East Pierce firefighters training for multi-agency technical rescue unit

Published 4:54 pm Tuesday, May 19, 2009

With different types of terrain reaching from Sumner to Mount Rainier National Park, there may be a time when someone or a group needs a special rescue unit to assist them in a remote location.

East Pierce Fire and Rescue firefighters are training to become part of a multi-agency technical rescue unit.

Technical Rescue Units respond to dangerous rescue situations like a building collapse, confined-space entrapments and high-angle rescues. They are also trained for wilderness rescues.

Earlier this month, the East Pierce Technical Rescue Team assisted in conducting drills with the Pierce County Technical Rescue Team – a regional response team that consists of personnel from Central Pierce Fire and Rescue, Gig Harbor Fire and Medic One, Lakewood and University Place fire departments.

That team assisted during the rescue efforts in New York City following 9/11.

Lt. Rich Simmons said there are 16 members on the East Pierce unit. Simmons said the group practices monthly and five different types of rescues, including high-angle, confined space, trench, wilderness and entrapment.

“We train on each twice a year, then two are combined with rescue senarios we do,” Simmons explained.

The teams train from eight to 10 hours during each session.

Simmons said team members must complete hundred of hours of demanding training and demonstrate proficiency in trench rescue, confined space, rope rescue and complicated motor vehicle extrications.

East Pierce bring years of experience in wilderness rescues to the Pierce County team.

The district purchased two two all-terrain vehicle with a trailer used to transport patients from remote sites not accessible by other vehicles. The ATVs are used to rescue hikers, hunters, ATV riders and off-road enthusiasts who have been injured or become ill in isolated parts of the district.

Simmon said East Pierce personnel has used the ATVs on several occasions to rescue people who were sick or injured.

The district maintains four specialoperation units and team members receive additional training beyond fire suppression and emergency medical training.

The special-operations teams include Wildland Firefighting and Rescue, Water Rescue and Hazardous Materials.

The Wildland unit is comprised of firefighters who are trained in battling brush fires that may occur frequency in the district. They are available to assist neighboring districts and can be deployed to in-state or regional wildfires.

Trained divers who perform rescues of Lake Tapps and area lakes comprise the Water Rescue team. Recently, members expanded their skills to include swift-water rescues to address hazards on local rivers and streams.

Extensively trained and equipped, the HazMat unit responds to fuel spills, gas leaks and radioactive materials spill, along with biohazard emergencies and terrorist attacks.

Simmon said it key for members of the teams not to be scared during rescue efforts and use their training in all situations.

“We need to be the rescuers and not have to be rescue,” he added.

Simmons said the team will training in Bonney Lake next month simulating a collapsed building.