BFR
Confined Space Training
Over
the past couple of weeks, all members of the Brentwood Fire & Rescue
Department have taken part in a confined space training evolution. The idea
behind this evolution was to train our members with the skills necessary to
rescue a patient from a confined space. The scenario in this training was a
victim who was confined approximately 15’ down in a 24 inch wide pipe covered
by a manhole. BFR’s goal was to send a firefighter down the pipe, package the
victim for removal, and then remove the victim from the pipe.
First things first, firefighters
need tools. Rescue 1 supplied most of the tools necessary to rescue the victim.
This included a tripod, hauling systems, tarps, harnesses, pike poles, ladders,
ropes, and helmets.
BFR Lieutenants strategize on the
best plan of action to remove the victim, whom they can see from where they are
sitting.
A firefighter was lowered down
inverted into the pipe in order to tie a rope around the victim in preparation
for raising them out. This task needed to be done quickly because the
firefighter can only work upside down for a short amount of time. In order to
safely lower the firefighter, communication was paramount. It required a
firefighter communicating with the rescuer in the hole, a firefighter
communicating with the team at the haul system, and firefighters at the haul
system responding and communicating as necessary with the firefighters at the
hole.
Once the firefighter had the
victim packaged properly, the above ground crew raised the firefighter out of
the hole. Then it became a coordinated effort of the remaining members to
safely raise the victim out of the hole.
While
situations like this do not occur on a regular basis in Brentwood, BFR is
dedicated to remaining prepared to answer any emergency that may arise. While
this exact scenario may never present itself, the skills honed during this
evolution can be applied in other ways. This is another example of the dedication of
the Brentwood Fire & Rescue Department to continue to train and prepare to
serve our community effectively.
