View source for Rope Training - Station 45

==Section 1 - ADMINISTRATIVE==
===130.10 Rope Training - Station 45===

===PURPOSE:===
Maitland Fire/Rescue will not operate as a high angle rescue team. This policy is in place for Maitland Fire/Rescue Department to use for training and the safety of Maitland Fire/Rescue personnel. The fire department recognizes the dangers to its personnel during any rope-assisted rescue/operation, which takes members to extreme heights or into confined spaces. These operating procedures are designed to ensure the safety of each rescuer during such operations. In the event that a rescue is deemed necessary an alarm will be activated immediately and a high angle rescue team will be requested from Orange County Dispatch.

===ANCHOR CLASSES===
* Class “A” anchor: is generally thought of as being an integral part of the structure and is sometimes referred to as “Bomb Proof”. Examples would be a concrete column, the iron I beam framework of a metal building or a large mature tree rooted into the ground.
* Class “B” anchor: are attachment points that have been placed through the structure after construction. Examples of these would be a large iron pipe run through chase holes in floors, an I-bolt through a reinforced wall or a secure large heavy boulder.
* Class “C” anchor: are items attached to the structure with minimal hardware and don’t possess the strength/integrity to withstand a significant amount of force. Examples of this type of anchor are stair rails attached to the wall by screws or Lag bolts, door and door hinges, and smaller trees or exposed roots.

===PERSONNEL REQUIRED===
* The following personnel will be required for all rope operations. All personnel are responsible for the safety of all other personnel. Any team member observing an unsafe practice shall correct the situation immediately. All persons may stop any operation at any time for safety purposes by yelling “FREEZE!” After a safety issue has been recognized all operations will cease to continue until the safety issue has been corrected. The operation shall only continue upon the team leader and safety leaders joint decision. No member of the team goes on a rope or starts an operation until he/she is checked by another member. The team member must ensure all carabineer gates are locked, all safety lines are attached, and all equipment, harnesses, and anchors are properly secured. You are responsible for checking your own anchor prior to starting an evolution.
* Team Leader – shall have a strong working knowledge of rope rescue operations and personal escape systems, as well as the associated techniques, methods, skills, rigging principles, and coinciding safe practices. The team leader shall have a
minimum qualification of rope rescue: operations level. The team leader is overall responsible for the safety of all persons during training. The team leader will oversee all operations and ensure procedures are strictly adhered to. All changes in operations, techniques, and plans shall only happen at the discretion of the team leader. The team leader shall remain “hands off” unless checking rigging, equipment, or correcting an issue. The team leader should be positioned to visualize the rescuer/trainee, rigging system, belay tenders, and safety officer at all times. If for any reason the team leader cannot remain in visual contact then a means of communications should be established prior to any operation. If deemed necessary then an edge man may be utilized to communicate between the rescuer/trainee and the team leader.
* Safety Leader– shall have a strong working knowledge of rope rescue operations and personal escape systems, as well as the associated techniques, methods, skills, rigging principles, and coinciding safe practices. The safety leader shall have a minimum qualification of rope rescue: operations level. The safety leader shall be “hands off” unless checking rigging, equipment, or correcting an issue. The safety leader should be positioned to visualize the rescuer/trainee, rigging system, belay tenders, and safety officer at all times. If for any reason the safety leader cannot remain in visual contact then a means of communications should be established prior to any operation. If deemed necessary then an edge man may be utilized to communicate between the rescuer/trainee and the safety leader.
* <u>Belay Tender</u> – shall be utilized anytime a member is performing a rope operation or escape. The belay tender will be responsible for tending the belay line that is attached to the rescuer/trainee. The belay tender will always communicate to the rescuer/trainee when they are ready to tend the line. The rescuer/trainee shall not proceed with any evolution until the belay tender is in place and has communicated that they are ready to tend the line. There shall be a belay tender assigned to each belay line that is in use. The belay tender is required to have a strong working knowledge of rope rescue operations, personal escape operations, and various belaying techniques. The belay tender should remain in constant visual contact with the rescuer/trainee. If they cannot because of rigging locations then an edge man will be assigned.