26

Assisting Special Rescue Teams

2

Objectives (1 of 3)

• Define the types of special rescues encountered by fire fighters.

• Describe the steps of a special rescue.• Describe the general procedures at a

special rescue scene. • Describe how to safely approach and

assist at a vehicle or machinery rescue incident.

26

3

Objectives (2 of 3)

• Describe how to safely approach and assist at a confined space rescue incident.

• Describe how to safely approach and assist at a rope rescue incident.

• Describe how to safely approach and assist at a trench and excavation rescue incident.

• Describe how to safely approach and assist at a structural collapse rescue incident.

26

4

Objectives (3 of 3)

• Describe how to safely approach and assist at a water or ice rescue incident.

• Describe how to safely approach and assist at a wilderness search and rescue incident.

• Describe how to safely approach and assist at a hazardous materials rescue incident.

• Describe how to safely approach and assist at an elevator or escalator rescue.

26

5

Introduction (1 of 3)

• Fire departments have taken on added roles as the number of fires and amount of loss from fire have decreased.– Emergency medical services– Hazardous materials response– Technical rescue incident (TRI) responses

• Fire departments are seen as agencies that handle all types of emergencies.

26

6

Introduction (2 of 3)

• A technical rescue incident (TRI) involves:– Vehicles or machinery– Water or ice– Rope techniques– Trench, excavation, or structural collapse– Confined spaces or hazardous materials– Wilderness search and rescue

26

7

Introduction (3 of 3)

• Training in technical rescue incidents is conducted at three levels:– Awareness– Operations– Technician

26

8

Types of Rescues (1 of 2)

• Fire departments respond to a variety of special rescue situations:– Confined space rescue– Rope rescue– Trench and excavation rescue– Structural collapse rescue– Water and ice rescue– Wilderness rescue– Hazardous materials incidents

26

9

Types of Rescues (2 of 2)

• It is important for awareness-level responders to have an understanding of special rescues.

• A formal course is required to gain proficiency in handling special rescue situations.

26

10

Guidelines for Operations

• When assisting rescue team members, follow five guidelines:– Be safe.– Follow orders.– Work as a team.– Think.– Follow the Golden Rule of public service.

26

11

Be Safe

• Look for hidden hazards.

• Have the knowledge and training to recognize a situation as hazardous.

• Determine the necessary actions to ensure safety of yourself, your team members, victims of the incident, and bystanders.

26

12

Follow Orders

• Grasping paramilitary attitudes will facilitate understanding of the command and control aspect of fire departments.

26

13

Work as a Team

• Team members must work together to complete the goal of fire suppression.

• Rescue is a different goal but requires the same team effort.

• Your role in the team rescue effort is essential.

26

14

Think

• Constantly assess and reassess the scene.

• Observations a fire fighter should bring to a superior officer’s attention include:– Changing weather conditions– Suspicious packages or other items at the

scene– Broken equipment

26

15

Follow the Golden Rule of Public Service

• Remember that the victim needs your emotional support and encouragement.

• It is helpful to tell the victim what actions will be performed during the rescue process.

26

16

F-A-I-L-U-R-E

• Reasons for rescue FAILURE:– Failure to understand the environment– Additional medical problems not considered– Inadequate rescue skills– Lack of teamwork or experience– Underestimating logistics of the incident– Rescue versus recovery mode not considered– Equipment not mastered

26

17

Steps of Special Rescue

– Preparation– Response– Arrival and size-up– Stabilization– Access– Disentanglement

– Removal– Transport– Security of the scene

and preparation for the next call

– Postincident analysis

Ten steps of special rescue sequence:

26

18

Preparation

• Know the terminology used in the field.• Know the hazards in your response area.• Before responding to a TRI call, a department

must address:– Whether it is equipped to do so – Whether it meets NFPA and OSHA standards for

TRI calls – How it will respond

26

19

Response (1 of 2)

• A TRI should have a dispatch protocol.• Agency with own TRI team: Responds

with rescue squad, medic unit, engine company and chief.

• Agency without TRI team: Responds with EMS unit, engine company, and chief, with rescue squad from outside agency.

26

20

Response (2 of 2)

• Many technical rescues involve factors, such as electricity or sewer pipes, that may require heavy equipment to which utility companies have ready access.

• Often necessary during a TRI to notify power or utility companies for possible assistance.

26

21

Arrival and Size-Up (1 of 2)

• Immediately upon arrival, the first company officer assumes command.

• A rapid, accurate size-up is needed to avoid placing rescuers in danger and to determine what other resources are needed.

• When responding to a worksite or industrial facility, the officer contacts the responsible party (RP).

26

22

Arrival and Size-Up (2 of 2)

• The most important part of any rescue is identification of hazards and the decision of recovery versus rescue.

• Do NOT rush into the incident. – Stop and think about possible dangers. – Do not make yourself part of the problem.

26

23

Stabilization (1 of 5)

• Once resources are on the way and the scene is safe to enter:– An outer perimeter is established to keep

out media and the public (cold zone).– A smaller perimeter is set up around the

rescue (warm and hot zones).

• Rescue area surrounds the incident site– Its size is proportional to the hazards that

exist.

