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Firefighters train for rescue By
LETA NOLAN CHILDERS That’s why the department invited Todd Lowe and Travis Thom, from the Sioux Falls Fire Rescue team, to offer training to 10 members of the Pierre department. The department learned about properly shoring up different types of trenches to prevent secondary collapses, the sort that can trap rescuers as well as victims. One scenario the rescuers encountered was a man trapped in a trench beneath a 6-foot, cement culvert. “They had to first shore the trench properly and then get down to that victim,” said Lowe. “From there, they had to figure out how to lift a 6-foot culvert off the victim. So they utilized a lot of rescue principles along with emergency shoring for a trench.” Ian Paul, captain of the Pierre rescue squad, said that trench rescue is different from any other kind of rescue. “You can’t just run in and begin working on the victim,” said Paul. “This is an extremely labor intensive type of rescue, and most often heavy equipment is not used due to the increased risk of second collapses caused by vibrations.” Members of the squad built several shoring panels that can be quickly assembled at the site of cave-in. Local merchants donated about $2,500 worth of materials to build the panels. Even though they have the training and the equipment, Paul said that those working in and around trenches still need to exercise the utmost in caution. “The best thing folks can do when working in a trench is to follow safe working practices to avoid becoming a victim of a collapse,” said Paul. “This includes making sure the trench is properly shored and that workers stay within this safe area at all times.”
For more information about the Pierre Fire |
