed in general awareness

a. Determine best access to the spaceb. Make contact with patients if safe to do soc. Attempt to determine the number of victims

Confined Space

2.Secure general area around space

Make general area safe by the following:

i) Control/limit traffic and sources of vibration including shutting down all vehicles and equipmentii) Control/limit access to general area by unnecessary personnel

Confined Space

• Identify hazards and remove/reduce their impact.

i) Lock out/Tag out per 29 CFR 1910.147

Notify qualified rescue team to perform rescue. These teams should be identified by AHJ or department SOP/SOG

Confined Space

• i) Don’t get pushed into someone else’s emergency. The law requires the owner of the permit required confined space to provide for a rescue team prior to any entry, this does not mean that we by virtue of being the Fire Department are obligated to provide this service. The owner of the space if he wants to utilize the Fire Department as his rescue team, must have an agreement with that Fire Department, that they will provide this specialized service.

Initial rescue actions

• i) Monitor space for atmosphere

• ii) Ventilate space to alleviate atmospheric problems including heat/cold or other severe environmental hazards

• iii) Retrieve victim by non-entry rescue/pre-rigged devices

6-1 Vehicle and Machinery

• Identify the size up that must occur at an accident.

1. Environmental conditions are controlled by the weather.

a. Extreme heat and cold

• b. Rain, sleet and snow darkness

Vehicle and Machinery

• 2 Patient injuries - look for the mechanism of injury which can produce trauma to:

a. Head, face, hand and arm injuries from windshield, air bag, steering wheel, A and B post, rear view mirror, roof, etc.

• b. Chest, stomach and hip injuries from the steering wheel, air bag, door, seat belts, etc..

• c. Leg and foot injuries from steering wheel, dash board, door, etc.

Vehicle and Machinery• 3. Scene conditions can have a wide range of

problems:

a. Vehicle stability

• b. Hazardous materials

• c. Electrical problems

– i) vehicle

– ii) utilities

– iii) machinery power


d.Fire

e.Crowd Control

f. Hydraulic bumpers

g.Survey of Scene


• B. Identify and notify the resources necessary to conduct a safe and effective operations.

1. Police – maintain

a. crowd controlb. traffic controlc. preserve scene for

i) accident reconstructionii) investigation


• 2. Fire department should:

a. Maintain scene safety

i) Extinguishing firesii) Preventing firesiii) Handling spills or leaks

b. Maintain vehicle safety

i) Check fuel systemii) Check the electrical system


• 3. Emergency medical services is responsible for:

a. Assessment of Patientb. Packagingc. Assess patient disentanglement and extricationd. Patient Handlinge. Transportation


• 4. Extrication personnel is responsible for:

a. Vehicle stabilizationb. Create safe access for EMS Personnelc. Safe disentanglement of the patientd. Assist the EMS personnel


• C. Identify the hazards associated with vehicle and machinery rescues

1. Air Bags

a. Identify the air bag system within the vehicle by one of the following logos: SRS, SLR, Air Bag, Side Air Bag, Knee Impact Bag, Head Impact Bag, Head curtain Bag, etc.b. Electrical drain time

1) Electrical drain time after the battery power has been disconnected could range from 30 seconds to 25 minutes.


•c. Safety Distances, 5”, 10” and 18”

1) For safety of the rescue personnel and the patient, the distance of 5” for side air bag, 10” for driver’s air bag and 18” for passenger air bag should be maintained away form the bags.

Fuel systems

2. Fuel systems

a. Gasoline systemb. Diesel systemc. Compressed natural or liquefied petroleum gas systemd. Electrical system

1) Electrical cars are not common but maybe seen in industrial areas. The largest concern for electrical cars is the presence of batteries and acid.

