Sullivan County

Water Rescue & Recovery Team

Policy & Procedures

Water Rescue & Recovery Team 1 of 14 June 2004

Policy & Procedures
 Sullivan County Water Rescue & Recovery Team

Table of Contents

1) Mission Statement…………………………………………………………………Page 3

2) Definitions………………………………………………………………………….Page 3, 4

3) Personnel Requirements for Divers………………………………………………Page 4, 5, 6

4) Personnel Requirements for Surface Support……………………………………Page 7

5) Organizational Structure………………………………………………………….Page 7, 8, 9

6) General Operational Guidelines…………………………………………………..Page 9

7) Response to Emergency Incidents………………………………………………...Page 10, 11

8) Diving Procedures………………………………………………………………….Page 12, 13

9) Support Operations………………………………………………………………...Page 13

10) General Information………………………………………………………………..Page 13, 14

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1) Mission Statement

A. The Sullivan County Water Rescue and Recovery Team is a specialty operation of the said
organization “Sullivan County Bureau of Fire” It’s intent is to provide emergency dive services
for the Sullivan County community and to provide mutual aid to other organizations needing such
services.

It will be the intent of the Sullivan County Water Rescue and Recovery Team to follow these
general operating guidelines during training and/or any emergency water responses called upon to
render aid. These guidelines are to be used by the officers and all members of the team. These are
simply guidelines and not step-by-step methods. Under emergency conditions, they may be altered
as deemed necessary by the officer in charge. These procedures will not limit the team or it’s
officers to certain methods or task. If any amendment is made during operations immediate
notification must be made to the Dive Operations Officer and Incident Commander. It is also to
the knowledge of the Sullivan County Water Rescue and Recovery Team that there are some
national, federal and local entities that have regulations and guidelines concerning diving. It is the
intent of the team to honor these regulations and guidelines to the best of their ability when
concerning safety and health of the team members. Failure to honor and respect these guidelines
set forth in this document will result in a review of actions by team officers. Corrective actions, if
needed, will be rendered to prevent future occurrences.

2) Definitions

A) Water Rescue and Recovery Team

1) Consists of divers certified by a reputable dive agency and surface personnel who have
acquired additional training set forth in this document to perform water rescue
operations.

B) Diver

1) Person working in the water using self-contained underwater breathing apparatus

(SCUBA)

C) Team Officers

1) Shall be the most qualified personnel on the team. They must attend training regularly
and be actively striving towards or hold the highest certification required. These
personnel can be in charge of the teams operations.

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Policy & Procedures
 D) Open Water Diver

1) A recognized entry-level certification of scuba diving from any nationally recognized

agency.

E) Advanced Open Water Diver

1) Any upper level diver program above entry-level diver that promotes increased diver
skills offered by a nationally recognized agency.

F) Rescue Diver

1) A diving certification that teaches a diver the concept of self and buddy rescue methods
that is issued by a nationally recognized agency.

G) Public Safety Diver

1) A diving certification that reflects NFPA 1670 technical rescue standard technician
level program.

H) POV – Personally Owned Vehicles

3) Personnel Requirements for Divers

A) Applicants

1) Anyone wanting to apply to the Sullivan County Water Rescue and Recovery Team must
be eighteen (18) years of age, be a member in good standing of a Sullivan County Fire
Dept. and complete an application. This application shall include experience in any
firematic emergency training and/or experience as well as diver training acquired.

2) Probation Status: will be a six-month period. During this period they must attend 75%
of all training. This is so that they can develop a scope of the team’s operations.
During this probationary period they must obtain check offs on the basic skills as outlined
in this policy.
a) once on probation, duties can only be performed under supervision of an officer
or his/her designee.
b) No probationary member shall enter the water unless directed by an officer or
his/her designee.
c) No probationary member can be an officer.

B) All team members must maintain a current CPR card to remain on active status with the
team.

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Policy & Procedures
 C) All team members will maintain a working knowledge of the diving equipment that is
currently in service. They will also be aware of each piece of equipment’s purpose and use, so
that it maybe used safely.

