Confined Space Rescue on SS Gem State - Tacoma WA » Lessons Learned

1. When responding to a below-grade rescue, a standard response should include haz-mat units, technical rescue units, and a command officer.

2. The Incident Command System should be utilized for confined space rescues, and proper rescue procedures for such circumstances should be employed.

3. A safety officer should be part of the initial ICS structure at the scene. This safety officer does not necessarily have to be a previous titled member of the department. Instead, that individual can be any appropriately trained rescuer who can ensure that proper policies are being followed, and who can assume responsibility for looking for existing and predictable hazards at the scene. The safety officer should have no other duties.

4. When sending personnel into a hazardous area, some accountability, or “passport,” should be employed and adhered to.

5. All hazards, including atmospheric, physical, and environmental, should be identified before entering a confined space.

6. Atmospheric testing can only be done correctly by a properly calibrated monitor operated by a trained technician.

7. After hazards have been identified, the incident commander must make a survivability judgment of the victim or victims, weighing the risks and benefits of the rescue attempt, before sending in any personnel.

8. Appropriately ventilate if an atmospheric hazard exists in the space.

9. Prior to the start of rescue operations, a primary and backup rescue plan must be determined and implemented.

10. Assign an entry team and a back-up team to assist in the rescue of the entry team.

11. The plan should include a diagram of the space, and if possible, the specific location of the victim or victims.

12. All personnel in a contaminated atmosphere should wear respiratory protection at all times.

13. Upon determining that there is a victim, a treatment area outside the operations area should be established.

14. A “rehab” area should be established, and crews rotated out frequently for rest, water, and food if necessary.

15. Confined space personnel should be trained to recognize the signs and symptoms of exposure to hazardous atmospheres, and trained how to respond.

16. Confined space rescues frequently require the use of rope rescue skills, and rescuers should be trained accordingly.