Dive Test

Firefighter Special Pay Scuba Diver – Announcement – 
June 25, 2010
 
The Firefighter SCUBA Diver selection process is scheduled to begin in August or September 2010.  An announcement has just been posted on the LAFD Portal as a Information Notice. Applications will be accepted beginning July 12 through July 16.  

See announcement below.
 Announcement

U.S. Coast Guard Admiral Inspects LAFD

Rear Admiral J.R.Castillo , Commander of the 11^th Coast Guard District, visited Fire Station 112 on June 24.  The Rear Admiral toured Fire Station 112 and observed a display of the LAFD Marine Division's firefighting capabilities.  Following the drill, Rear Admiral Castillo toured the LA Harbor on Boat 2.  He was joined by LAFD Harbor Division, Homeland Security Assistant Chief Don Austin, Division 2 Assistant Chief Darren Palacios and Battalion 6 Chief Trevor Richmond.

Boats 1,2,3,4 and Skiff 3 participate in a under-wharf drill for the Rear Admiral.

 Boats 1,3 and 4 stage at Fire Station 112 before the drill

Boat 4 prepares to deploy the under wharf nozzles

Divers assume control of the under wharf nozzles and awaits Boat 1 to supply the nozzles

Boat 2 begins a wharf sweep with it's under wharf monitors.  Boat 3 supplies under wharf nozzles for a  water curtain

Public Safety Diving vs. Recreational Diving

Public Safety Diving or, PSD is a specialty that is designed to meet the needs of public safety professionals involved in aquatic incidents. PSD certifications are above and beyond and separated from all sport diving rescue certification.  PSD certifications are a requirement to be recognized at the federal level and are also needed for a Homeland Security rating.  The classes standardize and prepare the divers to coordinate and operate with other public, state and federal emergency dive agencies. 

Public Safety Diving is a specialized activity taking place in a hazardous environment.  Recreational Divers require certification to access equipment, air fills and dive sites.  The recreational certification (called open water) qualifies divers to dive in reasonably calm, clear conditions at depths not to exceed 60 feet.  In the recreational diving industry, that certification is frequently referred to as a permit to learn, just as a learner's permit is issued to a person completing high school drivers education.  Many Public Safety Agencies use open water training to qualify divers to dive in the hazardous environments encountered by the Public Safety Dive Team. These PSD teams can not maximized their potential and are limited by Recreational Rescue Diver Certifications .  Recognizing the need for additional training the dive team administrators will seek out "Professional Assistance" from the local recreational dive store.  The dive store instructor provides all that they are able to provide, a recreational certification as a Rescue Diver.  Most recreational training agencies, PADI, NAUI, SSI and others, define their Rescue Diver Course as a "Self" and "Buddy Rescue" program.  This is adequate for helping your buddy who gets in trouble at 45 feet in clear water off Catalina, but not much assistance in the Public Safety Environment.  Moving the into the PSD sector creates a more qualified emergency diver and expands the capacity of the dive program which in turn provides greater value for the community it serves and aligns the program with other PSD agencies around the country.


To find out more about Public Safety Dive agencies and accredited instructors see the following links:


Dive Rescue International
Emergency Response Dive International

LAFD Members Attend Dive Rescue 1 Class

Seven members of the LAFD recently completed a Dive Rescue 1, Public Safety Dive (PSD) course.  Six members attended a class hosted by San Diego Dive Rescue and  Del Mar Lifeguards.  This class was accredited by Emergency Response Dive International (ERDI).  Another Dive Team member, Fireboat Mate Dave Bender F.S. 49-C, attended a class held in Bullhead City AZ that was accredited by Dive Rescue International (DRI). The Dive Rescue 1 course is a emergency response diving course designed to give public safety members the advanced skills needed to safely function as part of a public safety dive team.  The class was NFPA compliant and covered topics such as problem solving, tender skills, search patterns and evidence handling. Dive skills include executing search patterns, victim recovery, emergency procedures and decontamination procedures.   Todd Hix, Fireboat Mate, FS 111/Boat 1 and Dive Team Shift Coordinator, said, "Our goal is to move the LAFD dive program to a professional / public safety certified operation. After receiving the training from both ERDI and DRI we can combine the curriculum with our LAFD operations and become an advanced Public Safety Dive Team."


