TO: All Department Personnel

TO: All Department Personnel

FROM: Fire Chief William Seward, III

RE: Implementation of Search/Guide Rope

DATE: January 5, 2009

INTRODUCTION

Effective this date, the Town of North Branford Department of Fire Service hereby issues search/guide rope to the following units: Engine’s 1, 2, 3, 11, 22; Tower 1; Rescue’s 11, 22 and 3. This equipment is designed to provide members with a quick route to safety under conditions where use of a search/guide rope would be advantageous, such as operations in large open space areas, locations that have maze-like configurations, or where there is a heavy smoke or restricted condition.

DESCRIPTION

The Search/Guide Rope is a 5/16” braided nylon rope packed into an abrasion resistant carrying pack with shoulder strap. A snap hook is attached to the ends of the rope. Features of this rope include flotation, excellent wet or dry strength retention, excellent strength to weight ratio, abrasion resistant, torque-free non-hocking flexibility. This rope has minimal degradation from ultraviolet light; good resistance to most minerals, organics, acids, weak alkalis, bleaches and other oxidizing agents and solvents. The effects of heat include: melting point of nylon 480° F with a progressive strength loss above 300° F.

APPLICATION

The Search/Guide Rope can be employed by members who must function in areas where visibility is restricted by heavy smoke, the structure creates a maze-like or limited access area, when hand lines are not in use or it may be used in combination with hand lines. There may be additional criteria beyond the scope of this order that dictates its use. All personnel should be guided by common sense, following Department procedures with safety as a priority. Remember, the Search/Guide Rope is 200 feet in length. Company colors shall be placed on each snap hook for identification purposes.

USE

Grasp the snap hook and rope at the top of the bag opening and remove enough rope to secure the rope to a substantial object. The carrying pack is then worn over the shoulder of the members performing a search; the rope pays out as members advance. An alternative method involves a second member holding the rope bag and controlling the removal of the rope; that member must remain at the entry point of the area to be searched. The free standing end of the search/guide rope can be attached to the SCBA bracket or other suitable point of the member conducting the search. When exiting the searched area, members should follow the path of the line or they can be guided by light force applied to the rope by members positioned at the opposite end of the search/guide line.

PACKING THE ROPE

Remove all the rope from the carrying case and disconnect the snap hook from the “O” ring at the bottom of the bag. Coil or lay out the entire length of the rope on a dry and clean surface, remove any kinks that develop in the process. Coil the search/guide line into the carrying case in a counter-clockwise direction until the entire rope is repacked. The snap hooks shall be fastened to the hook at the bottom of the bag and the opposite end attached to the top of the bag. When completed, place the top flaps of the bag into position and ready the carrying strap for deployment.

RESTRICTIONS

The Search Rope is to be used ONLY for search or guideline purposes. NEVER use the rope for life saving purposes. There may be situations where this rope may be utilized for water rescue operations.

MAINTENANCE

The Search Rope can be washed with a mild soap and warm water solution and permitted to air dry. As with all ropes, a monthly inspection shall be performed and the rope repacked from the opposite end into the carrying bag.

END