Inflatable Rescue Path (IRP)

The Inflatable Rescue Path (IRP) is a new addition to the extensive equipment inventory of the West Sussex Fire Brigade. Mobilised as part of the existing animal rescue response or as an individual item of equipment dependent upon need, the IRP will allow firefighters to access areas of unstable ground such as mud or slurry and it can also act as a floating platform on water.

What is an 'IRP'

The IRP is a reinforced rubber platform that is deployed using air from a Breathing Apparatus cylinder. It is five metres long and nearly one and a half metres wide.

Where are they

There are three IRP's in the County, at Storrington , East Wittering and East Grinstead . The rescue paths are intended to be used mainly at animal rescue incidents, but also may have a role where there is widespread flooding and other operations near to open water. Positioned at these stations, it means that any incident requiring the deployment of a rescue path can be reached within 30 minutes. In addition, two of these stations can also deploy a rigid inflatable boat as well as the rescue path.

What are they used for

The IRP has two functions:

• As a work platform on mud, slurry, ice or other unstable surfaces.
• As a raft for evacuation of people, animals or objects in flood situations.

As a work platform the IRP can be used on its own to provide a stable work area or may be used with another IRP in "leapfrog" style to achieve a greater distance from stable ground.

The IRP can be used in water as shallow as 100mm but should not be used in water that is fast flowing or over waist deep. The IRP can carry 6 persons or approximately 500kg.

To facilitate a rescue on ice or from a pond or river, the IRP can be used in the 'ferry' method with a line set up between opposite banks.

Crews can pull the IRP across the ice or water to gain access to an area or to affect the rescue of a casualty.

All IRP crews will have dry suits with thermal insulation under-suits and all persons using the IRP will wear a life jacket.

The IRP would be used at the following types of incidents:

Incident types would include:

• Persons/animals trapped in mud.
• Persons/animals trapped on ice.
• Animals or persons in slurry or other unstable ground conditions.
• Extensive flooding requiring the evacuation of persons or property.
• Fire service pumping operations where access to the water's edge is awkward.

The IRP will also be mobilised upon request of the Incident Commander and at the discretion of the Mobilising Officer.