Swiftwater/Flood Rescues Sample Clauses

Swiftwater/Flood Rescues. 1. For the purpose of this policy, a “swiftwater/flood rescue” is defined as any rescue of persons or property threatened, surrounded, or entrapped by stationary or moving water. Swiftwater/flood rescues, particularly those rescues that necessitate going in the water to affect the rescue, are extremely hazardous operations. To safely perform these rescues requires specialized training and equipment. For this reason, it is important that, where possible, all swiftwater/flood rescues be performed by the Lifeguard Division Swiftwater/Flood Rescue Team. The Lifeguards who comprise this team are expert swimmers and have received extensive training in making swiftwater/flood rescues. In addition, there is a reserve of Lifeguards who are qualified to assist them. As a general policy, therefore, the Lifeguard Division Swiftwater/Flood Rescue Team will be called to make these rescues. Other safety personnel will not make in-water rescues unless a citizen’s life is in immediate peril. 2. Whenever an inland water emergency occurs, the request for emergency service should be referred by the Police to the Lifeguard Communications Center. Lifeguard Division will dispatch the appropriate unit or units. In those cases where it is not apparent from the request that a swiftwater/flood rescue is involved but any responding Fire-Rescue units realize upon arrival at a scene that a swiftwater/flood rescue is necessary, the Lifeguard Division Swiftwater/Flood Rescue Team will be summoned. Other safety personnel will not attempt swiftwater/flood rescues unless a citizen’s life is in imminent peril. This policy applies at any time of the day and during periods when there is no flood alert or during a Stage 1 or Stage 2 flood alert as defined in the Disaster Preparedness Plan. The Lifeguard Division Swiftwater/Flood Rescue Team is available on a call back basis at all times through the Lifeguard Communications Center. 3. It is also necessary to address the issue of emergency scene management at swiftwater/flood rescue incidents. The senior officer of Fire-Rescue at the scene will be responsible for overall scene management. When the Lifeguard Division Swiftwater/Flood Rescue Team is called to the scene, the senior ranking member of the Swiftwater/Flood Rescue Team will be responsible for overseeing the in-water rescue and how that should be accomplished. The senior officers of all safety services at the scene should ensure that there is a high degree of coordination and cooperation...