2. Objectives
To provide an overview of the Inland Water Rescue and Emergencies Manual
ICS considerations
Incident simulations

3. Preface Increased frequency of water rescue emergencies.
Firefighters are four times more likely to die in a water-related incident.
Low frequency, high-risk events.
Everyone on scene needs to have an increased situational awareness.
NFA study shows firefighters are four times more likely to die in a water-related incident.
Ref page 4 section preface

4. WHY DO RESCUERS DROWN? 4

5. Rescuers Drown Reasons: Inadequate training Lack of equipment
Insufficient backup
Underestimate cold water
Underestimate the power of moving water 5

6. FIRE FIGHTER FATALITIES RANKED BY CAUSE (1995 – 2004)
441
320
Drowning - 6th 23 22 14 13 95 48
Source – NFPA – Dr. Rita Fahy

7. Overview
Establish standards and operational guidelines for the Northern Virginia region.
Developed as a reference guide for inland water and ice related incidents.
Redundancy in the manual.
NFPA standard references
1006 Standard for technical rescuer professional qualifications.
1670 Standard on operations and training for technical search and rescue incident.
Ref page 4, 5 overview

8. NFPA 1670 National Fire Protection Association
Established guidelines identify minimum knowledge and skills rescue personnel should have.
Three levels:
Awareness
Operations
Technician
NFPA 1670 – Chapter 7

9. Awareness Level Minimum capability First on the scene
Hazard recognition
Rescue vs. recovery
Personal protection (you and others)
Call for specialized resources
Gather data
Generally not considered rescuers
Ref page 50-52, appendix
Awareness level training exceeds NFPA 1670 standard. Section 9.2

10. Operations Level Hazard recognition Self survival Equipment Use
Participate in a technical rescue incident
Supervised by technician level personnel
Ref page 50-52, appendix
Operations level training exceeds NFPA 1670 standard. Section 9.3

11. Technician Level Advisor to command as a technical specialist.
Self survival.
Equipment use and rope operations.
Coordinate, perform, and supervise a technical rescue incident.
Ref page 50-52, appendix

12. Types of Water Emergencies
Single victim
Multiple victims
Entrapments
Vehicle
House
Natural
Recreational
Boating Accidents
Swimming 12

13. Terminology
Water rescue carries with it a unique set of terms that firefighters should know and understand.
Hydrology / terminology is covered in the manual.
Ref page Appendix A

14. Types of Water Environments
Flat water – Static, does not travel in a specific direction.
Flood water – non predictable where water is not normally present.
Swift water – Dynamic, fast moving with hydraulic features.
Ice rescue – may occur in any types listed above.
Pg 6

15. General categories of hazards in water
Location
Natural
Man Made
Characteristics
Dynamic
Static 15

16. Undercut beneath vehicle
Strainer
Strainer - objects that allow water to pass through, but are generally too small for a person to fit through.
Pillow on tires
Strainer
Strainer
Undercut beneath vehicle

17. Water Hazards Natural Swift water
Poor visibility – night, fog, rain etc…
Undercuts (rocks and banks)
Shore line conditions
The listed potential water emergency situations have additional hazards that first responders must recognize. These Hazards can be broken down into two general categories. Natural and manmade hazards.
Ref page 6 17

18. Water Hazards Cont. Natural Cold water Ice Water depth Strainers
Weather
Ref page 6 18

19. Water Hazards Cont. Man Made Intake pipes Man hole covers
Low head dams
Roads and bridges
Pollution
RE page 6 19

20. Water Hazards Cont. Man Made Utility hazards Culverts/storm drains
Vehicles
Fences – barbed wire
Jersey barriers and guard rails
Ref page 7 20

21. Hazards
Fire apparatus should never be in the water!

22. Forces of Water
Hydrology, when the speed of water flow is doubled, the force on any object is quadrupled.
MPH – miles per hour PSF – pounds per square foot

23. River Directions Downstream – direction the water is flowing.
Upstream – where it’s coming from.
River Left – facing down stream.
River Right - facing down stream.
Downstream
River Left
River Right
Ref page 45
Communication terms / radio ect
Upstream 23

24. Managing the Incident until specialized resources arrive
Prompt action by rescue personnel first on the scene is critical. As a first responder you need to first ensure your personal safety. Then activate the Emergency Response System , communicate with the victim, use shore based rescue techniques, and gathering data. This will ensure that responding water rescue teams are going to be more prepared to deal with the emergency. 24

25. Consideration needs to be taken to ensure actions/decisions are based on good judgment, experience and training… NOT COMPASSION.

