Organized September 11, 1929 - Union Fire House, Mount Holly, NJ

County Guidelines / Policies

Tuesday, 29 October 2019 14:22

Water Rescue Guideline

Purpose

  1. It is the intent of this document to identify the resources available for response to waterway emergencies and develop organized response teams (in the form of strike teams) for specific types of emergencies.  Based on the size and capacity of the boats, several teams have been formulated to respond to rivers, creeks, lakes and streams.  Resources for ice rescue and other special operations have also been identified.

  2. The identified strike teams will be included on every jurisdiction’s response grid.  The strike team will be the preferred method of response when confirmation of a rescue and/or recovery has occurred,  and after exhausting local mutual aid responses.

  3. The development of appropriate strike teams was completed to prevent the ‘stripping’ of resources within a small geographic area.  In addition, two River strike teams have been developed which allows for an organized relief team to be dispatched when necessary.  In this manner, it is anticipated that the individual team members will practice and work together to become efficient in their operations.

Scope

  1. This guideline applies to all emergency agencies operating within Burlington County that have a need to request the marine resources.  Whether it be Fire, EMS, or Police, when multiple units are required, the strike team will be the appropriate dispatch based on grid assignments in the CENTRAL computer.

  2. It is the intent of this guideline to ensure compliance with the National Incident Management System (NIMS).  Standard terminology, strike team components, and other resources are identified using NIMS guidelines.

Details

  1. First alarm assignments for marine units should follow grid assignments as listed for the jurisdiction involved.  The incident commander can specifically call one or two additional units.

  2. Additional units requested, beyond the initial alarm, will be dispatched based on second alarm grids, which will consist of the appropriate strike team as designated on the attachments.

  3. Upon confirmation of a water rescue or recovery operation, CENTRAL shall notify both an EMS Coordinator and a Fire Coordinator.

  4. Dispatch shall consist of the following information: Marine Strike Team name being activated and the location of the base or staging area.  A sample follows:

    “Marine Strike Team A-Alpha, in Delanco, Union and Delaware Avenues a water rescue assignment.”

  5. Agencies responding shall utilize the hotline (7777) or telephone (609-265-7157) to advise Central of their status.  The Incident Commander and CENTRAL will determine primary radio response channel for the operation.  Switch to this channel when responding.  An Operations channel will also be assigned for on-scene communications.

  6. The first strike team officer responding shall become the Strike Team Leader (STL).  All communications for the strike team shall be through the STL.

  7. Report to the staging officer upon arrival for FACE-TO-FACE COMMUNICATIONS.  Minimize radio traffic.  Upon your arrival, if no staging officer has been established, the Strike Team Leader shall assign one and advise the IC accordingly.  Only ONE individual is required for this position.

  8. The Staging Area Manager is responsible to accurately perform Check-In duties as defined in ICS Form 211.  Information collected is forwarded to the Operations Officer, if assigned, or the Incident Commander.

  9. If more than one strike team is required, the second team should come from another division.  For example, if an incident in Delanco requires two strike teams, and strike team A is on location; the second strike team should be C or D.  This will leave a team available for the immediate area should another incident occur.

  10. On prolonged incidents, a relief strike team should be brought in at the 6-hour mark.  The strike teams should be rotated every 4-6 hours thereafter.

  11. The use of Fire and EMS Coordinators can facilitate the rotation of relief crews and help manage the resources.

Maintenance of Plan

  1. The EMS and Fire Coordinators jointly have the responsibility to maintain this document and keep the team members up to date on changes. 

  2. Any permanent changes (i.e. addition or deletion of equipment) to marine resources by an individual agency should be forwarded to the Chief Fire Coordinator and Chief EMS Coordinator to keep resource lists up to date.

Closing

  1. All fire and EMS departments in Burlington County shall receive a copy of this plan.  All Chief Officers shall become familiar with this plan.

  2. Any plan previously published that is in conflict with this plan is hereby rescinded.

Attachment A

Marine Resources Division 1

10 - Maple Shade
11 - Delanco
20 - Cinnaminson
23 - Delran
24 - Riverton
31 - Moorestown
70 - Riverside
80 - Palmyra

The Dive Team for this Division will be Endeavor Station 909.

