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.