Rescue Techniques Basis of Fire Department Training Program
TRANING
A unique problem faced by firefighters prompted the Colorado Springs, CO, Fire Department to institute a standardized training program that has been accepted throughout the entire Rocky Mountain area. Safety must be the primary consideration in all rescue operations—for the rescuer as well as the victim.
The safe and rapid extrication and rescue of victims in hazardous situations is a primary function of all fire departments. And in many areas, vertical hazards such as high-rise buildings, cliff faces within developed residential areas, abandoned quarries and mine shafts add additional complications, since these hazards exceed the capabilities of modern aerial and tower ladders.
Two parks located within the Colorado Springs, CO, city limits contain rock formations several hundred feet high. These formations have technical ascent routes for rock climbers and mountaineers—they also have resulted in over two dozen rescues a year for the Colorado Springs Fire Department.
In the past, rescues of this type required a minimum of two engine companies to remain out-of-service for long periods of time. Also, the lives of both victims and firefighters were unnecessarily endangered due to a lack of knowledge of specific techniques. The problems associated with operations from these specific hazards prompted the fire department to train and equip designated engine companies in highly technical and specialized high angle rescue procedures used by mountain rescue groups.
The program was initiated with three primary goals: safety, efficiency, and standardization. As a secondary goal, the instructional format is presented as a model for training new personnel.
High angle rescue is a hazardous operation, and in order to eliminate the risks due to carelessness, inadequate techniques or equipment failure, the firefighters have to be trained from the ground up. The program of instruction begins with knot tying, rope handling, belaying techniques, basic climbing and rappelling. All techniques are learned at ground level before adding a vertical element. Elevation and degree of difficulty are increased only after all personnel gain confidence in the systems as well as in themselves. The rescue techniques and systems consist of scree evacuations, stranded party rescues, high angle litter evacuations, and uphauls. All techniques emphasize the safety of rescue personnel as well as the safety of the victim.
Standardization
The techniques and procedures presented during training are accepted throughout the entire Rocky Mountain region as the state of the art for mountain rescues. This standardization ensures compatability of personnel within the Colorado Springs Fire Department itself and also with other groups and organizations within the local emergency response community.
A further product of standardization is increased safety. Each rescuer is able to check and double check the entire rescue system without relying on the expertise of others. During the training, the terrain and situations are varied to require adaptation or improvisation of the standard techniques. Firefighters were instructed to modify the techniques as required without sacrificing the inherent safety of the system. In addition, all the high angle techniques and procedures were incorporated into a manual to ensure the continued standardization within the department.
While the techniques and equipment used by the Colorado Springs Fire Department are mountain rescue oriented as a result of the primary target hazards, the same procedures are applicable to all vertical hazards and their associated rescue problems. To reinforce this fact, during instruction, firefighters apply the mountain rescue methods to problems concerning both structural and terrain obstacles.
The entire program provides 50 hours of intense hands-on instruction to each rescuer. All rescuers are trained to not only function in every capacity of each system, but to erect the various rescue installations without assistance. During the course, an individual on each shift is identified according to ability, leadership, instructor qualities, and previous training and experience to become the primary instructor and coordinator for continued training. These personnel provide the impetus for further training along with annual refresher updates to ensure crew efficiency and standardization.
Program evaluation
The use of specialized techniques taught in this program enables a single engine company with a three-man working crew to perform most high angle evacuations effectively. Where an abundance of manpower was required in previous operations of this type to provide sheer brute force, techniques and mechanical advantages increase the overall efficiency of the operation, reduce the number of firefighters exposed to the hazards, and keep more line companies in service.
Proper procedures, accepted standardized techniques, proficiency and self-confidence are the basic elements required for the safe and expeditious evacuation from vertical hazards.
