Technical Rescue Response

Section 2 - EMERGENCY OPERATIONS

PURPOSE:

Response to technical rescue incidents including high angle, confined space and hazardous materials that require expertise and/or equipment beyond the level of training of MFD personnel.
To provide procedures for Maitland Fire Rescue Department personnel while operating at the scene of alarms involving specialized rescue teams (confined space, high angle, structural collapse and hazardous materials incidents).

PROCEDURE:

• Maitland Fire Rescue personnel shall follow established guidelines for emergency responses regardless of the type of incident based on dispatcher information.
• Upon arrival at the scene, the ranking officer shall perform a scene size-up and evaluation to determine the need for additional resources.
• If the need for technical rescue teams or equipment that exceeds the level of training or capabilities of responding units is identified, the ranking officer will request from dispatch the response of appropriate personnel through mutual aid.
• Fire Rescue personnel will provide for basic scene safety and establish a safe perimeter. The ranking officer should gather as much information as possible about the type of incident, number of patients and any associated hazards should be identified.
• Battalion 45 will respond to the scene and establish command. Command may be relinquished to mutual aid battalion chiefs with expertise in the rescue or event being mitigated.
• Upon arrival of specialized rescue teams to the scene, all parties will meet at the command post to discuss the action plan.
• Fire Rescue personnel will act in support of mutual aid technical rescue teams. At no time will any MFD personnel engage in specialized rescue tasks unless proper training is documented and must be approved by the Incident Commander.