Standard Operational Procedure

SOP # Tactical Operations Manual #36

SUBJECT: Dive and Water Sub Surface Rescue and Recovery Operations

Standard Operational Procedure

Objective: To serve as a guide for all Fire Department personnel operating around and in water, sub surface, and marine environments during emergency and non-emergency operations.

Section 1: Purpose

A. This SOP is to be followed by all FD personnel to assist in tactical decision making and strategy development while conducting operations in water rescue and recovery environments. Operations include emergency situations such as submersion, swift water, flood evacuation, and marine related fires as well as non-emergency recovery situations

Section 2: Definition

A. Water and marine environments produce life and safety hazards to those in and around the environment. These environments may include creeks, rivers, ponds, lakes, reservoirs, dams, quarries, swimming areas, retention areas, channels, storm drains, open water (bay, harbor), and other natural and manmade tidal and non-tidal areas that collect water.

Section 3: Notification and Response

A. Level 1 (normal response)

Normal day to day operations not related to weather or predictable events in which calls are reported through the 911 system.

B. Level 2 (heightened awareness / pre-alert)

Defined as when Balto Co is placed under Flood/Flash Flood warning/watch or other impending weather related events involving potential water incidents. ADO shall notify the USAR Commander, on duty officer in charge of USAR, Dive Team Commander (Divemaster 1), on duty officer station 74 and Swift water teams 35, 48 . Officers should alert their respective team members of the potential need for activation.

C. Level 3 (advanced pre-planning)

If Balto Co is forecasted for an event of major significance such as hurricane, tropical storm, nor’easter that will impact tidal and/or inland bodies of water or infrastructure with flooding, the advanced pre-planning mode will be implemented by the DC of Special Operations. An incident action plan (IAP) will be developed through consultation of the DC and team leaders.

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Section 4: Safety

A. Command and Control 1. To ensure the safety of all personnel, the Incident Command System will be used on all incidents and command will implement the following: a. Establish a scene safety and dive safety officer b. Establish Level II accountability for all those entering the water c. Assure those in the warm and hot zone are wearing proper PPE that does not include structural firefighting gear. d. Assure all those within the hot zone are wearing Type III or IV personal floatation device (PFD) e. Consult with the dive unit officer and dive safety officer to determine the appropriate hazard and thermal PPE for the particular incident. f. Assure that medical, decon , rehab, and air supply resources are available on scene and dedicated to those personnel entering the water. g. Assure that when personnel are below the surface, boats and other water vehicles are clear of the working area and a safety perimeter is established; mark the area with floats indicating personnel are below the surface (“Diver Down” floats) h. Continuously monitor weather, water and lighting conditions i. Determine through consultation with on scene officers the decision to “dive” or “not dive” as well as distinguishing between rescue and recovery mode 2. Crew Resources a. There must be a minimum of one suited and ready back-up diver for each diver that enters the water b. Communications from tender to diver must be in place. These may include “rope pulls” or wireless/hardwire voice communication

Section 5 Rescue / Recovery Operations

A. Strategic Priorities

The incident commander in consultation with the dive unit officer shall make the decision to “dive” or “not dive”

1. Decision shall include witness interviews, Point Last Seen (PLS), environmental conditions, geographic area (size) and duration of incident (time subject has been missing) B. Tactical Considerations 1. The IC and Dive unit officer shall consider the acronym TEMPO in making decisions a. Time of Day b. Energy level and currents in the water c. Movement, measurement, and depth of the water d. Personnel capabilities and resources e. Operations and Operational period

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C. Tactics 1. Rescue and recovery operations shall be based on a risk/benefit analysis with the lowest risk options employed first 2. Dive tactics shall be based on Dive Team internal guidelines and procedures 3. Search patterns and methods shall be determined by the dive unit officer on scene. a. These may include arc, circle, jackstay, shore line b. Consider the use of mechanical and electronic search tools such as sonar and metal detectors c. Consider search dogs as well as air surveillance, FLIR, and side scan sonar

D. Operations

1. Dive Operations a. Under the direction of a dive unit officer, or in their absence, the most experienced diver present b. One tender will be utilized per diver c. Full scuba equipment shall be worn i. Appropriate suit, gloves, hood ii. Full face mask (traditional may be used based on circumstances), BCD, secondary air source iii. Fins, cutting tools, harness, gauges as appropriate for conditions d. Entry time and air pressures shall be recorded by dive support personnel e. Divers shall surface with no less than 500 psi remaining f. Dive time shall be based on conditions g. Tenders shall wear appropriate PPE including PFD h. Depths should be measured and documented when possible i. Submersion depths shall be consistent with the individual diver level of training restrictions 2. Boat Operations a. Boat operators shall be responsible for passenger safety and safe operation of vessel b. Fire service or other public safety boats shall be utilized to transport and support divers i. Civilian boats will be used as a last resort 3. Swift and Floodwater a. A minimum of 2 divers shall respond to swift water calls b. Only those trained and certified by approved organization will enter swift water conditions (refer to SOP #23 Swift water Operations) c. Attempts should be made to have a sufficient number of swift water trained members on crews not including the two divers 4. Incident Termination a. Appropriate documentation including diver times, air usage, narratives and other required reports shall be completed; equipment will be made ready for use b. Dispatch will “ghost tone” the dive unit and verbally announce that the call has been terminated and/or cancelled as appropriate