D) If for any reason a member wishes to leave the team they must submit a request to hold their
position in an inactive status so that re-entering to the team at current status will be allowed.
Note: there will be the need to complete a series of re-qualification exercises to document
maintained skill level.

E) Entry-Level position to the team will be allowed at the “Open Water Diver” level. However,
this position will limit the diver’s capability to operate in certain situations. An “Advanced
Open Water Diver” level will expand the scope to which a diver can operate. A “Rescue
Diver” level will further expand a diver’s allowances. The key to higher certifications is that
they expand a divers knowledge and skills and therefore, promoting a more trained and
qualified diver. Divers certified to the “Public Safety Diver” level will be considered a
technician in accordance with NFPA 1670.

F) In addition to the previous mentioned qualifications all divers must be checked off in the
following areas before allowed to dive under these conditions.

1) Underwater Search Patterns

2) Night Diving
3) Black Water Diving
4) Line Tended Diving
5) Current Diving
6) Boat Diving
7) Overhead Environments
8) Crime Scene Preservation and Documentation
9) Recovery Procedures
10) Heavy Salvage Operations
11) Dry Suit Diving
12) Full Face Mask Diving

Additional training that will be required is:

1) Natural and Compass Navigation

2) CPR Certified
3) Basic First Aid Procedures (including first aid for diving related injuries and illnesses)
4) Basic Knots and Mechanical Advantage Systems
5) Equipment Recovery
6) Entanglement Procedures
7) Equipment Maintenance
8) Air Fill Station Methods

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 G) All divers will complete an annual agility test that will consist of:

1) 400-meter swim test without any equipment (10 laps).

2) 800-meter swim in full scuba gear (Use of arms will be prohibited during this exercise).
3) 200-meter diver tow in full scuba gear.
4) 15 minute water tread with last minute having hands out of the water.
5) A “Blind Bailout” drill in pool.

H) All members must maintain the fire department membership in Sullivan County.

I) At no time shall a member release any information to the public (including media) about
dive team operations without consent from the Fire Chief, and/or Dive Captain, and/or
other Team Officer(s). We all want to represent the team with a good image and build upon its
reputation; therefore, we should all try to maintain a good image.

J) All members will remain at the station after all calls and training sessions to insure all
equipment is placed back into service. Permission has to be granted by an officer to obtain
credit for the call and/or session.

K) Any personal gear kept with the team gear must be maintained in a working and clean state.
If any personal scuba gear is to be used in conjunction with the teams please obtain
permission so documentation can be kept on it for insurance purposes.

L) If a diver misses three (3) excused or unexcused monthly meetings and/or training sessions in
a row, he or she will be required, before the next meeting or training to make at least one (I)
open water dive and perform rescue skills. The objectives must be coordinated through a
team officer to be maintained on an active status. If not completed by the fourth meeting then
the applicant will be suspended and place on an inactive status. To be removed from an
inactive status a diver has to complete a request to be reviewed by the officers so that goals
can be created to bring the diver back up to a maintained standard. Only through training can
we produce excellence.

M) Dismissal Procedures

1) If any member is found to be working in ways that are detrimental to the team, then an
evaluation will be made by the Dive Captain, Senior / Dive Officers. Upon this evaluation
a written warning may be placed in said person’s personnel file. If repeated measures of
detrimental actions continue to occur then the said diver may be dismissed from the Dive
Team.

2) If a member is unable to meet the required training requirements and is non-proactive in

trying to maintain their diving proficiency then upon review by the Dive Captain, Senior /
Dive Officers, they may be placed in a inactive state or dismissed from the Dive Team. All
efforts will be made to encourage any persons in this position to get the required training to
maintain their active status. An inactive status will remain in effect for sixty (60) days.
During this time the said diver who wishes to be placed back on active status needs to meet
with the Dive Captain and obtain objectives and goals that need to be completed in-order
to be re-instated.

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4) Personnel Requirements for Surface Support

A) Applicants for surface support operations will fall under the same guidelines as diving applicants
minus the actual diving requirements.

B) Surface support personnel must attend training exercises to obtain knowledge of diving operations
and equipment. Those who train with the team will be given priority over those who do not when
an incident occurs and will be asked to accompany the team.

