technical rescue awareness · technical rescue awareness how first responding personnel can survive...

Technical Rescue AwarenessTechnical Rescue Awareness

How First Responding Personnel How First Responding Personnel Can Survive the Technical RescueCan Survive the Technical Rescue

Why Technical Rescue Awareness?Why Technical Rescue Awareness?

•• Program is designed to inform rescue Program is designed to inform rescue personnel what a technical rescue personnel what a technical rescue situation is and the dangers involved.situation is and the dangers involved.

•• Also teaches you what to do until a Also teaches you what to do until a technical rescue team arrives and what technical rescue team arrives and what role the untrained EMS provider plays role the untrained EMS provider plays until victim is rescued.until victim is rescued.

What is a Rescue?What is a Rescue?

Rescue is defined as the Rescue is defined as the act of delivering from act of delivering from

danger or imprisonment.danger or imprisonment.

Rescue OperationsRescue Operations

•• Phase One Phase One -- arrival and sizearrival and size--upup•• Phase Two Phase Two -- hazard controlhazard control•• Phase Three Phase Three -- patient accesspatient access•• Phase Four Phase Four -- medical treatmentmedical treatment•• Phase Five Phase Five -- disentanglementdisentanglement

What is Technical Rescue?What is Technical Rescue?

Any operation involving extremely Any operation involving extremely high risk for the rescuer with little high risk for the rescuer with little probability for victim survivability.probability for victim survivability.

Because of the high risk involved, Because of the high risk involved, special training, tools and techniques special training, tools and techniques have been developed to accomplish have been developed to accomplish the rescue while minimizing risk.the rescue while minimizing risk.

Types of Technical RescueTypes of Technical Rescue

•• trench collapsetrench collapse•• confined space emergenciesconfined space emergencies•• highhigh--angle (rope) rescuesangle (rope) rescues•• building collapse rescuesbuilding collapse rescues•• swift water rescuesswift water rescues

TRA TRA -- HistoryHistory

•• CARS TRT starts up 1993 w/ CARS TRT starts up 1993 w/ assessment of capabilitiesassessment of capabilities

•• Technical Rescue Awareness Technical Rescue Awareness taught to all local fire/rescue unitstaught to all local fire/rescue units

•• Medical Aspects of Technical Medical Aspects of Technical Rescue developed and taughtRescue developed and taught

Trench Collapse RescueTrench Collapse Rescue

Definition:Definition:

Any situation where a victim is Any situation where a victim is trapped, buried or experiencing a trapped, buried or experiencing a medical emergency in a trench or medical emergency in a trench or excavation whether the trench is excavation whether the trench is

protected or not.protected or not.

Trench Collapse RescueTrench Collapse Rescue

Facts:Facts:•• sheer wall collapse speed = 45 mphsheer wall collapse speed = 45 mph•• 1 cu/ft soil = 100 lbs.1 cu/ft soil = 100 lbs.•• 24” soil on chest = 1,000 lbs.24” soil on chest = 1,000 lbs.•• victim dies from inability to breath victim dies from inability to breath

from weight on chest, not because from weight on chest, not because face is coveredface is covered

Brandywine Drive 1963Brandywine Drive 1963

Confined Space RescueConfined Space Rescue


Rescue of a victim experiencing a Rescue of a victim experiencing a medical emergency or is trapped in medical emergency or is trapped in

a confined space.a confined space.

Confined SpaceConfined Space

Definition:Definition:Any space not intended for continual Any space not intended for continual

occupancy and has limited means occupancy and has limited means of entry and exit.of entry and exit.

60% of the people who die in 60% of the people who die in confined spaces are rescuers!confined spaces are rescuers!

Look for Warning SignsLook for Warning Signs

High Angle RescueHigh Angle Rescue


Any situation where the victim is Any situation where the victim is elevated above or below ground elevated above or below ground

and must be moved and/or rescued and must be moved and/or rescued by the use of rope and/or by the use of rope and/or

mechanical advantage systems and mechanical advantage systems and rigging.rigging.

