Chapter 16

Chapter 16

The ISO at Technical Rescue Incidents

Objectives

• List several regulations that outline response requirements for tech-rescue incidents

• Name the incidents that require or benefit from the assignment of an ASO-RT

• Describe the IMS organizational relationship of an ASO-RT at tech-rescue incidents

Objectives (con’t.)

• List the two rehab issues that require special attention at tech rescue incidents and describe the “on-deck” system for crew rotation

• Name the four ways to classify a building collapse

• List five hazards associated with industrial entrapments


• Define “LCES” and how it can be used at a cave-in incident

• List six hazards associated with water rescues

• List five hazards associated with high-angle rescues


• Name five circumstances where a duty ISO should implement a discretionary response to motor vehicle accidents and diagram a strategic approach to protect rescuers at roadway incidents

• Discuss the potential hazards and problems that may have an impact on a railway incident and an aircraft incident

Introduction• Tech-rescue incidents: many categories

and sub-categories– Fire department is called upon to find a positive

solution regardless of rescue type or training– Mandatory ISO assignment for confined space,

trench, and hazmat incidents– ISO should be familiar with tech-rescue CFRs– If ISO does not have required competencies

(NFPA 1670), an ASO-RT should be appointed

Introduction (con’t.)• Assistant safety officer - rescue tech (ASO-

RT)– Meets or exceeds NFPA 1670 requirements– Trained in ISO responsibilities as they relate to

specific rescue incident– Fulfills safety functions for technician-level

components– Works with ISO, rescue branch directors, and

technical specialists

Figure 16-1 The ASO-RT actually works with three or more persons.

ISO General Duties at the Tech-Rescue Incident

• Gain a strong sense of the situation status (sitstat) – Victim location and predicament– Rescue likelihood– Integrity of surrounding environment

• Understand committed resources (restat)• After sitstat and restat

– Take position at command post and rove occasionally

Monitoring Issues at Tech-Rescue Incidents

• Risk– Evaluate rescue profile of victims

• Onlookers may jump in when effort switches to recovery mode

• Operational effectiveness– ASO-RT evaluates technician operations– Other ASOs evaluate support activities– Constantly evolving and shifting efforts require

reevaluation

Personal Safety System Issues at Tech-Rescue Incidents

• Accountability systems– Potential for freelancing and self-deployment

• Firefighters rush to save victims• ISO/ASO-RT should address issue when risks

outweigh benefits

– Track assigned resources following established procedures

Personal Safety System Issues (con’t.)

• Control zones– Differences between IDLH, no-entry, and

support zones may be measured in inches– ASO-RT can establish, relay, and monitor the

delineation of zones– ISO should verify appropriate level of PPE in

each zone based on worst-case scenario• ASO-RT may monitor compliance


• Radio Transmissions– Tech-rescues may require constant

communication/instructions• Use small talk-around radios to free up tactical

channels: monitored by ASO-RT• May also use backup communication systems: hand

signals, message boards, tag-line signals• Create cheat sheet so responders do not miss

important signals


• Rehab– May span hours or days– Do not allow rehab decisions to be based on

perceived comfort– Practice on-deck system

• One working team is replaced by another working team that is dialed in and ready to replace them

– Energy replacement • Use efficient fueling strategies (see Chapter 10)

Defining Other Needs at Tech-Rescue Incidents

• Traffic– Congestion due to media coverage

• Firefighters may become distracted: use soft intervention

– Safety hazards associated with railways, air traffic, and waterways

• Maintain travel corridor for incident purposes • Ensure air landing zone is separated from rescue

location and crowds (ASO function)

Defining Other Needs (con’t.)

• Need for ISO assistance– ASO-RT– One or more ASOs– Technical specialists– Risk managers– Process experts– Consultants for planning functions– May need critical incident stress management

procedures

Considerations at Specific Tech-Rescue Incidents

• Tech-rescue incidents are classified into categories that may have guiding documents– Be aware of guiding documents– Front-load: peruse document content– Retrieve critical information at incident as

necessary

Figure 16-2 A sample of technical rescue categories and their associated documents.

Considerations at Specific Tech-Rescue Incidents (con’t.)

• Building collapse– Basic/surface collapse

• Victims easily accessible• Minimal loads

– Light collapse• Light-frame (wood partition)• Common fire department can be used for search

and extrication• Secondary collapse can be mitigated easily


• Building collapse (con’t.)– Moderate collapse

• Masonry, heavy wood, open spaces• Significant void space concerns; secondary collapse• Victim rescue may involve heavy-load equipment

– Heavy collapse • Stressed or reinforced concrete; steel girders• Requires USAR team response; heavy equipment• Significant secondary collapse; threats to other

structures


• Building collapse (con’t.)– ASO-RT should be appointed for moderate and

heavy collapses– Additional ASOs may be required to address

collapse hazards– Hazards

• Falling/loose debris• Instability• Secondary collapse


• Building collapse (con’t.)– Hazards (con’t.)

• Poor air quality/dust• Unsecured hazardous energy• Weather exposure• Blood-borne pathogens• Difficult access/escape options• Sharp or rugged debris• Poor footing


• Building collapse (con’t.)– Technical assistance

• Respiratory specialist, public health specialist, HSO

– Air monitoring• Four-gas monitors, natural and propane gas

detectors

– Improvisation monitoring• Evaluate to identify when responders are pushing

the envelope


• Industrial entrapment– Hazards

• Heavy machinery• Complicated access• Unsecured hazardous energy• Hazmat• Noise• Interfaces and/or automated systems• Security system impediment• Megasized equipment


• Industrial entrapment (con’t.)– Hazards (con’t.)

