Chapter 4. The emergency services
• Ambulance services
• Police services
• Fire services
• HM Coastguard (part of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency)
• Air Sea Rescue
• Mountain Rescue
• Voluntary Aid Societies (St John and St Andrew Ambulance Associations, British Red Cross)
• Volunteer organisations (e.g. British Association for Immediate Care, Women’s Royal Voluntary Service).
The fire and rescue service
Functions of the Fire service:
• Rescue of casualties from fire incidents
• Neutralisation of hazardous materials – chemicals, radiation
• Release of entrapped casualty (transport and industrial accidents)
• Extrication of patients from inaccessible areas (e.g. steep slope rescue)
• Assistance at major incidents (lighting, shelter, personnel for stretcher carry).
Command structure
The Fire service has a formal system of command. When attending an incident involving the Fire service, it is important to identify and speak to the senior officer in order to ensure a coordinated response.
Junior ranks wear yellow helmets, while officers wear white helmets.
The helmets of anyone above the grade of Fire-fighter will also be marked with black bands of varying number and thickness. The greater the number and width of the bands, the greater the seniority.
The rank markings of the Fire service are shown in Figure 4.1.
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| Figure 4.1 |
Entrapments
The successful and orderly management of an entrapment can be divided into six phases commonly used by Senior Fire Officers:
• Assessment and making the scene safe
• Stabilisation and initial access
• Glass management
• Space creation
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