Protocols/Shell H2S
From PCSAR
Contents |
Background
As a result of their recent mock exercise, they're looking for ways of working better with Pincher SAR. During an H2S incident, if they don't immediately locate a resident and have reason to believe they are still in the area, they would want a search to be initiated.
Shell wants to have a protocol in place by the end of August to meet their drilling schedule.
Profile
H2S events evolve relatively slowly, so that there would typically be time to conduct the search before searchers may have to be withdrawn. They expect hours or days in this phase. Typically 6 hours, occasionally as low as 2 hours.
There would typically be only one individual or party being searched for. The search areas might be up to 3 quarter sections of open agricultural, forested, or mountainous terrain. The subjects would be responsive (no expectation of simultaneous injury). Helicopter, vehicle, quad and foot teams would be used.
Protocol
SAR responders would only be working in H2S environments where it is possible to work safely without masks.
A higher trained H2S worker would accompany all teams and be constantly monitoring the environment.
In order to reduce our time to scene, we would be prealerted prior to a decision to advise evacuating residents.
Our search manager would make a decision of whether to respond, establish contact with the tasking agency (RCMP) and make a recommendation to be tasked.
The need to have a Search Manager as part of the incident overhead team.
Support
Training would be provided to SAR volunteers on working safely in an H2S environment. This would be to raise the confidence of SAR volunteers that they can be safe in such environments.
To further reduce our time to scene, Shell is considering offering the use of their automated call out system to notify our members. I know the board was looking at purchasing such a service. Was Eric taking the lead on that? I'd like to get the requirements you've developed and the recommendations of the call-out people to see how Shell's offer could best fit.
The need to orient their Incident Commander in the basics of what SAR can provide, what SAR needs, and how to work with SAR.
To do
(review: Brett Wuth)
- Involve RCMP in protocol development
- Get copy of report from Shell's mock
- Add Shell's channels to PCSAR radios
- Notify SARA / BC that may be model for other areas
Coming out of Thursday's meeting will be a draft protocol. I'll distribute it as soon as it's written up. I'll ask for your feedback and comments. We will discuss it at the August 16 Preplan meeting. Assuming their are no major hiccups, the board can endorse it at the September 6 meeting. If there are concerns, we should resolve them quickly so that by Shell's goal of August 31, I'll be able to indicate whether Pincher SAR is likely or not to adopt the protocol.
Subsequent to the protocol, Shell would like to have some training related to SAR for their field personnel. They are targeting only 8 hours, not the full 40 hour SAR Fundamentals. This shorter training might be about how to work with trained SAR personnel, and what to do/not do before SAR workers show up.
Protocol history
Pincher SAR:
- Brett Wuth
- Brian Balak
Shell
- Jim Little
- Brandy Kilkenny
Log
- 2011-06-16 Shell Waterton 68 ERP - exercise
- 2011-07-21 PCSAR exercise review
- 2011-07-30 Shell requests discussions
- 2011-08-09 phone discussions
- 2011-08-11 meeting