• Pinch hazards• Equipment congestion• Exotic materials• Material stockpiling

– ISO should double-check lockout/tag-out measures

– Watch for load stress and snaps/springs


• Cave-ins– Include trench collapses, earthen slides,

avalanches, and material entrapments– Hazards

• Shifting/unstable material• Hidden infrastructure• Oxygen deficiency• Weather exposure• Difficult slope or grade


• Cave-ins (con’t.)– Hazards (con’t.)

• Poor footing• Sink potential• Secondary collapse• Crush potential

– ISO develops site safety plan, emergency procedures, and safety briefings

• Use LCES approach for safety briefings


• Cave-ins (con’t.)– LCES

• Lookouts: ASOs, soil engineers, briefed support personnel

• Communications: visual, voice, “all-evac” signal, IAP • Escape routes: escape ladders, boarded footpaths,

technician-level assistance for tethered rescue• Safe zones: separate shore or refuse area using

natural and structural barriers


• Cave-ins (con’t.)– Other unique hazards

• Exhaust fume accumulation• Ground vibration• Specialized hydrovac equipment• Gravity

Figure 16-4 A trench rescue operation requires that all necessary safety equipment and precautions be in place prior to rescuers entering the trench.


• Water rescues– Include swift water, lake, oceanic, flood, and ice

situations– Hazards

• Swift/hidden currents• Low-head dams• Submerged entrapment hazards• Floating debris• Electrocution


• Water rescues (con’t.)– Hazards (con’t.)

• Hypothermia• Reduced visibility• Fragile and/or shifting ice• Marine life• Frightened animals• Distance to solid ground• Crushing wave forces, undertows, or riptides


• Water rescues (con’t.)– ISO concerns

• Protection from elements• Appropriate PPE• Rapid rescue intervention• Overtaxed resources, particularly in flood incidents• Health hazards from flooding

– ISOs can seek assistance from: • Dive-rescue certified responders, public health and

environment professionals


• High-angle rescues– Amazingly challenging and daring– Hazards

• Limited access• Dizzying heights• Limited escape routes• Slip/fall hazards• Lightning/wind• Limited anchor options


• High-angle rescues (con’t.)– Hazards (con’t.)

• Electrocution• Heights beyond equipment capabilities• Use of helicopters• Equipment failure• Falling debris• Dropped equipment


• High-angle rescues (con’t.)– ISO concerns

• Are rescuers training and willing to engage?• Firefighter fear and stress• Proper anchor and rigging: ASO-RT monitoring• Prehydration and energy intake• Unsuspecting hazards: be their wingman• Nighttime operations: use of artificial light• Crowds and media

Figure 16-6 Thrill seekers and maintenance personnel injured or trapped in elevated places can present challenging rescues for fire departments.


• Confined spaces– Mandatory (29 CFR 1910.146)

• ISO/ASO-RT• Site safety/emergency plan• Safety briefings

– Hazards• Limited access/escape options• Toxic/flammable atmospheres


• Confined spaces (con’t.)– Hazards (con’t.)

• Oxygen deficiency• Hazardous energy• Communication difficulties• Collapse• Cramped quarters, limited mobility• Distance that exceeds airlines, ropes, etc.• Rust and mold, residues


• Roadway/transportation incidents– ISO should consider discretionary response to

MVA when warranted• Multiple vehicles involved• Long response time• Involvement hazardous energy• Extreme weather• Involvement of buses, hazmat, high-angle, etc.


• Roadway/transportation incidents (con’t.)– Hazards

• Other traffic and congestion• Threat of nearby/secondary crash• Limited access or escape options• Hazmat/munitions• Fuels ignition/alternative fuels• Damaged infrastructure


• Roadway/transportation incidents (con’t.)– Hazards (con’t.)

• Hazardous energy• Heavy entanglement• Weather exposure• Instability• Vehicle hazards (see Chapter 9)• Bloodborne pathogens


• Roadway incidents– Number one safety consideration: threat of

being hit by other traffic– ISO tactics

• Traffic barriers: absorb impact of secondary crash• Work zones: created by barrier• Traffic-calming strategies: slow down approaching

traffic with cones, spotters, lights, signs, etc.• Minimize use of white lights/strobes at night

Figure 16-7 The number one safety consideration at roadway incidents is the threat of being hit by other traffic.

Figure 16-8 The first-arriving large apparatus should be positioned to create a traffic barrier and work zone. Cones and a spotter/flagger can help with “traffic

calming.”


• Railway/subway incidents– Expect the worse

• Confined space, hazmat, industrial entrapment, and structural collapse incident rolled into one

– Rely on ASOs to monitor rescuers– Follow tactics from relevant preceding sections


• Aircraft incidents– Classification dependent on:

• Size of aircraft• Size/type of building that was hit

– Establish rescue profile• Recovery profile indicates risk-reduction strategies• Minimize destruction of potential evidence


• Aircraft incidents (con’t.)– Concerns at catastrophic crashes

• Bloodborne pathogens• Jet fuel vapors• Burnt plastics• Composite metal dusts

– Do not be quick to allow responders to doff SCBA during aircraft incident operations

Summary

• ISOs have significant issues at tech-rescue incidents– Firefighters’ “can do” attitude can lead to traps– Several regulations require:

• Coordination with ASO-RT• Safety plan and safety briefings

– Rescue/recovery profile and risk reduction– Rehab

• Energy replacement and mental breaks

Summary (con’t.)• Classifications of tech-rescue incidents

– Collapse– Industrial entrapment– Confined space– Roadway/transportation: numerous types and

challenges– Water– High-angle

Summary (con’t.)• Each tech-rescue classification presents

unique hazards

• LCES: helps ISO develop meaningful safety briefings for most tech-rescue incidents – Lookouts– Communications– Escape routes– Safe zones

Chapter 16

Health & Medicine

Transcript of Chapter 16