Hydraulic Shocks

3. Hydraulic Shocks

a. absorbing bumpers

b. hatch back

c. hood pistons

d. hydraulic suspension

Batteries and their locations

3. Batteries and their locations

a. Under the hood (high)b. Under the hood (low/hidden)c. Under the back seatd. In the trunke. Wheel wells


• 4. Seat belt pretensioners have one of three locations

a. Low and Mid B postb. C post Lowc. Inner front and rear seat buckler area


• 5. Gears, chains and pulleys

a. Power sourceb. Rugged equipmentc. Chemical hazard


• 6. Augers and conveyor belts

a. Remote areab. Time delay to the patientc. Power sourced. Rugged equipmente. Chemical hazard

D. Initial Company Actions

• 1. Scene protection-safety of rescuer is first priority

2. Initial access into a vehicle or machinery

3. Initial stabilization

Need for control at the scene of an incident.

• 1. Traffic needs to be controlled for the safety of the rescue personnel.

Crowds could restrict the rescuers’ activities at the scene

2. Machine can be controlled in two ways:

Need for control at the scene of an incident

CAUTION: Beware of stored potential energy or full cycle machinery.

EXAMPLE: Machinery that continues to move after power is removed.

Need for control at the scene of an incident

• a. Electrical power can be shut down and locked out at the main electrical box

b. Mechanical power (hydraulic, pneumatic or motor) can be shut down and locked out

7-1 Water

• A. Fire service need for Water Rescue Awareness:

1. Most jurisdictions have some type of body of water.

•2. Most jurisdictions have the potential for flooding.

• 3. Many water related incidents require expertise beyond the normal capability of some fire departments.

Water

• a. Personnel and teams trained to the operations or technician level.

• b. Proper personal protective equipment.

• c. Proper technical rescue equipment.

Water

• B. NFPA recognizes four different water related disciplines at the operations and technician level: dive, ice, surf, and swift water.

• C. Hazards that are associated with water rescue incidents:

Human nature and the nature of fire service personnel.

• a. Fire service personnel are action oriented. They want to act now.

• b. Rescues are attempted without the proper training or equipment.

2. Environmental hazards may include:

• a. Extreme temperatures

i) Cold temperatures causing hypothermia, frostbite, and equipment malfunctions.

• ii) Hot temperatures causing hyperthermia and overheating in personal protective gear. Under water survival time is lost in hot temperatures.

b. Weather, including rain, snow, and high winds.

b. Hypothermia is accelerated when personnel are wet or in the water.

c. Body heat is lost to still water 25 times as fast as to still air of the same temperature.

c. Aquatic environment

• i) Animal life, fish, insect

ii) Plant life, seaweed

• iii) Biohazards, bacterial, viral

3. General hazards

• a. Utilities including electrical, gas, sanitary, and communications.

• b. Hazardous materials.

• c. Personal hazards including trips, falls, steep and slippery terrain, drop offs, holes, hidden obstructions that may cause injury or entanglement.

4. Hazards associated with dive operations:

• a. Baro-trauma including decompression sickness, nitrogen narcosis, oxygen toxicity, embolism, etc.

• b. Drowning. May be related to lost diver, loss of air, anxiety reactions.

• c. Fatigue, exhaustion, heat stress, dehydration, or hypothermia.

• d. Pre-existing medical conditions, smoking, or use of medications.

5. Hazards associated with ice operations:

• a. Cold injuries including frostbite and hypothermia.

• b. Thin ice causing sudden emersion or entrapment under the ice.

6. Hazards associated with surf operations:

• a. Breaking waves generating extreme forces.

• b. Undertows, tides, and currents.

7. Hazards associated with swift water operations:

• a. Awesome, relentless power of moving water.

• b. Strainers and debris.

• c. Holes.

• d. Obstructions.

i) Above the water surface.

ii) Below the water surface. (Upstream V’s and downstream V’s).

CURRENTS AND PATTERNS

e. Current patterns.

i) Laminar flow.

ii) Helical flow (upwelling).

iii) Eddies (back current).

8. Hazards associated with low head dams, The Killing/Drowning

Machine.• a. Illusion (cannot be perceived from

upstream and do not look particularly dangerous).

• b. Hydraulic (vertical whirlpool)

• c. Aeration in the hydraulic (causes cavitation to boat propellers).

