Water

Question 1

Define Level 1 Water Operations

Answer 1

Operations where firefighters:

• Work within 3m of an unprotected waters edge
• Enter water that is shallower than fire boots and slow moving enough that there is no foreseeable risk that they will be swept off their feet.

Question 2

Define Level 2 Water Operations

Answer 2

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

These incidents present specific hazards and will in all but exceptional circumstances only be carried out by Fire Rescue Unit (FRU) Swift Water Rescue Technicians (SRT) who have the training and equipment to implement safe systems of work.

Question 3

Define Level 3 Water Operations

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

What is a TAR?

What is their role?

What are their Mobilisation triggers?

Answer 4

Tactical Advisor Rescue (or technical rescue tactical advisor):

• provide advice and support to the IC

• a TAR can also act as a functional commander at incidents involving water operations.
• a TAR will be INFORMED when Level 1 Water Operations are implemented and MOBILISED when level 2 water operations are implemented.

They may also be requested by ICs

Question 5

Incidents involving mud, ice and partially frozen water

Answer 5

Only FRU SRT are equipped to perform go/tow rescues at these incidents.

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 6

Hierarchy of Rescue

Answer 6

Talk (L1, firefighters)

Reach (L1, firefighters)

Throw (L1, firefighters)

Wade (L2, firefighters - critical only /SRT)

Row (L2, SRT)

Go/Tow (L2, SRT)