26. On-Scene Report
The initial report on arrival to an water/ice rescue incident should include the following at a minimum:
Confirmation of incident location.
Confirmation of incident dispatch information.
Staging location for incoming resources.
Establish and or transfer command.
Control access to the scene.
Time of exposure for victim if possible.
PG 15-17

27. First on Scene Ensure personal and team safety!!
Secure area and deny access!
ESTABLISH COMMAND!
Leave room for incoming rescue equipment.
Wear appropriate protective clothing – don personal flotation device (PFD within 10’ of water).
No structural fire fighting gear within 10’ of the water!
Gather and relay information to incoming units.
Control bystanders.
Utilize judgment and experience, not compassion. 27

28. First on Scene Cont. Communicate with individual
Whistle/hand signals/bull horn/lights/P.A.
Keep individual calm.
Do they have a cell phone?
KEEP INDIVIDUAL FROM ENTERING THE WATER. 28

29. First on Scene Cont. Establish zones / safe areas
Hot – In or over water (IDLH) (PFD required)
Technicians
Warm – Within 10’ waters edge (PFD required)
Operations
Cold – Greater than 10’ away
Awareness Level
Pg 16 – ZONES Pg 22, 28, 36 – Aerial devices over the water in included in the HOT zone 29

30. First on Scene Cont. Monitor water level
Place an object at shore line.
Pick point on a fixed object (vehicle wheel).
Consider shore-based rescue techniques based on your training and PPE.
Reaching and throwing techniques.
Never have a victim leave a safe location without a PFD. 30

31. Initial Command On-scene report
Effective size up and risk/benefit analysis
Provide situation report
Retention or transfer of Command
Assessment and request of additional resources
Effective tracking of tactical assignments, units & personnel
Prepare for transition of command 31

32. IAP – Gather Info. Nature of the emergency
Brief description of what you observe
Number of individuals
Point Last Scene (PLS)/Last Known Point (LKP)
Time in IDLH environment
Vehicle info from Law Enforcement
Contact number
Victim info 32

33. IAP – Gather Info. Cont. Exact location Address/Road
Direction/side/location relative to intersection
River/lake/access/name
Shore (river right or left)
Distance from a known point
GPS location 33

34. IAP – Gather Info. Cont. Scene hazards Known – visible
Unknown – potential
Rising water
Hazmat/pollution
Utilities (electrical/gas) 34

35. Rescue vs. Recovery Risk/Benefit analysis.
Training / experience of personnel!
Assess victim(s) physical and mental status.
Victim viability.
Hazards and environmental factors.
On scene resources.

36. Situation Report Vehicle/person in water.
Confirmation of victim if possible.
Number of victims in the water.
Is the water moving / flowing.
Possible access for units / boats.
Access points down stream.
Conditions, actions, needs.
Establish operational zone if possible.

37. Transition of Command to Chief Officer
Upon the arrival of the dispatched command officer (usually a Battalion Chief), the following actions should be addressed.
Assessment of a suitable location to set up an incident command post.
Obtain the following information from the original Incident Commander.
What was the situation?
What is the current situation?
What are the strategy and tactics?
What units are committed and where?
What units are available?
Any obvious safety concerns?

38. Locating Victim(s) Drives the strategy and tactics.
This is the predominant decision-making information for the water rescue teams.
Accurate and precise location.
communicated to all personnel as quickly as possible so the Incident Action Plan (IAP) can begin to be developed.

39. Locating Victim(s). Cont.
Observation or witness interviews
Point and time possible victims were last seen
Number of victims
Age, race, and sex of victims or approximate size
Clothing
Type of shoes (footprints)
Ability to swim
State of health
Medications
PFD or other floatation device

40. Demobilization of Water Events
Incident does not cause re-dispatch at a later time.
Four feet of fire line tape on vehicle already searched.
Deter traffic from attempting to cross the water on both sides. Using law enforcement or DOT.

41. Staffing Required Spotters and safety (three personnel).
Incident safety (one person).
Team leader (one person).
Incident commander (one person).
Entry team (three personnel).
RIT (three personnel).
Shoreline support and rope technicians (four personnel).
Are these consistent with ICS designations? Already there is a conflict with the earlier section (RIT boat versus RIT team.)

42. Recourses Considerations Flat, Swift, Ice
Safety Officer with technical competency
Rope operations
Helicopter
Boat Deployment
Truck / Tower capabilities
Dive Team – Flat Water and Ice Rescue
Appropriate PPE for the Incident
NFPA

43. Additional Resources Appendix A – Definitions pg. 37
Appendix B – Training Levels pg.46
Appendix C – Equipment Recommendations pg. 49
Appendix D – Communications pg. 54
Appendix E – Incident Command Board pg. 56
Appendix F – Incident Command Checklist pg. 57
Appendix G – Pre-Plan Example pg. 58
Appendix H – Check Sheet Examples pg. 66

44. Summary
This presentation is an overview of the NOVA Inland Water Rescue and Emergencies manual. This is not intended to teach water rescue techniques or replace reading the manual.
Review the manual for general knowledge and obtain further training through special operations.