Long Beach Fire Department Swiftwater/Flood Rescue Team & Public Safety Dive Rescue Team Cameron Abel Marine Safety Captain
LBFD Swiftwater/Flood Rescue Team Overview SWR Team Structure Training/Equipment In-City Operational Model Cal-OES Deployments
Mission: Provide professional response to water rescue and recovery incidents in the L.A. County flood control waterways and areas affected by urban flooding
SWR Team Structure 3 SWR Team Supervisors All Marine Safety Members (MSOs, RBOs, MS Captains) 3-8 Firefighters (participation varies)
SWR Training Floor/Suppression Personnel -NFPA 1670 Operational Training Level -Shore-based, within 10 of fast moving water
SWR Training Floor/Suppression Personnel Roles include: -Upstream spotters -Downstream Safety -Two-person extraction teams -Hose deployment teams
SWR Training Floor/Suppression PPE -Yellow Helmet -PFD -Whistle -Knife
SWR Training Floor/Suppression Equipment -Locking Carabiner -Nylon Webbing -Throw Bag (50 ) -Light Sticks -5 gallon marker buoy
SWR Team Training SWR Team Members - NFPA 1670 Technician Standards - Rescue 3 Swiftwater Technician-A - Rescue 3 Flood Rescue Boat Operator - State Fire Marshall RFR
SWR Team Member PPE -White Helmet -Type V PFD -Dry Suit -SWR Boots -Gloves -Knife SWR Team Training
SWR Team Training Rescue Water Craft Inflatable Rescue Boats Rope Rescue
In-City Deployments Level 1 Criteria State of Readiness/Pre-Deployment ½ of rain per 24 hours 80% prediction E-mail weather statement Designate vehicles Check equipment Prepare rosters Patrol rivers
In-City Deployments Level 2 Criteria Swiftwater Team Deployment 1 rain per 24 hours or ½ per 12 hours Hazardous River Flow/Burn Dam Release Email Update Two-Person SWR teams deployed
SW1 L.A. River SW2 Roamer w/ SWR Sup. SW3 San Gabriel River In-City Deployment
SWR Response Battalion Chief M.S. Captain USAR 6 SWR 1,2,3 1 Division at closest bridge to PLS 1 Division upstream 3 Divisions downstream In-City Deployment
In-City Deployment
Type 1 River/Flood Rescue Team 2006/2007 14 Person Team: Task Force Leader (BC) Search Manager (USAR Cpt.) Two (6) Person Boat Teams Rescue Swimmer (LG) Boat Operator (LG) Tech Search (USAR) Logistics (USAR) Med Spec. (USAR) Comms or Rope Specialist(USAR) Cal-OES RFR-12
1st Deployment was in 2008 through an Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC) to Louisiana/Texas (Gustav/Ike) -Equipment still packaged -Delivered in Blythe, CA while en route
RFR-12 Deployments 2017/2018 Oroville Dam, Oroville CA (2) Hurricane Harvey, College Station TX Montecito, CA (3)
Public Safety Dive Rescue Team Overview Dive Team Structure Training Operational Model Extended Search/Salvage
Mission: Underwater search and rescue of distressed divers, search and rescue of victims on the beaches, waterways, city lakes and recovery of bodies and evidence.
Dive Team Structure Dive Officer (MS Captain) 3 Dive Team Supervisors 12 Dive Team Members 5 Auxiliary Diver Positions
Dive Team Structure Two 24 hours boats Team member or Auxiliary 3-4 divers on duty
Public Safety Dive Rescue Course Advanced Diver/Dive Rescue/Public Safety In-house Underwater Instructor Cert. Course L.A. County Underwater Unit Dive Team Training
Dive Team Operational Model Rescue LBFD/Marine Safety Recovery/Investigation LBPD Salvage - Port Police
Dive Team Operational Model Point Last Seen/Witness Interview Primary Search
Dive Team Operational Model Rapid Diver Unit Universal fit Versatile Easily Deployed Limitations Depth < 30 Time < 10 min
Dive Team Operational Model Point Last Seen/Witness Interview Primary Search Secondary Search Shark Navigator
Dive Team Operational Model Shark Navigator Game Changer Self-contained, diver-held, nav. & sonar imaging system
Dive Team Operational Model Floating GPS Doppler Navigation System (DNS)
Repair
Dive Team Operational Model PLS Primary Secondary Witness Interview Rapid Diver Shark Navigator Quicker, Safer Operation
Extended Search & Salvage Kongsburg Towfish
Liftbags Extended Search & Salvage
State Fire Marshall Looking to the future Swiftwater Rescue PWC (RWC) Rescue Tech. Rope Rescue Search
Looking to the future Dive Team Mako: Diver Delivery System
Looking to the Future Dive Team Darkwater Vision Hammerhead System
What makes it possible? Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI) Port Security Grant Program (PSGP)
Cameron Abel Marine Safety Captain Cameron.Abel@longbeach.gov (562) 570-1360 office (562) 234-3200 cell