Operations Flood Boats ODO 18.6 Non Emergency Functions

Transcription

1 SES OPERATIONS DOCTRINE OPERATIONAL DIRECTIVES Operations Flood Boats ODO 18.6 Non Emergency Functions Valid from 24/04/2014 Version 3 1. PURPOSE To outline the non emergency function requirements for State Emergency Service (SES) flood boat operators. 2. RATIONALE This document has been created to ensure that SES members involved in non emergency (also referred to as non operational) SES flood boat functions have detailed information on what activities are approved to be performed. 3. APPLICATION Applies to all SES flood boats, masters, crew and SES members. 4. OPERATIONS DOCTRINE INFORMATION This document is to be read in conjunction with ODO 18.2 Flood Boat Operating Standards. It is the responsibility of all personnel who are involved in the operation of SES flood boats for SES purposes to be familiar with the details specified in the doctrine. Refer to ODO 59.0 Water Safety for all other non-flood boat water activities. The Commissioner, Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) or delegate may issue specific or additional directions or instructions for non emergency functions for SES flood boats from time to time or as required. Under the Provisions of the Marine Safety (Domestic Commercial Vessel) National Law Act 2012 SES flood boats are considered to be commercial vessels. The Marine Safety (Domestic Commercial Vessel) National Law Act 2012 identifies the master of a vessel as the person who has command or charge of the vessel. This responsibility cannot be delegated. 5. PROCEDURAL INFORMATION All SES flood boat activities are to be conducted in accordance with the SES Operations Doctrine, SES Flood Boat Safety Management System, conditions specified on each vessel s Certificate of Operation and current training information on this subject. 5.1 OPERATION OF SES FLOOD BOATS NON OPERATIONAL FUNCTIONS SES flood boats are to be used for non operational functions as authorised by the Commissioner, QFES under the Disaster Management Act Authorised non operational functions for SES flood boats are limited to: training and exercises; Page 1 of 5 Date: 24/04/2014 ODO 18.6 v3

2 displays and demonstrations; transiting; and maintenance. Details relating to the specific activities associated with these functions can be found in the Approved Functions for Queensland SES Flood Boats. This document is listed on the Certificate of Operation for each SES flood boat as a condition under which the SES flood boat must operate. It can also be located at Appendix A to ODO 18.2 Flood Boats Operating Standards USE OF SES FLOOD BOATS FOR OTHER NON OPERATIONAL ACTIVITIES SES flood boats are not permitted to be used for other non operational or recreational purposes CARRIAGE OF PASSENGERS NON OPERATIONAL FUNCTIONS Carriage of passengers in SES flood boats during non operational activities is not permitted. The only exception to this is the carriage of QFES personnel who have a legitimate requirement to participate in the activity and this should only occur where the activity is an authorised SES activity LIFE JACKETS For all non operational activities, a life jacket/personal flotation device (PFD) is to be worn at all times by all persons in an SES flood boat (for more detailed information refer to ODO 18.3 Safety Equipment). All life jackets/pfds are to be in a serviceable condition and maintained as per the manufacturer s instructions. All life jackets/pfds must comply with current requirements as specified in Part C Section 7 Equipment - Subsection 7A - Safety Equipment of the National Standard for Commercial Vessels. As part of the mandatory briefing conducted by either the master or their crew when passengers are taken on board, specific instruction is to be provided to persons required to wear a life jacket/pfd prior to use to ensure that they understand the operation and limitations of the device. A life jacket/pfd is to be fitted as soon as practicable prior to or immediately after entering an SES flood boat. All persons who enter still or flowing water are to wear a life jacket/pfd where the depth of the water is unknown or exceeds one metre and/or where strong flows and/or currents may exist. Any style or type of inflatable life jacket or PFD is not approved for use in SES flood boats or during water activities. 5.2 AREA OF OPERATIONS The area of operations for an SES flood boat is identified on the Certificate of Operation for each vessel. SES flood boats must not be operated outside of these areas or conditions for non operational functions. 5.3 NUMBER OF PERSONS REGISTERED TO CARRY The maximum number of persons that can be carried onboard an SES flood boat is identified on the Certificate of Operation for each vessel. Page 2 of 5 Date: 24/04/2014 ODO 18.6 v3

