BY CHRISTOPHER FEDER
In June 2004, the chief of my company assigned one of our assistant chiefs to look into purchasing some technical rescue equipment and developing a technical rescue program. The chief was interested in expanding our company’s capabilities and, since we are a “rescue company,” this seemed like the logical next step. Initially, the assistant chief considered purchasing a combination of three package deals from one of the larger vendors of rescue equipment. The proposed budget was about $5,000.
Since my experience was from a “hands-on technician background,” I was asked for my opinion and thoughts on the proposal. I do not think the department expected the response it received. Instead of a simple “go ahead” or “sounds fine,” I provided a plan for a comprehensive rescue program. Following is an overview of my recommendations and the steps our department took to make this technical rescue plan a reality. I broke down the project into six phases.
ASSESS YOUR DEPARTMENT, MEMBERSHIP, AND RESPONSE DISTRICT
Even if you think you know your department better than anyone else, you may need to establish contact with all of your people and become updated on new technologies and applicable standards and regulations. First, determine if your department really needs a technical rescue program or if it is simply something it wants. If you determine that the program is necessary, identify the reasons for its implementation.
 (1) Rescue 21 equipment layout. (Photo by Firefighter Bradley D. Remick.) |
Look at history. Did your department at one time have a program like this in place? If so, what happened so that it is no longer viable? Did your department consider adding such a program in the past? If so, why was this idea never developed? After you have completed your research, discuss the proposal with your command staff, line officers, and other organization members. Communication is vital to any new program. Solicit input from all department members.
Scheduling, overtime, training, resources, personnel, and funding are just some of the hurdles your department will face. Personnel and funding probably will be the biggest issues. The program’s success ultimately will depend on the involvement of members who are motivated, knowledgeable, and eager to participate. Yes, implementing the program will be challenging, but it will also be exciting and fun.
Next, determine the following: What hazards in your response district require technical rescue? What type of service would your new technical rescue program offer? Does a neighboring community or county team already provide this level of service? If so, find out if these agencies are interested in expanding their teams and including you in a task force or a strike team. Also, consult with your 911 dispatch center to see what is involved in getting on the dispatch card for this type of operation.
Once you have determined that there is a need for the service, establish an official committee to oversee the project. The committee should consult all applicable standards and regulations covering technical rescue operations and training. These standards include the following: National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1983, Standard on Life Safety Rope and Equipment for the Emergency Services, 2006 edition; NFPA 1951, Standard on Protective Ensembles for Technical Rescue Incidents, 2007 edition; NFPA 1670, Standard on Operations and Training for Technical Search and Rescue Incidents, 2009 edition; and NFPA 1006, Standard for Technical Rescuer Professional Qualifications, 2008 edition. One specialty I recommend staying away from is urban search and rescue (USAR), which is a highly skilled and costly endeavor that requires more dedication and financing than most departments can offer. A program of that magnitude is generally funded and supported by federal and state agencies because of the level of training and cache of equipment involved.
EVALUATE THE POTENTIAL FOR FINANCIAL SUPPORT
Unless your department has an unlimited budget, financing the program will be a concern. One approach is to establish a subcommittee to research financial options. Financial support can come from many sources. Begin at the organizational level. Can this expense be budgeted for next year? If not, start looking at other options, such as implementing a fund-raiser. Be careful. Don’t do anything that will conflict with ongoing annual fund-raisers in your municipality. Consider also low-interest loans and donations from large charitable organizations or a prominent community member.
Perhaps the best way to finance a new program is through a grant. There are many grants available. Become knowledgeable about the grants and their specific applications. Attend a grant workshop. In my department, the chief decided to apply for a grant instead of using department funds or soliciting public support. We received the grant (Assistance to Firefighters Grant), which not only covered our proposed budget but also provided additional funds to cover extra training and equipment.
It may be helpful to ask local officials and state and federal representatives and senators for your area to assist in the grant process.
SELECT AND PURCHASE EQUIPMENT
Establish a committee to create a list of equipment needed for the new program. When initiating the rope rescue program, committee members, as already mentioned, referenced applicable NFPA standards. In addition, we researched other fire departments’ standard operating procedures (SOPs) and standard operating guidelines (SOGs) relating to rope rescue and other criteria from agencies and regulatory bodies, such as the state office of workplace safety, the fire marshal, and the fire academy. This information enables you to determine equipment specifications and requirements. Your budget will dictate the equipment you can afford to purchase.
Involve individuals who have a background in technical rescue at this stage. Chances are that you are going to purchase a minimal cache of equipment to support the basic technical level of your program specialty. To help you determine the difference between equipment you need and equipment you would like to have, take a piece of paper and write the word “Need” and the word “Want” to establish two columns. You may want that $30 triple-locking steel NFPA-compliant carabiner, but you really need the $20 steel screw-locking NFPA-compliant carabiner. We listed steel equipment whenever possible, for a number of reasons. First, steel is stronger than aluminum. Second, it offers added security and has a positive psychological effect on the rescuer.
Departments and units that respond to mountain rescues and other high-angle emergencies that necessitate that personnel walk or hike to the scene or to lead climb should consider aluminum or magnesium hardware, backpacks, and rope packs, which are lighter in weight and are specifically built for carry-in rescues. Magnesium was not within our budget, so it didn’t make the list.
