Fire Service Rescue (6th Edition)
Chapter 1 - Intro to Rescue Services
Test Review

What are the differences between rescues, recoveries, and extrications?

• Rescue-removal of a viable victim from entrapment or entanglement.
• Recovery-removal of a dead victim from entrapment or entanglement.
• Extrication-removal of a victim entrapped or entangled in machinery.

What are the differences between basic patient assessment/primary treatment and basic life support/advanced life support?

• Basic Patient Assessment/Primary Treatment consists of eliminating hazards that may further endanger the victim as well as packaging the patient for transport with limited treatment for life-threatening injuries.
• Basic Life Support/Advanced Life Support consists of actual splinting and bandaging (BLS) and starting IV's, giving drugs, and advanced procedures (ALS).

What questions should be answered when performing a rescue needs assessment?

• How often do rescues take place?
• Are rescues more likely on a certain day of the week or time of the day?
• Are the rescues simple or complex?
• Are natural hazards (lakes, caves, cliffs) involved?
• Are constructed areas (highways, railroads, large buildings) involved?
• Which part of the fire district has the most rescues?
• Are rescues more difficult in certain areas of the fire district?
• What is the average response time for a well-equipped rescue company?
• What is the potential for rescue? (extrication, aircraft, railroad, industrial, agricultural, structural collapse, cave-ins, elevated areas, water, subterranean, haz-mat)

What sources may be used to obtain rescue needs assessment information?

• Fire Department alarm records.
• Law enforcement agency records.
• Local persons.
• Local physicians.
• Hospital administrators.
• Local road supervisors (state, federal DOT).
• Fire Department members and members in public industry (haz-mat).

What are the advantages of having a rescue unit on the fireground?

• Rescue personnel can assist with routine truck operations such as forcible entry, ventilation, search, and control of utilities.
• Special equipment carried on rescue apparatus, such as oxyacetylene torches, jackhammers, winches, and long-duration SCBA's, can prove useful.

What is the primary reason to have a rescue unit on a fire scene?

• To rescue trapped or overcome firefighters.

What is the most common type of rescue?

• Those involving transportation accidents on public roadways.

What factors regarding railroad rescues should a rescue unit look for when assessing rescue potential?

• Number of rail lines in the area.
• Types of train(s).
• Condition of rails and roadbed.
• Speeds at which the trains travel.
• Means by which junctions are controlled.

What are some agricultural accidents may require rescue?

• Vehicle rollovers.
• People caught in machinery.
• Grain bin entrapments.
• Exposure to toxic gases, pesticides, or other agricultural chemicals.

What types of industrial equipment have the greatest potential for entrapment and injury?

• Chain or screw conveyors.
• Punch presses.
• Woodworking equipment.

What types of buildings should be evaluated for potential structural collapse?

• Inferior construction.
• Old and deteriorating.

When do trench rescue situations most often result?

• Loose, sandy soil.
• Incorrect or careless actions.
• Improperly stored piles of stone, sand, coal, or other materials.
• Grain storage facilities.

What are some typical areas in which an elevated rescue might be needed?

• Tall buildings.
• Transmitter towers.
• Elevated water storage tanks.
• Elevators.
• Canyons.
• Cliffs.
• Tall trees.

What elevator types should be identified in a rescue needs assessment?

• Passenger, freight, and service elevators.
• Large dumbwaiters.

What are some typical examples of confined spaces?

• Empty storage tanks.
• Silos.
• Rail tank cars.
• Utility manholes.
• Wells.
• Septic tanks.
• Compost pits.
• Mines.
• Caves.

Why are low-head dams called "drowning machines?

• Because when someone becomes trapped in the downwash, it is almost impossible for them to extricate themselves without assistance.

What hazards are associated with public utilities?

• Confined spaces.
• Trenches.
• Hazardous atmospheres.
• Elevated areas.

What part does a rescue unit play in hazardous materials incidents?

• Being prepared by locating and identifying hazardous materials in the response district, noting amounts, location, and storage methods.

How can rescue units assist with the following?

Fire Response:

• Should be assigned to all alarms.
• Can employ specialized training, perform truck functions, or provide manpower.

Government Agencies:

• Assist in investigation, emergency lighting, body recovery.

Private Sector:

• Well suited to assist in extrication of vehicle accident victims and initial treatment.
• Extremely valuable in mass-casualty incidents.

Emergency Medical Service:

• Removal of people in trapped vehicles and similar situations.
• Can assist in packaging patients and initial treatment.

Hospital Personnel:

• Can assist hospital personnel on scene of extrication scenarios.

Air Operations:

• Rescue units should work closely with air operations and know their limitations, capabilities, and should develop joint protocols.

Law Enforcement:

• Joint protocols can be developed to assist in positioning apparatus to allow for barriers to oncoming traffic, routes for ambulance entry and exit, and to allow for continued traffic flow.

Utility Companies:

• Joint protocols can be developed for dealing with emergency situations.
• Guidelines should be adopted by both parties.

Water/Sewer Departments:

• Rescue units can work with this agency to repair damaged fire hydrants and to facilitate rescues in reservoirs, holding ponds, sewers, storm drains, underground aqueducts, and trench collapses.

Gas Companies:

• Rescue units should train with local companies in emergency shut-down procedures and techniques.

Why should ambulance crews and rescue units establish basic protocols for patient handling and know each other's capabilities?

• Protocols will ensure that rescue crew operations do not interfere with patient care.
• Knowing each other's capabilities will determine the actions and degree of treatment taken by each agency.

What are the limitations of helicopters in rescue operations?

Limitations include:

• Response time.
• Operating space requirements.
• Communications difficulties.

Why should all downed lines be considered dangerous?

• Downed cable or telephone lines may not be dangerous, however, they may be if in contact with electrical lines.

How can suppression units assist rescue units?

• Control traffic.
• Provide hoselines or foam for fire control.
• Provide additional personnel and equipment.
• Provide extra personnel trained in basic extrication and rescue techniques.

What are the keys to a successful rescue operation?

• Adequate pre-incident planning.
• Dispatching the appropriate number or properly trained and equipped rescue personnel.

What major factors influence staffing levels?

• Type and level of service being provided.
• Number of personnel available.

What are guidelines for volunteer personnel who respond to a rescue scene?

• For efficiency and safety, a minimum and maximum number of personnel should be set to respond to any given incident.

What attributes must a rescuer possess to effect a successful rescue?

• Knowledge of techniques available.
• Skill to perform techniques.
• Physical fitness to apply skills.
• Judgment to decide which techniques to apply.

What dictates vehicle, equipment, and staffing needs for a given district?

• Type and level of service the district is committed to provide.

What are the differences between "in-house" and "outside" rescue training?

In-House Training:

• Qualified trainers may provide training at the department level when properly trained to do so.

Outside Training:

• Outside agencies at the local, state, or national level can provide certified training and are often better equipped to do so.

What basic theories should be learned in a classroom setting before utilizing hands-on training?

• An incident command/management system.
• Roles of the rescue unit.
• Duties of the rescue unit.
• General operating guidelines.
• Familiarization with equipment.
• Procedures for interacting with other organizations.

What is the importance of a post-exercise critique during training?

• Enables personnel to analyze the strong and weak points of the operation and to identify areas for further training.