Building Collapse RescueBuilding Collapse Rescue


Any incident involving structural Any incident involving structural collapse or damage where the collapse or damage where the

possibility exists of victims being possibility exists of victims being trapped or buried. This includes trapped or buried. This includes

vehicles into buildings.vehicles into buildings.

Swift Water RescueSwift Water Rescue•• 2nd most powerful force on earth2nd most powerful force on earth•• kills more people than any other kills more people than any other

natural phenomenonnatural phenomenon•• causes more rescues than anything causes more rescues than anything

else naturalelse natural•• average 7 rescuer fatalities a year average 7 rescuer fatalities a year

since ‘83since ‘83

Swift Water RescueSwift Water Rescue

•• Simply water moving downhill. Yet, Simply water moving downhill. Yet, when water begins to move, it makes when water begins to move, it makes its own rules. its own rules.

•• The learning curve in swift water is The learning curve in swift water is steep and abrupt, and often there is steep and abrupt, and often there is no chance to retake the test.no chance to retake the test.

Low Dams are “Drowning Machines”Low Dams are “Drowning Machines”

““What Can I Do?”What Can I Do?”

•• recognize the technical rescuerecognize the technical rescue•• perform a situation assessmentperform a situation assessment•• call for resourcescall for resources•• setset--up an ICSup an ICS•• establish incident perimeterestablish incident perimeter•• stop onstop on--going rescue attempts going rescue attempts

Situation AssessmentSituation Assessment

•• what has happened?what has happened?•• assess the injury problemassess the injury problem•• find and retain the foremanfind and retain the foreman•• recognize & control hazardsrecognize & control hazards•• conduct a survival profileconduct a survival profile•• clues to locating victimsclues to locating victims

Incident that started the programIncident that started the programJune 3June 3rdrd, 1992, 1992

Control HazardsControl Hazards

Trench Collapse RescueTrench Collapse Rescue•• stop all vehicular traffic within 300’stop all vehicular traffic within 300’•• shut down all heavy equipmentshut down all heavy equipment•• ventilate the trench using PPVventilate the trench using PPV•• shut down involved utilitiesshut down involved utilities•• DO NOT ENTER THE TRENCH!DO NOT ENTER THE TRENCH!


Confined Space RescueConfined Space Rescue•• ventilate the space using PPVventilate the space using PPV•• open any additional openingsopen any additional openings•• shut down all equipmentshut down all equipment•• shut down all involved utilitiesshut down all involved utilities•• DO NOT ENTER THE SPACE!DO NOT ENTER THE SPACE!


Building Collapse RescueBuilding Collapse Rescue•• shut down all utilitiesshut down all utilities•• rescue victims that can walk outrescue victims that can walk out•• attempt to locate survivorsattempt to locate survivors•• identify hazardsidentify hazards•• DO NOT ENTER UNTIL SAFE!DO NOT ENTER UNTIL SAFE!


Swift Water RescueSwift Water Rescue•• observe the 10’ rule observe the 10’ rule -- PFDPFD•• locate victims, where are they going?locate victims, where are they going?•• reach, throw, row reach, throw, row -- Do Not Go!Do Not Go!•• proper training and gear is the keyproper training and gear is the key•• DO NOT TIE A ROPE TO YOURSELF DO NOT TIE A ROPE TO YOURSELF

AND ENTER THE WATER!AND ENTER THE WATER!

Personal Flotation DevicePersonal Flotation Device

Resource AssessmentResource Assessment

•• trained manpowertrained manpower•• specific rescue equipmentspecific rescue equipment•• location of each and response timelocation of each and response time•• community resources that you can community resources that you can

obtain until rescue team arrivesobtain until rescue team arrives

Nearest Tech Rescue TeamsNearest Tech Rescue Teams

•• CARS Technical Rescue Team (TRT)CARS Technical Rescue Team (TRT)•• Harrisonburg Fire DepartmentHarrisonburg Fire Department•• Greater Richmond Tech Rescue TeamGreater Richmond Tech Rescue Team•• Fairfax County Fire & Rescue (FEMA)Fairfax County Fire & Rescue (FEMA)•• Virginia Beach Fire Department Virginia Beach Fire Department

