Vashon Island Fire & Rescue Policies and Operating Guidelines Policy: WATER RESCUE Number Effective Date Approved and Issued: /04/00 01/04/00

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1 Vashon Island Fire & Rescue Policies and Operating Guidelines Policy: WATER RESCUE Number Effective Date Approved and Issued: /04/00 01/04/ REFERENCE Coast Guard Office of Boating Safety, Regulations and Publications and Title 33 and 46 CFR. 2.0 POLICY 2.1 It shall be the policy of Vashon Island Fire & Rescue, that the Marine Rescue Response (M.R.R.) shall be limited to: a. Life threatening water rescue such as a capsized boat with person(s) overboard, medical emergencies, boats adrift until there is confirmation no person is aboard. Other non-life threatening calls for assistance shall be forwarded to the Coast Guard or Vessel Assist. b. The shuttle of District personnel and equipment to and from inaccessible areas during an emergency. (Members being shuttled need not be qualified in accordance to this policy) but must wear appropriate P.P.E. c. The M.R.R. is not equipped for firefighting and shall not participate other than transporting of equipment and personnel. 2.2 The M.R.R. shall respond to authorized water related emergencies until such time as a member of the Marine team or officer on scene has made reliable confirmation that no emergency exists and the situation is fully under control (i.e. confirming no personnel are in danger or stranded). 2.2 Before the PWC is deployed the following guidelines shall be met. a. There is a qualified operator b. The operator is properly fitted with the required PPE c. Marine 55 has been paged d. The IC system has been put into affect 2.3 Before the Marine 55 is deployed the following guidelines shall be met. a. There is a qualified operator b. The operator is properly fitted with the required PPE c. The IC system has been put into affect Cancels: SOG 719, 719b Page 1 of 5 SOG 4032 Revised:

2 2.4 Communication will include a. Original, radio check b. Size up on arrival of search area or scene c. Changes in Conditions 2.6 The only persons that shall operate and staff the rescue M.R.R. are those that are qualified and considered a current member of the marine rescue team at the time of incident. Marine rescue team membership is strictly voluntary. Personnel must be qualified to current district training policies set forth by the Training Division. a. There shall be four levels of training that shall used to achieve the Marine Rescue goals for Vashon Island Fire & Rescue. a. Awareness Launch assistance only b. Operations- Launch as Rescue personnel only. c. Technician- Launch as Rescuer or operator in calm to mild weather only. d. Specialist- Work in any position able to launch in extreme weather. b. Before Advancing to the next level you must stay current for one year at each level or have experience in the field that is recognized by team leaders. c. To become qualified & stay current for MRR the following guidelines shall Be met. a. Awareness: 2 hrs of initial training as listed in this policy under section 5.1 and 2 hours of annual training & response to include. 2. Operations: 8 hrs of initial training as listed in this policy under section 5.2, and 8 hours of annual training & response to include. 3. Technician: 16 hrs of initial training as listed in this policy under section 5.3, and 16 hours of annual training & response to include. 6. Show competency in operating MRR vessels in calm to mild weather Cancels: SOG 719, 719b Page 2 of 5 SOG 4032 Revised:

3 4. Specialist: 24 hrs of initial training as listed in this policy under section 5.4, and 24 hours of annual training, teaching & response to include. 6. Show competency in operating MRR vessels in extreme weather d. If a member does not maintain currency for the level in which they are trained during the year they will be held to the level in which they trained that year. (I.e. an operation level member completes only the awareness level requirements they will be held to awareness) 2.7 The operator (helmsman) of the Marine rescue team is in charge of the boat at all times. The number of people on board the marine unit shall never exceed the manufactures weight limit. The PWC or boat shall not operate with less than two members. The helmsman shall never leave the helm position while the motor is running. When in range, the throw able PFD shall be tossed to the person in the water even if they appear unable to grasp the PFD. 2.8 Equipment for the marine rescue team will be stored with the marine units. After the Marine rescue equipment has been used, it shall be the responsibility of the Marine crew to rinse, flush, inspect, return to service, and dry all applicable items. 2.9 Dispatching of the Marine rescue team will follow this format: a. Stations and (closest two stations to the scene), Rescue (appropriate for location), , respond to (situation, location). The launch point shall be predetermined by name or primary point. A list of primary launch points will be available at the dispatch center and should be used whenever possible. Secondary launch points are defined as those that are easily accessible from the road and not more than 100 feet from water. b. If a District member has made visual contact of the incident and has knowledge of a better launch site, they shall notify dispatch for relay to all responding members. 3.0 DEFINITIONS PWC- Personal Water Craft PFD- Personal Floatation Device MRR- Marine Rescue Response Cancels: SOG 719, 719b Page 3 of 5 SOG 4032 Revised:

4 4.0 RESPONSIBILITIES NA 5.0 GUIDELINES 5.1 Awareness-2hrs District SOG s How to recognize a marine rescue Personal Safety Personal protection equipment familiarization Shore based rescue techniques Self rescue techniques Basic medical treatment of water related emergencies 5.2 Operations- 8hrs Preparation for marine responses Personal protective equipment familiarization Personal safety Swim testing Basic hydrology Intro to Rescue watercrafts Basic rescue PWC/ inflatable handing skills Basic daytime navigation rules Operation section of I.C. system Communication First Responder or Higher Tailoring of PWC and rescue inflatable 5.3 Technician-16hrs Personal protective equipment familiarization Personal safety Boat operations for rescues Advanced boat handling skills Basic night operations including P.P.E for night operations Navigation coarse First Responder or higher 5.4 Specialist-24hrs Preparation for teaching Preparation for night operation Cancels: SOG 719, 719b Page 4 of 5 SOG 4032 Revised:

5 Extreme weather operations day/ night Night trailer techniques Cancels: SOG 719, 719b Page 5 of 5 SOG 4032 Revised:

ICE and WATER RESCUE

ICE and WATER RESCUE Page 1 of 8 Last Revised 12/12 40.01 Scope: The Town of Menasha Fire Department is certified to the technician level according to NFPA 1670. Due to a lack of equipment and resources, emergency responses