Personal protective equipment during water rescue incidents.

• Firefighting helmets, boots, and turnout gear are not typically appropriate for water rescue work.

• Thermal protection including wet suits and dry suits.

• PFD’s (personal flotation device) should be worn while in or near the water or while in a boat.

• Tagline or lifeline.

• Helmet.

E. Cold water near drowning.

• 1. Age of the victim.

• 2. Temperature of the water.

a. Below 70 degrees F.b. The patient could be below the thermocline.

• 3. Length of submersion (under 90 minutes still in rescue mode).

• 4. Quality BLS and ALS patient treatment.

F. Water rescue response for awareness level trained personnel.

• 1. Assessment phase (size-up)

a. Scope, magnitude, and type of water rescue incident.b. Environmental factors and potential for changing conditions.

i) Change in weather conditions.ii) Loss of daylight.iii) Water levels and current changing drastically (flash flooding).

Water rescue

• Assessment of hazards.

• Location and number of victims.

• Risk/benefit analysis (rescue vs. recovery).

• Access to the scene.

2. Initial tasks.

• a. Gain control of the scene (establish site security).

• b. Establish an Incident Command System.

• c. Accountability and safety of personnel (This starts with proper training and equipment).

• d. Evaluate the patient’s condition (they may or may not be able to assist in their own rescue).

• e. Evaluate the resources available and those that will be needed.

f. Secure and interview witnesses.

• i) Try to keep witnesses at the scene.

• ii) Interview witnesses separately.

• iii) Collect the witness’ personal information (they might need to be interviewed again).

g. Establish a last seen point.

• i) Triangulate with more than one witness.

• ii) Use of reference object (same size as person, vehicle, or plane that went down).

• iii) A hole in the ice is an excellent last seen point. Don’t destroy it.

h. Evaluate physical evidence.

• i) Notes, clothes, and footprints.

• ii) Tire tracks, debris, oil slick, and bubbles.

G. Identifying the need for a water rescue response beyond the

awareness level.

• 1. The AHJ should have an emergency response system established for water related incidents. This may include the response of:

• a. Operations and technician level trained personnel (divers, ice divers, swift water technicians, etc.).

• b. Police and evidence technicians.

• c. Specialized equipment (boats, tow trucks, extrication equipment, etc.)

WATER RESCUE

• d. EMS response.

i) An ambulance for each patient and one for dive support.ii) Air transport to a level I trauma facility.

• e. Rehab personnel should be considered early on in the incident.

• f. An operational plan may include: Reach, Throw, Row and Go.

2. Consider requesting divers early in an incident.

• a. Victims at the surface may slip under the water before a surface rescue can be executed.

• b. Divers can only last so long before they need rehab. Keep the incident operating in rescue mode.

8-1 Wilderness

• A. Introduction

In 1956, the National Search and Rescue Plan was published. This plan established the United States Air Force as the executive agent for inland search and rescue, covering the continental United States, less the major navigable waterways.

B. Four core elements in Wilderness SAR operations.

• 1. Locate the victim

• 2. Reach the victim

• 3. Stabilize the victim

• 4. Evacuate the victim

C. Seven (7) components that are used to complete the elements of a

SAR operation.

1. Pre-planning - The Organization and Management Guidelines. Includes call-out procedures / guidelines and equipment .2. Notification - We have to be notified of a problem before we can handle it.

3. Planning and Strategy - The process of gathering information so that an assessment can be done.

4. Tactics - Type of response or solution to handle the problem.

Seven (7) components that are used to complete the elements of a SAR

operation.

