Job Descriptions at an accident scene

[HYTHE FIRE DEPARTMENT]

Our department is just starting in the extrication business. Our neighbour department has been doing this for many years, and we have been able to pick up many pointers and tips from them. However, they used to be very disorganized at the scene, which increased the stress level for all involved.

We made a commitment that when we started this, we would do it the right way from the start. One of the systems we want to incorporate is job descriptions or titles. What I mean by job descriptions, is that on the way to the MVA, the incident comand can look at the manpower he/she has with them, and assign job titles to each individual. Once the member knows what their job title is, they will know what duties they are responsible for at the scene.

Thus I have two questions. First, does your department assign jobs for an MVA? If so, what are the titles, and what are the duties associated with those titles.

Thanks

John Woltjer
Fire Chief
Hythe Volunteer Fire Department

[This message has been edited by HYTHE FIRE DEPARTMENT (edited September 21, 2000).]

[Rich Behling]

Its always important to save time whenever possible with an exterication. While we also try to assign jobs to the personnel enroute, you must remain flexible with your plan of attack. We have tried to incorpirate many of the technieques used in the car busters video series. An Incident Comand system is defineatly a plus. You said that you have recieved tips and pointers from the neighboring dept. and this is good, we all need to share in what works and what dosn't.
hope this helps,

[MetalMedic]

If you don't have a copy already, be sure to get VEHICLE RESCUE AND EXTRICATION by Ronald E. Moore (Our esteemed Moderator) and you might also want a copy of VEHICLE EXTRICATION - A TRAINING MANUAL by J. Steven Kidd and John D. Czajkowski. I believe you can find links to purchase these from FIREHOUSE.COM and if not, BN.COM and AMAZON.COM should have them. Both books have excellent sections on pre-planning incidents that should help you accomplish your goals.

Good luck to you in the new endeaver. The easiest advise I can give to someone new at this is that sometimes you need to SLOW down to accomplish your goal. So I have a personal motto:

"Don't just do something, stand there!"

In other words, sometimes we get so caught up in a situation that we start doing unnecessary things. It is often best to STOP, size things up, make a plan and THEN implement it.

------------------
Richard Nester
Orrville (OH) Fire Dept.


[This message has been edited by MetalMedic (edited September 06, 2000).]

[rmoore]

A Posting from Forum Moderator Ron Moore

I served as Asst Chief of a small volunteer fire department in upstate New York back in the late 80's and early 90's. I wrote these job descriptions for our department at that time. Maybe they can serve as a starting point as you develop assignment riding positions for your department.

= = = = = = = = =
OFFICE of the CHIEF

Attention:
Fire Officers and Rescue Squad members

Subject:
Vehicle Rescue Incident Management

Effectively immediately, the following practices and procedures shall be utilized to command, control, and operate at motor vehicle incidents within the protected Fire District.

PURPOSE:
It shall be the intent of this standard operating procedure that all trapped patients shall be extricated in as efficient, safe, and timely manner as practical according to generally accepted standards. It shall be the goal of the fire department to assist in what ever way possible so that trapped occupants can receive definitive surgical intervention at an appropriate medical facility with their 'golden hour' of survival.

RESPONSIBILITY:
The Montour Falls Fire Department is the lead agency responsible for fulfilling extrication duties for the protected Village and Fire District and can provide vehicle rescue and medical services to any location as requested through State & County mutual aid plans.

Emergency Medical services are provided within the protected Fire District by members of the Montour Falls Fire Department Rescue Squad, the Schuyler Volunteer Ambulance Corps, and other EMS organizations as requested through the County mutual aid plan.

RESPONSE:
Fire department response to motor vehicle accident incidents within the protected Fire District include;
( Engine 17)
one pumper with operating crew of 4 firefighters

( GM-1)
one medium-duty medical/rescue unit with operating crew of 3 firefighter/medics

( Rescue 19)
one heavy rescue unit with a crew of four firefighters

Fire department response to MUTUAL AID motor vehicle accident outside the Fire District shall include;

( GM-1)
one medium-duty medical/rescue unit with operating crew of 3 firefighter/medics

( Rescue 19)
one heavy rescue unit with a crew of four firefighters

On mutual aid responses it shall be the responsibility of senior firefighter/medic of GM-1 crew to request confirmation that engine company from requesting department is present on scene

CREW ASSIGNMENTS: Engine Company
The Montour Falls FD engine company personnel and officer are responsible for safe positioning of the apparatus and control of all existing or potential fire and safety hazards present at the emergency scene.

It shall be a standard policy of the engine company crew to deploy one portable dry chemical fire extinguisher or establish one fire safety handline with a minimum flow capability of 100 gpm ( 1-3/4 inch).

Engine company personnel are responsible for initial stabilization of the damaged vehicles by chocking wheels, scanning for airbags, disabling electrical systems of damaged vehicles (disconnect or cut negative battery cables) and controlling any other hazards that are present now or may be present throught the duration of the incident.

CREW ASSIGNMENTS: Rescue Squad
Members of the Montour Falls Fire Department Rescue Squad shall be responsible for providing initial basic emergency medical care to the accidents victims, and assisting Schuyler Ambulance personnel or any assisting EMS agency as appropriate.

Squad members shall don full protective clothing including infectious disease protective measures ( latex rubber gloves, goggles, surgical face masks) and shall place their accountability tags on the dashboard of
GM-1.

The driver of the rescue squad vehicle ( GM-1) is also responsible for safe and appropriate positioning of GM-1 at the accident scene and incuring that accountability tags of crew are accounted for.

Rescue Squad members when confronted with real or potential multi-casualty incident, shall initiate the Mass Casualty Incident plan and function under the MCI plan as necessary.

CREW ASSIGNMENTS: Vehicle rescue team

Fire department vehicle rescue personnel shall assemble in full protective gear at a rescue personnel staging area near Rescue 19. Their responsibilities shall include but not be limited to;

• 1) placing firefighter accountability tags in collection area
  
  2) forming 2-firefighter work teams
  
  3) contacting command officer to report availability
  
  4) assisting operator of GM-1 and R-19 to deploy extrication and medical tools and equipment to the staging area.
  
  5) accomplish all vehicle rescue evolutions necessary to free the trapped patients as assigned

The driver/operator of the heavy rescue (Rescue 19 ) is also responsible for;

• 1) proper positioning of the vehicle,
  
  2) designating the rescue tool and equipment staging area,
  
  3) monitoring department equipment inventory,
  
  4) deployment of electrical service and floodlights as necessary at the incident,
  
  5) monitoring the firefighter accountability system for all department personnel present at the incident scene.

Additional arriving fire department personnel shall;

• 1) don full protective gear
  
  2) turn in their accountability tags to the operator of Rescue 19
  
  3) stage in standby status
  
  4) await vehicle rescue assignments

CREW ASSIGNMENTS: Fire Officers

The senior fire department officer is responsible for;

• 1) safety of all operating emergency service personnel
  
  2) overall scene assessment,
  
  3) establishing command,
  
  4) maintaining communication between operating personnel and agencies present at the scene and the County Fire Control.

The rescue officer is responsible for;

• 1) safety of all emergency service personnel within rescue sector,
  2) fire service-related activities within the extrication sector,
  3) command of all assigned fire department & rescue squad members working under the officer's supervision.
  (4) Any evolutions may be assigned as deemed necessary by the rescue sector officer in cooperation with the emergency medical personnel attending to the injured parties and the Incident Commander.

NOTE: Department operations in Montour Falls NY when I was there were designed to conform to the four Phases of Rescue as published in Firehoue magazine, September, Oct, Nov, Dec 2000 editions

Ron Moore