C) Surface support functions include, but are not limited to:

1. Communication operation
2. Line attendants / Rope mechanics
3. Boat operations
4. Rehab/Manpower
5. Equipment transport and preparation
6. Crowd and traffic control
7. Equipment repair

5) Organizational Structure

A. Overall supervision of this team falls under the authority and direction of the Deputy Fire
Coordinator for Special Operations who acts as the highest-ranking officer of the team as per the
County Fire Coordinator. The following organizational structure is for the internal operations of
the dive team. Maintaining the integrity of this structure is critical for the safety and health of dive
team members during training and operations. It also provides a vital link in the command
structure of this team

B. Team Captain

1) The Sullivan County Fire Coordinator appoints this position. This person is responsible for
Captain’s duties within the operations division. Duties in operations division are but not
limited too.

a) Coordination of training activities. All training activities shall be coordinated

through the team’s Assistant Team Captain for documentation.
b) Incident operations
c) Developing budget for dive team operation.
d) Responsible for equipment maintenance.

C. Assistant Team Captain

1) The Team Captain appoints this position. The Assistant Team Captain is the second level of
command for the dive team. His/her duties are to take control of incident operations and
training activities in the absence of the Team Captain.
a) Also helps with equipment maintenance and budget procedures.
b) Also serves as training records keeper.

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Policy & Procedures
 D. Tactical Officer

1) These are members of the dive team that are found by the Team Captain and Assistant Team
Captain to have the skills necessary to function as an officer within the team. Their training
and experience level is what will determine their eligibility. A list of qualified personnel will
be maintained by the team Captain and be available on the scene.

2) These officers function as the Senior Officer in the absence of the Team Captain and Assistant
Team Captain and can be appointed by the Deputy Fire Coordinator at the scene.

3) These officers shall be responsible for special tactical divisions during an operation, which
include but are not limited to:

a) Boat operations
b) ICS/Comms
c) Manpower / logistics
d) Rapid response team / diver
e) Shore operations
f) Rope mechanics and applications

4) Also helps with equipment maintenance / check offs and are advisors to the
budget proceedings.

E. Senior Divers

1) Divers in this category have been with the team at least one (1) year and have
completed advance levels of training and/or in house training equivalents.

2) These divers are responsible for equipment maintenance and check offs.

3) These divers can be used as Tactical Officers in tactical divisions if they have the
skill(s) in the area of need.

F. Divers

1) These are divers with less than one (1) year of experience or no more training than
open water diver.

2) These divers may be qualified in areas of section 2: F, but lack the experience
necessary to advance.

3) These divers are responsible for equipment maintenance and check offs.
Probationary divers see section 2: A: 2.

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Policy & Procedures
 G. Support Personnel

1) Senior Support Personnel

a) Personnel in this category must have the maximum of required training and experience and
have met the requirements of their position within the team.

2) Support Personnel

a) Personnel in this category must meet at least the minimum requirements of their position on
the team as well as the minimum training and experience to make the team.

6) General Operation Guidelines

A) Prior to any training and/or incident correct first aid equipment will he available in such a place
where all members will know its location.

B) Prior to any dive a team briefing will be preformed to insure that all participants know the
following:

1) The diving mode (training, rescue, recovery, or salvage)

2) Water conditions
3) Equipment needs
4) Emergency procedures
5) Task assignments
6) In addition there will be time to ask/answer any questions to the aspects or concerns of the
dive.

C) If diving is done in an area capable of marine traffic all warning device available will be used to
insure the safety and health of each diver.

D) The Sullivan County 911 center will at all times know the location of all training and incident
operations and have a way of making contact with the dive team.

E) There will be emergency contact information for each Team Member located in 53-61.

F) Before any emergency dive operation will begin there will be at least 2 divers on location and an
operations officer who has knowledge and skills capable of governing such incidents.

G) The Incident Command System (ICS) will be implemented at all emergency operations.

H) At all locations there will be what is considered “Hot Zone” This area will be defined as being any
point within a minimum of fifteen (15) feet of the water’s edge. Any personal located with this area
shall wear a flotation device (type II device) or wetsuit.

