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HomeMy WebLinkAbout306.003a - Aerial Stokes TRAINING AND EQUIPMENT MANUAL RESCUE EQUIPMENT 306.003a AERIAL STOKES EFFECTIVE: DECEMBER 2019 Current Revision Date: 12/10/19 Next Revision Date: 12/10/24 Author’s Name/Rank: Justin Moore, Captain Review Level: 1 Administrative Support: Leslie Oulashian, Management Analyst II Section 306.003a Page 1 of 13 PURPOSE The purpose of this policy is to establish guidelines for the use of Fres no Fire Department (FFD or Department) aerial apparatus when extricating a victim from a vertical location. APPLICATION This policy applies to aerial operations and the use of a Stokes litter for victim removal. OPERATIONAL POLICY  When an aerial is used to retrieve a packaged victim, it is considered a technical rescue. The Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) team shall be requested for all technical rescues to provide assistance as needed. If the situation requires a rescuer to escort the Stokes/packaged victim, the operation will be performed by the USAR team.  Do not exceed the rated load of the aerial ladder/tower when using the Stokes litter. Always reference the load chart provided with the aerial ladder for specific allowable loads.  Do not exceed the rated capacity of the rated attachment points; use them in pairs with the load centered.  All rigging shall be built in order to avoid entanglement.  All rigging shall be safety checked before moving a victim/Stokes litter (load).  A spotter shall maintain visual contact with the load and radio communication with the operator throughout the entire operation. Section 306.003a Page 2 of 13  The spotter shall ensure the load does not become e ntangled with any object throughout the duration of the operation.  The aerial water way shall remain in the rescue position on a Ladder.  When using an aerial ladder, the ladder must be extended out far enough to avoid entanglement on the bed section, fir st fly section, or the aerial water way.  Throughout this evolution, use sound rigging practices such as locking all carabiners so the locks rotate into the downward/locked position. OPERATIONAL GUIDELINE Aerial apparatus may function to move a package d victim in multiple ways. The following operations listed from lowest to highest risk should be considered: 1. Movement of an ambulatory victim. 2. Aerial Tower mounted Stokes litter. 3. Short haul operation with either an Aerial Tower or an Aerial Ladder (Short haul with attendant, USAR operation only). 4. Stationary High point (USAR operation only). PROCESS 1. Ambulatory Victims: Aerial Towers should be considered the preferred method of moving an ambulatory victim at height. Once the victim is guided into the Aerial Tower, the victim should be secured using the ladder belt. If an aerial ladder is utilized, a member will assist the victim down the ladder. Ambulatory victims should be placed in a ladder belt and provided a helmet. Section 306.003a Page 3 of 13 2. Aerial Tower-mounted Stokes Litter: The use of the Aerial Tower’s Stokes litter mounting arm is the safest of all the non-ambulatory operations and should be considered the first option for moving a packaged victim with an aerial apparatus. (See Figure1.) Figure 1 a. Secure the victim to the Stokes litter using victim harness and lashing. b. Ensure the left side platform top rail is in the closed and locked position. c. The rappelling arm assembly is to be positioned directly in front of the left side platform entrance gate. Lift up on the assembly and rotate 180 degrees. (See Figure 2.) Ensure the arm assembly is locked before the Stokes litter is positioned on the arm. Figure 2 Section 306.003a Page 4 of 13 d. Stainless steel overlays are provided on the rear handrail of the platform bucket as well as the top of the rappelling arm. e. Position the Stokes litter on the rappelling arm and on the rear handrail of the platform. f. Use the two attachment points on the inside of th e platform bucket to secure the Stokes litter to the platform. Each attachment point accommodates two securing straps. (See Figure 3.) Figure 3 g. Four straps are provided. i. Two of the straps have friction locks. (See Figure 4.) ii. Two of the straps have ratchets. (See Figure 5.) h. Hold the Stokes litter in place until all the straps are secured to ensure it will not move. Figure 4 Figure 5 Section 306.003a Page 5 of 13 i. Using one of the friction lock straps, loop the hook end around a hand hold (See Figure 6) on the Stokes litter (on the side closest to the attachment point) and secure the hook to the “D” ring on the strap. Figure 6 j. Secure the latch to the slot of the corresponding upper attachment point. (See Figure 7.) Figure 7 k. Pull the free end of the strap to tighten. l. For the opposite side (front/rear) using one of the friction lock straps, loop the hook end around a hand hold (See Figure 6) on the Stokes litter (On the side closest to the attachment point) and secure the hook to the “D” ring on the strap. m. Secure the latch to the slot of the corresponding upper attachment point. (See Figure 7.) n. Pull the free end of the strap to tighten. Section 306.003a Page 6 of 13 o. Repeat this process on the other attachment point. p. Before moving the aerial tower platform, insure the access door under the Stokes litter is latched closed. Once at ground level, loosen each of the straps and unhook from the Stokes litter. Remove the straps from the attachment points of the platform bucket and move to avoid a trip hazard. q. Hold the Stokes litter until it has been removed from the platform. r. Pass the Stokes litter to other firefighters on the ground. 