Technical Rescue Initial Engine Company Operations

Technical Rescue Incidents• Confined Space• Trench collapse• Structural collapse• High angle rescues• Water rescue• Ice rescue• Wide area search• HazMat • Vehicle extrications• Farm rescue

What is a Confined Space?

• Large enough that a person can enter and preform work

• Limited means of entry or exit– Tanks, vessels, silos, storage bins, vaults, pits,

tunnels, sewers, manholes, storm drains, empty swimming pool

• Limited ventilation• Limited lighting

Things we can plan for

• Hazard Identification•Where are potential locations

in your first and second due run-box for a technical rescue event to occur?

Before you leave the station…• Have the appropriate PPE for these events• Bunker gear is not ideal• Make sure you have a good pair of leather boots

Primary Size-up

Radio Report1. Arrive on scene2. Describe the problem3. Assume Command4. All units Level 1 stage5. Assign a tactical channel

Secondary Size-up

–“Columbia, 360 complete…•Give CAN Report•Announce Command Post location•Declare incident strategy”

Secondary Size-up CAN Report

1. Conditions1. Secure reporting party, witnesses,

foreman, etc.2. Patient count, condition and location

2. Actions1. What are you working on?

a. Securing machinery, stopping bystander rescue, establishing perimeters, etc.

3. Needs1. Resource determination

• Take Command of the event• Think with your head, not your heart• Identify the type of event you are at• Size-up (Situational Assessment)– Primary– Secondary

Technical Rescue Benchmarks

• Stabilize the problem!• Maintain personnel accountability• Establish Hot, Warm and Cold zones• Position at a minimum 150 feet away

Technical Rescue Benchmarks

• Focus on information gathering• Secure the witnesses or reporting party• Stop any bystander rescue attempts

Technical Rescue Benchmarks

• Identify scene hazards• Determine need for additional resources• Location, number and condition of victims– Survival profile

Technical Rescue Benchmarks

• Establish an equipment cache• Control traffic• Identify and group personnel based on

qualifications• Assign Safety Officer

Technical Rescue Benchmarks

Establish Parameters

• HOT– Technician Level personnel

• WARM– Operations Level personnel– Tool/equipment staging

• COLD– Command Post– Apparatus staging– Rehab

Equipment Staging

• Determine based on the event what your equipment needs are

• Rope• Lock-out Tag-out• PPV Fan• Hand Tools• AC Hotsick• 4 gas meter• Lights

Rehab

• Request S510• These are time and labor intensive events

Who’s coming with you?

• 2 Engines• 1 Tanker• 1 Rescue Squad• 2 Ambulances• HM514• AIR15

• 67 deaths per year (Confined Space)• 60% are of would be rescuers

Confined Space, Structural Collapse, Trench Rescue

•1 Engine•1 Squad•2 Ambulances•2 Boats

Water/Ice Rescue

High Angle Rescue

•2 Engines•1 Rescue Squad•1 Ambulance

Trench Collapse Hazard Control

• Establish Hot, Warm and Cold Zones• Shut down all heavy equipment• Ventilate the trench with PPV fan• Shut down utilities

• Do not enter the trench

Confined Space Hazard Control

• Establish Hot, Warm and Cold Zones• Shut down all equipment• Open any additional openings• Ventilate the space with PPV fan• Shut down utilities

• Do not enter the confined space

Scenarios