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Section 6 Team Positions

A. Divemaster 1. The Divemaster (team leader) shall carry the radio designation of Divemaster 1 (DM1) 2. DM1 Shall be the ADO point of contact for dive operations (as is ATR1, HM1, etc) 3. Meets all requirements of dive unit officer (below) 4. Maintains or assigns maintenance of all records and completes reports B. Dive Support 1. Meets BCVFA riding requirements 2. proficient in setting up dive gear and dressing divers appropriate for conditions 3. proficient in rope and tender signals 4. fluent in radio operations 5. knowledge of gear and its location on apparatus C. Boat Operator 1. Maryland (or equivalent) Safe Boater Course 2. Meets qualifications for Dive Support 3. Complete knowledge of fueling and operating outboard motor 4. Complete knowledge of properly inflating boats 5. Proficient in operating boats, anchoring, and search patterns D. Public Service Diver 1. Completion of diver certification course 2. Completion of required annual dives (deep, cold, night, dark/low viz) 3. Functions as non-emergency diver 4. Familiar with ropes, knots, and rigging E. Rescue Diver 1. Meet requirements of Public Service Diver 2. Proficient in search patterns, able to function independently 3. Functions within the limits of their training F. Advanced Rescue Diver 1. Meet requirements of rescue diver 2. Hold Advanced or greater certification from recognized program 3. Proficient in witness interviews and ICS 4. Functions in all tactical operations without restriction G. Dive Unit Officer 1. Meets requirements of Advanced Rescue Diver 2. Above average skills in search techniques and safety 3. Fluent in the ICS method 4. Experienced in witness interviews 5. Good management and leadership skills

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Definitions Page

Dive Safety Officer (technical / assistant safety officer). This position is in addition to and works closely with the Incident Safety Officer. This position will primarily be concerned with diver, tender, and entry personnel safety.

Boat Operator: Individual responsible for boat operation and passenger safety

Cold Zone: any area outside the warm zone

Warm Zone: area within 10 feet of the water

Hot Zone: defined as in the water or on a watercraft

Dive Unit Officer : Individual responsible for overseeing personnel safety, dive unit operations, strategies and tactics

Recognized Program: (agency): Those organizations that provide dive training and certification such as PADI, SSI , NAUI, CMAS, DRI, ERDI, UCI, YMCA

Incident Commander: the person responsible for all aspects of the response including planning, crew resource management, and objective development

Point Last Seen (PLS): the last place the missing person was seen determined though witness interviews and other techniques

PPE: protective equipment to include thermal wet or dry suit, gloves, hood, foot protection, Type III or IV PFD, helmet, eye protection and other associated equipment based on type of incident

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Dive Operations Tactical Card Tac 34

Arrival Sequence 1st Unit Establish Command and perform size up Verify there is a victim(s) Secure, separate, and interview witnesses Get positive ID and secure License or ID of witness Call for police (interview skills) Attempt to determine Point Last Seen Call for additional Dive/ Boat Teams (Gamber, Harford Co, Balto City, AA Co, MET21 ATR17) Establish Hot, Warm, Cold Zones Notify / Communicate with Police Marine unit, DNR and Coast Guard

Recon and Support All personnel within 10 ft. of water in proper PPE for existing conditions □ Minimum Type III or IV PFD no turn outs If inland, send spotters to all sides/shores to search for victims Open water send spotters down each shore Utilize boats (met21) or air (county and msp) to search wider area Send police to residence of victim, if known, to assure victim isn’t there Deploy swimmers in proper PPE both to search and to act as simulated victim to help witness(es) identify point last seen Secure enough personnel to transport dive and other equipment to entry point (consider atv)

Dive Units Refer to Dive Team Tactical Sheet Interface with Command Appoint Assistant Safety Officer/ Dive Safety Officer

EMS /Support Units Secure minimal 1 ALS unit □ Consider 2nd unit for rescuers in harsher conditions Assure that a decon unit (engine is sufficient) is on scene for entry personnel Assure air unit is available for extended operations Consider Rehab unit and Decon 54 for shelter

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