Ontario Fire Service
Section 21 Advisory
Committee
Ministry of Labour
Ministére du Travail
FIRE FIGHTERS GUIDANCE NOTE # 6-3
ISSUE:
WATER RELATED EMERGENCIES
(previously “WATER AND ICE RESCUE”)
Consistent with the general duty clause (25(2)(h)) of the Occupational Health and
Safety Act (OHSA), employers are required to take every precaution reasonable in the
circumstances to protect workers. Clause 25(2)(a) of the OHSA requires employers to
provide information, instruction, and supervision to protect the health and safety of
workers.
In order to meet these requirements where fire departments are responding to water or
ice related emergency situations it is recommended employers should as a minimum:
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Identify the emergency situations which may reasonably be expected to occur in
that fire department’s response area; pre-plan and document the locations or
situations, determine protocols for mutual aid, automatic aid or outside agencies
assistance as required,
Establish communication protocols with mutual aid, automatic aid or outside
agencies (Other Fire Services, OPP, Police, EMS, Coast Guard – Canada and
USA) and review the need for a Marine Radio Communications Protocol,
Test, train and equip firefighters, so that they can respond to those emergencies
quickly, safely, competently and effectively;
Train and equip firefighters in methods of self-survival techniques, procedures
and the use of self–survival equipment (eg. personal safety beacons),
Select, acquire, and maintain the appropriate rescue equipment required to
safely perform the operations that may be expected.
* Treat all Training Scenarios, Sessions and Testing as if it’s a real emergency.
Further, in responding to water/ice emergency situations employers should ensure that:
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An “Incident Command/Management System” is established
An approved System of “Accountability” is established
A safety officer is appointed for the emergency scene
A Rapid Intervention Team(s) (RIT) be established and be ready to
deploy as soon as possible
Water and Ice Rescue
Effective: June 2002
Revised: October 2009, draft revision for comment
2014
Page 1 of 3
Ontario Fire Service
Section 21 Advisory
Committee
Ministry of Labour
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Ministére du Travail
Rescue personnel who may be within close proximity to water ( less
than 1 meter), or where there is an exposure to the hazard of falling
into the water, wear an approved personal flotation device
Rescuers work in teams and wear approved PFD, PPE, or Immersion
Suits as appropriate to the circumstances
A Rehab sector be established taking into consideration the
emergency situation, weather conditions, time of year,
decontamination of rescuers and equipment as well as any of the
rescuers medical needs
After all water/ice related emergencies a post operation review is
completed
Notes:
Ice Rescue:
Rescue personnel who may be exposed to water immersion should wear approved
personal flotation devices, immersion suits, and clothing to reduce the effects of
hypothermia.
Water Rescue:
All rescuers who enter the water are to maintain controlled contact with the shore/boat
(i.e. safety line, hand contact) when appropriate. It should be noted that some rescue
situations, such as but not limited to, certain swift water situations may preclude
rescuers from safely being connected to a rope. In these situations, appropriate safety
measures should be taken to ensure the safety of rescue personnel. Fire departments
that may need to perform rescues in swift water must ensure that specific training is
provided that addresses the unique hazards of swift water rescue.
Marine vessel rescue:
Employers note that the rescue marine vessel (boat and equipment) and the Operator
(licensing) must meet all Transport Canada requirements as applicable. (see “Small
Vessels” link below)
The Operator of the rescue marine vessel (boat) must have at a minimum, the Pleasure
Craft Operator Card, or other applicable License(s) as required to operate the marine
rescue vessel. It is important for the Operator to be competent in the operations of the
marine rescue vessel as many rescue situations will be in less than ideal operating
situations.
Water and Ice Rescue
Effective: June 2002
Revised: October 2009, draft revision for comment
2014
Page 2 of 3
Ontario Fire Service
Section 21 Advisory
Committee
Ministry of Labour
Ministére du Travail
If the vessel is equipped with a marine VHF Radio, the operator of the radio must be
licensed as per Industry Canada Regulations (see “Marine Radio” link below)
References:
Occupational Health and Safety Act – Clauses 25(2)(a),(d) and (h)
Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services : Public Fire Safety Guidelines
http://www.mcscs.jus.gov.on.ca/english/firemarshal/fireserviceresources/publicfiresafety
guidelines/04-83-01.html
OFM Water / Ice Hazard Form
NFPA 1006 - STANDARD FOR TECHNICAL RESCUER PROFESSIONAL
NFPA 1670 - Standard on Operations and Training for Technical Search and Rescue
Incidents
Small Vessels - Transport Canada
http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/marinesafety/vessels-small-1485.htm
Things to consider when choosing a flotation device:
http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/marinesafety/bulletins-2012-06-eng.htm
Marine Radio Certificate
http://strategis.ic.gc.ca/epic/internet/insmt-gst.nsf/en/h_sf01775e.html
Section 21 Guidance Notes;
Section 2 - Communications (GN’s # 2-2, 2-3, 2-4)
Section 6 – Procedures (GN#’s 6-2, 6-4, 6-11, 6-12)
Section 7 – Training (GN’s# 7-1,7-2, 7-3)
GN# 1-5 – Life Safety Rope and Equipment
GN# 3-3 – Heat and Cold Stress
GN# 5-1 – Accountability and Entry
Water and Ice Rescue
Effective: June 2002
Revised: October 2009, draft revision for comment
2014
Page 3 of 3