26

24

Stabilization (2 of 5)

• Zones should be established by identifying and evaluating hazards at the scene:– Observe the geographical area.– Note the routes of access and exit.– Observe weather and wind conditions.– Consider evacuation problems and

transport distances.

26

25

Stabilization (3 of 5)

• Hot zone– For entry teams and rescue teams only;

immediately surrounds the danger.

• Warm zone: – For properly trained and equipped personnel;

where decontamination and hot zone support take place.

• Cold zone: – For staging vehicles and equipment; contains the

command post; public and media kept clear at all times.

26

26

Stabilization (4 of 5)

• Lockout/tagout systems should be used to secure a safe environment.

26

27

Stabilization (5 of 5)

• Lockout/tagout– Ensures that electricity has been shut

down and electrical switches are “locked” so they cannot be switched on

• Atmospheric monitoring should also be started to identify situations immediately dangerous to life and health (IDLH) of rescuers and victims.

26

28

Access

• Communicate with victim at all times during rescue.

• Initiate emergency medical care as soon as access is made to the victim.

26

29

Disentanglement

• Free victim as safely as possible.

• A team member should remain with the victim to direct rescuers during disentanglement.

26

30

Removal

• Once victim is disentangled, efforts should be redirected to removal.

• Prepare the victim for removal by packaging the victim.

• Consider rapid extrication.

• Maintain safety throughout removal.

26

31

Transport

• Remove victim from hazard area.

• Transport to proper medical facility.

26

32

Postincident Duties

• Secure the scene and prepare for next call.

• Repair or replace equipment.

• Perform a postincident analysis.

26

33

General Rescue Scene Procedures

• Safety to you, your company, and the public is paramount.

• Evaluate situation before approaching victim or accident area.

• Consider hazards– Utilities– Hazardous materials– Confined spaces– Environmental conditions

26

34

Approaching the Scene (1 of 3)

• Compile facts and factors about the call.

• Gain size-up information.

• Information is important to overall success of the rescue operation.

26

35

Approaching the Scene (2 of 3)

• Information received in an emergency call should include:– Location of incident– Nature of incident (kinds and number of vehicles)– Condition and position of victims– Number of people trapped or injured, and types of

injuries– Any specific or special hazard information– Name of person calling and number where he or

she can be reached

26

36

Approaching the Scene (3 of 3)

• Identify and correct life-threatening hazards.• A size-up should include:

– Scope and magnitude of the incident– Risk and benefit analysis– Number of known and potential victims– Hazards– Access to the scene– Environmental factors– Available and necessary resources– Establishment of control perimeter

26

37

Utility Hazards (1 of 3)

• IC should ensure proper procedures have been taken to shut off utilities.

26

38

Utility Hazards (2 of 3)

• For electrical hazards:– Park at least one truck span away.– Watch for falling utility poles; a damaged pole may

bring other poles down with it.– Do not touch any wires, power lines, or other

electrical sources until they have been deactivated by a power company representative.

– It is not just the wires that are hazardous; any metal that they touch is also energized.

26

39

Utility Hazards (3 of 3)

• Both natural gas and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) are nontoxic but classified as asphyxiants.– They displace breathing air.– Both are explosive.– If a call involves leaking gas, call the gas

company.– Take appropriate measures if a victim has

been overcome by leaking gas.

26

40

Scene Security

• Coworkers, family members, and sometimes other rescuers will enter an unsafe scene and become additional victims.

• IC should coordinate with law enforcement to secure and control the scene.

• Maintain a strict accountability system to control access to the rescue scene.

26

41

Protective Equipment

• Firefighting gear restricts movement.

• Most specialist teams carry harnesses, small, light helmets, and jumpsuits that are easier to move in.

26

42

Incident Management System (IMS)

• First arriving officer assumes command and uses the IMS

26

43

Accountability

• Practiced at all emergencies

• Ensures safety

• Tracks personnel on scene– Identities– Assignment– Location

26

44

Making Victim Contact (1 of 4)

• Attempt communications with victim.

• Reassure victim of his or her safety.

26

45

Making Victim Contact (2 of 4)

• To help keep a victim calm:– Make and keep eye contact with the victim.– Tell the truth.– Communicate at a level he or she can

understand.– Be aware of your own body language.– Always speak slowly, clearly, and distinctly.

26

46

Making Victim Contact (3 of 4)

• To help keep a victim calm (cont.):– Use a victim’s proper name. – Speak clearly and directly at victim.– Allow time for victim to respond to your

questions.– Try to make the victim comfortable and

relaxed.

26

47

Making Victim Contact (4 of 4)

• Many victims require medical care.– Medical care should only be given if it can

be done so safely.– Do not become a victim during a rescue

attempt.

26

48

Assisting Rescue Crews

• Train with rescue teams.

• Three factors of safety apply to all scenes:– Approach cautiously.– Position apparatus properly.– Assist specialized team members as

needed.

26

49

Vehicles and Machinery (1 of 2)

• Motor vehicle crashes are common incidents.

• Safely approach vehicle.

• Present a wide variety of hazards to rescuers and victims

• Maintain safety of incident.

