I.              Purpose

 

A.            It is the intent of this document to identify the resources available for response to waterway emergencies and develop organized response teams (in the form of strike teams) for specific types of emergencies.  Based on the size and capacity of the boats, several teams have been formulated to respond to rivers, creeks, lakes and streams.  Resources for ice rescue and other special operations have also been identified.

 

B.             The identified strike teams will be included on every jurisdiction’s response grid.  The strike team will be the preferred method of response when confirmation of a rescue and/or recovery has occurred,  and after exhausting local mutual aid responses.

 

C.            The development of appropriate strike teams was completed to prevent the ‘stripping’ of resources within a small geographic area.  In addition, two River strike teams have been developed which allows for an organized relief team to be dispatched when necessary.  In this manner, it is anticipated that the individual team members will practice and work together to become efficient in their operations.

 

II.           Scope

 

A.            This guideline applies to all emergency agencies operating within Burlington County that have a need to request the marine resources.  Whether it be Fire, EMS, or Police, when multiple units are required, the strike team will be the appropriate dispatch based on grid assignments in the CENTRAL computer.

 

B.             It is the intent of this guideline to ensure compliance with the National Incident Management System (NIMS).  Standard terminology, strike team components, and other resources are identified using NIMS guidelines.

 

III.        Details

 

A.            First alarm assignments for marine units should follow grid assignments as listed for the jurisdiction involved.  The incident commander can specifically call one or two additional units.

 

B.             Additional units requested, beyond the initial alarm, will be dispatched based on second alarm grids, which will consist of the appropriate strike team as designated on the attachments.

 

C.            Upon confirmation of a water rescue or recovery operation, CENTRAL shall notify both an EMS Coordinator and a Fire Coordinator.

 

D.            Dispatch shall consist of the following information: Marine Strike Team name being activated and the location of the base or staging area.  A sample follows.

 

1.   “Marine Strike Team A-Alpha, in Delanco, Union and Delaware Avenues a water rescue assignment.”

 

E.             Agencies responding shall utilize the hotline (7777) or telephone (609-265-7157) to advise Central of their status.  The Incident Commander and CENTRAL will determine primary radio response channel for the operation.  Switch to this channel when responding.  An Operations channel will also be assigned for on-scene communications.

 

F.             The first strike team officer responding shall become the Strike Team Leader (STL).  All communications for the strike team shall be through the STL.

 

G.            Report to the staging officer upon arrival for FACE-TO-FACE COMMUNICATIONS.  Minimize radio traffic.  Upon your arrival, if no staging officer has been established, the Strike Team Leader shall assign one and advise the IC accordingly.  Only ONE individual is required for this position. 

 

H.            The Staging Area Manager is responsible to accurately perform Check-In duties as defined in ICS Form 211.  Information collected is forwarded to the Operations Officer, if assigned, or the Incident Commander.

 

I.               If more than one strike team is required, the second team should come from another division.  For example, if an incident in Delanco requires two strike teams, and strike team A is on location; the second strike team should be C or D.  This will leave a team available for the immediate area should another incident occur.

 

J.      On prolonged incidents, a relief strike team should be brought in at the 6-hour mark.  The strike teams should be rotated every 4-6 hours thereafter.

 

K.            The use of Fire and EMS Coordinators can facilitate the rotation of relief crews and help manage the resources.

 

IV.         Maintenance of Plan

 

A.            The EMS and Fire Coordinators jointly have the responsibility to maintain this document and keep the team members up to date on changes. 

 

B.             Any permanent changes (i.e. addition or deletion of equipment) to marine resources by an individual agency should be forwarded to the Chief Fire Coordinator and Chief EMS Coordinator to keep resource lists up to date.

 

 

V.            Closing

 

A.            All fire and EMS departments in Burlington County shall receive a copy of this plan.  All Chief Officers shall become familiar with this plan.

 

B.             Any plan previously published that is in conflict with this plan is hereby rescinded.

 

Attachment A

 

Marine Resources Division 1

 

80 – Palmyra

24 - Riverton

20 - Cinnaminson

23 - Delran

70 - Riverside

11 - Delanco

10 - Maple Shade

31 – Moorestown

 

The Dive Team for this Division will be Endeavor Station 909.

 

Marine Strike Team – A  (River Rescue)

 

Marine	Unit Responding	Alternate Station
232 - Delran
802 - Triboro
801 - Palmyra
111 - Delanco

 

Marine Strike Team – B  (Non-River Rescue)

 

Marine	Unit Responding	Alternate Station
239-Delran
202- Cinnaminson
241 - Riverton
108 – Maple Shade

 

Attachment A

 

Marine Resources Division 2

 

12 – Beverly

14 – Edgewater Park

90 – Burlington City

30 – Burlington Twp

40 – Florence Twp

60 – Bordentown City

32 – Bordentown Twp

26 – Chesterfield Twp

21 – Springfield Twp

16 – Willingboro Twp

 

The Dive Team for this Division will be Endeavor Station 909.

 

Marine Strike Team – C  (River Rescue)

 

Marine	Unit Responding	Alternate Station
602 – Bordentown
609 – Bordentown
906 – Burlington City
n/a

 

 

Marine Strike Team – D  (Non - River Rescue)

 

Marine	Unit Responding	Alternate Station
409 - Florence
408 -  Roebling
129 – Beverly-Edgewater Park
n/a

 

Attachment A

 

Marine Resources Division 3

 

38 – Cookstown

34 – Eastampton

68 – Ft. Dix

39 – Hainesport

13 – Lumberton

50 – Mt. Holly

36 – Mt. Laurel

27 – Westampton

41 – Wrightstown

 

The Dive Team for this Division will be Endeavor Station 909.

