1 Chapter 4 The Rescue Team Development

2 Introduction Rescues fail due to team work Teamwork is important because all involved must be able to depend on and predict the movements of the other team members. Example, (Sports teams) Teamwork is important because all involved must be able to depend on and predict the movements of the other team members. Example, (Sports teams) The Ohio Type I rescue team consist of 16 members. Assignments are made beforehand to make practice/rescue run smoother and safer.

3 A developed team, with all positions filled, ensures that scouting, backup, crowd control, etc., will be attended to automatically. A developed team, with all positions filled, ensures that scouting, backup, crowd control, etc., will be attended to automatically. Once the team positions are assigned, only practice and drills using all water levels at potential rescue sites will ensure that an actual rescue attempt will be performed efficiently and safely. Once the team positions are assigned, only practice and drills using all water levels at potential rescue sites will ensure that an actual rescue attempt will be performed efficiently and safely.

4 NIMS AND FEMA TYPING NIMS-National Incident Management System NIMS-National Incident Management System ICS-Incident Command System ICS-Incident Command System FEMA-Federal Emergency Management Agency FEMA-Federal Emergency Management Agency

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8 Ohio Type I Water Response 16 Member Task Force Task Force Leader SafetyLiaison LeaderLogistics and EMS 5 Team Members 5 Team Members Leader

9 Rescue Team Members Command Command Shore Based back-ups Shore Based back-ups Rescuers Rescuers Boat operators Boat operators Safety Safety Spotters Spotters

10 The Rescue Team Task Force Leader: Task Force Leader: Commands overall rescue effort of team Commands overall rescue effort of team Responsible for assembling the team and deciding rescue strategy. This person may report to the overall incident commander. Responsible for assembling the team and deciding rescue strategy. This person may report to the overall incident commander.

11 Rescue Team Member Duties: Commander Commander 1. He is never (ideally) directly involved in a rescue attempt 2. He serves as an observer who evaluates, judges and directs the ever changing scene 3. Has a vantage point (command post) where other team members can be observed and directed 4. Must be able to communicate (radio, hand signals, etc) to other team members to other team members 5. He is responsible for practice sessions and rescue techniques Command

12 Rescue Team Member Duties: Shore Based Back-ups Shore Based Back-ups Primary back up Secondary back up Primary back up Secondary back up  Duties and Skills 1. Upon arrival, back up persons grab throw bags, PFD’s, other basic equipment as needed and hurries to the accident scene approaching from opposite shores if possible 2. They will make first verbal contact with the victim, offers encouragement. (Helps victim remain calm, possible self rescue, ask if other victims)

13 Shore based back-ups continued 3. They will report situation to the Commander 4. As other help arrives, secondary back-up will move downstream scouting for other unseen victims 5. Positions self down from the accident scene, but above other hazards to aid in case the victim or the rescuer is washed away 6. They will complete river hazard survey forms routinely

14 Rescue Team Member Duties: Rescuers Rescuers Primary Rescuer Secondary Rescuer Primary Rescuer Secondary Rescuer  Duties & Skills 1. Primary rescuer makes actual initial contact with victim 2. Secondary rescuer serves as backup 3. On Scene: Concentrate on victim’s condition and safest approach and exit 4. Rescuers own safety must, at times, be placed in hands of others

15 Rescuers Continued 5. Must posses self-rescue, rowing and river running knowledge (in order to react effectively in a boat) 6. May, at times handle lines during approach. Must have knowledge of rigging and lines systems 7. Year round responsibilities include care of personal equipment and increased medical knowledge regarding river accidents

16 Makes actual contact with victim Makes actual contact with victim Decides best way to retrieve victim into boat Decides best way to retrieve victim into boat Concentrates on victim’s condition, also safest approach and exit from rescue scene Concentrates on victim’s condition, also safest approach and exit from rescue scene Primary Rescuer

17 Secondary Rescuer Responsible for safety of primary rescuer and primary boat operator Responsible for safety of primary rescuer and primary boat operator Assembles necessary equipment for rescue operations Assembles necessary equipment for rescue operations Remains ready for deployment during rescue effort Remains ready for deployment during rescue effort

18 Rescue Team Member Duties: Victim Contact Victim Contact Makes initial contact with victim and maintains it Initiates self and/or shore based rescue attempts (PFD’s, throw bags, reach poles) As rescue progresses, moves downstream from victim but above hazard to aid if victim washes downstream

19 Rescue Team Member Duties: Boat Operators Boat Operators Primary boat operator Primary boat operator Secondary boat operator Secondary boat operator  Duties & Skills 1. Equipment deployment to water’s edge 2. Assemble and make ready equipment in case it is needed 3. Operate boats if needed during the rescue

20 Boat Operators Continued 4. Must have highly developed river reading skills 5. Must have highly developed motoring, rowing, and self rescue skills 6. They care and maintain boats, motors, trailers and rescue equipment year round

21 Primary Boat Operator Responsible for pre-launch, launch, and in-water operation of boat and related equipment Responsible for pre-launch, launch, and in-water operation of boat and related equipment Navigates to and approaches victim(s) as guided by the primary rescuer Navigates to and approaches victim(s) as guided by the primary rescuer

22 Secondary Boat Operator Responsible for pre-launch, Launch, and operation of boat and related equipment Responsible for pre-launch, Launch, and operation of boat and related equipment Readies back-up watercraft for safety of rescuers in primary boat Readies back-up watercraft for safety of rescuers in primary boat Remains ready for immediate deployment throughout rescue and wrap-up Remains ready for immediate deployment throughout rescue and wrap-up

23 Primary Boat OperatorPrimary Rescuer

24 Secondary Boat Operator Secondary Rescuer

25 Rescue Team Member Duties: Safety Officer: Responsible for the safety of all personnel and rescue efforts during the incident Responsible for the safety of all personnel and rescue efforts during the incident Reports to Task Force Leader Reports to Task Force Leader

26 Rescue Team Member Duties: Downstream Back-up: Responsible for safety of shore based personnel as back-up Responsible for safety of shore based personnel as back-up Assembles equipment for shore based rescues Assembles equipment for shore based rescues Searches downstream for any additional victims Searches downstream for any additional victims

27 Rescue Team Member Duties: Upstream Spotter: Positions upstream to locate moving hazards. Positions upstream to locate moving hazards. Contacts command in advance of hazard to warn rescuers. Contacts command in advance of hazard to warn rescuers. Searches for additional victims upstream Searches for additional victims upstream

28 Selecting Team Members Consider: Consider: 1. Present physical condition of team members 2. Attitude toward river rescue and comfort level 3. Skill and ability  Assign according to abilities and reassign as skill develops * Cross train all team members!