Standardized

Fireghter Training
State Fire Training

Paul D. Matheis Consulting

State Fire Training

! State Board of Fire Services is the sanctioning body

for re ghter training (Cal. Health & Saf. Code

13157(b))
! SBFS develops technical and performance standards
and accredits curriculum in the training of re service
personnel (19 Cal. Code Regs. 1980.04)
! Instructor qualications for State Fire Marshal
approved courses are developed and approved by the
SBFS (19 Cal. Code Regs. 1980.02(2)).
Paul D. Matheis Consulting

Why We Train
! Cal/OSHA derives its power under the general duty

clause of the Labor Code (Cal. Lab. Code 6400)

! California law mandates specic training regarding
hazardous aspects of job assignments that involve
risk(Cal. Lab. Code 6401.7(a)(4))
! Under the code an employer must take all necessary
steps to protect the life and health of a worker in a
hazardous job duty (Schoonover & Dowdle, 2007, p. 5)

Paul D. Matheis Consulting

Why We Train, cont.

! Cal/OSHA regulations require that re departments

train all employees to operate safely in hazardous job

activities to state mandated or nationally recognized
standards (Schoonover & Dowdle, 2007, p. 5)
! California Code of Regulations requires an employer
to establish an injury and illness prevention program
(Cal. Code Regs. 3203 )
! Designed to ensure employers & employees have a
method to identify safe work place practices,
communicate safety issues and monitor compliance
Paul D. Matheis Consulting

Authority Having Jurisdic:on

! Local sheri's department is mandated by law to

provide aid and assistance to vessels and persons

stranded on the coastal waters of California (Cal.
Harb. & Nav. Code, 510)
! AHJ of coastal waters: Emergency Services Act (Cal.
Gov. Code 8618)
! Local jurisdiction extends three miles from waterline
(Cal. Gov. Code 41601; Cal. Gov. Code 8618)

Paul D. Matheis Consulting

Open Water Rescue Programs

! US Lifeguard Association
! US Military (USCG, Navy, Air Force)
! Locally developed programs
! Privately developed programs
! California State Fire Training open water rescuer

Paul D. Matheis Consulting

Aqua:c Rescue Disciplines

! Local, county, state lifeguard service
! Fire service lifeguards
! County sheri
! US military

Paul D. Matheis Consulting

Outcome of Training
! Open Water Rescuer is de-facto awareness level
! Enhanced re ghter safety in open water operations
! Limited re ghter capability to conduct OWR
! Does not replace lifeguards

Paul D. Matheis Consulting

Aqua:c Rescue Umbrella

! Swift
! Flood
! Ice
! Open (sea, large lakes without barriers)

Paul D. Matheis Consulting

Environmental Challenges
! Darkness low light operations
! Inuence of fog on visibility
! Cold water & air temperature
! Heavy swells
! Commercial & emergency vessel trac

Paul D. Matheis Consulting

Future Possibili:es
! Operational & Technician level development
! Position Task Book development
! Operational policy development linking engagement

titrated to the level of training

Paul D. Matheis Consulting