QAB - SJFD water flood rescue action steps

10

-Identify and report
-Turn on cell phone
-Isolate and deny entry
-Gather situational information
-Determine victim survivability profile
-No structure gear within 15 feet of water
-Report findings
-Identify and mitigate hazards
-Prepare
-Resuce if prudent

-Identify the incident as a water/flood rescue
-Request USAR for a flood emergency

-For direct communications with the USAR company

-Secure the scene, establish control zones
-Any personnel within 15 feet of water must be in at minimum, a personal flotation device and a water rescue helmet
-Request PD for crowd control

-Secure the reporting party, reliable witnesses
-Determine the nature of the emergency
-Establish the number of victims, location or last seen location, and condition
-Is victim moving downstream or are they stranded

-Is this a rescue or a recovery
-Confirmed body recovery, SO and SJ search and rescue must be notified

-Absolutely no turnouts or structure helmets within 15 feet of the water
-If necessary to wade into flood water on the streets, use a pikepole to check for holes in the ground

To the USAR company

-Flood stage: Be prepared for sudden changes in water depth
-Assign upstream spotters so they can advise IC and/or rescue group supervisor of any dramatic changes in water depth, speed, or debris

-Consider PT and rescuer medical decon needs
-Request HIT unit for possible decon needs

-REACH: safest option is to reach out to a victim and pull the victim to safety (i.e. pike pole)
-Throw: next safest option is to throw a rope of life ring to the victim