Training For Confined Space Rescues

On Thursday October 29th Thorndale Fire Company and Caln Township Professional Firefighters, along with the Coatesville Fire Department, the Coatesville Veterans Affairs Fire Department, Minquas Fire Company EMS, and the Chester County Rescue Task Force convened at Keehns Service Center, 99 Foundry Street to train on rescuing someone from a confined space incident. The training exercise simulated a worker inside one of the over the road tank trucks who was making repairs then suddenly becoming unresponsive. The goal of the exercise was to quickly assess the condition inside the tank so rescuers could safely enter the environment, locate the workers position inside the tank, and as quickly as possible assess and remove the victim for further medical evaluation. Given the limitations of the size of the opening for entering the tank, along with the restrictions of the baffles and such inside the tank, rescues of these types need to be well planned for.

Using air monitoring tools, special rigging for extricating the victim, a crane, and a fork lift platform, crews went into action by putting their plans in motion. Team 1, designated as the entry team prepared for and entered the tank while Team 2 rigged the required high angle lifting equipment in conjunction with the crane so the victim could be raised from the tank and then lowered to the awaiting EMS Crew. The exercise was carried out successfully and was an excellent training and learning session for both the emergency responders as well as the staff at Keehns.

We would like to thank all of those involved in this exercise and especially thank Keehns for their participation and interest in helping conduct exercises such as this.