Rescue from water

Incident information

Identify the safest access route, rendezvous points (RVPs) and marshalling areas, and communicate to all responders and the fire control room
Establish the last known position (LKP) or place last seen (PLS) of casualties, including times
Identify the casualty's level of consciousness and offer reassurance where possible
Question the casualty, other responders and witnesses to understand incident factors and history
Establish casualty details (name, age, sex, size, clothing, state of mind, swimmer, floating, sub-surface)
Assess hydrology and status of water or other liquids - depth, temperature, type of liquid, speed of flow
All incident information:
Use local knowledge, topography and map reading skills to aid navigation to an incident
Ensure that tracks and pathways are suitable for fire service vehicles
Consider the least damaging routes to incidents and where possible, stay on marked paths and tracks
Consider Step 1-2-3 Plus: Safety Triggers for Emergency Personnel
Access past, present and future weather information from sources such as the Met Office
Ascertain the availability of pre-arranged evacuation strategies and policies
Consider pollution prevention information contained within site specific risk plans
Seek advice from landowners and other bodies on susceptible areas of the environment
Review situational awareness following an emergency evacuation or tactical withdrawal
Further incident information
- Investigate the possibility of rising waters and increased flow from tides, flooding, sluice gates
- Consider the use of water temperature charts where available
- All incident information:
- Use local knowledge, topography and map reading skills to aid navigation to an incident
- Ensure that tracks and pathways are suitable for fire service vehicles
- Consider the least damaging routes to incidents and where possible, stay on marked paths and tracks
- Consider Step 1-2-3 Plus: Safety Triggers for Emergency Personnel
- Access past, present and future weather information from sources such as the Met Office
- Ascertain the availability of pre-arranged evacuation strategies and policies
- Consider pollution prevention information contained within site specific risk plans
- Seek advice from landowners and other bodies on susceptible areas of the environment
- Review situational awareness following an emergency evacuation or tactical withdrawal
- Access past, present and future weather information from sources such as the Met Office

Resource information

Request adequate resources to enable effective search given the scope and environment of the incident
Use appropriately trained responders at incidents involving water
Confirm that required agencies have been requested or notified (e.g. Police, Ambulance, environmental agencies)
Use approved specialist volunteers, individuals or teams
Request medical support at rescue incidents as soon as a need is identified
All incident information:
Request sufficient resources to implement initial actions, the incident plan and support contingency plan
Consider requesting the attendance of a competent person, subject matter expert or tactical adviser
Consider resources that may be available from neighbouring fire and rescue services and partner agencies
Inform and/or seek advice from environment agencies and/or sewage undertakers where necessary
Consider whether appliances, personnel, equipment and other resources can be released from the incident
Regularly update fire control on the availability status of appliances and other resources
Further resource information
- Consider requesting specialist underwater search and recovery dive teams
- Consider the use of specialist camera equipment to help locate underwater casualties. Urban Search and Rescue teams use 'snake eye' cameras which are suited for such purposes
- All incident information:
- Identify the safest access route, rendezvous points (RVPs) and marshalling areas, and communicate to all responders and the fire control room
- Consider requesting facilities for the welfare of crews deployed at protracted incidents
- Consider the availability of pollution control equipment and/or pollution containment facilities on site
- Make use of specialist fire and rescue service or on-site environmental protection equipment
- Consider the appointment of a HMA (or equivalent) to oversee environmental protection activities
- Consider using a range of thermal imaging resources such as aerial appliances, drones and helicopters

