Initial Actions

Recon

Air Monitoring

Ventilation

Confined Space Rescue

Notification

• Brief initial report

• Assignments

• Incident notification

Identification

• Hazard assessment

• Reconnaissance

• Resources

Isolation

• Zoning

• Evacuation

Protection

• PPE

• Hazard control

Initial Actions

Positions requiring

trained personnel:

1. Branch Director (1)

2. Safety Officer (1)

3. Entry (2 in/2 out)

4. Rigging (2)

5. Control (2)

Total = 8

Works with IC (BC) to:

Determine rescue or recovery

Decide on offensive or defensive actions

Identify the operational level

Develop strategic goal and tactical objectives (a plan)

Branch Director

Safety Officer

NFPA 1670, Standard on Operations and Training for Technical

Search and Rescue Incidents

4.5.2.1 At technical search and rescue training exercises and in actual

operations, the incident commander shall assign a safety officer with the

specific knowledge and responsibility for the

identification, evaluation, and, where possible, correction of hazardous

conditions and unsafe practices.

NFPA 1521, Standard for Fire Department Safety Officer

6.4.2 In cases where a designated incident safety officer does not meet the

technician-level requirements of NFPA 1006, Standard for Rescue

Technician Professional Qualifications, the incident commander shall

appoint an assistant safety officer or a technical specialist who meets the

technician-level requirements of NFPA 1006 to assist with incident safety

officer functions.

Hazard Recognition

Patient Packaging

Rigging

Entry

Rigging

Construct rope systems

Operate main and belay line

Can be supplemented with untrained personnel

These positions should not be filled by untrained

personnel.

There are specific duties for each position.

There is a specific order in which these actions should occur.

This part of the initial actions will affect the rest of the incident.

Recon/Air Monitor and Ventilation

re·con·nais·sance n. An inspection or exploration of an area, especially one made to gather military information.

[French, from Old French reconoissance, recognition, from reconoistre, reconoiss-, to recognize; see recognize.]

1. Approach

2. Situation

3. Hazards

4. Confined Space Details

5. Patient

6. Resources

Reconnaissance

PPE

Turnouts

SCBA

Air monitor

Radio

Light

Check for:

Attendants and/or witnesses – send them to IC

Permit

Allow time for the monitor to respond to establish a

safe work zone.

Approach

What does the problem appear to be?

Atmospheric related incident

Entrapment

Medical/trauma

Other

Situation

Atmospheric

• O2 – high or low

• CO

• LEL

• H2S

• If the monitor readings are normal, call for ventilation to be brought

up.

Other hazards

• Electrical

• Mechanical

• Physical (fall, heat/cold, animals, etc.)

Hazards

Type of space

Size

• Depth

• Width

• Length

Size of opening

Access options

Interior obstructions

Confined Space Detail

Try to make contact with the patient

Response level

Obvious injuries

Patient location

Trapped, buried, impaled

Patient Assessment

What resources might be needed for this incident?

Can a ladder be used for access?

Can rescuers enter the space in SCBA?

Do we need utilities locked out?

Will a tripod fit over the opening?

Do we need lighting?

???

Resources

4x4x4 monitoring

4 Functions

• Oxygen

• Flammables (LEL)

• Carbon Monoxide (CO)

• Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S)

4 Initial Locations

• Outside the space

• Inside – top level

• Middle level

• Bottom level

Air Monitoring

4x4x4 monitoring

4 foot increments

After the initial readings, do more precise monitoring by checking the

space every four feet.

Remember to give the monitor time to respond. If the sample hose is

used, allow approximately 1 second per foot for the air sample to reach

the monitor.

The atmosphere should be monitored constantly and any significant

changes should be reported to command. Ideally, the entry team

should have a monitor with them.

Air Monitoring

What is the normal percentage of oxygen in air?

20.9%

19.5% 23.5%

100?

The OSHA oxygen deficient and

oxygen enriched percentages are…

0

Oxygen

19.5% is the minimum oxygen level for unsupported breathing, but

don’t have a false sense of security if the O2 reading is in the “safe”

zone between 20.8% and 19.5%.

1% = 10,000ppm

Example: O2 reading is 20.3%, 0.5% lower than “normal”

0.5% = 5,000ppm

Something must be making up the 5,000ppm. What?

Ammonia 300ppm IDLH

Chlorine 10ppm IDLH

Benzene 500ppm IDLH

CO 1200ppm IDLH

H2S 100ppm IDLH

Oxygen

LEL (Lower Explosive Limits), and UEL (Upper Explosive Limits)

LEL

UEL

Too Rich

Explosive

Range

Too

Lean

10% of LEL

All flammable vapors have an

explosive range. Any mixture

of air and vapor that is above

this range is said to be too rich

to explode. Any mixture of air

and vapor below this range is

said to be too lean to explode.

Carbon Monoxide Common asphyxiant encountered in industry. Formed by incomplete combustion whenever fuel containing carbon is

burned, including internal combustion engines. Odorless, colorless Renders the body incapable of utilizing an adequate oxygen supply. CO is about the same vapor density as air. Alarm point for CO is 35 ppm

Hydrogen Sulfide Common to many industries but a major hazard in the oil refining

industry, in sewage treatment. Formed by the decaying of organic materials. Characterized by a rotten egg odor. Renders the olfactory nerve (which controls the sense of smell)

ineffective. H2S is heavier than air. Alarm point for H2S is 10 ppm

Order of events:

1. Air is monitored on approach and outside the space.

2. Ventilation person readies vent fan by connecting tubing and securing a power supply.

3. If readings are good, Recon signals for ventilation equipment to be brought up (not running, but ready to go).

4. Recon places vent tube (near to patient), ventilation is turned on.

5. Recon re-checks air monitoring for changes.

6. If readings outside the space are still good, Recon communicates this to Command.

7. Work zone is now established.

Place vent tube deep enough for effective ventilation and be aware of where the fan is drawing air from, as well as where air exits the space.

Ventilation

Thank You