SWIFT WATER RESCUE MGT JANUARY 23, 2002 STEVEN T. WORLEY DEPUTY - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

SWIFT WATER RESCUE MGT JANUARY 23, 2002

STEVEN T. WORLEY DEPUTY FIRE CHIEF SAN ANTONIO FIRE DEPT. SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS

Definition

• Low water crossing - area where storm

drainage is known to flood a portion of a road.

Flood gauge

PROBLEM

• Citizens violate city ordinance by

driving around barricades and through fast moving water crossing roadway.

• Fire Department called to perform

rescue or recovery.

PROBLEM

• Firefighters at risk during rescue
• perations.
• 165 low water crossings in the City of

San Antonio.

TOPOGRAPHY

• The topography lends itself to storm water

being channeled to specific areas causing a swift water hazard.

• Much different from

flooding near the coast where the hazard is rising water.

SOLUTIONS

• Warning signs and portable barricades

did not solve the problem.

• In 1992 an ordinance established a fee
• f $400 per person when a firefighting

unit performs a rescue at a low water crossing.

SOLUTIONS

• The establishment of the fee seemed to

ignite the interest of the media to a greater degree.

• During periods of heavy rainfall TV

and radio commentators discuss not

• nly the dangers, but also the fee for

those needing rescue.

SOLUTIONS

• At least one commentator was heard

calling it the “Idiot Fee” for those stupid enough to risk their lives.

• It has been an educational aid, helping

to drive home the point of how crazy it is to drive through a flooded low water crossing.

FEE VS. FINE

• A fee is charged because of the

performance of a rescue.

• Those who have driven around a

barricade are subject to citation by the Police and may have to pay a fine.

EFFECTIVENESS

• People continue to drive through

flooded low water crossings, not sensing the danger presented by six inches of swift moving water.

• People continue to die at flooded low

water crossings.

EFFECTIVENESS

• This has been one more tool in the

arsenal to prevent accidental death, it is not the final solution.

• The city continues to plan the

construction of specialized barricades that will prevent crossing during flooding.

EFFECTIVENESS

• One weakness is the collection of

billing information by the incident commanders.

EFFECTIVENESS

• 31 persons have been billed from 1999

to 2001

• The department collects the equivalent
• f two full fees per year.

SWIFT WATER RESCUE MGT JANUARY 23, 2002