Supplements to The Care and Feeding of Firefighters

Editor's note: this item is a companion piece to the EMS Magazine July 2008 article, The Care and Feeding of Firefighters, as well as the follow-up Letter to the Editor printed in September 2008 by Capt. Kim Gordon of the Cedarburg Fire Department in Cedarburg, WI. Here, Capt. Gordon shares their Policy and Procedures for firefighter rehab, as well as the two attached worksheets (formatted in Microsoft Excel) for tracking vitals and accountability.

• Rehab Vitals
• Rehab Guidelines

"We know who is in rehab and who has been released to manpower pool or who is out for the rest of the incident," Gordon writes. "The colored chart is what we use for getting more EMS to help our department, if we need it. We can tell very easily if we need more help right away and call for it as soon as we know. As you know the more mutual aid/MABAS that is called the more EMS manpower you need too.

"Thanks for the opportunity to let me share our department rehab policy with you!" -- Capt. Kim Gordon

CEDARBURG FIRE DEPARTMENT POLICY & PROCEDURE
SUBJECT: REHABILITATION AT EMERGENCY INCIDENTS AND TRAININGS
EFFECTIVE DATE: 07-11-97
REVISED: 08-10-06
NUMBER: 901

PURPOSE:
To ensure that the physical and mental condition of personnel operating at the scene of an emergency or training exercise does not deteriorate to a point that affects the safety of each crew member or jeopardizes the safety and integrity of the operation.

SCOPE:
This procedure shall apply to all emergency operations and training exercises where strenuous physical activity or exposure to heat or cold occurs.

RESPONSIBILITIES:
INCIDENT COMMANDER: The Incident Commander shall consider the circumstances of each incident and make adequate provisions early in the incident for the rehabilitation of all personnel operating at the scene. When warranted, the Incident Commander shall designate a Rehabilitation Officer and a Rehabilitation Sector, including its location.

REHABILITATION OFFICER: The Rehabilitation Officer shall be selected from Rescue Company Officers or qualified EMS personnel. The Rehabilitation Officer's responsibilities shall include: wearing of the Rehabilitation Officer vest; designating the location of the Rehabilitation Sector if the Incident Commander has not already done so; securing and providing the necessary resources for rehabilitation; maintaining accountability; remaining with the Rehabilitation Sector at all times; and serving as liaison with EMS personnel.

OFFICERS: All officers shall maintain an awareness of the condition of each crew member operating within their span of control and ensure that adequate steps are taken to provide for each member's safety and health, including monitoring for signs of heat stress. The command structure shall be utilized to request relief and the reassignment of fatigued crews. Officers shall ensure that their company is properly checked in with the Rehabilitation Officer.

PERSONNEL OPERATING ON SCENE: During an emergency incident or training evolution, all personnel operating on scene shall be encouraged to drink water and activity beverages. All personnel shall advise their supervisor when they believe that their level of fatigue or exposure to heat or cold is approaching a level that could adversely affect themselves, their crew, or the operation in which they are involved. Personnel shall also remain aware of the health and safety of other members of their crew and promptly inform the company officer when crew members require rehabilitation or relief from assigned duties.