Risk information

Working environment
- Consider the effects of geography on equipment logistics, casualties and crew welfare
- Manage hazards in the working environment that could lead to slips, trips and falls
- Establish, identify and communicate safe traffic routes, establish clear zones and equipment points
- Define routes using physical barriers and clearly illuminate where there is reduced visibility
- Provide lighting to illuminate hazards to personnel in poorly lit environments
- Consider the possibility of bankside erosion (undercutting) from flowing water
- Identify and communicate any electrical or mechanical hazards that present a risk to personnel
Bodies of water
- Identify and communicate the presence of water or other liquids to all responders
- Ensure that personnel operate on the safe side of suitable existing or improvised guarding or barriers near water or other liquids
- Ensure that crews are aware of the risks and associated control measures for working near bodies of water and unstable surfaces
- Appoint a safety officer to monitor the hazard presented by water or other liquids
- Ensure personnel working around unstable ground are secured using work restraint or fall arrest systems
- Implement an effective plan to control boat traffic and water users
- Ensure that personnel wear suitable PPE and personal flotation devices when working near water or other liquids
Vehicles in water
- Avoid entering submerged or partially submerged vehicles
- Consider the possibility of air pockets maintaining the buoyancy of a vehicle in deep water
- Consider the stability of unsecured vehicles
- Consider securing or anchoring vehicles in water
- Regularly assess and review the effectiveness of the stabilisation techniques employed
Unstable ground
- Implement measures to maintain access and egress during the incident
- Consider the impact of past, present and future weather conditions on the ground conditions
- Ensure personnel working around unstable ground are secured using work restraint or fall arrest systems
- Establish tag line and recovery systems for crews deployed around unstable ground
- Consider the use of specialist equipment for rescues from mud, ice and unstable surfaces
Casualty
- Maintain rescuer safety whilst attempting shout, reach and throw methods
- Consider using specialist equipment to assist in the removal of casualties from water
- Request additional or specialist resources to assist with manual handling tasks
- Consider the task, individual capabilities, load and environment (TILE) when carrying out risk assessments for manual handling
Weather conditions
- Access past, present and future weather information from sources such as the Met Office
Extremes of temperature
- Monitor personnel for signs and symptoms of fatigue, dehydration, heat or cold stress
- Consider task rotation when personnel are carrying out manual handling tasks
- Instigate appropriate medical interventions if personnel show signs and symptoms of physiological stress
Waterborne microorganisms
- Wear body fluid gloves and cover broken skin with waterproof dressing
- Comply with hygiene arrangements and do not eat, drink, smoke or vape

Powers, policies and procedures

All incident information:
Consider the legal exemptions in relation to environmental protection i.e.
- A discharge is made in an emergency to avoid danger to human health
- All reasonably practicable steps were taken to minimise pollution
- The relevant environment agency is informed of the incident as soon as possible
Enter premises or a place, by force if necessary, without the consent of the owner or occupier of the premises:
- if they reasonably believe an emergency to have occurred
- if they reasonably believe a fire to have broken out or to be about to break out
- for the purpose of extinguishing or preventing the fire or protecting life or property
- NB Does not apply to Crown property (including ministry of defence) and diplomatic or consular premises
- NB The Master of the ship (or delegated officer) of a merchant vessel must give permission to board
Restrict the access of persons to premises or a place if they reasonably believe an emergency to have occurred
Restrict the access of persons to premises or a place if they reasonably believe an emergency to have occurred

Why?

Expectations?

Benefit vs Risk?

Objectives

Maintain the safety of all personnel, other responders and the public
Save life and reduce harm
All incident information:
Maintain the safety of all personnel, other responders and the public
Save life and reduce harm
Minimise the impact of the incident and fire service actions on any identified environmental risk
Promote community recovery and restore normal operations
Further objectives
- All incident information:
- Consider the JESIP principles at all incidents involving multi-agency operations
- Consider taking action to prevent a serious escalation of the incident
- Protect Critical National Infrastructure and/or local critical infrastructure
- Minimise the impact of the incident and fire service actions on any identified environmental risk

