By AARON J. HELLER
Although the call volume and responsibilities today’s responders face continue to rise, many of us are facing critically low staffing levels in our departments. I don’t believe that two or three firefighters on an apparatus are sufficient. However, we know this is a fact of life in departments across the nation and, unfortunately, it’s our job to perform our duties with what is available.
Extrications and motor vehicle accidents (MVAs) are on the rise in most communities. As populations grow and rural farmland is eaten up by developers, we see an increase in traffic, especially on secondary roads that were not designed with this in mind. This is a recipe for MVAs. A well-trained, properly equipped, and motivated crew can accomplish a great deal with the first-due unit while waiting for the cavalry to arrive. It all begins with training.
Whether you are a career or a volunteer member, it is important to know your job. Riding assignments are an excellent tool for the extrication crew. Many departments use laminated sheets or engraved signs in the apparatus to list the riding assignments in detail. This eliminates a lot of confusion since the crew can review these en route to the call. For instance, a three-person crew must accomplish the basics on arrival including size-up, tool staging, vehicle stabilization, patient assessment, and victim extrication. An example of a three-person crew riding assignment follows:
- Officer. Perform size-up, assess the victims, report details and assign tasks for incoming units, assist firefighter with extrication.
- Driver/operator. Safely arrive, properly position apparatus to protect the crew, assist with tool and cribbing staging.
- Firefighter. Begin cribbing, perform extrication as required.
Riding assignments should be flexible depending on the severity of the incident as well as the number of vehicles and victims involved. When encountering an incident, it is important for the officer to quickly recognize his crew’s limits and call for additional resources if necessary.
In trying to simplify extrication operations, you must look at your apparatus and equipment. Whether you’re carrying your extrication equipment on an engine, a truck, or a dedicated rescue unit, it is important that the rig be designed for quick tool deployment. Again, take into account the limited staffing when placing equipment on the rig. Preconnected hydraulic, electric, and air reels are other options that allow for quick tool deployment, but they are only effective if you can maneuver your apparatus close enough to the scene. Many times, this is not possible, and it is cause to have portable power units available also. Most apparatus manufacturers now offer options like bumper-mounted reels and tools. This puts the tools in an easy-to-deploy location that doesn’t aggravate the old back injuries that so many of us are nursing. How many times have you seen tools you commonly need stored in hard-to-get-to locations? When mounting equipment in your rig, consider the tools you most often use and the weight of the equipment. The old adage “Work smarter, not harder” is fitting in this case.
Another problem with many extrication tools is their weight. Large, cumbersome tools are often required, but they can wear down personnel. Physically exhausted rescuers will quickly become ineffective, and the risk of injury to themselves and victims is much greater. Many extrication tool manufacturers have products that are lighter, but you must ensure they have the power you need to accomplish the task.
Cribbing is another issue with which the short-staffed crew must contend. For the most part, it is difficult to carry because of weight and size. However, you can overcome this is by using wheeled tubs or totes, which allow a single firefighter to get two tubs full of cribbing to the scene relatively easily. One of our members went so far as to number each tub in the order in which it was to be removed from the apparatus. The first tub contains step chocks, some 4 × 4s, a staging tarp, a windshield saw, and a rescue blanket; the second holds more 4 × 4s, wedges, and 2 × 4s. The third and fourth tubs hold the remainder of the chocking. This numbering system makes life much less complicated on those 3 a.m. calls when you may take a little time to click on all cylinders. It also makes things easier for the mutual-aid units.
As stated before, training is the key to any successful operation. The more you practice deploying your equipment and using the tools provided, the better you’ll function when lives are on the line. Don’t take for granted that everyone is on the same page as you. Spend the time drilling to ensure that your people are capable of working in these trying situations. Members must know what tools and equipment will be needed; where they are located; how to hook them up; and, above all, how to safely operate each piece. Setting up realistic scenarios and putting your crews to work will help you gauge your personnel’s extrication preparedness.
As we lobby the powers that be for the needed personnel, we continue to answer the call. For so long, we in the fire service have found ways to compensate for what we have lacked. In most cases, we have been fortunate enough to combine relentless desire, skilled personnel, and a bit of luck to mitigate the hazards we face. Although short-staffed stations have become more normal than we prefer, we can take some very basic steps to make our jobs safer, easier, and more successful.
AARON J. HELLER is a 30-year fire service veteran and a captain with the Hamilton Township (NJ) Fire District #9. He is a former chief of the New Egypt (NJ) Volunteer Fire Company #1 and a New Jersey Level II instructor with the Mercer County (NJ) Fire Academy. Heller is also a Fire Department Instructors Conference instructor and the owner of On Scene Training Associates, LLC.
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