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Policy & Procedures
7) Response to Emergency Incidents

A) In the event 53-Control receives a call for a water rescue emergency the following will be standard
operating procedure for Water Rescue & Recovery Team activation:

1) 53- Control will dispatch the local fire department to the reported incident and immediately
contact the Deputy Fire Coordinator-Special Operations.

2) The fire department officer in charge of the scene will evaluate and notify 53-Control of the
situation found upon arrival to the incident. It will be the fire officer’s responsibility to obtain
all pertinent information as to the time the person or persons were last seen, their description,
ages, etc. The officer shall also gather any and all witnesses of the incident for information at
the scene. The scene shall also be secured for the arrival of the incoming Team.

3) If the Officer in charge determines that the incident requires divers an immediate request to
53-Control for activation of the Water Rescue & Recovery Team should be made. Once the
officer in charge calls for activation of the Team, 53-Control will request the Deputy Fire
Coordinator-Special Operations to respond and dispatch the Water Rescue & Recovery Team
to the incident.

Example:
Kauneonga Lake Fire Department has a water rescue incident. The officer in charge
evaluates the situation and notifies 53-Control that the Water Rescue & Recovery Team is needed.
The Special Operations Coordinator will be requested to respond. Individual divers will contact
53-Control by phone if they intend to respond to the incident. 53-Control will in turn notify the
Deputy Fire Coordinator-Special Operations and officer in charge of the incident as to the number
of divers, support personnel and equipment responding.

4) At no time shall any personnel from the Water Rescue & Recovery Team respond to an
incident without being requested. If the Special Operations Coordinator and/or officer in
charge ascertain that more divers are needed, 53 Control will, as directed by the Special
Operations Coordinator and/or officer in charge, request additional divers through mutual aid
from out of county.

5) The annually updated dive roster will be the only record by which any qualified team diver
will be dispatched. Only those divers whose names appear on the roster will be qualified to
participate at a water rescue or recovery incident. It will be the responsibility of a designated
team officer to update the list annually and submit the list with the annual inventory report.
Should additions or deletions to the list occur during the course of the year, the designated
team officer will provide this information in writing to 53-Control.

6) If out of County divers are needed, it will be at the discretion of the Deputy Fire Coordinator-
Special Operations or officer in charge.

7) In the event the Sullivan County Water Rescue & Recovery Team is to be activated to an out
of county mutual aid incident, 53-Control will obtain the number of divers needed by the
department requesting assistance and then activate the team for response to the incident.

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Policy & Procedures
 8) At all times the officer of the requesting department will be recognized as the incident
commander. The first arriving officer of the Water Rescue & Recovery Team will command
dive operations and team personnel.

B) In the event 53-Control receives a call for a water rescue emergency the following will be standard
operating procedure for Water Rescue & Recovery Team boat response:

1) Boat 53-60 will be dispatched by 53-Control

2) Boat 53-60 shall respond to all water rescue and recovery incidents upon request of the
Incident Commander, Special Operations Coordinator, Deputy Fire Coordinator or Fire
Coordinator.

3) Van 53-61 will transport boat 53-60 to any and all water related incidents unless special
circumstances require an alternative.

4) Boat 53-60 will only be operated by qualified personnel trained by the Water Rescue &
Recovery Team and shall be a member of the Team.

5) The person transporting Boat 53-60 will, if necessary, turn the craft over to a member of the
team who is a qualified boat operator.

6) A current list of qualified operators of Boat 53-60 will be kept available on the craft and in the
transporting vehicle.

7) All personnel aboard Boat 53-60 when operating at an incident or during training will wear
life jackets or dive gear.

8) The operator of Boat 53-60 will be responsible for the safe operation of the craft as well as the
conduct of personnel on board. Upon release from an water rescue or recovery incident it will
be the duty of the operator of Boat 53-60 to be sure that the boat as well as the transporter
vehicle is physically and mechanically back in service as per operator checklist.

C) Response to any emergency situation shall be directed with safety of all participants in mind.
Speed should be keep to a safe speed (remember you are not exempt from state traffic laws). Note:
A recovery is not worth the risk.

D) 53-61 will be the primary response unit of the Dive Team within and outside our
County. No more than five (5) responders will be allowed to respond on 53-61.

