Big Lift University and "C" Shift Rope Rescue

It's been pretty busy here, last weekend, 3 more guys went back down to Sanford, NC for the Heavy Lift University class which was part of the Big Rig Rescue program a couple of us went down to two weeks ago. From what I hear the class was great, they came back with a lot of new knowledge and ideas that we'll be training on here shortly using what what we have on the trucks here between the truck company, USAR 1, and USAR 2 (Airshores/Res-q-Jacks). Here's a couple shots of the guys working on some of the different scenarios.

The next work day after the guys got back from class, we had a surprise tech rescue drill over at Riverside Park. The drill started out, with LynComm toning out E4 for a fall at the park. E4 responded and found the Training Capt and Battalion Chief of Training on the scene, who in turn informed them of the scenario. E4 special called the tech rescue team (St. 1) and took command until the appropriate resources made it on scene. E1, M1, USAR 2, and R1 added to the run card to fill the rescue assignment. The scenario was this, a hiker fell off a cliff onto a rock outcropping approx 50 ft. The p/t was unresponsive, and the training division advised that the option to lower the patient from where he was was not possible, so we had to construct a haul system to facilitate victim removal.

Special thanks to Capt. Turner (St. 3) for taking ALL 8 pictures. We had to hike our equipment about a quarter of a mile to the location where the victim was last seen. Unfortunately, the victim suffered a catastrophic amputation of the lower extremity (special thanks in part to the Training Captain) so from the get go the prognosis for survival was low. The drill went well, all members worked toegether well to set up a solid anchoring system from which we sent 2 members who rapelled down to assess, treat and package the patient. Off that system, a 5:1 was used to bring the patient and a rescuer up the face off the cliff. The whole drill took about an hour and a half from start to finish and we were able to get back, clean the equipment, return to service just in time for dinner.



Big Rig Rescue

This past weekend, four of us, (Mike, Steven, Van and myself) rode on down to Sanford, NC for the Big Rig Rescue Class put on by the Central Carolina Community College. Registration started on Friday at noon, and class started at 1. Friday's portion was all classroom and focused on recognizing the different loads that we may encounter and limitations of different equipment we might use. The class is similar to the VDFP Truck Technician Course, just more in-depth material and emphasis on critical thinking. Alot of the information was centered on overrides and underrides and rollovers involving big rigs (hence, the name of class) All of Saturday was spent on the training ground doing different lifting and stabilization scenarios. We were split into groups of 10, So we joined up with 4 guys from Prince William Co F&R and 2 from Richmond. Quick side note, the guys we worked with were knowledgeable and experienced and great to work with.

Here are a couple shots of our first scenario in which a sedan was underrided by a loaded tanker truck.

We finished the day doing two more scenarios, one, an overturned cement mixer on a sedan, and the last a
bus that had rear-ended a small pickup truck and run it up onto a road tractor. Unlike other classes I've taken where the instructor tells you what to do, and you just have to follow instructions, we were challenged to think for ourselves as a group and find a solution. We wrapped the night up by going to the Sagebrush Grill and Saloon and met up with the guys from PWC, Richmond and Wilmington. If Applebees and Logans had a child, well, it would be Sagebrush and thats all there is really to say about that. The next day, we did three more scenarios, all building on principles from the day previous.

All in all, this was a great class, although we don't have alot of the heavy duty stabilization equipment that the Paratech trailer had, we figured we could still do alot with a little. I highly suggest that if you get the time or money, take this class as it is offered a couple times a year. We met a lot of good guys from as far away as Prince William Co, to Vail, CO. Side note, turns out one of the guys who was there from CO was also the guy who "won" the Bachelorette a couple years ago. And in win, I mean he married the girl. Naturally, after this became known amongst a few of the VA boys, a plan was made (at the Sagebrush) with the help of members of Prince William and Wilmington to place a single rose on the desk of you know who. Now, before you go asking yourself why myself or any other career fireman would recognize a TV celebrity like this, well, I'll be honest, there isn't one, its just easier to say I wasn't the only who recognized him. Ryan Sutter, Lieutenant/Reality TV Celebrity, Vail Fire Department. Needless, he was a good sport about the rose.

Thats all I got, also many thanks to Brittany, our beautiful waitress at the Sanford Ruby Tuesday for putting up with 15 fireman at one table during dinner rush. We were well fed, and never went thirsty. I'll be putting some pics up tonight covering a little of the snowstorm last night.

Curry

Cold, busy, bring it on

Yeah, were still here. Yesterday, with the truck company down for the count, the Big Show braced for a busy day in the Hill City's Downtown. With both of the Captains riding up front, Neil and I handled backstep responsibilities. We got off to a good start, running a sheared sprinkler in the Genworth parking deck. With the truck OOS, Rescue 1 was added to the run and assisted with shutting off the riser. All I gotta say about that is thank goodness the squad gods (Ben and Miles) brought Thor (Travis). Apparently the smallest shutoff was just too much for us engine guys. We put work in on a few more EMS runs, downtown MVC and fire alarm bringing the days total to 6. The medic unit, however, ran all day, saw them briefly for a dinner break then they were back to it. On a side note, I lost about half of my eyelashes and forearm arm hair lighting the grill. This week is going to be busy, we've got ITLS next work day, then on Friday, 4 of us (Van, Pebble, Mike and myself) will be headed to Sanford, NC for a Big Rig Rescue Class held at the Coastal Carolina Comm. College. I'll be sure to take a few and put 'em up.