Technical Rescue Responses

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Permalink Reply by Rex Strickland on April 26, 2008 at 12:50am

We have 4-Heavy Rescue Companies that have a Technical Rescue function. They are staffed with a total of 4; 1-LT, 1-Apparatus Technician, and 2-Tech Rescue Technicians in the back. Three of the four stations maintain staffing on the engine with Tech Rescue personnel. Usually, OIC, DRV, and 1 of 2 FFs are TROT.

On an optimal day, you could get 4-LTs and 8-TECHS from the Rescues
3-Captains and 8 or 9 FF/TECHs from the three engines thsat are used to drive support trucks.

A basic algrorythm consists, of 2-TROT Rescues, 2-Support Units, and the Technical Rescue Battalion Chief. You can always ask for more resources anytime.

For Tech Rescue ICS, we require:
1 - Technical Rescue Branch Director (Officer)
1 - Technical Rescue Safety Officer (Officer)
1 - Technical Rescue Staging (Officer)
1 - Technical Rescue Logistics (non-Officer)

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Permalink Reply by Drew Smith on April 26, 2008 at 1:08am

Our initial dispatch has two ALS ambulances, one truck company, one engine company and two squad companies plus two chiefs. We may or may not have and Tecnical Rescue Technicians as part of the 16 members responding. On confimation of entrapment requiring technical rescue techs our regional team is dispatched. The tech rescue squad with approxiamtely 20 techs (all one duty personnel from the region) then respond and will be on scene in 20-30 minutes. As the initial techs arrive, equipment from the first two squads can be used. Generally, the tech rescue squad is only needed for trench and structural incidents. We will our rescue branch with:
1 TRT Branch Director
1 TRT Assistant Safety Officer
As many 6-member "squads" as we can assemble
1-2 logistics members

Accountability and staging outside the hot zone is handled by the IC.

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Permalink Reply by Scott Richardson on April 28, 2008 at 12:59pm

Rex,

From what I have seen Fairfax is the model for technical rescue. We are in the process of merging two technical rescue teams as part of a larger merger of two fire departments. This merger has given us the ability to have 8-12 technical rescuers responding immediately with two rescues and two collapse apparatus if needed. Our biggest challenge right now is helping the officers of both departments understand the need of technical rescue response and, more importantly the safety ramifications of NOT calling for technical rescue resources when appropriate.

Thanks for the input!

BE SAFE!

Scott

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Permalink Reply by Scott Richardson on April 28, 2008 at 1:11pm

Drew,

As you can see from my reply to Rex below, we are merging two technical rescue teams right now. I would be grateful for any policies and procedures you have regarding regional responses. As it stands now we respond as follows:

1st alarm response of confirmed technical rescue incident: 2 Rescues (cross staffed), 1 Ladder, 3 engines, 2 medics (Fire based ALS ambulances), 1 Shift Training Officer, 1 EMS Supervisor, 1 Battalion Chief. if the incident is a collapse (structural or trench) we add 2 collapse trailers.

Currently the Level I and Level II technical rescuers are scattered across both districts. Once the staffing part of the merger kicks in (January 09) we plan to have 9 technical rescuers at the primary station with a ladder, rescue (initially cross staffed) and medic unit. The secondary station will have the second rescue (cross staffed) and a collapse trailer.

Any guidance you can provide would be most appreciated, we have a long way to go.

Thanks, BE SAFE!
Scott

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