5. Operations - The field phase where the tactical solutions are carried out.

6. Suspension - Operation is discontinued.

7. Critique - Evaluation of the participants, methods and strategies.

D. Resources that can be used for Wilderness Search and Rescue.

1. Search dogs-cover more area in a shorter period of time than humans

2. Trackers3. Aircraft4. Ground air search specialist5. Rope rescue specialists6. Water rescue specialists7. Trench rescue specialist 8. Collapse building search

E. Calculating search urgency.

4. Subject Profile

5. Weather Profile

6. Equipment Profile

7. Subject Experience Profile

8. Terrain and Hazards Profile

9. History of Incidents in this area

10. Bastard Search

WILDERNESS

• NOTE: The lower the value of each factor and of the sum of all factors, the more urgent the situation. ( See Relative Urgency Rating Factors Sheet)

F. Three broad types of responses used dependant on search urgency.

• 1. Emergency Response

• 2. Measured Response

• 3. Evaluative Response

1. Emergency Response –

• Best on information, convinced death or serious injury could occur if help does not arrive.Blitz or Hasty Team - minimum number of experienced rescuers that sent out to locate the victim.

• This is followed by a support team with additional equipment. The margin of safety is fairly narrow and a perceptible amount of risk involved in the necessaryresponse.

2. Measured Response –

• based on when appropriate information on hand is insufficient to dictate the exact outline of a search and rescue action plan.

3. Evaluative Response –

• Occurs when the reported problem is unconfirmed or seems likely to resolve itself.

G. Lost person(s) report

1. This goal of interviewing and obtaining information from participant(s) or witnesses is to devise an effective course of action.

2. Each person lost receives a file.

WILDERNESS

a. Part I - Is information that is critical in determiningdecisions of the initiation phases of a search.

b. Part II - May be significant later in the mission.

H. Four general hazards associated with wilderness SAR operations.

• 1. Personal Hazards include blisters, scrapes, scratches, falls, blows, bruises, dehydration, and so forth.

• 2. Environmental Hazards include insect bites and stings, poisonous plants, exposure injuries, snow-blindness, altitude illness,lightning, sunburn, dangerous wildlife, and so forth.

• 3. Terrain Hazards include cliffs, avalanches, standing water (e.g., ponds, lakes), flat ice (e.g., ponds, lakes), moving water, caves, mines, wells, high winds, snow, coastal white water surf, and so forth.

WILDERNESS

• 4. Man-Made Hazards include booby-trapped stills and labs, hazardous materials dumps, trained attack dogs and so forth.

I. There are four basic means of establishing a probable search area.

1. The Theoretical Method. The probable search area is generated in this method by using tables that express the area as a function of distance traveled by the lost subject. This necessitates a reliable determination of the Point Last Seen (PLS). The area's boundary is a circle drawn on the map centered on the PLS. The length of its radius is the maximum distance the victim could have journeyed in that terrain in the time elapsed since he was last seen.

2. The Statistical Method.

• Case studies of people in the wilderness provide the data for this method.

3. The Subjective Method.

• Historical data, intuition , the location of the natural barriers and clues, and consideration of the physical and mental limitations of the victim are taken into account.

4. The Mattson Method.

• Balances subjective and objective information and uses individual personnel to view their probable search area independently, then combining their percentage of where he/she thinks they are to the rest of the group. The total percentage from all personnel involved is added and the greatest percent is where the search will be started.

J. Three types of search tactics.

• 1. Type I (Detection Phase) - Hasty Teams

• 2. Type II - Open Grid is relatively fast, efficient search of locales of high probability using methods that produce the highest results per hour using search dogs, wide search patterns flow by aircraft, and open grid sweep searches This is three to seven searchers widely spaced at approx.. 300-600 feet.

• 3. Type III - Close Grid is compromised of approx.. thirty searchers walking in a line approx.. 15 to 20 feet apart. May be less for evidence recovery.