Pictured above: 
Top Photo: (LtoR)Brett Lawson, Greg Kynper- San Diego Dive Rescue, Mate, Todd Hix Bt1-B, Dive Team Trainees- Al Perez 40-C, Vince Martinez 64-C, Steve Meiche 49-C, John Erlandson 36-C, Brad Besse 64-C.
Bottom- Todd Hix tenders a search line

LAFD Dive Training Calendar Now Available Online

The LAFD Dive Training Calendar is now available in the right sidebar.  Some of the July training is on hold due to Battalion 6 Annual Inspection.


Check regularly for updates. 

New Frontline Diver Appointed

Firefighter Curtis Ogle, Fire Station 49-C has been appointed to a Frontline Diver position with the LAFD. Firefighter Ogle has over 20 years experience with the LAFD and is currently assigned to a Firefighter/Diver position at FS 49-C/Boat 3. Firefighter Ogle filled the vacant position left by Firefighter/Diver/Paramedic Jose Couce who is now assigned to FS 23-B. F/F Couce maintains his Back-up diver status due to the limited number of available Back-up divers in the program.

Congratulations Curtis on your appointment and good luck Jose with your new assignment .

Another noted team change is the retirement of Frontline Diver Greg Hunt, Fire Station 110/Boat 5. Enjoy your retirement Greg and best wishes.

Creating an LAFD Diver Database

Are you a member of the LAFD and interested in the Dive Program? Are you a current or active diver? We are interested in finding out how many qualified divers there are on the LAFD. We want to know who you are, what qualification you have and what your interest level is. If you have any interest in the LAFD Dive Program we ask you to please fill out the simple questionnaire provided and submit it for the database. A link to the questionnaire is provided below.
Database Questionnaire Link

Once a database is established, organized training opportunities will be provided to prepare interested members for the upcoming exam as well as opportunities for advanced dive certifications and organize recreational dives.

If you have any questions regarding the exam please email them to lafddiveteam@gmail.com

Thanks for your interest

Diver Trainee Program

A new Diver Trainee Program is on board this year for the LAFD Dive Team. This development program will provide a "Resource" for LAFD members interested in becoming an LAFD Dive Team member. The concept of developing a "Farm Team" for the dive program will provide an opportunity for members to prepare themselves for participation in the dive program.Organized training opportunities will be provided to prepare interested members for future exams and provide advanced dive certifications.

The mission of this program is "Development and Preparation" by providing training and opportunity for any LAFD member who meets the dive requirements. On-duty and off-duty training opportunities will be provided for qualified members much like the opportunities provided to Apparatus Operators and Engineer candidates preparing for upcoming practical exams. This training opportunity will give qualified members stronger background and experience and, create a more competitive and prepared dive team member.

Captain Steve Tessier, Fire Station 112, the LAFD Dive Team Coordinator is in charge of the program. Captain Tessier has appointed two assistants to help manage the program, Dave Brooks, Back-up Diver/Paramedic, FS 112-B and Dave Malafronte, Mate, FS 112-A. These team members will help coordinate and initiate the Trainee process. Candidates can contact Captain Tessier, Mate Malafronte or Back-up Diver Brooks to arrange a meeting to fill out the required documentation for participation. To participate the following would be required:

LAFD members interested in participating in the development program should posses a minimum Basic Open Water dive certification but, additional advanced certifications would be desirable and helpful.

Completion of Application/Questionnaire.

Copies of all relevant dive certifications.

Copies of personal SCUBA equipment service certification BC, Regulators and Tank.

Dive Log for review

Candidates must bring their personal equipment for inspection and have copies of all documents on file. Upon completion of the application/questionnaire, dive certification/equipment check and verification , Candidates will be issued a Candidate Workbook which the trainee will use to maintain a log of their participation in the program.

The next step, Trainees will need to arrange a checkout dive with one of two Dive Team Shift Coordinators, Fire Boat Mate Todd Hix, FS 111-B/Boat 1 or Dave Bender, FS49-C/Boat 3. Dive Team Shift Coordinators are responsible for managing the training aspect of the development program. The checkout dive is mandatory and will consist of some basic dive skills and dive program operational overview. Following the completion of the orientation, candidates can match up with partners and train, study and take advanced dive classes to better prepare themselves for a position in the LAFD Dive Program.

