Inland Water Rescue

Question 1

How much more likely are firefighters to die in a water-related incident than in a fire?

Answer 1

4x

Question 2

Swift Water?

Answer 2

predominantly predictable, fast-moving with identifiable hydraulics features

Question 3

Flood Water?

Answer 3

predominantly not predictable with a variation of flow and hazards where water is not normally present

Question 4

Flat/Static Water

Answer 4

body of water that does not travel in a specific direction and may or may not be fed by alternate ground sources

Question 5

Dynamic Hazards

Answer 5

• objects moving in water
• -panicked swimmers
• -vehicles
• -trees
• -propane tanks
• -animals
• -clothing

Question 6

Static Hazards?

Answer 6

• stationary objects
• -signs, poles and hydrants
• -manholes
• -picnic tables
• -intake and culvert pipes
• -vehicles
• -guard rail, fencing

Question 7

What is a big concern due to the stressful nature of the events?

Answer 7

hyperthermia

Question 8

If the aggregate temperature is less than what the potential for hypothermia is dramatically increased…

Answer 8

140 degrees (ambient temperature + water temperature)

Question 9

After each entry into flood water what should be performed?

Answer 9

Gross decon and exposure reports

Question 10

Water Rescue Assignment:

Answer 10

2 Boats (min. staffing per boat)
1 rescue
1 truck
2 engines
1 BC
1 SO
1 EMS transport unit

Question 11

Ice Rescue Assignment:

Answer 11

2 boats
1 rescue
1 truck
2 engines
1 bc
1 so
1 EMS transport unit
1 dive team

Question 12

Water Rescue Task Force:

Answer 12

2 boats
1 special service
1 BC
1 Medic Unit

Question 13

Water Rescue Readiness Phase 1:

Answer 13

-normal operational level, appropriate water rescue personnel are identified as water rescue team members but may be used to staff other response resources

Question 14

Water Rescue Readiness Phase 2:

Answer 14

conditions exist that could precipitate a water rescue event (ie….a flood warning has been issued)

In this phase response resources should be immediately made available with dedicated personnel

Question 15

Water Rescue Readiness Phase 3:

Answer 15

expecting or experiencing flood warnings, hurricanes, tropical storms or any other weather event that has increased potential for significant precipitation accompanied by major flooding. All supported water rescue resources should be fully staffed and prepared to respond

Question 16

Initial Report of a Swift Water/Flat Water/Ice event includes:

Answer 16

• Confirmation of incident location
• Confirmation of incident dispatch information
• Staging location for incoming resources
• Establish or transfer command
• Actions taken or needed to control access to the scene
• Time of exposure for the victim if possible (ice)

Question 17

Units should provide orientation on a water rescue incident based on?

Answer 17

direction of flow

Question 18

When visualizing the incident what approach should be used?

Answer 18

Six-sided: above, below, four sides

Question 19

Water incident cold/warm/hot zones?

Answer 19

cold: greater than 10’ away from the water
warm: within 10’ of the water
hot: in or over the water

Question 20

During high call volume times it may not be possible to have a second boat as a RIT boat it is acceptable then to use what as a RIT team?

Answer 20

Technician level crew without a boat

Question 21

What does a single long whistle blast mean?

Answer 21

requires all persons within the sound to stop operations and look in the direction of the whistle

Question 22

Any time a rescuer or victim is located in the water there shall be?

Answer 22

An upstream spotter and a downstream safety with retrieval devices available

Question 23

As a general rule it can take up to how many people to affect a single person rescue from moving or static water during daylight hours?

Answer 23

16

Question 24

If a rope operation is conducted who is ultimately responsible for the operation and will advise the technical rescue personnel of the needs?

Answer 24

The officer in charge of water rescue

Question 25

What has the highest risk (operation) and is to be considered a last resort on most incidents?

Answer 25

helicopter rescue

Question 26

What information should be collected through observation or witness interview?

Answer 26

• last point and time possible victims were seen
• number of victims
• name, age, race, and sex of victims and approx. size
• clothing and type of shoes worn (footprints)
• ability to swim
• state of health and medication
• PFD or other flotation device

Question 27

In NOVA is there “safe ice”?

Answer 27

No, all ice is to be treated as unsafe to navigate

Question 28

How do you identify the initial victim location or point last seen during an ice rescue incident?

Answer 28

from the shore by placing a marker such as a cone

Question 29

As a general rule how many people does it take to affect a single person rescue from ice or cold water during daylight hours?

Answer 29

18

Question 30

What is the exception for ice rescue as it relates to thermal protection to shoreline crews?

Answer 30

It is considered acceptable to have personnel operating in the warm zone utilizing structural firefighting PPE, only true in the flat or static bodies of water that have surface ice