Marine Strike Team – A  (River Rescue)

Marine

Unit Responding

Alternate Station

232 - Delran

802 - Triboro

                                               

801 - Palmyra

                                               

111 - Delanco


Marine Strike Team – B  (Non-River Rescue)

Marine

Unit Responding

Alternate Station

239-Delran

202- Cinnaminson

                                               

241 - Riverton

                                               

108 – Maple Shade

Marine Resources Division 2

12 - Beverly
14 - Edgewater Park
16 - Willingboro Twp
21 - Springfield Twp
26 - Chesterfield Twp
30 - Burlington Twp
32 - Bordentown Twp
40 - Florence Twp
60 - Bordentown City
90 - Burlington City

The Dive Team for this Division will be Endeavor Station 909.

Marine Strike Team – C  (River Rescue)

Marine

Unit Responding

Alternate Station

602 – Bordentown

609 – Bordentown

                                               

906 – Burlington City

                                               

n/a

 Marine Strike Team – D  (Non - River Rescue)

Marine

Unit Responding

Alternate Station

409 - Florence

408 -  Roebling

                                               

129 – Beverly-Edgewater Park

                                               

n/a

Marine Resources Division 3

13 - Lumberton
27 - Westampton
34 - Eastampton
36 - Mt. Laurel
38 - Cookstown
39 - Hainesport
41 - Wrightstown
50 - Mt. Holly
68 - Ft. Dix

The Dive Team for this Division will be Endeavor Station 909.

Marine Strike Team – E  (Non-River Rescue)

Marine

Unit Responding

Alternate Station

681 – Ft. Dix

399 - Hainesport

                                               

368 – Mt. Laurel

                                               

n/a


Marine Strike Team – F  (Non-River Rescue)

Marine

Unit Responding

Alternate Station

369 – Mt. Laurel

363 – Mt. Laurel

                                               

341 - Eastampton

                                               

n/a


Marine Resources Division 4

17 – Southampton Twp
18 – Pemberton Twp
19 – Pemberton Boro
22 – Evesham Twp
25 – Medford Twp
28 – Shamong Twp
29 – Woodland Twp
37 – Medford Lakes Boro
42 – Bass River Twp
43 – Tabernacle Twp
45 – Washington Twp

The Dive Team for this Division will be Endeavor Station 909.

Marine Strike Team – G  (Non-River Rescue)

Marine

Unit Responding

Alternate Station

439 - Tabernacle

171 - Vincentown

                                               

371 – Medford Lakes

                                               

225 - Evesham


Marine Strike Team – H (Non-River Rescue)

Marine

Unit Responding

Alternate Station

178 - Southampton

252 – Medford

                                               

281 - Shamong

                                               

431 - Tabernacle

Attachment B

 

MARINE SPECIAL OPERATIONS

United States Coast Guard - Philadelphia Group                                                                    

NJ Marine Police - Burlington Station             

Marine Strike Team – I (Cold Water / Ice Rescue)

Station

Resource

Marine 239

Rescue 232

14’ Flat Bottom

Cold Water Immersion Suits (3)

Reach Pole

Throw Bags

Ax, Pike Pole, Rope Reels

Ice Picks

Marine 681 – Fort Dix

14' Alum Semi-V

2 - Multi Function Reach Poles

2 x 500' Rope Reels

6 Exposure Suits

Marine 369 – Mt. Laurel

2 x 15’ Flat Bottom

Sled (Ice Rescue) with Rope Reel

2 Dry Suits

6 Cold Water Rescue Suits

4 Exposure Suits

2 Wiggys Hypothermia Rewarmer Bags

Marine 602/609 – Bordentown

4 Exposure Suits

Marine 252

Marine 2521

Avon 12’ inflatable w/ 10 hp motor

14’ Jon Boat w/3.5 HP electric motor

Rescue Alive water/ice rescue craft

Marsars Ice Rescue Board

3 – Ice Rescue Suits

2 – Survival Suits

1 – wet suit

16 – PFDs

1 – 500’ 3/8” water rescue rope reel

1 – 300’ 3/8” water rescue rope reel

10 – water rescue rope bags varying lengths

2 – telescoping rescue poles

LDH inflation kit

2 - backboards

                       

Marine Strike Team – I (Marine Firefighting)

Station

Resource

802 – Tri-Boro Officers

          (Palmyra, Cinnaminson, Riverton)

19’ Bayliner docked at Riverton Yacht Club

906 – Burlington City

232 – Delran

17’ at Riverside Marina

Attachment C

SHORELINE ACCESS POINTS (For Casualty Collection Only)