3 The maximum number of persons that can be carried on board the SES flood boat includes all persons on board. 5.4 ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS The master of the SES flood boat must be aware of any conditions specified on the Certificate of Operation. It is a requirement under law that these conditions be complied with. The master of the SES flood boat must continually conduct dynamic risk assessments to ensure that the capabilities of the SES flood boat and crew are not exceeded in the prevailing conditions. All SES flood boat operators and crew are to continually monitor the amount of water that may collect in the bilge or wet floor area of the SES flood boat and take immediate steps to remove any excess quantities. 5.5 FLOOD BOAT OPERATOR / CREW TRAINING The training and assessment of SES flood boat operators or crew must be conducted by current SES Flood Boat Instructors as per the SES Training Resource Kit and Framework. Where SES members are being trained as SES flood boat operators or crew, the following requirements apply: Trainees must: be a minimum of 18 years of age; hold a current Queensland Transport Class C drivers licence; have a reasonable level of fitness; be able to swim 50 metres wearing a approved PFD; and have general good vision. As a guide, vision is not to be impaired in either eyes and the trainee should have depth perception and colour recognition. It is acceptable for the trainee to wear glasses and/or contact lenses Wear the approved PFD at all times in and on the water While operating SES flood boats, trainees must be supervised by an appointed SES Flood Boat Instructor The SES Flood Boat Instructor must be in the vessel concerned. In the absence of an SES Flood Boat Instructor, flood boat familiarisation for prospective SES flood boat operators can be conducted by two qualified, currently competent and appropriately experienced SES flood boat operators performing the functions of the crew/coxswain/master. The coxswain supervising the familiarisation training is to remain in the vessel at all times and in a position where they can take control of the vessel in an emergency. SES flood boat familiarisation training should be restricted to basic operations of the vessel in smooth waters, basic safety precautions and advice about applicable legislation and standards. This includes: induction into the vessel SES Flood Boat Safety Management System; basic terminology for the boat and operation; all aspects of towing and reversing the boat trailer; launching, recovering and securing the vessel for transporting; basic boat operation and rules of the waterways; and low speed/risk operation in smooth waters. Page 3 of 5 Date: 24/04/2014 ODO 18.6 v3

4 The master of the vessel must ensure that no task being conducted by the prospective SES flood boat operator has the likely potential of a collision that could result in damage to the SES flood boat, another vessel, any other object or cause injury to any persons. 5.6 IN WATER TRAINING SES members are required to wear an approved Type 1 PFD or coastal lifejacket at all times when they are in the water. A risk assessment is to be conducted prior to any SES member entering the water for training purposes. At all times when an SES member is in the water (excluding a swimming pool), a Safety Boat must be in close proximity (in the water) to undertake any required rescues. There must be a minimum of three SES members in the Safety Boat (one SES flood boat operator and minimum one crew member and minimum one to effect rescue if required). These SES members must be qualified Flood Boat Operators and hold current Apply First Aid qualifications. Approval is to be sought from the Regional Director to undertake any in water training not in a pool SWIM All swim training and assessment is to be undertaken in a swimming pool. When undertaking the swim training and assessment, a Rescue Member is required to stand by on the side of the pool in the event a member is required to be rescued. The ratio of members in the water at any one time to the number of Rescue Members is not to exceed 4: TRAINING For the purpose of this document, a controlled environment is clear, smooth, non/slowflowing water free of underwater obstructions and debris. For smooth waters, refer to ODO 18.5 Definition of Smooth and Partially Smooth Waters. Training that must be undertaken in a controlled environment is: man overboard training; capsize drill; recovering a casualty; and abandon ship routine. The ratio of SES members in the water at any one time to the number of Rescue Members is not to exceed 4:1. When conducting man overboard training or recovering a casualty, it is highly recommended that a mannequin or floatation device is to be used when demonstrating and/or practicing this technique. Only in exceptional circumstances should live casualties be considered and only where realistic simulations are planned for experience of SES members who have already undergone training. Approval for the use of live casualties is to be gained from the SES Workplace Health and Safety Officer where casualties are immersed in water: for potentially extended periods; in adverse conditions; where there is a significant current or water flow; and/or Page 4 of 5 Date: 24/04/2014 ODO 18.6 v3

5 where there is a risk of the casualty encountering dangerous animals. Live casualties must be members of the Queensland SES unless approval has been provided by the Director, SES Management and Support Services. 5.7 TRAINING OF MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC Under the provisions of the Marine Safety (Domestic Commercial Vessel) National Law Act 2012 SES members who hold SES Flood Boat Operator or SES Flood Boat Instructor certification are not authorised to conduct boat related training for members of the public. 6. ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION This document is to be made available for all SES members. 7. FORMS AND TEMPLATES Nil 8. APPENDICES Nil 9. RELEVANT LEGISLATION, POLICY AND GUIDELINES Disaster Management Act 2003 Marine Safety (Domestic Commercial Vessel) National Law Act 2012 Marine Safety (Domestic Commercial Vessel) National Law Regulation 2013 National Standard for Commercial Vessels RTO Training Policies and Procedures EMQ School of Emergency Management: SES Flood Boat Operator Level 1 Participant Guide SES Flood Boat Safety Management System QSES - ODO 18.0 Flood Boat Operations QSES - ODO 18.1 Flood Boat Marine Incidents QSES - ODO 18.2 Flood Boat Operating Standards QSES - ODO 18.3 Flood Boat Safety Equipment QSES - ODO 18.4 Flood Boat Ship Records QSES - ODO 18.5 Flood Boat Definition of Smooth and Partially Smooth Waters QSES - ODO 18.7 Flood Boat Crewing Requirements QSES - ODO 32.0 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) QSES - ODO 59.0 Water Safety 10. DOCUMENT REVIEW This document will be reviewed every 18 months or as otherwise required as a result of identified legislative, policy and/or procedural changes. Original Signed Lee A Johnson AFSM FIFireE Commissioner Queensland Fire and Emergency Services Page 5 of 5 Date: 24/04/2014 ODO 18.6 v3