Decatur Township
Fire Department

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DECATUR TOWNSHIP
FIRE DEPARTMENT

COPYRIGHT © 2005

Decatur Township Fire Department

Standard Operating Guide To
Vehicular Extrication and Disentanglement

OBJECTIVE:

This guideline provides for the safe and efficient removal of victims who must be disentangled or extricated.

BEING PREPARED:

All hydraulic equipment, hand tools, and any other associated equipment utilized for patient removal shall be in “run ready status”.

Personal protective equipment shall be used according to the situation found and the guide below.

The term “Freeze” shall indicate; STOP WHAT YOU ARE DOING! SOMETHING IS WRONG!

Avoid tunnel vision, step back and look at the whole scene.

Complete the inner circle and outer circle prior to touching the vehicle(s) involved.

Approach patients from there face; do not speak to them if they must turn their heads.

Always be up to date with the latest techniques and vehicle components (i.e. internet, journals & books).

AT THE SCENE:

Place apparatus to provide the scene with the greatest amount of protection and to maximize the deployment of rescue tools. EMS vehicles shall be able to load patients, and depart the scene quickly.

Size up should include the number of vehicles, the number of patients, and any safety hazards.

The Working Zone shall be established and identified by all members.

Make the vehicle safe (i.e. electrical, fuel, airbags, hidden vehicle components). Complete the inner circle.

Fire protection shall be deployed according to the situation found and the guide below.

An additional size up report shall be given indicating the number of trapped patients and possible tactics needed for disentanglement.

EMS personnel are responsible for patient triage and shall indicate to the commander which patient should be moved first and so on.

AFTER THE INCIDENT:

Prior to leaving the scene the commander shall hold a tailboard PIA.

AUTO EXTRICATION SUPPRESSION AND PPE CHART:

Suppression Consideration PPE Considerations

Simple Extrication	10 lb. ABC or 15 lb. CO2	Gloves, eye, arm & leg plus blood borne pathogen protection
Electrical System Compromised	Extinguisher and Dry Handline	Eye and Full Turnouts plus consider blood borne pathogen protection
Fuel System Compromised	Charged Handline	Eye and Full Turnouts & SCBA Donned plus consider blood borne pathogen protection
Electrical and Fuel System Compromised	Charged Handline plus consider foam blanket	Eye and Full Turnouts & SCBA Donned plus consider blood borne pathogen protection

EXTRICATION TACTICS:

Construction: Consider vehicles integrity as tools evolutions are used to create space. Furthermore look at the crumple zones as a vertical dash lift is used.

Reinforcements: Be aware of additional reinforcement points such as high-strength steel (HHS) and blown in polyester foam.

Door Displacement: The weakest point of the door is the B post.

Windows: Consider wearing a dusk mask when cutting glass (protect the patient), and look for hatch struts exploding.

Batteries: Both battery cables must be disconnected.

Gas Struts: Struts may be located in the hood and inside doors in addition to the hatch.

Alterative Power Source: Hybrid cars (Toyota Pirus, Honda Insight, Civic IMA, and Ford Escape, Lexus RX-300 SUV’s.

Safety Systems: Look for them everywhere, they can kill if deployed and you are in the strike zone.

Seatbelt Pretensioners: Look for them at every seat position. They are usually powered by a pyrotechnic charge, or gas cylinder or high-torque electric motor.