Effective February 1, 2013, the management of the Dive Search and Rescue Team has been revised. The new management system ensures that rules and regulations established by Los Angeles Fire Department, National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), and U.S. Navy (USN), as well as those established by other state and local government agencies are followed and adhered to.
A Dive Safety Board has been implemented to oversee the dive program. The purpose of the Dive Safety Board is to ensure the highest level of safety for the LAFD dive program specifically to provide administrative, operational, safety guidance, and oversight to conduct all dive operations in a uniform manner.
The immediate action items for the Dive Safety Board include:
- Update and implement dive safety standards and procedures
- Issuance of new equipment and associated mandated training
- Audit and update of required training and documentation
- The creation of a Dive Safety Manual
Additional action items will be based on input from dive team members.
This management system centers around team participation and is designed to be inclusive and have transparency. All team members are stakeholders and encouraged to take responsibility in the successful implementation of this management system. Additionally, all dive team decisions will be based on credible and acknowledged sources and based on established dive industry standards and procedures.
Safety is of primary importance in all of dive operations. It is expected that LAFD divers follow public safety dive practices and standards that are established by the NFPA, OSHA and LAFD. Furthermore, each diver shall use good operational judgment, use well-maintained equipment, and have a professional attitude in the execution of their duties.
The Dive Safety Board will ensure that each member possesses the necessary equipment and training to carry out their duties in a safe and efficient manner.
