Starting A Technical Rescue Unit

Our fire department is very interested in starting a technical rescue unit. Does anyone have any advice for us?

I hope your dept understands that technical rescue requires a HUGE commitment not only financially but also with time for the constant training needed to learn, perfect, and update the necessary skills.

Having said that, basically you need to figure out what type of calls you plan to handle, the environment in which they will be run, and how much money you plan to spend for equipment. Be warned-- IT IS NOT CHEAP!! I assume you have someone with a "basic" working knowledge of technical rescue in your area. Hopefully, you have several. There are many proper ways to do things, having several people "brainstorming" should give a bunch of "what ifs" and ideas on what type of equipment to carry. Are there other surrounding localities that might be willing to help fund the equipment in return for establishing a "Regional Technical Rescue Taskforce" that could respond to any of the localities if needed? Remember, it's impossible to carry everything you might ever need. This not only helps ease the cost of purchasing equipment, but it will give you extra manpower at scenes. Most tech rescue situations require an abundance of TRAINED personell to handle it smoothly and efficiently. The situations can get very nasty, very quick, if you don't know what you're doing. If your dept is ready to meet the challenge, then I'm sure there are many experienced TRT gurus around here that can help.

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IAFF 995
When it has to be done right,
CALL THE RESCUE CO.!!!!!

we are in the process of putting together a mutual aid rope and con-space team. money was a problem when we started but we have found that if you ask for it, they will give! write grant proposals for every corperation that you even remotely think that you may get called to, you will find that the majority of them put aside money for just this kind of thing. in our case i belive that our biggest problem will be keeping up interest so that we can maintain training and response standards. all we really need is for someone to need us that first time.

First do a needs assessment. This basically is determine what you will have to provide to your community in terms of specialized services. If you have no water, obviously no need for a boat! Find out how funding will be provided and what your options are. Find out what the manpower committment will be. And..where will you put the stuff (trucks and trailers..etc).

Most important though...You need the big three:

1. Special people: you need people who will devote the time and energy to see that the work and training is accomplished. The people who will make sure the stuff is maintained. The people whi will realize there is always a better way to do things. The people who will stick with it...the list goes on.

2. Special Training: You need training to do this stuff (duh) and you cant do it yourself or do it from magazine articles. Go to a reputable training group and get the training. Practice the skills they teach you. Always look at what others are doing and see if it will or wont work for you and WHY. Read trade publications...books and magazines. Upgrade as needed based on your knowledge.

3. Special Equipment: In this business..cheap crap wont do it. Buy the good stuff. Buy equipment designed to do the job. Don't cut corners, the money and effort you save may cost you a life one day. Determine what you plan to do and equip your truck and people to do the job. Every place has different needs. Set the stuff so it is easy to use and deploy, especially if it is really needed in a hurry!

Lastly: Remember that God didnt intend us to go into holes in the ground, hang off of crazy places, go into burning buildings, tear apart cars and work in raging rivers....but OSHA, NFPA, MSHA, ANSI, NIOSH, and a whole bunch of other people thought about us and made some really neat standards....and if you don't abide..and someone gets hurt or dies.... 1. YOU FAILED in delivering the service you were expected to provide, 2. You FAILED because you hurt someone, and 3. You didnt follow the nationally recognized standards, laws and regulations.

Work Hard, Have Fun, and most important BE SAFE!

Check this fine training group out, they have helped us come a long way: http://www.specrescue.com



[This message has been edited by e33 (edited July 21, 1999).]

An idea that expands on the regional concept is being practiced here in St. Louis and St. Louis County.

The departments and districts that have heavy rescue vehicles formed the St. Louis HRTF (Heavy Rescue Task Force).

The system is set up where any entity in the greater metropolitan St. Louis area can request the task force. This will get you 6 heavy rescue units and a number of support units depending on your situation.

This system allows a highly advanced tech. rescue team to be available 24 hours a day and have the equipment costs spread out.

E-mail me if you would like further information.

EB