Host Bob Duemmel talks with Brian Smith, training coordinator at the Texas A&M "Disaster City" complex. The 52 acre site is part of Texas Engineering Extension Service (TEEX) in College Station, Texas.
Smith oversees the instructors and numerous scenarios that takes place at the facility, including a train derailment, various collapse props, rubble piles, confined space. Many of these props are based on past disasters and can be reconfigured to challenge returning trainees. Training is not only provided for urban search and rescue (USAR) teams, but technical rescue team members and canine rescuers.
The two discuss the overall design of the facility, the future of technical rescue training and various pieces of equipment that teams will use during these intense training programs.
About the Author
Bob Duemmel
Bob Duemmel was the technical rescue editor for Firehouse Magazine and Firehouse.com. A deputy coordinator for Special Operations in Monroe County, NY he recently retired as a captain with the City of Rochester Fire Department. Bob's involvement in technical rescue is very diverse. He is the Plans Manager for New York Task Force-2 USAR Team, a member of the Western New York Incident Management Team and a member of the New York State Technical Rescue curriculum development team. He is a nationally certified instructor with a focus on technical rescue programs. He has delivered training to fire service, industrial, military and international rescue teams and has assisted with exercise evaluation for the United Kingdom and the European Union's USAR program. Bob has also participated in numerous USAR exercised as both a participant and evaluator. He hosted “The Buzz on Technical Rescue” podcast.