Definitions: Rescue vs Extrication

[hunden]

At what point would a unit be considered a "rescue" unit? Is the ability to perform certain types of rescue adequate, or does a unit have to be able to "do it all?"

The vol. ambulance service that I am with has a fairly well equiped rescue/extrication truck with hydraulic cutters, spreaders, electric generator, air bags for lifting, compressor, come-along, cribbing, compressed air tanks, lights, air chisels, etc.

We do all of our own extrication as there is no fire department reponse outside of the small town where we are based (and the fire department has no extrication or rescue equipment/capabilities).

We DON'T have training or equipment for high angle rescue, confined space rescue, or trench rescue.

The reason I ask is because I am working on a shoulder patch for the unit. "Rescue" fits on the patch well, but I don't want to put something on the patch that isn't true (I've never cared for those who wear Marine Corps, etc paraphenalia who haven't earned the right to wear it). "Extrication" is another option, but it is a long word and we can do more than just extrication with our equipment. I've seen many patches with "Fire-Rescue" and have always wondered about the rescue part.

Thanks for any input you may have,
Mike

[mfgentili]

Hi Mike,

Webster's Dictionary defines Rescue as meaning "to save from danger". If your agency is called upon to save others from danger, and I'm sure it is, then I would think you have every right to put the word "RESCUE" on your patch. You earn that by just coming on duty and answering emergency calls. Remember, before the advent of "technical rescue" (a 90's catch phrase), the fire service was still performing rescue operations. We just didn't know what it was called. So have your patch made up the way you want and wear it proudly.

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mfg

[Lou]

Dear Mike:

You go ahead and put the word "rescue" on your patch. I think that vehicle rescue is the most common and most active kind of rescue that the country has. If you train for extrication and carry the tools you mentioned in your post, you most certainly are a RESCUE SQUAD. Good luck on your patch.

LJV

[cp-ny]

According to IFSTA (Ibelieve that is the correct Acronym?) in the basic or Firefighter I course they make the following definitions:

EXTRICATION: removal & treatment of victims trapped by some type of man-made machinery.

RESCUE: removal & treatment of victims from situations involving natural elements.

However, I like the webster's definition for rescue given by mfgentili in the previous reply. I think most people give rescue the broad definition of "saving others from danger" and think of extrication as one form of rescue.

If rescue fits & you like it, use it. Good luck.

[TEKRSQ]

Wear what you want, we won't tell.

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

[DD]

My opinion is that he who does the work should make the decision. The public will recognize the RESCUE but may not know what EXTRICATION is anyway.

[hunden]

Thank you for your replies. Now that you've jarred my memory, I guess we do rescue people from natural hazards. About a year ago (short memory) one of our canyon wall/hillsides slid, taking a mobile home down several 100 feet. The two occupants both survived. Our unit was called for the rescue.

Mike

[rescue1550]

IFSTA's new Fourth Edition manual does indeed make the distinction that cp-ny points out. I think the distinction is not a valid one, and Noah Webster is right on track. All comments here are right on target. Be careful and I'd love to see a scan of the patch when you're done!