K. Initial Tasks of a First-in Company

• 1. Establish Incident Management System

• 2. Evaluate Search Urgency

• 3. Obtain Lost Persons Report

• 4. Determine Type of Response

• 5. Determine Available Resources

• 6. Determine Probable Search Area

Relative Urgency Rating Factors

• Factor Value

• Numeric Rating

• Subject Profile

Age

Very Young 1Very Old 1Other2-3

Medical Condition

Known or suspected injured or ill 1-2

Healthy 3Known Fatality 3

Number of Subjects

One Alone 1More than one (unless separation suspected)

2-3

Weather Profile

Existing hazardous weather 1Predicted hazardous weather (<8 hours) 1-2

Predicted hazardous weather (>8 hours) 2

No Hazardous weather predicted 3

Equipment Profile

Inadequate for the environment 1

Questionable for the environment 1-2

Adequate for the environment 3

Subject Experience Profile

Not Experienced, does not know area 1

Not experienced, knows area1-2

Experienced, not familiar with the area 2

Experienced, knows the area3

Terrain and Hazards Profile

Known hazardous terrain or other hazards1Few or no hazards 2-3

History of Incidents in this Area 1-3

Bastard Search 2-3

SUM

Appropriate Response to Urgency Ratings

Factor SumResponse8-12 Emergency Response13-18 Measure Response19-24 Evaluated Response 25-27 Search Situation or Missing Person

9-1Lost Person Check List

• NOTE: File separate report for each person. Detailed answers are needed to identify clues when found in the field.

• Place “none”, “NA”, or “unsure” in blanks as appropriate.

Part I:

• Information critical to immediate decisions and the initiation phases of a search. Record all of Part I information at the time of first notice of a lost or overdue person.

Incident Number: Date: Time:Report Taken By:Name of Missing Person:Hours OverdueLocal AddressHome Address:Nicknames:

Physical Description

• Age: DOB: Race:Color:Height: Weight: Build:Hair Color: Hair Length: Sideburns:Facial Hair:Straight/Curly/Wavy Balding:Eye Color: Facial Features Shape: Complexion:Any distinguishing marks, scars, tattoos:General Appearance:

Clothing

• Shirt, Sweater Style ColorCoat Style ColorRain Gear Style ColorPantsStyle ColorGloves Style ColorGlasses Style ColorShoes Style ColorOther Clothing

Equipment

Pack Style Brand Color

Tent Style Brand Color

Sleeping Bag Style Brand Color

Food What Brands Amount

Water Canteen Style Amount

Flashlight Matches Knife Map

WILDERNESS

CompassRopes/HardwareFishing EquipmentFirearms Type Brand Ammo.Camera BrandMoney AmountSnow Shoes Type Brand Binding TypeIce Axe Brand CoverSkis Brand Length Color

Trip Plans

• Going to ViaPurposeHow Long How many in groupGroup Affiliation TransportationStarted at WhenCar located at Type of CarLicense VerifiedAlternate car at Type of CarLicense VerifiedPick up/Return Time Where

Last Seen

•WhenWhereBy whom PresentIf not present, location PhoneGoing which wayHow long agoSpecial reason for leavingUnusual comments before leavingHow long overdue

Contacts Person Would Make Upon Reaching Civilization

• Home addressPhone Anyone homeFriendHome AddressPhoneFriendHome AddressPhone

Health

• General Condition Physical Handicaps

Medical ProblemsPsychological problemsAny known external factors that could affect subjects behavior.

Medications

•Consequences without medicationEyesight without glasses

Actions Taken So Far

•By (Friends, Family)

Actions Taken

When

Part II:

• Information that may be significant later in the incident. Can be obtained after initial actions are taken and further information on the subject is necessary.

Personality Habits

Smoke How often BrandDrink BrandDrugs TypeHobbies, interestWorkOutgoing or quiet Evidence of leadershipReligion SeriousFeeling towards adultsWhat does the person value most

WILDERNESS

Who is person closest to in the familyStatus in school/workAny recent lettersGive up easy or keep goingWhere was person born and raisedAny trouble with the law

For Children

• Afraid of what animalsAfraid of DarkWhat training regarding to do when lostWhat are persons actions when hurtTalks to strangers; accepts ridesActive type or lethargic

For Groups Overdue

• Any person clashes in the group

• Any strong leaders

• What is the competitive spirit of the group

• What would actions be if separated

• Any persons especially close

• What is the experience of the leader and rest of group

Family

• (To Prevent Media/Press Complications)Father’s OccupationParents separated/DivorcedFamilies desire to employ special assistanceName, relationship, address, phone of contact relative if in good condition:

• Name, relationship, address, phone of contact relative if in poor condition or dead.

