This page shall serve as the official Standard Operating Procedures for Rope Rescue operations and certification:

Last Updated:  08/01/2023
By:   Kidd B.

Standard Operating Procedure

Purpose

• The purpose of this document is to serve as the main point of reference for all SOPs pertaining to SAFD Rope Rescue Operations. Questions or concerns that extend past the scope of this SOP may be referred to the immediate supervisors. Deviations from the instructions in this document while operating in an official capacity could lead to disciplinary action at the discretion of leadership

• All San Andreas Fire Department Standard Operating Procedures, unless superseded by a specific part of this plan, remain in effect for Rope Rescue incidents 

Dispatch

• The Dispatch Center will attempt to obtain any and all information from the person reporting the incident. The information should, if possible, include the location of any potential victims (structure, terrain, height, access), number of victims, any current medical conditions (Bleeding Out (how long?), Dead), other pertinent information.

• Any additional information shall be relayed to responding units after dispatch. THIS SHOULD INCLUDE THE SAFEST APPROACH OR BEST ACCESS TO THE INCIDENT IF AVAILABLE 

• The Dispatch Center will dispatch the APPROPRIATE apparatus, specialty vehicles & equipment

• Command Staff will request additional resources (EMS/PD) and provide them with a staging location or assignment

First Arriving Unit

• The first arriving officer will establish Command and begin a size-up. The first unit must consciously avoid committing itself to a dangerous situation. When approaching, slow down or stop to assess any visible activity taking place. Evaluate effects of wind, topography and location of the situation. Determine the best access to any potential victims

• Command should consider ESTABLISHING LEVEL II STAGING WHENEVER POSSIBLE FOR OTHER RESPONDING UNITS. STAGED COMPANIES MUST BE in a safe location, taking into account access/egress

Size Up

• Command must make a careful size-up before making a commitment. It may be necessary to take immediate action to make a rescue or evacuate an area. This should be attempted only after a risk/benefit analysis is completed. Personnel must take advantage of available personal protective equipment in these situations

• The objective of the size-up is to identify the nature and severity of the immediate problem and to gather sufficient information to formulate a valid action plan. Hazardous Terrain incidents require a cautious and deliberate size-up. 

• Avoid premature commitment of companies and personnel to potentially hazardous locations. Proceed with caution in evaluating risks before formulating a plan and keep uncommitted companies at a safe distance

• Identify the best strategy for rescues based on potential dangers, taking into account terrain, time of day, wind and weather conditions, location of the incident and degree of risk to unprotected personnel. Take immediate action to evacuate and/or rescue persons in critical danger, if possible, providing for safety of rescuers FIRST. 

Action Plan

• Based on the initial size-up and any information available, Command will formulate an action plan to deal with the situation. 

THE ACTION PLAN MUST PROVIDE FOR: 

1. Safety of all fire personnel

2. Evacuation of endangered area, if necessary

3. Control of situation

4. Best strategy for removal of victim(s)

5. Staging and Casualty Collection Points

• Most rope rescue incidents will occur on elevated structures within city limits, or on mountainous terrain.

• The speed of the rescue effort should be determined based off the status of the victims(s)

• The specific action plan must identify the method of accessing the victims and removing them from the situation

• It may be necessary to select one method over another due to the unavailability of a particular resource or to adopt a "holding action" to wait for needed equipment or supplies. 

• Avoid committing personnel and equipment prematurely or "experimenting" with techniques and tactics. Many times it is necessary to evacuate and wait for a more highly trained personnel

-Operational Considerations

• While on the rope, the Specialist should not perfom ANY task other than descending/ascending. Pressing any other keys while on the rope could cause equipment failure and cause the Specialist to fall from the rope

Rope Technician Selection:

• Rank:  Specialist +

• Approval from Command Staff

• Approval from Rope Rescue Lead

• Trainee is responsible for coordinating training time through the Lead

• Lead is responsible for tracking overall progress and training hours per the SOP

• Once training program minimums have been met, Lead will present candidate to Fire Chief for approval

• Candidate shall operate in this capacity until Discord role is granted by the Chief

• Command reserves the right to approve or deny any certification process and it can be removed at any time at their discretion

Rope Rescue Turnover Process:

Phase 1:

[SESSION #] [SESSION TYPE]   [TIME] [TOPIC/TASK/OBJECTIVES]

• SESSION 1 REVIEW/CLASSROOM 45 min SOP Review

• SESSION 2 REVIEW/CLASSROOM 30 min Basic Equipment & Commands

• SESSION 3 REVIEW/CLASSROOM 30 min

• SESSION 4 PRACTICAL SESSION 1 hour

Phase 2:

[SESSION #] [SESSION TYPE]   [TIME] [TOPIC/TASK/OBJECTIVES]

• SESSION 1 PRACTICAL SESSION 1 hour

• SESSION 2 PRACTICAL SESSION 1 hour

• SESSION 3 PRACTICAL SESSION 2 hour

• SESSION 4 PRACTICAL SESSION 2 hour

• SESSION 5 PRACTICAL SESSION 1 hour

• SESSION 6 PRACTICAL SESSION 1 hour

Phase 3:

[SESSION #] [SESSION TYPE]   [TIME] [TOPIC/TASK/OBJECTIVES]

• SESSION 1 SCENARIO UKN

• SESSION 2 SCENARIO UKN

• SESSION 3 SCENARIO UKN

• SESSION 4 SCENARIO UKN

3+ hrs of ____

**Certified Rope Rescue Technicians will have the 'RopeRescue' discord role**