 

Marine Strike Team – E  (Non-River Rescue)

 

Marine	Unit Responding	Alternate Station
681 – Ft. Dix
399 - Hainesport
368 – Mt. Laurel
n/a

 

 

Marine Strike Team – F  (Non-River Rescue)

 

Marine	Unit Responding	Alternate Station
369 – Mt. Laurel
363 – Mt. Laurel
341 - Eastampton
n/a

 

Attachment A

 

Marine Resources Division 4

 

42 – Bass River Twp

22 – Evesham Twp

25 – Medford Twp

37 – Medford Lakes Boro

19 – Pemberton Boro

18 – Pemberton Twp

28 – Shamong Twp

17 – Southampton Twp

43 – Tabernacle Twp

45 – Washington Twp

29 – Woodland Twp

 

The Dive Team for this Division will be Endeavor Station 909.

 

Marine Strike Team – G  (Non-River Rescue)

 

Marine	Unit Responding	Alternate Station
439 - Tabernacle
171 - Vincentown
371 – Medford Lakes
225 - Evesham

 

 

Marine Strike Team – H (Non-River Rescue)

 

Marine	Unit Responding	Alternate Station
178 - Southampton
252 – Medford
281 - Shamong
431 - Tabernacle

 

Attachment B

 

MARINE SPECIAL OPERATIONS

 

United States Coast Guard - Philadelphia Group  

                                                                           

 

NJ Marine Police - Burlington Station             

 

Marine Strike Team – I (Cold Water / Ice Rescue)

 

Station	Resource
Marine 239 Rescue 232	14’ Flat Bottom Cold Water Immersion Suits (3) Reach Pole Throw Bags Ax, Pike Pole, Rope Reels Ice Picks
Marine 681 – Fort Dix	14' Alum Semi-V 2 - Multi Function Reach Poles 2 x 500' Rope Reels 6 Exposure Suits
Marine 369 – Mt. Laurel	2 x 15’ Flat Bottom Sled (Ice Rescue) with Rope Reel 2 Dry Suits 6 Cold Water Rescue Suits 4 Exposure Suits 2 Wiggys Hypothermia Rewarmer Bags
Marine 602/609 – Bordentown	4 Exposure Suits
Marine 252 Marine 2521	Avon 12’ inflatable w/ 10 hp motor 14’ Jon Boat w/3.5 HP electric motor Rescue Alive water/ice rescue craft Marsars Ice Rescue Board 3 – Ice Rescue Suits 2 – Survival Suits 1 – wet suit 16 – PFDs 1 – 500’ 3/8” water rescue rope reel 1 – 300’ 3/8” water rescue rope reel 10 – water rescue rope bags varying lengths 2 – telescoping rescue poles LDH inflation kit 2 - backboards

                       

Marine Strike Team – I (Marine Firefighting)

 

Station	Resource
802 – Tri-Boro Officers           (Palmyra, Cinnaminson, Riverton)	19’ Bayliner docked at Riverton Yacht Club
906 – Burlington City
232 – Delran	17’ at Riverside Marina

 

                       

Attachment C

 

SHORELINE ACCESS POINTS (For Casualty Collection Only)

 

The following locations have been identified by the USCG to be off-loading points for casualties in the Delaware River.

 

Yapewi and Bordentown Yacht Club

 

Phone 609-298-0844 (Yapewi), local police 609-298-0103 or via CENTRAL at 609-267-8300

 

Access Route:  I-295 or NJ T-Pike to Rt 130N to Bordentown exit; bear left, make 1st left onto Farnsworth Ave; continue to the waterfront.

Helo:                at main Beach, just south of yacht club

Triage:              Parking lot of yacht club

Staging:            at main Beach, just south of yacht club

Medevac:            direct from triage site

Hospitals:            St. Francis Medical Center             Robert Wood Johnson Hamilton

                        Capital Health System - Trenton            Lower Bucks Co, PA

                        Lourdes Medical Center of BC            Virtua            Memorial Hospital of Burl Co

Cooper Trauma

Comments:       Area is north of Crosswicks Creek Bridge, uncharted water; floating piers for smaller vessels are available seasonally.  Main Beach access from exit from yacht club, 1st right then down to waterfront, low local bridge, small vehicle only, no 18 wheelers or fire trucks, utility vehicles only.

 

Florence Yacht Club

 

Phone - local police 609-499-3131 or via CENTRAL 609-267-8300

 

Access Route:       295 or NJ T-Pike to Rt 130 N to County Rt 656 to the waterfront.

Helo:                Adjacent to club, Plant-Waterworks (12 helos max)

Triage:              Florence Fire Station or Duffy Elementary School on W 2nd St.

Staging:            Adjacent to yacht club, Plant-Waterworks

Medevac:         direct from triage location – ball field

 

Hospitals:         Lourdes Medical Center of BC       Virtua       Memorial Hospital of Burl Co

St. Francis Medical Center           Robert Wood Johnson Hamilton

                        Capital Health System - Trenton            Lower Bucks Co, PA

                        Cooper Trauma

Comments:       Yacht club not suited for helo or staging; too small with lots of vehicle traffic.  Small town most facilities in close proximity of yacht club.  Floating piers for smaller vessels are available seasonally.