Vehicle Extrication

Section 2 - EMERGENCY OPERATIONS

PURPOSE:

To provide an organized framework on standard vehicle extrications. Although this SOG addresses basic operations, many of these tasks will apply to any vehicle entrapment incident.

PROCEDURE:

The first arriving unit will provide an arrival report for all responding units. This report should include any significant information, such as power lines, broken water mains, large vehicles, and/or large number of people. This report should detail travel direction and roadway if different from dispatch, as is the case sometimes with on or off ramps at interchanges. Additional requests for law enforcement, DOT (Road Ranger) shall be made, if applicable, to respond to the scene.

UNIT OBJECTIVES:

First Due Fire Apparatus

• Scene size up and assessment of number of people entrapped and total number of patients. If commercial trucks are involved, check placards and take necessary precautions
• Establish Command
  
  • Determine Level of Entrapment
    • Minor – 1 move (consider Squad)
    • Moderate – 2 moves (request Squad)
    • Heavy – 3 or more moves (request Squad)
    • All personnel shall utilize all protective equipment.
    • Coordinate patient care and overall scene safety.
    • Position apparatus using procedures outlined in SOG 130.07.
    • Stabilize vehicles prior to entering for patient care.
    • Establish patient contact and begin triage and treatment. Update dispatch and/or Command with the total number of ALS or BLS patients.
    • One charged hand line shall be placed into service with one crew member in approved protective equipment manning the line.
    • Position apparatus for best application of extrication tools and required equipment.
    • Consider scene lighting.