On a daily basis the LAFD Dive Team and Marine Firefighting Division participate in routine training exercises. Depending on the schedule and availability, certified Trainees may participate in these drill to educate themselves in marine operations. Based on their level of experience and ability, their participation can be customized to develop the member so they meet the standards of an LAFD Dive Team member. Trainees must contact the Shift Coordinators in advance to schedule a "Ride Along". They must have attended an orientation, check-out dive and have the required dive certifications and equipment certifications on file. Development Dive Team members participation will be limited to their level of experience and dive certifications. A strict curriculum developed by the Shift Coordinators will be followed to introduce the various dive evolutions and duties of the dive team. The curriculum includes: Dive preparations, boat operations and deck hand responsibilities, dive briefing, communications, dive skills, team diving, rescue and recovery skills, boat and equipment maintenance.

For additional information on the development program contact Fire Station 112 at

310 548 7553

LAFD Dive Test Coming Soon

The LAFD will be administering a test for the position of Firefighter/Diver in the near future. It has been over 4 years since the last dive test. To date, after many delays, the dive test is penciled in to take place sometime in late summer. It is speculated that the test will take place at the end of August. As it stands now the test is in the hands of the Personnel Department. Hopefully the announcement will come out soon. The Firefighter/Diver position is a unique and very challenging assignment. The LAFD Dive Program is process of expanding and will be filling both Frontline and Backup Diver positions. By summers end there will be 6 Back-up diver vacancies and the dive program is expecting to expand with 6 additional Back-up positions for a total of 12.

In regards to preparation, it appears that the "Old" dive test criteria will be used. There was talk of a new updated test similar to the NFPA standards but that has been shelved for now. There are plans to have a practice pool swim and demonstration in the near future. Standby for dates. Additionally, an overview of the testing criteria will be posted soon on this site.

Any questions regarding the dive exam contact Captain Tessier, Dive Team Coordinator at 310 548 7553 or any Dive Team members for assistance with how to prepare for the test.

Best advice for preparing for the test is:

Dive! Dive! Dive!!!

Boat 3 Back in Service

After being out of service for over a year, Boat 3 returned to Fire Station 49 for a short stay. Boat 3 was the last of the three small dive boats to get a paint job and much needed upgrades. It returned shortly only to be moved to Fire Station 110 for the relief of Boat 5. Apparently Boat 5 suffered some major engine damage and had to be put out of service again. Due to the fact that there are no reserve fireboats, Boat 3 is usually called on as a relief boat for Boat 1 and 5. The crews of Boat 3 had been operating with a Skiff for over a year that is on loan from the swift water team . "Not that practical but we make it work" says Frontline Diver John Torres. "It was disappointing to see the Boat leave no sooner than it was put back into service" states Torres. The boat looked great, there were a lot of upgrades, chrome, custom polishing and other nice upgrades spearheaded by Mate Dave Bender.

Dive Team in Action

Boat 1 with the LAPD Dive Team Participated in a joint training dive on June 3 at an undisclosed oil platform 8 miles from the harbor entrance.

LAPD had 25 divers participate

The LAFD members that participated pictured above Mate Todd Hix, Divers John Torres, Shawn Mason and Trainee Steve Meiche(not pictured).

There were two dive missions, one to 120' and one to 55'. The training mission was repetitive dives, deep diving and navigation under the giant oil structure.

Dive Team Looks at New Equipment

Members of the LAFD Dive Team test the latest in underwater sonar. This sonar has state of the art technology and is hand held. In the photo, dive team members discuss the operation of the sonar with the manufacture's representative. The LAPD dive team coordinator also looks on and expressed interest in the unit.

The unit itself.

After two days of testing, the evaluation came back positive with overwhelming support of the sonar as an effective "Rescue" tool. A proposal for the purchasing of three units is being put together by the Shift Coordinators and it is hoped that some funding can be found to procure this useful tool.

