Storm and Flood Damage Operations Procedure

Purpose. Sets the method for responding to requests for assistance after storms and floods, including tasking, scene assessment, working at height on roofs, tree operations, floodwater safety and the completion of jobs.

1.Tasking

Requests for assistance are received by the communications centre and allocated to units in priority order: life threatening, structural damage exposing people to weather, trees on buildings or blocking access, then other damage. The unit controller or duty officer must assign each job to a crew whose competencies in the training matrix match the task.

2.Scene assessment

On arrival the team leader must assess the scene for downed power lines, unstable structures, damaged trees, floodwater and traffic before any work starts, and must record the assessment and the controls in the job record. Any scene with a live electrical hazard must be isolated and the power distributor called before work proceeds.

3.Working at height

Work on roofs must only be done by members recorded as competent in working at height, using a fall arrest or restraint system anchored to a rated point, with a ladder footed and secured. No member will work on a roof in high wind, lightning or darkness without lighting, and no more members than the task needs will be on the roof.

• Competent members only
• Fall restraint or arrest on every roof job
• No roof work in high wind or lightning
• Ladder footed and secured

4.Tree operations

Trees on buildings, vehicles or roads must be assessed by a member competent in tree assessment before any cutting. Chainsaws must only be used by members recorded as competent, in full chainsaw protective equipment, with an exclusion zone maintained. Trees under tension, large trees or trees near power must be referred to the specialist tree crew.

5.Floodwater

Members must not enter floodwater above knee depth on foot and must not drive through floodwater. Floodboat operations must follow the floodboat procedure with life jackets, a crew of at least two and communications maintained. Swiftwater rescue must only be attempted by members recorded as competent in swiftwater rescue with the correct equipment.

6.Completing the job

The team leader must make the structure safe as far as possible with tarpaulins and temporary repairs, advise the occupier of what has been done and what they must arrange themselves, record the job as complete with photographs in the Incident and Dispatch Log, and report the crew available for the next job.