5029 - Water Rescue

Question 1

Who shall be responsible for maintaining this document.

Answer 1

The Administrative Battalion Chief for Safety.

Question 2

What is the capacity plate?

Answer 2

A manufacturer-installed plate that lists the maximum allowable load of persons and equipment for a particular boat.

Question 3

What is MAR 49?

Answer 3

Radio call sign for the 17 foot Boston Whaler mounted on a trailer located at TFD Station 6.

Question 4

What is MAR 50?

Answer 4

Radio call sign for the 15 foot Mercury rigid inflatable boat (RIB) mounted on TFD Fireboat Commencement.

Question 5

Define a small vessel.

Answer 5

Boats from 12 to 66 feet in length; also includes vessels belonging to other governmental agencies and commercial or private owners.

Question 6

Define swift water.

Answer 6

Water that is moving with a velocity greater than 1 knot (1.15 mph).

Question 7

Water rescues shall be conducted with the least amount of______ to TFD personnel.

Answer 7

risk

Question 8

Who shall enter the water to reach a victim?

Answer 8

Only TFD personnel with water rescue training and proper PFDs.

Question 9

Who shall maintain and carry personal flotation devices (PFD)?

Answer 9

All frontline TFD vehicles and apparatus.

Question 10

In regards to water rescue, TFD personnel shall not do what four things?

Answer 10

a. Perform breath-holding surface dives in an attempt to locate a victim.
b. Perform SCUBA dive operations.
c. Enter into swift water.
d. Participate in property recovery activities, such as securing a tow cable to a vehicle in the water.

Question 11

What Water Rescue Actions should be taken, from lowest to highest risk?

Answer 11

1. TALK
2. REACH
3. THROW
4. ROW
5. As a last resort, GO into the water safely and swim out to the victim’s location.

Question 12

What shall be done when no capacity plate is available?

Answer 12

TFD personnel shall err on the side of safety to avoid overloading the vessel.

Question 13

What shall be done if the vessel is equipped with an ignition switch cut-off attached to a lanyard?

Answer 13

It shall be fastened to the vessel operator.

Question 14

When shall TFD personnel wear PFDs?

Answer 14

a. There is no distance or barrier protection to prevent falling into water that is chest deep or greater
b. The physical work space or scene conditions increase the potential for falling into the water (e.g., unsafe footing, adverse weather or areas weakened by exposure to fire)
c. Onboard any TFD vessel except when below deck or in an enclosed cabin
d. Onboard the deck of any vessel not enclosed by railings
e. Working within 10 feet of the water during water rescue operations
f. Entering the water to perform a rescue g. There is a potential for drowning

Question 15

When are PFDs not required?

Answer 15

a. Wearing full structural PPE and SCBA during firefighting operations
b. The tasks being performed take place– i. Behind guardrails or railings or in areas where there is no possibility of accidentally falling into the water ii. Below deck or in an enclosed cabin
c. Passageways being used are intact, well-maintained docks, floats or walkways
d. Rescue activities involve swimming pools or hot tubs