By Chris Mc Loone
Atlantic City, NJ – Today marks the final day of H.O.T. evolutions at FDIC East’s inaugural event, and with it a practical component of the 16-hour Collapse Rescue class. Of the myriad examples I presented yesterday, in my mind, there is no better display of FDIC resources than the collapse evolutions each year.
Participants here shore a collapsed structure to make entry and search for potential victims. The case here was a single-family dwelling which collapsed, leaving nary a trace of its original appearance. Attendees got to work quick. With only eight hours to complete the evolution, working efficiently is critical.
A Ryder box van arrived carrying the supplies necessary to carry out the task at hand. As soon as the gas-powered generators started, the silence of this fall morning was interrupted by the almost continuous sound of circular saws and chop saws making the necessary cuts to the almost endless supply of lumber used to shore the dwelling and what appeared to be a garage to its left. Methodically, attendees built supports for exterior walls and began debris removal, and to the rear of the dwelling, discovered access to a basement area or crawlspace underneath, a lucky break if there were live victims inside.
Teamwork again prevailed at this evolution. No one is left behind during these evolutions. There are countless jobs required at a structure collapse site, none more important than the others and all integrated to achieve the final goal: preparing a safe environment to rescue the people inside the structure. Though everyone was moving fast, it becomes clear to any participant that operating at a structural collapse is going to involve many long, arduous tasks.
At the end of the day, participants at this drill walk away having gained practical experience they might not otherwise gain except by responding to an actual collapse. Department members and observers alike will return to their stations at the end of the week eager to relate their first-hand knowledge of collapse rescue operations.
Keep checking back this week as images from FDIC East 2004 are posted so you can see how FDIC events redefine training for the fire service. And if you couldn’t make it this year, make plans now for next year’s show.
Chris Mc Loone is FireEngineering.com’s Web Editor. An 11 year veteran of the fire service, he holds the position of First Assistant Engineer for Weldon Fire Company in Glenside, PA. He can be reached at chrism@pennwell.com.