E) Driver(s) of 53-61 are not required to be divers, but should have knowledge of support operations.

F) While responding to incidents use common sense when you are determining the type of response
you are taking.

1)Lights and Siren when you expect the possibility of saving a life. Routine when it’s
a body recovery or object recovery.

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Policy & Procedures
8) Diving Procedures

A) The first/ highest-ranking person on location will assume command (IC) and implement the ICS.
The IC shall make a size-up of the situation and advise all responding unit(s) to the situation. The
IC will then set up the following functions:

1) Safety (Will have knowledge of dive operations)

2) Operations (Will have knowledge of dive operations)
3) Rehab/Man power
4) Crowd Control
5) Traffic Control
Note: depending on size of situation one person may assume dual or multiple roles.

B) The IC will direct the interviewing of witnesses to determine last known location of the
victim/object.

C) The location then will be marked by some type of surface float.

D) The operations officer will determine what type of search will be implemented and equipment
need to perform the necessary functions.

E) Once the location of a victim/object has been determine, if other than a possible rescue, it shall be
marked for documentation purposes.

F) Once any diver exits the water, they will report to rehab for examinations and vitals signs.

G) Any diver that must terminate their dive will make every effort to let their fellow divers know that
they are returning to the surface. Once the diver reaches the surface they should report to the
nearest surface support personnel and communicate their status to the officer in charge.

H) Any diver may decide not to dive for any reason and will not be pressured to by anyone period.

I) All divers shall terminate their dive when his/her available air supply drops to five hundred (500)
psi.

J) No diver shall enter the water without having a rapid response diver in location to effect quick
assistance if needed.

K) All divers are required to be wearing a harness and line when diving in a confine space.

L) No new diving technique will be allowed during an emergency operation unless it does not
jeopardize or produce a risk to the divers. Training on any new technique shall be a preferred route
to develop confidence with that proposed procedure.

M) If boat operations are used then there shall be a boat operations officer in charge of the placement
of said apparatuses. At no time shall a boat engage a motor with divers within 10 feet of its
location. Boats also, can be use as surface support and used to mark specific locations.

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 N) After each dive there will be a debriefing. It will consist of:
1) Vitals taken of said divers.
2) Opportunity to talk about what has occurred.
3) Law enforcement may need the opportunity to talk with the divers; it can be done at this
time while the information is still fresh.

O) Any injury (ies) shall be reported to the operations officer. It will be the operations officer
responsibility to notify command of said injury. Appropriate medical treatment will be provided.
Any diving illness such as decompression sickness (DCS) or air embolisms shall be treated at the
nearest recompression facility. Note:
Under this condition provide 100% oxygen treatment.

9) Support Operations

A) Surface support personnel must attend training exercises to obtain knowledge of diving operations
and equipment.

B) When operating in the mode of surface support life vest will be worn when within fifteen (15) feet
of the waters edge.

C) Surface support functions include, but are not limited to:

1. Communication operation
2. Line attendants / Rope mechanics
3. Boat operations
4. Rehab/Manpower
5. Equipment transport and preparation
6. Crowd and traffic control
7. Equipment repair

10) General Information

A) Any damaged equipment shall be place out of service and tagged to being out of service. The
damaged equipment information needs to be presented to the dive captain.

B) All reports shall be completed upon return to the station (incident and training). Also, include any
medical treatment or workman’s compensation forms. It will be the team officer in charge
responsibility to insure all forms have been completed.

C) An up to date training schedule will be given to all members so there will be no misunderstandings
regarding knowledge of training dates and locations.

D) Any other additional opportunities for training that are available will be posted as well. If any one
has knowledge of other classes or diving opportunities please list them or notify the dive captain.

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 E) It will be everyone’s responsibility to operate in a safe manner and to be aware of any conditions
that are unfavorable.

F) Comments or suggestions are always welcome. Everyone cooperation and dedication will be the
benefits of the whole team. Please bring them forward during training or feel free to contact the
Dive Captain if there is a need to be discussed on an individual
basis.

G) If anyone has any concerns or problems please contact the Dive Officer so that the situation may
be satisfied.

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Policy & Procedures