Browndale Fire Co.
Fire Station 43
Standard Operating Guidelines 

Date of Issue: 1-1-98
Effective Date: 1-31-98
Developed By: Earl Obelenus
Issued by Authority of: Earl Obelenus, Fire Chief

VEHICLE RESCUE RESPONSE
S.O.G. 500-97-1

I. PURPOSE

To establish a standard operating guideline for response to a motor vehicle accident.

II. SCOPE

All fire department personnel.

III. RESPONSIBILTY

Fire officers are responsible to coordinate motor vehicle rescue operations in concert with local EMS and law enforcement agencies. Fire officers will establish rescue objectives  which do not conflict with emergency medical care.

Firefighters will perform tasks to accomplish these objectives.

IV. BACKROUND

Vehicle rescue incidents can occur at any time. Since every incident is not the same, a clear cut chain of command and clearly defined objectives must be established to facilitate a quick, safe rescue. The fire departments major areas of involvement will be hazard control, stabilization, extrication and support services such as lighting and traffic control.

V. PROCEDURES

1. On all motor vehicle accidents that Emgine43 responds to a minimum crew of 3 (three) firefighters is required.

2. Upon approaching the scene, the officer on Engine 43 will establish communications with EMS, police and other responding apparatus, providing an initial assessment. The officer should take into consideration the possible presence of hazardous materials and downed power lines.

3. Apparatus should be positioned to provide minimum disruption of traffic flow. Warning lights will remain on during the entire   operation . Highway fusses or plastic drop warning signs, which are on Engine43 will be utilized to warn oncoming traffic. Fusses and all apparatus should be positioned far enough away from any potential sources of ignition. Engine should be staged past the accident ,approximately 75’ to allow a complete size-up of scene.

4.  Once the apparatus is positioned, the engine officer will make an on-site assessment and assume command until a chief officer arrives and is briefed by the officer as to the status of incident. The following objectives shall be considered when deploying personnel; hazard and traffic control, vehicle stabilization, gaining access to patients, extrication, patient removal, and removal of wreckage. The cargo storage portion of the vehicle( trunk, pickup truck box, van body or trailer ) will be inspected for hazardous materials.

5. All personnel will wear full protective clothing, including eye protection. Latex gloves will be worn under fire service gloves if there is a possibility of B&B exposure.

A. Before entering the “hot zone” all personnel will give the accountability officer their accountability tag and retrieve tag when leaving area.

6. An equipment staging area will be established where all vehicle rescue equipment will be deployed. This area should be in relative close proximity to the rescue without causing any unusual hazards.

7. Light will be provided through the onboard fire apparatus Lighting and portable lighting.

8. Initially a BC fire extinguisher will be taken to the wreckage site. Once the fire potential is evaluated by the officer, a charged hose line, no smaller than 11/2” will be placed in service with the firefighters wearing full protective clothing and SCBA. This line will remain deployed until the incident is terminated.
9. Should the scope of the rescue be beyond the capabilities of on site resources, the incident commander will request the dispatch of additional fire, rescue or EMS through the box assignment system.

10. Through the use of the incident command system (ICS) the  ranking  fire department officer will assume command of the rescue operation. The chief EMS officer will provide input to the IC and coordinate the delivery of emergency medical services.

11. All activities related up to the removal of the patient from the  wreckage will be the responsibility of the rescue team. EMS personnel will be allowed access to the patient once the hazards are controlled and the vehicle is stabilized.

12. Once the patients are removed, the rescue crew will remain until  such time as the wreckage is removed or relieved by the law enforcement agency having jurisdiction.

13. The engine officer or his designee will insure that all insurance information is gathered at the scene. If this is impossible or impractical, upon returning to the station, he insures that this information is acquired from the EMS or law enforcement agency.

14. Upon returning to the station, the apparatus and portable equipment  will be cleaned and serviced as required. Any equipment damaged or broken will be set aside and tagged OOS (out of service) and a note will be placed on the board.

15. A brief critique of the incident should be done to see what, if any problems occurred.

VI. SUPERSEDED GUIDELINES

This is a new guideline on this subject matter and does not supersede any memo or guideline on this subject matter.

Reviewed: 2-15-02