Our firefighters completed the final segments of Basic Ropes & Rigging on Saturday with day-long practical exercises overseen by lead instructor Norm Auvil. The crews started out assembling a 4 and 1 pully system and lifted Firefighter Carbon with 236-Truck main 105 foot ladder.
Then crews worked on making a Z system Pully using the back of 236-Rescue. Firefighters then performed a rescue evolution on a hill side using a Z pully system anchored to a guard rail and then utilized a 24ft ladder to rescue a victim on the hill to slide the stokes basket up the hill.
Earlier in the week on Tuesday evening we hosted part 1 of the Basic Ropes & Rigging class taught by Norm Auvil. In his career, Norm has conducted/overseen many rope rescues while a fire chief, EMS chief, and rescue paramedic in a major city. This session focused on basic knots, tools, and laying the groundwork for the next session.
We are fortunate to have Norm as a special firefighter member of our department with his vast experiences and knowledge that he openly shares with our personnel.
Course Goal: Participants in this course will be introduced to rope, rope hardware, patient packaging, and basic haul systems, which can be used in various aspects of rescue. The intent of this course is to provide rope and basic rigging experience for anyone interested in rope rescue, but particularly those who do not want to, or are unable to rappel.
Description of Course: Participants in this course will be introduced to characteristics of rope, rope hardware and various knots and hitches. Students will participate in patient packaging and stokes basket handling exercises. Students will be introduced to basic haul and lowering systems and their practical uses. Most of the program is hands on and time is allotted for practice to build proficiency.