(FEMA)(FEMA)

CARS TRTCARS TRT

•• has 22 membershas 22 members•• each person has over 1,000 hrs of each person has over 1,000 hrs of

specialized trainingspecialized training•• team has over $350,000 of specialized team has over $350,000 of specialized

rescue equipmentrescue equipment•• statestate--wide response capabilitywide response capability•• very few calls (rustvery few calls (rust--out)out)

CARS ApparatusCARS ApparatusSupport 143 and Support 143 and Collapse TrailerCollapse Trailer

Squad 133Squad 133

Arrival of the TRTArrival of the TRT

•• team members will be coming one at a team members will be coming one at a time, number of personnel responding time, number of personnel responding will be unknownwill be unknown

•• good planning and incident command good planning and incident command will result in smooth integrationwill result in smooth integration

•• ALLALL personnel on the scene will be personnel on the scene will be needed for supportneeded for support

How to Request the TRTHow to Request the TRT

•• contact ECC or Fire Alarm and contact ECC or Fire Alarm and request the TRTrequest the TRT

•• locally: call 911 and state the exact locally: call 911 and state the exact problemproblem

•• long distance: call (800) 332long distance: call (800) 332--09110911•• do not call CARS directlydo not call CARS directly

Incident CommandIncident Command•• set up a visible set up a visible

command postcommand post•• staging will be very staging will be very

importantimportant•• Safety Officer is a Safety Officer is a

mustmust•• document everything document everything

you do and when you you do and when you do itdo it

Safety OfficerSafety Officer•• probably most probably most

important positionimportant position•• can override any can override any

decision if safety is a decision if safety is a concernconcern

•• must maintain must maintain constant vigilance and constant vigilance and be very mobilebe very mobile

““What Can I Do?”What Can I Do?”

During The OnDuring The On--Going RescueGoing Rescue

•• establish a rehab sectorestablish a rehab sector•• provide hydration & nourishmentprovide hydration & nourishment•• provide restprovide rest•• perform medical evaluationperform medical evaluation

Establish a Rehab SectorEstablish a Rehab Sector

•• set up in a safe area away from the set up in a safe area away from the actionaction

•• should provide suitable protection from should provide suitable protection from the environmentthe environment

•• should be easily accessible by EMS unitsshould be easily accessible by EMS units•• should allow for prompt reentry back should allow for prompt reentry back

into the emergency operationinto the emergency operation

Provide Hydration & FoodProvide Hydration & Food

•• 50/50 water and activity beverage50/50 water and activity beverage•• caffeine & carbonated beverages will stop caffeine & carbonated beverages will stop

operationoperation•• provide food if operation is longer than 3 provide food if operation is longer than 3

hourshours•• soup is digested faster than sandwichessoup is digested faster than sandwiches•• fruits provide energy replacementfruits provide energy replacement•• NO PIZZA or BURGERS!NO PIZZA or BURGERS!

Provide RestProvide Rest

•• For every 45 minutes of work time, the For every 45 minutes of work time, the rescuer should sent to the Rehab Area rescuer should sent to the Rehab Area for rest. Rest shall not be less than ten for rest. Rest shall not be less than ten minutes and may exceed an hour as minutes and may exceed an hour as determined by the Rehab Officer.determined by the Rehab Officer.

•• Fresh crews shall be available in Fresh crews shall be available in Staging to ensure that fatigued Staging to ensure that fatigued members are adequately rested.members are adequately rested.

Medical EvaluationMedical Evaluation

•• Evaluate vital signs, examine rescuers, Evaluate vital signs, examine rescuers, make proper disposition if they can make proper disposition if they can return to the rescue, continue rehab, or return to the rescue, continue rehab, or Rx and Rx and TxTx to medical facility.to medical facility.