Tactical priorities

Jointly agree search and rescue or recovery response with other agencies based on survivability model
Consider deploying appropriate safety officers at incidents involving water and unstable surfaces
Implement a co-ordinated search plan, define parameters and sub-divide the area where necessary
Develop a plan based on Locate, Access, Stabilise, Transport (LAST) principles
Assign suitably trained responders to carry out casualty assessment and provide treatment
All incident information:
Carry out a dynamic risk assessment, identify hazards, evaluate risk and implement safe systems of work
Declare the tactical mode and communicate to all personnel and fire control
Carry out and formally record analytical risk assessments at suitable intervals
Establish emergency arrangements appropriate to the type, size and complexity of the incident
Further tactical priorities
- All incident information:
- Apply the firefighter safety maxim and safe person principles at incidents
- Identify and communicate the hazard area and establish a safe working area as soon as is practicable
- Anticipate the likely development of the incident and evaluate the potential consequences of a range of actions
- Develop and communicate an incident plan considering contingencies arrangements
- Consider the competence of individuals and teams when allocating tasks
- Regularly review and update incident plan in response to active monitoring of the situation against expected outcomes
- Review the tactical mode following active monitoring and briefings with sector commanders
- Periodically review the analytical risk assessment using situational awareness from active monitoring
- Use the Joint Decision Model to co-ordinate an effective response at multi-agency incidents
- Identify the need to evacuate and develop a strategy in liaison with partner agencies
- Establish an appropriate muster point and communicate its location to all personnel, and other responders if present
- Secure the scene to ensure evidence is preserved for internal and external investigations
- Carry out an environmental risk assessment and monitor the impact of tactics on the identified risk
- Consider appointing a search co-ordinator to ensure all areas have been systematically searched

Operational tactics

Make a safe approach to the casualty and maintain a safe environment for all involved
Consider mobilising appropriate resources to close off the search area
Establish and maintain contact with the casualty
Implement a co-ordinated search plan, define parameters and subdivide the area where necessary
Adopt a shout – reach – throw – row – go - helicopter hierarchy approach to rescue plan
Consider the need for immediate rescue or a means of securing the casualty
Assign suitably trained responders to carry out casualty assessment and provide treatment
All incident information:
Gain access to premises causing minimal damage considering the urgency of the situation
Establish and resource a casualty care point
Determine whether people should be advised to evacuate, shelter in place or 'stay put'
When evacuation is necessary, identify the number of people affected and develop a plan
Further operational tactics
- Use approved equipment to protect the casualty from the effects of cold water shock and to reduce the possibility of hypothermia
- Consider the use of specialist equipment for rescues from mud, ice and unstable surfaces
- Take care when digging around casualties partially submerged in unstable ground
- Consider screening casualties from the view of the public, media or other casualties
- All incident information:
- Consider the potential effects of incident development when positioning appliances
- Identify the number of casualties requiring medical attention and instigate a triage process
- Instigate and communicate hygiene arrangements, facilities and consider decontamination
- Implement an appropriate protection plan when an identified nature conservation site is at risk
- Remove casualties from water in a horizontal position and elevate legs where possible

Communication

Establish communications with police search advisors (PolSA) and other responder agencies
Brief search teams on plans, parameters and casualty information, confirming understanding
Use the most effective methods for communicating with people who are either directly or indirectly involved in the incident
Communicate using appropriate hand and whistle safety signals for water rescue to all personnel
Provide a structured handover when transferring casualty to medical responders
All incident information:
Establish and maintain an incident ground communication plan considering other agencies and remote resources
Ensure that all personnel are briefed on the current hazards, risks, control measures and tactical mode
Communicate the incident situation to other responders via fire control using the M\ETHANE message protocol
Provide a structured brief when handing over and taking over command
Communicate findings of analytical risk assessment to all personnel and other agencies
Further communication
- All incident information:
- Identify the safest access route, rendezvous points (RVPs) and marshalling areas, and communicate to all responders and the fire control room
- Communicate any change in the tactical mode of a sector of the incident to all personnel
- Communicate objectives, priorities and tactics to be adopted in resolving the incident
- Deliver clear, concise and timely briefings to crews, command support functions and other agencies
- Ensure all personnel are aware of the incident command structure and communication strategy
- Establish a media liaison point and brief a nominated media liaison officer
- Use plain English to communicate information where a lack of common understanding exists
- Regularly pass information to fire control regarding incident progress
- Establish an appropriate muster point and communicate its location to all personnel, and other responders if present
- Ensure that all appropriate environmental agencies are informed of the incident when required
- Use the most effective methods for communicating with people who are either directly or indirectly involved in the incident
- Establish a media liaison point and brief a nominated media liaison officer