Try to stay with the same manufacturer as much as possible. At the least, purchase all your rope from the same manufacturer, and make sure it is all the same type. Do this also for your harness and auxiliary equipment, so that everything will be consistent each time you use it. Generally, manufacturers make a wide variety of colors of the same product. Consider color when purchasing rope and rope bags. Color is important in that it makes it easier for rescuers to distinguish among the lines hanging on them in the dark. You can also identify the length of a rope or webbing by color. Much of this information is basic, but it is easy to overlook. Write down your questions, ideas, and suggestions as you move along.
After you have ordered the equipment, determine where and how to store it on the apparatus.
ESTABLISH TRAINING GUIDELINES AND SPECIFICS
Ask yourself the following: Who is going to be trained? What are the minimum training requirements? Will the training be conducted in-house or outside the department? Do you want to achieve local, state, or national certification? Will there be departmental requirements for training? You must consider and budget for all these features.
Having a competent trainer in your department will make life much easier. If not, where are you going to find someone who can train your people? You can start by contacting your state fire academy, local fire academy, and local community college and specialty training services. If you are going to contract a specialty training service for this training, research these companies and their instructors’ levels of training. Ask for a list of organizations they recently trained. Check with those organizations; get feedback regarding the content of training and the professionalism of the company and the trainers. You may have to budget for outsourcing training, which can be expensive.
Although it is ideal to train every person in your organization, funding and other factors may make this unlikely. Therefore, you may want to designate a group of people to go through the more rigorous NFPA Professional Qualifications training. You may want to send a small group of people who are good with rigging and knots to a Technician Level Program. You may have certified instructors in your organization whom you can send to specialized programs that focus on tasks such as rigging, high lines, tower rescue, and confined space. You can use the power of the Internet to find respected training organizations. Train all members at least to the level that they can assist with and support the operation.
SET UP AND PLACE THE EQUIPMENT
By the time the equipment arrives, you should already have a plan for setting it up and positioning it on the truck. You can get some ideas by going through other departments’ SOPs and SOGs.
When setting up the equipment, consider color coding for easy identification. For example, in my company, we ordered prusik cords and tubular webbing in various colors. The prusik cord length measurements are all color-coded according to length: green for four feet, yellow for five feet, and red for seven feet. Webbing is color coded as follows: green for 10 feet, yellow for 20 feet, and red for 30 feet. The webbing color coordination was set up with those specific colors so members could easily associate the size and length using the “traffic light” color system, green representing the shortest and red representing the longest (yellow in the middle).
We purchased four 150-foot sections of lifeline rope, two 300-foot sections, and one 250-foot section. The 250-foot section is a prerigged 4:1 pulley system with a locking cam. All of our rope is in different colors; none of our rescue ropes is identical. My company does not have a color requirement for lifeline or belay, but some departments do, so make sure you research this.
Read the manufacturers’ recommendations before writing, painting, engraving, stamping, or marking the equipment. You can stamp some equipment; other equipment you have to engrave with a laser. Certain types of materials are more subject to fracturing or corrosion when the outer surface is disturbed. Cutting into a carabiner to engrave it could damage the material structure and render it more likely to fail. Others you can engrave safely with letters restricted to a certain size. The manufacturer may provide a recommendation for marking its equipment to prevent damage. Color-coordinated electrical tape might be all that you need.
Consult with neighboring rescue companies to see how their equipment is set up; this is helpful if you work together in the future. Use a simple system for placing the equipment on the apparatus. Do not position it near gasoline- or hydraulic-powered equipment. Roof saws and other gas-powered equipment give off a tremendous amount of fumes; over time, those fumes and the condensation will break down the structural integrity of the ropes and harnesses. Also, do not keep this equipment in direct sunlight, fluorescent light, or superheated or cooled rooms for long periods of time. Store it in a room-temperature environment. Keep your life safety equipment separate from your utility equipment so there is no chance of a mix-up.
When placing the equipment on the truck, consider how you are going to get it from the truck to the rescue scene. What if the scene is 20 floors up or a quarter-mile into the woods? Store the equipment in tool boxes or bags. Consider prerigging some equipment for rapid deployment. Ask members for their input. Ergonomics is a major concern; this equipment can get very heavy and bulky if it is not set up properly.
KEEP GOING
Don’t stop here and wait for the bell to ring. Keep it going. Never stop training. Run a monthly drill. Focus on basic knots, rigging, and mechanical advantage systems, for example. Run a tactical drill on a weekend or a weekday. Put together a scenario in the spring and in the fall. Give out pieces of rope to members so they can practice knots.
You can train in technical rescue operations at just about every fire, EMS, or law enforcement drill. Don’t cancel training because it’s snowing outside and you can’t rappel. Some of our drills have included competitive activities involving simple tasks such as dressing in full turnout gear; the fastest team received a gift. The more you drill, the more competent you become and the more advanced training you can undertake.
Establishing a technical rescue program involves challenges. If you plan carefully, you can overcome the challenges and implement a successful program that will save lives.
CHRISTOPHER FEDER began his career in the emergency services in 1995 as a firefighter with the Lower Merion Fire Department, Penn Wynne Fire Company, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. A rescue technician, he serves as the technical rescue/hazardous materials coordinator for his company. He is a Pennsylvania state fire and emergency service instructor, specializing in technical rescue. He is a certified rappel master and serves on a federal SWAT team. While deployed to Afghanistan, he was a key member in establishing the base combat fire department.