•• If HR exceeds 110, take oral temp. If If HR exceeds 110, take oral temp. If temp exceeds 100.6 F, no protective temp exceeds 100.6 F, no protective equipment is to be worn. If < 100.6 F equipment is to be worn. If < 100.6 F and HR >110, continue rehab time. and HR >110, continue rehab time.

Medical TreatmentMedical Treatment

““Just what kind of medical problems can Just what kind of medical problems can I expect?”I expect?”

•• hypothermia / hyperthermiahypothermia / hyperthermia•• toxic gas inhalationtoxic gas inhalation•• inhalation injuries & complicationsinhalation injuries & complications•• crush syndrome / crush injurycrush syndrome / crush injury•• electrical injuryelectrical injury•• compartment syndromecompartment syndrome

Medical ConsiderationsMedical Considerations

•• perform a risk / benefit analysisperform a risk / benefit analysis•• compassion kills, it starts in the back compassion kills, it starts in the back

of the ambulanceof the ambulance•• priority is rapid removal, little regard priority is rapid removal, little regard

for Rx while in dangerfor Rx while in danger•• immobilization may not be practicalimmobilization may not be practical

Case Study #1Case Study #1

April 6April 6thth, 1995, 1995

child is unconscious child is unconscious inside a confined spaceinside a confined space


June 13June 13thth, 1989, 1989

two victims trapped two victims trapped inside a trench collapse inside a trench collapse

on Riverdale Driveon Riverdale Drive


June 7June 7thth, 1995, 1995

victim is struck by victim is struck by construction equipment construction equipment

and is incapacitated inside and is incapacitated inside an excavationan excavation


November 8November 8thth, 2002, 2002

200 lb. cow falls into a 55’ 200 lb. cow falls into a 55’ well, attempted rescue by well, attempted rescue by

untrained bystandersuntrained bystanders

Case Study #4Case Study #4•• The plan was to send a member down the The plan was to send a member down the

well (with a line and safety), have him well (with a line and safety), have him secure two large belts around the cow, secure two large belts around the cow, attach a hook to the wrecker, pull the attach a hook to the wrecker, pull the member up and out, and finally lift the member up and out, and finally lift the cow up. cow up.

•• IC IC -- “Well, I guess you'll have to go down “Well, I guess you'll have to go down there since you are the only one certified in there since you are the only one certified in confined space." confined space."


•• IC IC -- "The cow is still breathing and "The cow is still breathing and alive....it should be fine." At no time alive....it should be fine." At no time was the quality of the air tested. was the quality of the air tested.

•• They sent a firefighter down the They sent a firefighter down the well....about 10' from reaching the well....about 10' from reaching the cow he had to be yanked back up cow he had to be yanked back up because he couldn't breathe.“ The because he couldn't breathe.“ The methane was too strong."methane was too strong."

What Can I Do?What Can I Do?

The Key:The Key:

Be Proactive!Be Proactive!Avoid The ProblemAvoid The Problem

Being ProactiveBeing Proactive

•• if you see a potential problem in if you see a potential problem in the city, contact the onthe city, contact the on--duty fire duty fire battalion chiefbattalion chief

•• if you see a problem in the if you see a problem in the county, contact the CARS duty county, contact the CARS duty officerofficer

•• do not approach the work crew!do not approach the work crew!

Technical Rescue AwarenessTechnical Rescue Awareness

The difference The difference between and hero between and hero

and a fool is and a fool is training.training.

Tech Rescue TrainingTech Rescue Training•• NFPA 1670 NFPA 1670 -- Operations and Training for Operations and Training for

Technical Rescue IncidentsTechnical Rescue IncidentsAwarenessAwareness level recognizes that type of level recognizes that type of incident and activating appropriate resources. incident and activating appropriate resources. OperationsOperations level represents a rescue level represents a rescue capability in that discipline capability in that discipline TechnicianTechnician level team is expected to level team is expected to effectively supervise a technical rescue effectively supervise a technical rescue incidentincident

Questions…?Questions…?

technical rescue awareness · technical rescue awareness how first responding personnel can survive...

Documents