9-1 Trench and Excavation

•A. A trench is an excavation that is deeper than it is wide and less then 15 feet wide. OSHA has published regulations dealing with trenches in 29 CFR Part 1926. This standard regulates the construction and occupation of trenches over 5 feet deep and shallower trenches with special hazards. Illinois Department of Labor (IDOL) has adopted 29 CFR 1926 as the state regulation.

B. OSHA

• OSHA requires that Escape routes, Air quality monitoring and other protective measures be utilized at all trench excavations.

C. Trench Hazards

• Secondary collapses are by far the most lethal hazard in trench rescues. Studies have shown that trench walls often collapse in less than 1/10th of a second and as many as 65% of all deaths in trench cave-ins are of would-be rescuers. This is because virtually all of the hazards associated with trench rescues are hidden from the untrained rescuer. Also, trench rescues are not common occurrences.

Trench Hazards

• 2. The four types of collapses are:

• a. Slough-in

• b. Sidewall-in

• c. Shear-in

• d. Spoil-in

Trench Hazards

• 3. Trenches dug too deep or too wide, OSHA provides guidelines for the general construction of trenches up to 20 feet deep and 15 feet wide. Excavations beyond these dimensions require special engineering by a Registered Professional Engineer (RPE).

Trench Hazards

• 4. It is easy to get fooled into entering an unprotected trench to rescue a worker who has fallen, or is ill. Just because the fire department is there doesn't mean that the trench will remain intact while you make the rescue.

Trench Hazards

• 5. Rescues are usually long-term operations. Most rescues require as much as 4-10 hours to complete. Victims cannot merely be pulled-out from under the dirt, therefore, the victim must be completely uncovered before he can be removed from the trench. Equipment needed may be extensive and not commonly available.

Trench Hazards

• 6. Many other factors must be considered which will effect trench stability. In some cases the following factors must merely be taken into consideration, while others require specific remedies by OSHA.

a. Exposure to the elementsb. Superimposed loadsc. Underground utilitiesd. Unsupported structures (surface encumbrances)e. Water i) Undermines trench walls causing collapseii) drowning hazard

Trench Hazards

• D. Soil Classification

OSHA classifies soils as Class-A through Class-C. Class-A soil is the most stable, and will include some form of clay. Class-C soil is extremely unstable and will be comprised of either granular soils like sand, or wet soil of any type.

Trench

• 1. Trenches should be analyzed immediately after they are excavated, and should be re-analyzed periodically for any changes which have occurred.

Trench

• 2. Wet soils of any type are dangerous due to the added weight of the water, the loss of friction due to the moisture, and the mechanics of the movement of the water through the soil.

• 3. Layered soils. Trench walls will often expose layers of different soils.

Trench

• 4. Fissured soil. Fissures (cracks) which are visible in the trench walls or in the soil surrounding the trench can indicate soil which is likely to cave-in shortly.

• 5. Previously disturbed soils. The most stable soils are those which have gone undisturbed for thousands of years. Once the earth has been disturbed, it is impossible to return it to its original stability.

Trench

6. Vibration is extremely destructive to trench stability. Vibration will speed-up the collapse of the walls, and will magnify any other factors, which are effecting he trench.

• 7. A single cubic foot of dirt can weigh as much as 145 lbs., and will average about 100 lbs. per square foot. A typical small cave-in involves about 1.5 cubic yards of dirt, or about 4,000 lbs.

E. PROTECTIVE SYSTEMS.

• 1. OSHA provides three methods for protecting workers in trenches, sloping, shielding, and shoring. No worker is to enter a trench greater than 5 feet deep unless one of these protections is in place.

a. Sloping.

a. Sloping involves cutting back the sides of a trench to an angle at which the earth will no longer slide. The angle, which is sought, is referred to as the "angle of repose" and is merely the angle at which the soil will no longer slide.

