RES CPR 1 Integrate Aquatic Response of Professional and Lay Rescuers Within National and Local Response Frameworks
Develop and implement policies that integrate aquatic response of professional aquatic rescuers with lay rescuers within National Incidence Management System (NIMS) and local National Response Frameworks.
Spectrum level: Fostering Coalitions and Networks Influencing Policy and Legislation
Evidence level: Low
Rationale:
Integrating aquatic response of professional aquatic rescuers with lay rescuers within National Incidence Management System (NIMS) and local National Response Frameworks will enable a full range of stakeholders to participate in preparedness, balance resources while maximizing local resources to minimize damages. Additionally, this recommendation will help ensure that all rescuers and responders to a drowning hazard have a seat at the table during the emergency planning process, and have appropriate training and equipment.
Anticipated Impact:
After implementing this recommendation, you can expect to experience the following outcomes.
- Developing and implementing policies that integrate aquatic response of professional aquatic rescuers with lay rescuers provides opportunities for a full range of stakeholders to participate in preparedness.
- Developing and implementing policies that integrate aquatic response of professional aquatic rescuers with lay rescuers lallows for local resources to be maximized, while damages are minimized.
- Developing and implementing policies that integrate aquatic response of professional aquatic rescuers with lay rescuers leads to a balance of resources with proper planning among a wide range of stakeholders.
- Developing and implementing policies that integrate aquatic response of professional aquatic rescuers with lay rescuers leads to a variety of rescuers and responders to drowning sitting at the table during the planning process.
- Developing and implementing policies that integrate aquatic response of professional aquatic rescuers with lay rescuers provides a variety of rescuers and responders the appropriate training and equipment for effective response to drowning.
Evidence:
In a review of the most commonly requested search and rescue (SAR) personnel in an interstate, mutual-aid-based response, 36 job titles were found. Considering existing, nationally-accepted standards, water safety experts extracted relevant education, training, experience, physical/ medical fitness, certification, and licensing criteria to define the baseline criteria for each job title. The baseline criteria represent the minimum requirement for SAR personnel to participate in the National Incident Management System (NIMS) Integration Center’s National Emergency Responder Credentialing System. Additional recommended criteria relating to education, training, certification, experience, and physical/medical fitness were identified where standards and baseline criteria did not exist or were deemed insufficient. The recommended credentialing criteria are not required and represent the recommendations by water safety experts for SAR personnel to participate in the NIMS Integration Center’s National Emergency Responder Credentialing System.
The established policy, responsibility and procedures governing the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA), and the Fire and Emergency Services (F&ES) Program, aim to eliminate or minimize the loss of life, injuries, and property or environmental damage due to disaster, both natural and man-made. The policy requires Specialized Rescue Training, and F&ES departments that provide specialized rescue capabilities (water rescue, heavy rescue, confined space/trench rescue, high/low angle rescue) shall ensure adequate personnel are properly trained for their rescue mission.
Evidence Sources:
FEMA - Designing a National Emergency Responder Credentialing System https://www.fema.gov/pdf/emergency/nims/sarjobtitle111806.pdf
Defense Logistics Agency Instruction (DLAI 4308) Fire and Emergency Services Program https://www.dla.mil/Portals/104/Documents/J5StrategicPlansPolicy/PublicIssuances/i4308.pdf
High Risk Populations Addressed:
Populations whose risk of drowning decreases the most with the implementation of this recommendation may have one or more of the following characteristics:
- Individuals with limited financial resources, who are without access to the equipment and training needed for effective drowning response
Evaluation Metrics:
Indicators of long-term impact:
- DHS and FEMA have list Park and Recreation professionals, lifeguards and boat captains (outside of LEO agencies) as stakeholders
All states have a seat at the emergency response planning table for water safety specialist and aquatics SME
States implementing an emergency management planning and response team increases
- The number of people participating in aquatic training and aquatic responders performing rescue increases
- The number of bystanders able to evaluate their own aquatic skills and determine the best action for a rescue increases
Indicators of intermediate impact:
- Policy identifies aquatic-trained (non-LEO/EMS) professionals as essential personnel
- Local agencies develop consistent terminology, position names, training, and expectations
- Lifeguards are a valued first responder
- Aquatics professionals participate in local emergency planning meetings
- Existing response paradigms (i.e., NIMS and local National Response Framework) are enhanced through pre-planned integration with bystanders and professional rescuers through an Aquatics SME
Implementation:
Consider the following to ensure successful implementation:
- Provide training that is based on the local aquatic environment and on the characteristics of past disasters.
- Develop common terminology and vocabulary that are used and practiced between LEO, EMS, and aquatic professionals.
- Provide awareness that aquatic professionals will be providing water response and rescue.
- Encourage people to view these responders like LEO and EMS.
Challenges to Implementation:
When implementing this recommendation, you might encounter challenges related to the following factors.
- Bystanders may not be competent personnel.
- Lifeguards are often seasonal and not in the area of training during the offseason.
- Aquatic staff may be young enough that parents do not allow participation, or there are issues with child labor laws.
- Political leaders may not value aquatic professionals and limit their access and support.
- Funding, storage, maintenance & repair for required equipment may be limited.
Potential Facilitators:
The following factors might facilitate the implementation of this recommendation.
- DHS and FEMA support the implementation of aquatic professionals as rescuers.
- Local community may donate resources (equipment, storage, already trained, volunteer).
- Media can highlight stories of communities using aquatic professionals and park and recreation staff as part of emergency response teams.
- Parks and recreation staff could help care for children while parents and caretakers are filing forms and gathering necessities.
- Competent boaters could be trained to be an asset and resource during aquatic emergency incidents.