Control

Appoint a safety officer to monitor the hazard presented by water or other liquids
Consider establishing control zones at incidents involving water and communicate to all responders
Use an appropriate system of identification for water safety, search and rescue teams
All incident information:
Establish an incident command structure appropriate to the likely size and complexity of the incident
Ensure that appropriate inner and outer cordons are established and communicated following an assessment of risk to all people present
Control access to the inner cordon using methods proportionate to the type, size and complexity of the incident
Appoint competent safety officers to monitor specific hazards or activities
Instigate a tactical withdrawal of personnel when the mode changes from offensive to defensive
Further control information
- Establish and maintain an exclusion zone around any body of water or unstable surface where no existing guarding exist
- All incident information:
- Be prepared to adopt a leadership role at multi-agency incidents
- Establish a scene access control point to log all people operating within the inner cordon when appropriate
- Consider the use of command support systems and equipment where required
- Monitor the performance of personnel and where necessary modify plans to available competencies
- Record the details of the transfer of command; this should be done at the incident ground and in the fire control room
- Instigate a safety sector at large or complex incidents under the control of a safety sector commander
- Implement exclusion zones if intolerable risks to safety are identified
- Request police assistance to establish a traffic cordon or air exclusion zone if necessary
- Request an air exclusion zone through the appropriate authority if required
- Maintain effective command and control in an emergency situation
- Carry out a roll call of personnel at the scene following an emergency evacuation of responders
- Appoint a safety officer to monitor the hazard presented by water or other liquids

Incident closure and handover

Follow service protocols for post incident health surveillance and monitoring
Consider decontamination of personnel, PPE and equipment prior to redeployment
All incident information:
Ensure that effective supervision of operational activity is maintained until the conclusion of the incident
Instigate and co-operate with post incident investigations where necessary
Ensure that hazards, potential hazards and control measures are identified when handing over responsibility for health and safety to the responsible person
Consider taking appropriate steps to secure premises or vehicles after access or entry has been gained by force
Conduct a structured debrief at a level appropriate to the size of the incident
Consider community recovery protocols and arrange appropriate assistance prior to leaving the incident
Further incident closure and handover
- All incident information:
- Consider whether appliances, personnel, equipment and other resources can be released from the incident
- Conduct an inventory check and record any defects or deficiencies
- Consider decontamination of personnel, PPE and equipment prior to redeployment
- Consider the condition and serviceability of PPE when assessing operational readiness for redeployment
- Secure the scene to ensure evidence is preserved for internal and external investigations
- Gather relevant information for the incident recording system
- Conduct a structured debrief at a level appropriate to the size of the incident
- Record and share significant findings from incident debriefs
- When appropriate instigate a review of existing guidance following the use of operational discretion
- Ensure differences in information are resolved and systems updated following the closure of an incident
- Compile and secure all incident command paperwork (e.g. analytical risk assessment and decision logs)
- Ensure that waste products created by the fire and rescue service are disposed of legally and responsibly
- Follow service protocols for post incident health surveillance and monitoring
- Instigate and co-operate with post incident investigations where necessary

Additional information

Suvivabiliity model
Team identification system
- Water safety and rescue (first responder): Yellow water rescue helmet
- Water safety and rescue (technician): Red water rescue helmet
- Rescue boat operator: Red water rescue helmet
- Team leader: White water rescue helmet

Rescue from water

Incident information

Further incident information

Resource information

Further resource information

Risk information

Working environment

Bodies of water

Vehicles in water

Unstable ground

Casualty

Weather conditions

Extremes of temperature

Waterborne microorganisms

Powers, policies and procedures

Objectives

Further objectives

Tactical priorities

Further tactical priorities

Operational tactics

Further operational tactics

Communication

Further communication

Control

Further control information

Incident closure and handover

Further incident closure and handover

Additional information