BY JOHN MILES AND JOHN TOBIN
In “Removing a Downed Firefighter” (Training Notebook, Fire Engineering, January 2004, 18-20), we demonstrated how to properly package an unconscious firefighter. In this article, we will demonstrate how to use that procedure plus a 2:1 rope advantage system to remove a firefighter found unconscious in a cellar.
 1. Photos by John Miles. |
Removing anyone who is injured or unconscious is always a tough and strenuous procedure. If you are the FAST that has been dispatched to a downed firefighter, or if you happened to come across an unconscious member, you must immediately notify the incident commander (IC). You then need to check to see if air is still flowing to the individual’s face piece. If so, check to see how much air remains in his tank. In situations in which you are in an IDLH (immediately dangerous to life and health) area where time is critical, this may be the only first aid you will be able to perform. It may be that quick removal to the outside is necessary before any other medical evaluation can be performed.
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After checking the status of the firefighter’s air, convert the individual’s SCBA to a harness. No matter how you intend to remove the individual, it is important to perform this step. The SCBA harness will give you a substantial object to hold on to while dragging the downed member. Failure to perform this simple action may cause delay and make for a more difficult removal.
CONVERTING SCBA TO HARNESS
1. Fully loosen both sides of the waist belt of the downed firefighter’s SCBA.
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2. Unbuckle the waist belt, holding both ends of the belt throughout this procedure.
3. Take one end of the waist belt and put it behind the firefighter and bring it up between his legs.
4. Take the other half of the waist belt and bring it to the front of the individual and connect it to the part of the waist belt between his legs.
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5. Tighten both sides of the waist strap.
REMOVING DOWNED FIREFIGHTER UP STAIRS
The downed firefighter and his equipment create a dead weight that is difficult to move. If that removal is from a cellar, the maneuver of lifting and moving the firefighter up a flight of stairs is nearly impossible. But by using a simple to learn procedure, this removal can be performed.
2:1 mechanical advantage system. One of the tools a FAST should bring to the command post is a stokes basket. Using the stokes, a life belt, and a rope at least 50 feet in length, you can create a 2:1 mechanical advantage to assist you in removing the downed firefighter up a flight of stairs.
Stokes basket preparation. For this procedure to be effective, the stokes basket has to be prepared beforehand. Take the life belt and thread it through the two top handholds (at the head position) of the stokes basket (photo 1). Keep the hook to the outside of the stokes basket and centered while buckling the belt ends together. You can also use a carabiner as long as you have a place to attach to the basket (photo 2). The lifebelt hook or carabiner will be used to pass the rope through to create the mechanical advantage.
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Tying off to a substantial object. Select a substantial stationary object at the top of the stairs, which will be used to tie off one end of the rope. The substantial object should be in line with the stokes basket and stairs, if possible. Substantial objects include a door jamb, a standpipe riser, making a hole in the wall to tie off to a wall stud, or using a metal six-foot hook to span the opening of the door (photos 3, 4). While the stokes basket is at the top of the stairs, place the rope through the hook of the life belt and pull up on the slack in the rope (photo 5).
Using the 2:1 advantage system. Once it has been determined that there is a downed firefighter in the cellar, the stokes basket should be prepared and lowered to the bottom of the stairs so it is ready when the downed firefighter is dragged to the base of the stairs. Waiting until after the member has been located will only delay the removal.
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With at least two firefighters at the top of the stairs, lower the stokes basket down the stairs. The firefighters at the top of the stairs maintain control of the end of the rope not tied off to the substantial object (photo 6). This is the end that will be pulled to bring the stokes basket back up the stairs. After the downed firefighter is placed in the stokes, the firefighters at the top of the stairs will be ordered to pull on their end of the rope. As the rope is pulled, it will slide through the hook of the life belt, bringing the basket up the stairs with very little effort. Have one firefighter maintain contact with the basket in case it gets caught on an obstruction.
As with any other fireground procedure, we must practice to become proficient in its use. Try the removal procedure without using the 2:1 advantage to reinforce just how difficult it is to remove a firefighter from a cellar.
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Removing a downed member is always a chaotic situation. Having procedures in place that have been practiced will make this situation more manageable. ■
■ JOHN MILES is a captain with the Fire Department of New York, assigned to Division 6. Previously, he served as a lieutenant with Ladder 35 and as a firefighter with Ladder 34 and Engine 82 and as a volunteer firefighter with the River Vale (NJ) Fire Department and the Spring Valley (NY) Fire Department. He is also an instructor with the Rockland County Fire Training Center in Pomona, New York.
■ JOHN TOBIN, a 30-year fire service veteran, is assistant chief and training officer with the River Vale (NJ) Fire Department, where he previously served as chief. He has a master’s degree in public administration and is a member of the Bergen County (NJ) Fire Academy Advisory Board.
