581 Water Rescue

Question 1

What is Level 1 Water Ops?

Answer 1

Operations where firefighters work within 3m of an unprotected waters edge, or enter water that is both shallow enough not to compromise their PPE (i.e. over the top of their fire boots) and slow moving enough that there is no foreseeable risk that they will be swept off their feet.

Question 2

What is Level 2 water Ops?

Answer 2

Operations where firefighters may have to commit to water (still or moving) to affect a rescue. This includes all incidents involving people in the water and any other incidents beyond the limitations of level 1. Usually FRU or SRT

Question 3

What is Level 3 Water Ops?

Answer 3

Operations which involve the deployment of the Flood Response Kits (FRK) where firefighters may be required to work under the guidance of FRU SRT near, on or in flood water. This equipment will normally be deployed for flooding over a wide area but it can also be used for more localised floods where significant numbers of firefighters need to be committed to the water.

Question 4

Who Are SRT

Answer 4

Swift Water Rescue Technicians

Question 5

What is a TAR ?

Answer 5

Tactical Adviser Rescue

Question 6

When will a TAR be deployed?

Answer 6

L1 Water ops - Informed
L2 Water ops - mobilised
TAR does not need to be present for operations to commence

Question 7

Who can be committed to perform Rescues on mud, ice or partially frozen water?

Answer 7

FRU SRT
ICs must not commit untrained personnel on or into mud, ice or partially frozen water unless the situation is so critical that to await the arrival of further resources is likely to result in loss of human life

Question 8

What Safety Precautions should be implemented at a L! Water Ops Incident?

Answer 8

• 3M minimum restricted zone from waters edge
• PFDs are worn
• Chin Straps unfastened if helmets are worn
• Safety officer with throw line deployed
• Spotters

Question 9

What is the Hierarchy of Water Rescue?

Answer 9

L1 -
Talk
Reach
Throw
L2 -
Wade
Row
Go/Tow

Question 10

If in an Life threatening situation non FRU SRT firefighters have to enter the water, what must be considered?

Answer 10

• Competent and capable individual
• Fully Briefed
• SO with Throw line in place
• Correctly rigged and attached to safety line
• Consider use of inflated hose
• Priority message detailing actions

Question 11

What does FRU SRT PPE consist of?

Answer 11

• Drysuit.
• PFD.
• Water rescue helmet.
• Gloves.
• Thermal under clothing as required.

Question 12

What are the 3 types of ROW rescue?

Answer 12

(i) A tethered and empty boat or rescue path.
(ii) A tethered and crewed boat/path.
(iii) An untethered and crewed boat.

Question 13

What are the 2 types of GO/TOW rescue?

Answer 13

(i) Tethered

(ii) Non – tethered.

Question 14

What is ERB?

Answer 14

Emergency Rescue Boat Operations

Question 15

Minimum crewing of an ERB?

Answer 15

Two FRU SRT

Question 16

Maximum capacity of an ERB?

Answer 16

7 People (650kg)

Question 17

What must the ERB use at night or during poor visibility?

Answer 17

The all round White navigation light

Question 18

What is the MCA?

Answer 18

Maritime coastguard agency

Question 19

What is the RNLI?

Answer 19

Royal national lifeboat institution

Question 20

Who are the MPU?

Answer 20

Metropolitan police marine police unit

Question 21

What is an IRP?

Answer 21

Inflatable Rescue path

Question 22

Who should be contacted before launching an ERB on the thames?

Answer 22

VTS on channel Thames 1

Question 23

When can a ERB cease operation when searching for a casualty?

Answer 23

A minimum of 90min after casualty was last seen.

Question 24

Who are the PLA?

Answer 24

Port of London authority

Question 25

Who will be mobilised when L2 water rescue is implemented and a PATH is required?

Answer 25

2 FRUs with BT PATH, a TRA and a SM

Question 26

Can BA be used in the Water?

Answer 26

NO

Question 27

What is the FRK?

Answer 27

Flood Rescue Kit

Question 28

What are the 3 types of flood?

Answer 28

• Tidal
• Fluvial - River
• Pluvial - Rain

Question 29

What are the 3 Phases of Flooding?

Answer 29

Phase 1 - Includes time critical life saving rescues
Phase 2 - Rescues from places of temporary safety
Phase 3 - Search, stabilisation and body recovery

Question 30

How will First responders at a flooding be identified?

Answer 30

YELLOW water safety Helmet

Question 31

How will a TRA be identified?

Answer 31

Surcoat with TRA Insert and a WHITE Water safety helmet

Question 32

How will FRU SRT be identified?

Answer 32

RED Water safety helmet

Question 33

What is the maximum depth for a wade rescue wearing L3 PPE?

Answer 33

60cm (2ft)

Question 34

where are FRK stored?

Answer 34

5 FRKs are kept at Brigade Distribution Centre BDC Croydon

Question 35

What does a FRK contain?

Answer 35

5x4m FRB (boats) 1x Versadock Raft and PPE for upto 20 firefighters

Question 36

How many people can the FRB carry?

Answer 36

8

Question 37

What is a FRB?

Answer 37

Flood rescue boat

Question 38

How should flood contaminated PPE be deconned?

Answer 38

Collected in box pallet and collection arranged by Logistics manager at RMC

Question 39

What are the symptoms of Weils disease (Leptospirosis)?

Bacteria present in water

Answer 39

• The first sign of Weil’s disease is flu like illness within about 3-4 days of the infection.
• After 6-7 days a severe headache and conjunctivitis with the possibility of meningitis follows.
• At 8-10 days, kidney failure and the beginnings of jaundice will become obvious.

Question 40

What is contained in an ERB Thames Pack?

Answer 40

• 1 x Navigation and blue light mast
• 2 x Cargo storage nets
• 1 x Thames storage bag
• 1 x Extinguisher
• 1 x Anchor, warp and storage bag
• 1 x Air horn
• 1 x Anchor retaining cable
• 1 x Mooring line