3. Short-haul Operation: A short-haul operation may be performed with any aerial apparatus equipped with rated connection points. An Aerial Tower is stronger and more stable than an aerial ladder therefore; it is considered the preferred resource. This operation uses a pre-made Stokes “Bridle” to connect the Stokes litter under the ladder from the rated attachment points. The use of a short-haul operation provides greater versatility than the mounted Stokes operation, but limitations exist: a. Victim must be located in an area where the pre-made bridle will reach the Stokes litter and the rated attachment points on the aerial. Swinging is a risk factor for this operation, thus, the pre- made bridle is a designed length to reduce swing. b. The spotter may have difficulty maintaining visual contact with the load (victim/Stokes) throughout the entire operation and should maintain radio communication with the aerial operator. The spotter is to ensure the load does not become entangled with any object throughout the duration of the operation. c. The aerial apparatus must be spotted in an area where the length of the bridle will allow the victim to be placed in a safe area for removal. Aerial operators should lift/move in a smooth manner, without causing the device or the load to bounce, jerk, or sway. Tag lines should be used unless their use would create a greater hazard. Tag lines provide functional and safety purposes. Functionally, they help guide the load to the intended location. They provide safety by eliminating the potential for the load to swing and will help prevent the bridle or Stokes litter from becoming entangled with objects. Section 306.003a Page 7 of 13 The following sections describe methods for using both the Aerial Tower and Aerial Ladder in a short haul operation to transport the Stokes and associated victim: a. Bridle Assembly: The bridle assembly consists of two (2) 10 foot pieces of rope with a figure eight on a bight tied into each end with carabiners attached to the figure eights. On one end, the bridle will be connected to the rated attachment points on the underside of the aerial. On the other end, it will be connected to the anchor plate of the Stokes Pre-Rig. (See Figures 8 and 9.) Aerial Tower Aerial Ladder Figure 8 Figure 9 b. Aerial Tower Operation  Spot and stabilize Aerial Tower according to FFD policies and incident needs.  Attach bridle carabiners directly to the rated attachment points on underside of the Tower platform, with carabiners oriented so the locks rotate into the downward/locked position, with the spine of the carabiner against the rubber stops under the Tower platform. (See Figure 10.) Section 306.003a Page 8 of 13 Figure 10  Attach the Stokes pre-rig anchor plate to the bridle. (See Figure 11.) Figure 11  Attach the Stokes pre-rig to the Stokes litter. (See Figure 12.) Section 306.003a Page 9 of 13 Figure 12  Secure the victim to the Stokes litter using victim lashing.  Attach a tag line to the Stokes litter. The tag line can be constructed with one or two utility ropes, with a knot or carabiner as dictated by the incident needs. To a certain extent, the height at which this system hangs can be controlled by extending/retracting and raising/lowering the ladder, as this entire apparatus hangs approximately 10 feet from the bottom of the Tower platform. c. Aerial Ladder Operation  Spot and stabilize Aerial Ladder according to FFD policies and incident needs.  When using an Aerial Ladder the ladder must be extended out far enough to avoid entanglement on the bed section, first fly section, or the aerial water way. The aerial water way is to remain in the rescue position. When retracting the ladder ensure to avoid entanglem ent with the bed section, first fly section, or the aerial water way. (See Figure 13.) Section 306.003a Page 10 of 13 Figure 13  Attach bridle carabiners directly to the rated attachment points on the ladder with carabiners orientated so the locks rotate into the downward position. (See Figure 14.) Figure 14  Attach the Stokes pre-rig anchor plate to the bridle assembly. (See Figure 15.) Section 306.003a Page 11 of 13 Figure 15  Attach the Stokes pre-rig to the Stokes litter.  Secure the victim to the Stokes litter using victim lashing.  Attach a tag line to the Stokes litter. The tag line can be constructed with one or two utility ropes, as dictated by the incident needs. To a certain extent, the height at which this system ha ngs can be controlled by extending/retracting and raising/lowering the ladder, as this entire apparatus hangs approximately 10 feet from the bottom of the ladder. Section 306.003a Page 12 of 13 4. Stationary High Point: The use of an aerial apparatus as a stationary high point is a technical skill. This evolution requires the use of skills such as deflective off sets and load redirects. This evolution is an advanced rope skill, which should only be carried out or overseen by members of the USAR Team. INFORMATION This section intentionally left blank. DEFINITIONS Aerial Tower: An aerial apparatus equipped with an elevating platform bucket, which is designed to support firefighting and rescue operations by positioning personnel, providing continuous egress or discharging water at positions usually elevated from the ground. Aerial Ladder: An aerial apparatus equipped with a power- operated ladder, which allows firefighters to ascend and descend between the tip of the ladder and the turntable. As used by FFD, fully extended working height will be identified on the side of the ladder and in apparatus information book. Working height is measured from the ground to the highest ladder rung at maximum elevation and extension. Bridle: The bridle assembly will be two (2) 10 foot pieces of rope with a figure eight on a bite tied into each end and carabiners attached to the figure eights. On one end, the bridle will be attached to the rated attachment points on the underside of the aerial. On the other end, it will be attached to the anchor plate of the stokes Pre-Rig. Stokes Pre-Rig: Four point connection set up for a Stokes litter attached to anchor plate. Load: Stokes, victim, and rigging. Safety Check: - After attachments are made and prior to any operational movement. Section 306.003a Page 13 of 13 - Ensures all parts of the system are properly assembled, tied, and secured. - Performed by a member who has not constructed that component. Spotter: The purpose of the spotter is to assist the aerial operator in maneuvering the load into position and prevent entanglement and injury. Vertical Environment: An emergency scene where a victim must be moved from above or below grade to a safe location. Victim Lashing: The victim lashing consists of equipment used to secure a victim in a Stokes litter. CROSS-REFERENCES Standard Operating Procedures Manual Section 202.14, Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) Section 202.014b, Rope Rescue Training and Equipment Manual Section 306.003, Basic Rope Rescue Equipment Section 313.041, Standard Stabilizer Deploy Section 313.042, Standard Aerial Deploy NFPA 1670, Standard on Operations and Training for Technical Search and Rescue Incidents NFPA 1006, Standard for Technical rescue Personnel Professional Qualifications SFA Aerial Platform Operations & Service Manual SFA Aerial Ladder Operations & Service Manual