26

50

Vehicles and Machinery (2 of 2)

• You may have to assist with extrication and treatment of victims.

• Protect victims when operating equipment around them.

• You may be asked to do many other tasks.

• Many tools are required for a successful vehicle or machinery rescue situation.

26

51

Confined Space (1 of 3)

• Confined space: – Location surrounded by a structure that is not

designed for people to occupy

• May be oxygen deficient or contain poisonous gases

• Gather information from a bystander.• Always assume IDLH atmosphere at any

confined space call.• Confined space rescues take time.

26

52

Confined Space (2 of 3)

• Your role is to secure the scene.

• Share information with other arriving companies.– Complete a size-up upon arrival.– Observe conditions.– Note items of importance.

26

53

Confined Space (3 of 3)

• Supplied air breathing apparatus system is a key component in a confined space rescue.

• Many tools are used in confined space rescue.

26

54

Rope Rescue

• Rope rescue skills may be used.

• Divided into two categories.– Low-angle operations– High-angle operations

26

55

• Occurs when earth has been removed and sides collapse.

• Safety is of paramount importance.

• Being near edge can cause further collapsing of sides.

26

Trench and Excavation Collapse (1 of 2)

56

Trench and Excavation Collapse (2 of 2)

• Soil is removed from excavation and placed in a pile is called the spoil pile.– Very unstable

• Attempt to make contact with victims.• Look for evidence of location of victims.• Various tasks may be assigned to you

and your company during the rescue.• Many different tools will be used.

26

57

Structural Collapse (1 of 3)

• Structural collapse: Sudden and unplanned fall of part or all of a building.– Collapse can occur for numerous reasons.– Consider building construction.– Dynamics of building change.– Fire fighters should always be alert of

building collapse.– In a partial collapse be aware of secondary

collapse.

26

58

Structural Collapse (2 of 3)

• Be aware of safety when approaching.– Consider shutting off utilities to structure.– IC makes decision regarding whether a

building is safe to enter.

26

59

Structural Collapse (3 of 3)

• Rescue operations vary due to size of structure and amount of damage.

• Many tools are used during a building collapse incident.

26

60

Water and Ice Rescue (1 of 2)

• Almost all fire departments have the potential to be called to perform a water rescue.

• Safety is key when dealing with a water rescue.– Turnout gear is not designed for water rescue.– Use gear designed for water rescue.– If you are within ten feet of water, wear a PFD.

26

61

Water and Ice Rescue (2 of 2)

• Attempt communication with victims.

• Ice rescues are common in colder climates.

• There are many ways to assist in a water or ice rescue.

• Be familiar with the tools used for water and ice rescues.

26

62

Wilderness Search and Rescue (1 of 2)

• Wilderness search and rescue (SAR) is conducted by a limited number of fire departments.

• Two categories consist of:– Search– Rescue

• Wilderness can include many varied environments.

26

63

Wilderness Search and Rescue (2 of 2)

• There are many opportunities to assist with SAR.

• Always work in teams of two or more

• Tools used for SAR are often tools used with other rescue situations.

26

64

Hazardous Materials Incidents (1 of 3)

• Hazardous materials: Any material or substance that poses a significant risk to the health and safety of persons or to the environment if it is not properly handled.

• Often involve petroleum products• Many retail businesses contain hazardous

materials.• Can be used in domestic terrorism

26

65

Hazardous Materials Incidents (2 of 3)

• Fire departments are trained to recognize incidents.

• Safety is paramount when dealing with a hazardous materials incident.

• Important to recognize presence of hazardous materials

26

66

Hazardous Materials Incidents (3 of 3)

• You must have proper training in order to assist with a hazardous materials incident.

• Hazardous materials incidents require the use of many tools.

26

67

Elevator Rescue (1 of 2)

• Elevator emergencies are increasing in frequency.

• Never attempt to move or relocate an elevator.

26

68

Elevator Rescue (2 of 2)

• When responding to elevator incidents consider the following:– Always cut the power to a malfunctioning elevator.– Perform incident risk management and

assessment.– Are there enough resources to perform rescue and

extrication in a safe manner?– Once the incident has been resolved, leave the

power supply off.

26

69

Escalator Rescue (1 of 2)

• Escalator emergencies can be challenging and complex.– Never attempt to move an escalator under

any circumstances.– Good incident risk management and risk

assessment skills are crucial with this type of incident.

26

70

Escalator Rescue (2 of 2)

• Responders to escalator incidents should consider these recommendations:– The escalator machinery must be stopped.– Are personnel completely trained for this type of

incident?– The best action may be no action, until a trained

professional arrives on the scene to apply special expertise.

– Leave the power supply to the escalator turned off after the escalator incident has been resolved.

26

71

Summary (1 of 2)

• Fire fighters must know the steps to safely approach and stabilize an incident before specialty rescue personnel arrive.

• Follow the five guidelines: be safe, follow orders, work as a team, think, and follow the golden rule of public service.

26

72

Summary (2 of 2)

• When making decisions about approaching dangerous scenes, responder safety must take top priority.

• Responders need personnel protective equipment that is appropriate to the type of rescue, and they must operate within the IMS.

26