The following locations have been identified by the USCG to be off-loading points for casualties in the Delaware River:

Yapewi and Bordentown Yacht Club
Phone: 609-298-0844 (Yapewi), local police 609-298-0103 or via CENTRAL at 609-267-8300
Access Route: I-295 or NJ T-Pike to Rt 130N to Bordentown exit; bear left, make 1st left onto Farnsworth Ave; continue to the waterfront.
Helo: At main Beach, just south of yacht club
Triage: Parking lot of yacht club
Staging: at main Beach, just south of yacht club
Medevac: direct from triage site
Hospitals:
  • St. Francis Medical Center
  • Robert Wood Johnson Hamilton
  • Capital Health System - Trenton
  • Lower Bucks Co, PA
  • Lourdes Medical Center of BC           
  • Virtua Memorial Hospital of Burl Co
  • Cooper Trauma
Comments: Area is north of Crosswicks Creek Bridge, uncharted water; floating piers for smaller vessels are available seasonally.  Main Beach access from exit from yacht club, 1st right then down to waterfront, low local bridge, small vehicle only, no 18 wheelers or fire trucks, utility vehicles only.

 

Florence Yacht Club
Phone: local police 609-499-3131 or via CENTRAL 609-267-8300
Access Route: 295 or NJ T-Pike to Rt 130 N to County Rt 656 to the waterfront.
Helo: Adjacent to club, Plant-Waterworks (12 helos max)
Triage: Florence Fire Station or Duffy Elementary School on W 2nd St.
Staging: Adjacent to yacht club, Plant-Waterworks
Medevac: direct from triage location – ball field
Hospitals:
  • St. Francis Medical Center
  • Robert Wood Johnson Hamilton
  • Capital Health System - Trenton
  • Lower Bucks Co, PA
  • Lourdes Medical Center of BC           
  • Virtua Memorial Hospital of Burl Co
  • Cooper Trauma
Comments: Yacht club not suited for helo or staging; too small with lots of vehicle traffic.  Small town most facilities in close proximity of yacht club.  Floating piers for smaller vessels are available seasonally.

 

Burlington City Boat Ramp
Phone: CENTRAL 609-267-8300
Access Route: I-295 or NJ T-Pike (exit 5) to Rt 541 West to waterfront.
Helo: Adjacent to ramp/ball fields
Triage: Adjacent to boat ramp/ball fields
Staging: Lot Rear of Endeavor Vol Fire Company
Medevac: Direct from triage site
Hospitals:
  • St. Francis Medical Center
  • Robert Wood Johnson Hamilton
  • Capital Health System - Trenton
  • Lower Bucks Co, PA
  • Lourdes Medical Center of BC           
  • Virtua Memorial Hospital of Burl Co
  • Cooper Trauma
Comments:  Floating piers for smaller vessels are available seasonally.  8ft mean low water.

 

Red Dragon Canoe Club

Phone: CENTRAL 609-267-8300
Access Route: I-295 or NJ T-Pike (exit 5) to Co Rt 541 to Rt 130S to WoodLane Rd.  Right on Beverly Rd., before tunnel, left on Edgewater Ave down to waterfront.
Helo: East of canoe club/adjacent ball fields
Triage: East of canoe club property/adjacent ball fields
Staging: Along Edgewater Ave
Medevac: Direct from triage site
Hospitals:
  • Lower Bucks Co, PA
  • Lourdes Medical Center of BC           
  • Virtua Memorial Hospital of Burl Co
  • Cooper Trauma
Comments: Floating piers for vessels are available seasonally.  10ft. Mean low water.  VHF-FM monitored seasonally if persons are at site.

 

Riverton Yacht Club

Phone: CENTRAL 609-267-8300
Access Route: I-295 or NJ T-Pike (exit 4) to Rt 73N to Rt 130N. Left (take jughandle) to Riverton Rd.  Follow Riverton Rd (becomes Main St.) to waterfront.
Helo: Riverton Ball Park/east, adjacent to yacht club
Triage: Numerous schools, churches and volunteer fire companies adjacent to yacht.
Staging: Along Main Street leading down to yacht club
Medevac: Direct from triage site
Hospitals:
  • Virtua Marlton
  • Jefferson Cherry Hill
  • Virtua (Lourdes) Camden
  • Virtua (Lourdes) Willingboro           
  • Virtua Memorial Hospital
  • Cooper Trauma
Comments: Floating piers for vessels are available seasonally.