• Shielding

• Shielding involves the use of extremely strong metal boxes, which have been engineered to withstand the pressure of the earth for the size trench that is being worked in. Shield will protect against moving dirt as long as they are properly in place. The shields must be above or even with the trench lip, and no more then 2 feet off the bottom.

Shoring

• c. Shoring is a method of protecting the worker by constructing a support system within the trench, which will pressurize the trench walls, enough to create "arches" of support, which will support the trench walls. These systems are NOT strong enough to stop moving dirt. They will only hold up dirt supported by the “Arch” effect.

Shoring systems

• 2. Shoring systems may be constructed with a variety of materials and may be constructed in a variety of configurations. System contains crossbraces and uprights. Additional elements are added to strengthen the system, these beam-like members are called walers. Most of these materials are not available at your local lumberyard.

Timber

• 3. OSHA provides charts for timber shoring and hydraulic shoring for dry trenches up to 15 feet wide and 20 feet deep. Beyond these dimensions, or when special conditions exit, the shoring system must be designed by a registered professional engineer, or the system must be constructed in accordance with the manufacturer’s tabulated data.

TRENCH

• 4. In general, the weaker, deeper and wide the trench is the stronger and more numerous the shoring members must be.

TRENCH

• 5. Additional regulations for worker safety. In addition to the regulations for insuring trench stability, OSHA also regulates many other conditions, which may pose hazards to workers.

F. INITIAL COMPANY OPERATIONS

• 1. The typical first-in company will not have trained trench rescue personnel on-board, much less the proper equipment to perform a rescue. Initial response personnel can still perform vital tasks, which will serve to speed-up the rescue, protect the victim, or eliminate the need for rescue or recovery operations.

INITIAL COMPANY OPERATIONS

• 2. Some non-entry options that are available are:

a. Place a ladder into the trench for the victims to get out themselves.


• 3. Activate a trench rescue response plan as soon as a trench rescue request has been received. Time is of the essence, as secondary collapses are likely to occur shortly after the initial collapse, and will likely eliminate the chances for a rescue.


• 4. As in all emergency responses, an Incident Command System or Incident Management System must be put into effect.


• 5. Do not allow personnel into an unprotected trench. Don't let tunnel vision risk your personnel. Remember that secondary collapses are likely to occur quickly potentially trapping any rescuers.


• 6. Stop sources of vibration. Vibration contributes significantly to the likelihood of further collapses. Eliminate sources of vibrations by stopping traffic for at least 300 feet. Do not allow the use of heavy equipment.


• 7. Set-up control zones limit access to the trench.

8. Set up ground pads to ensure that the rescuers are standing on stable ground.

9. Move to spoil pile from the trench area. (2 feet or more) If any hazards are present, do not place any rescuers in harms way just to move some dirt.


• 10. Try to locate the victim's position. Approach the trench from the ends to perform a reconnaissance of the victim’s location and condition. As soon as possible, one or more ladders should be placed in the trench to provide a “quick exit” should someone accidentally fall in.


• 11. If the victim is visible, mark his position in relation to the trench walls by scoring the ground on either side of the trench.

• 12. If the victim cannot be seen, get the best information you can from his co-workers regarding his last position. Mark this position.


• 13. Prepare for expected injuries. Many types of injuries are found in victims who have been trapped in cave-ins. Be prepared to handle the following:

a. Open and closed fracturesb. Lung injuriesc. Head injuriesd. Spinal injuriese. Injury due to lack of oxygenf. Hypothermiag. Crush syndrome

10-1 Overview of all rescue situations

• A. Structural Collapse

• B. Rope

• C. Confined Space

• D. Vehicle and Machinery

• E. Water

• F. Wilderness

• G. Trench and Excavation

NOW FOR A SHORT TEST

• You have completed all the requirements as established by the OSFM and the steering committee.

• I congratulate you taking this course to better yourself and the entire fire service.

• Thanks for being here.

technical rescue awareness program

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