Policy: 06-01-01
Response to Ice and Water Emergencies in the Jurisdiction of the SJRFD

Issued By:

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Purpose
To establish guidelines, providing for a rapid response to ice and cold water rescue.


Background
This operational guideline will allow for consistency with Departmental procedures and the safety of all personnel attending the scene. Only water rescue personnel trained to the technician level are permitted on the ice or in the water for a rescue attempt. All Rescue Technicians must wear a dry suit, Personal Flotation Device (PFD), safety belt, helmet and be tethered to shore or to a rescue board at all times. Rescue Technicians shall not enter the water unless there is a RIT (Rapid Intervention Team) including one (1) Rescue Technician and one (1) Rope Tender, in place and ready to go. All “Out of Water” personnel (awareness/operations) involved in shore support activities must wear Floater Suits or Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs). Personnel wearing firefighting bunker gear and acting as Shore line Tenders, or operating at the awareness/operations level, shall have a PFD on, BUT are not permitted on the ice or in the water under any circumstances.


Policy Statement
When responding to an ice or water rescue incident, the following procedures should be used as a guideline:

1. The 911 dispatchers shall:

a. tone out the nearest Engine Crew to the rescue scene to conduct an assessment;
b. notify the Platoon Chief and the OIC (Central);
c. dispatch either Kent’s Pond or West Rescue to respond to Central immediately to assesmble a Water Rescue Team (Dispatch call depending on the status of rescues).

2. The OIC of the responding Engine shall:

a. set up and assume Incident Command;
b. assess the scene and notify 911 dispatch if the water crew is needed.

3. The Technician Rescue crew shall respond from Central with at least two (2) trained rescue technician personnel. An ice/water rescue should never be attempted unless there is one (1) Rescuer in the water backed up by a second Rescuer dressed and ready to enter the water.

4. Once the Rescue Team arrives on scene, the senior or most knowledgeable ICE/WATER RESCUER will assume control of the technician team and will carry the title “Rescue Team Leader.” He/she will decide, in consultation with the Team, on the type of rescue to be performed. The IC will maintain control on the scene and all other areas of the rescue, except the Team and its performance.

Ideally the Rescue Crew should consist of one (1) In Water Rescue, one (1) RIT Water Rescuer, one (1) backup Water Rescuer, along with three (3) Shore Rope Tenders, who can be team members or awareness/operations trained.

A rescue can be performed with one (1) Rescue Technician in the water and (1) Rescue Technician acting as a RIT, if and only if there are no other technicians available.

The water rescue board and gear can be transported in the rescue or by pick-up at the discretion of the Platoon Chief or OIC (Central).

5. Engine Crew personnel trained to the awareness/operations level shall use rope throw bags, life ring throws or reach with any object available. (i.e., ladder, pike pole, etc.) Engine Crews shall be trained to operate as Rope Tenders for the Rescuer, RIT and backup Rescuer.

This replaces POG #06-01-01, “Response to Ice and Water Emergencies in the Jurisdiction of SJRFD".


NOTE:
All Operational Guidelines are provided as a guideline only and may be altered by the OIC to meet extenuating circumstances.


Approvals
Fire Chief/Director


Responsibility
St. John's Regional Fire Department POG #06-01-01 Approved By: _______________________________________ ______________________ Jerry F. Peach Date Fire Chief Director of Regional Fire and Emergency Services


Appendix/Appendices
None


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