Water Emergency Response Guidelines
(As Proposed to the Board December 2007) 

A. AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY: All bodies of water contained within the boundaries of the MIGC fire district to include, all ponds, rivers, lakes, and the Atlantic Ocean from Melody Lane to the Murrells Inlet jetties not to exceed one mile from the shoreline.

 B. TYPE OF CALL:

 1. The Fire Department will respond only to calls where there is significant risk of injury or death. No rescue equipment shall be used for the purpose of marine salvage or calls for service for disabled vessels where no threat to occupants exists. 

C. PRE-OPERATION AND DAILY CHECKS: 

2. All equipment and rescue craft shall be checked daily and kept in a constant state of readiness. 

3. Duty officer shall check daily weather report, noting; Wind forecast, Water temperature, and Tides. 

D. OPERATIONS:

 4. First arriving unit to dispatched location shall secure the scene and gather additional information from witnesses.

 5. Initiate the Incident command system, and contact, Fire Chief and Water Rescue Coordinator. 

6. All notifIcations and requests for assistance of outside agencies will be made through the Incident Commander.

 7. Incident commander will complete Risk Assessment worksheet and implement Rescue plan. IC will constantly re-evaluate Risk assessment throughout incident. 

8. Boat captain and Incident commander have the authority to not accept or abort any mission where conditions present an unacceptable risk to responders. 

9. All personnel will utilize appropriate PPE while operating on or near the water. Minimum level of protection shan consist of USCG approvedo PFD. Higher levels of protection will be dictated by conditions. 

E: TRAINING/CERTIFICATION:

 10. All personnel shall be trained to meet the NFPA standard regarding Rescue Technician Professional QualifIcations