For more information of the sonar see the link below:

http://www.blueview.com/Shark-Navigator.html

All Dive Team Meeting

On May 8, 2010 an all Dive Team meeting was held at Fire Station 112. A full agenda was presented by Dive Team Coordinator Captain Steve Tessier, Fire Station 112-C. Many new and exciting programs will be introduced this year and the dive team is gearing up for expansion and reorganization. Some of the highlights on the agenda are as follows:

Upcoming Dive Exam- Hopefully to be held sometime late summer. The finalization of the exam is currently in the hands of the Personnel Department. The exam will consist of the former testing criteria.

Shift Coordinators- Three Dive Team Shift Coordinators have been appointed to oversee training and develop to dive policy. The coordinators are Jim Stine, FS 110-A/Boat 5, Todd Hix, FS 111-B/Boat 1 and Dave Bender, FS 49-C/Boat 3. These coordinators will be handling the day to day and long term training needs of the dive team as well as developing operational polices.

Mission Statement- The Dive Program is revamping its Mission Statement to keep pace with the ever changing needs of Public Safety Dive programs (PSD). The proposed inclusion of a "Recovery" element to the mission of the LAFD Dive Team will align the program with other dive agencies operating in the harbor. Additionally, it's inclusion will expand the dive programs value as an additional recovery resource in the region. Another benefit to adding the "Recovery" element to the Mission Statement will be meeting eligibility requirements for a FEMA Type 1 Dive Team. Meeting these federal requirements will position the dive team to apply for Homeland Security grants that would provide funding to expand training and purchase new equipment.

Dive Supervisor Class- The dive program is looking into the use of the United States Navy's Dive Supervisor course as additional training for Mates in charge of dive operations. This course is a comprehensive supervisory course that will increase knowledge base for the dive team members. Mike Stephenson, FS 49-C/Back-up Diver and active USN Seal Team member has arranged the course availability for the LAFD.

NFPA 1670 Compliance- A directional shift for the LAFD Dive Team to comply with NFPA standards for fire department dive teams is on the table. The 1670 standard is comprehensive and a transition will be needed from the current recreational operational standards that the dive team operates under. Compliance with the NFPA standards can only benefit the dive program and align the LAFD with top dive programs in the country.

Back-up Diver Appointment- Preliminary discussion with UFLAC have begun to establish new procedures for appointing Back-up Divers to Frontline positions. The proposed change would include qualifications and experience in addition to seniority for appointments.

Future Training- The program has looked into becoming an official Public Safety Dive program (PSD) and obtaining certification from a nationally recognized PSD organization. All dive team members would need to receive specialized training that certifies them as a PSD diver. This training is much like the USAR and Haz-Mat training needed to be assigned to these specialized units. There are currently two agencies that provide this specialized training DRI- Dive Rescue International and ERDI- Emergency Response Dive International. Dive Team Shift Coordinators have submitted a proposal to Chief Rueda that recommends sending two dive team members to receive PSD instructor training this summer. Having LAFD members as PSD instructors will provide as cost effective method of having "in house" trainers to upgrade the dive teams certifications.

Organizational Chart- A revised Organizational Chart is in the making that reflect the resent changes within the Dive Program.

Dive Electronics- The Dive Team Shift Coordinators completed an evaluation of a new hand held Sonar that will greatly increase the teams rescue capabilities. Members evaluating the sonar overwhelmingly supported adding this equipment to the dive teams arsenal of electronics. Additionally, Chief Rueda recently observed Boat 4 and Boat 2 personel demonstrate the use of our current Sonar capabilities. Boat 4 operated their MesoTec Sidescan Sonar while Boat 2 utilized the Tow-Fish Side Scan Sonar. The drill took place near Fire Station 112. While obtaining the objective of the drill, it was determined additional training and some updated hardware would be need to increase our capabilities. Lastly, it was determined that our current type of Sonar equipment is not ideal for immediate rescue operations and it best suits recovery operations.

Grants- The dive team is currently working with Chief Management Analyst Bruce Pendergrast to Identify grant options to fund training and equipment.

Diver Trainee Program- A new development program is in place to prepare and train interested members for the upcoming dive test.

Expansion of Back-up Positions- A proposal to increase the number of Back-up Diver from 6 to 12 positions is on the table. Additional equipment and funding will be necessary to implement the expansion.

Dive Rescue Vehicle- The Harbor Department is assisting with funding for a Dive Rescue Vehicle. Plans have been drawn and hopefully the vehicle will rolling sometime in the near future.