Auto extrications and hose lines

I had a follower pose a few questions for The Rescue Boss world. Follower Jeremy Mader asked the question "How many departments have SOP's about deploying a charged hand line during extrications and who has actually had a car catch on fire due to popping a door?" This is an interesting question that I hope will generate a conversation. My organization has a policy in place and it is expected that there will be a charged hose line in place when we have a working extrication. Even though a hose line is deployed I have seen a few with this practice. The first issue that I normally see is no one mans the hose. Most of the time in limited man power situations the crew is working on extricating the patient and there isn't anyone left to man the hose line. I'm sure someone is saying then you need more people responding. I agree and by the time the others crews get to the scene either they get involved in the extrication or they arrive on scene when the extrication is over. The other issue that I see people do is they stretch the line out and then they don't charge it. At that point I'm not sure why we are even stretching a line. If you are stretching a hose line for the worst case scenario then we need to be ready and put water to it. The second part to Jeremy's question is has anyone actually had a car catch fire during an extrication. I have never had this happen to me and I have never heard of it happening. I am not saying that it has never happened it just hasn't happened to me. So weigh in and give me situations that have happened to you.

Harrisonburg Rescue Squad's Squad 41

While on vacation I spotted this beautiful rescue truck at the Harrisonburg Rescue Squad. I reached out to The Rescue Boss followers and got some pics and info about the truck. Followers Dustin Gladwell, Chris French and Stanley Barbour who all provided pics and info. Here's a little info about the Harrisonburg Rescue Squad from their Facebook page:

The Harrisonburg Rescue Squad is a volunteer agency that provides service to Harrisonburg and parts of Rockingham County. HRS owns and maintains a full fleet complete with ambulances, response vehicles, a Heavy Rescue Vehicle, and a Mass Casualty Incident Response Unit. We offer new member training, EVOC certification, and many other EMS courses. R40 has over 120 active volunteer members and responds to over 7,200 calls-for-service per year. The volunteers take pride in the ability to provide extensive life-saving services to the local community.

Here's Harrisonburg Rescue Squad's website https://www.harrisonburgrescue.org/about/

Chassis:

• Velocity chassis, 70” cab w/20” raised roof

• Wheelbase: 255.5”

• Overall Height: 11’ – 6”

• Overall Length: 41’ – 8.87”

• 5-person cab seating capacity

• GVW Rating: 68,000 lbs.

• Frame Rails: 13.38”

• Front Axle: TAK-4® independent front suspension, 24,000 lbs.

• Rear Axle: Meritor MT44-14X, 44,000 lbs.

• Engine: DDC DD13, 500 hp, 1650 torque

• Transmission: Allison EVS 4500

• Side Roll and Frontal Impact Protection

• Bumper: 26” w/ full width raised tool tray/officer side reel storage

• Winch: Warn Olympus 25,000 lb. front fixed

• Command Zone™ advanced electronics system

Rescue Body:

• 300” heavy duty stainless steel body o 30” deep side compartments o 24.5” deep roof storage compartments

• Tank: 250 gallon

• Pump: Waterous 250 GPM, single stage

• Foam System: FoamPro 1600 foam system with 10 gallon foam tank

• 40 kW Lima 3 Phase frame mounted generator

• EMS storage in crew cab area with driver side exterior access

• NFPA light package: Code 3 Upper and Lower Warning Lights

• Scene Lighting: Whelen Pioneer PCP2 lights, Body roof mounted Command Light

• Pump Control and Outlets: Electric controlled pump valves o Front bumper and side 2.50” outlets

• Compartment Equipment: Full Complement of Adjustable Shelves, Slide out Trays, Toolboards, Tilt trays and custom equipment racks

• Rear Compartment: Custom equipment rack designed for trench rescue equipment, NFPA ladder compliment, miscellaneous storage

• (5) roof hatch compartments with forward recess for light tower

• Body Accessories: Recessed electric awning, 9000# rated rope tie off anchors, rear davit arm mount, 9500# winch rated points around perimeter, underbody crib compartments

• Breathing Air System: (6) 6000 UN bottle cascade system, RSP two bottle fill station, custom Eagle air control panel, dual pressure Sierra booster pump, Dual CMW breathing air tool air reel

• Tool Air System: Atlas-Copco 5hp 16.7CFM/217psi roof mounted compressor

• Hydraulic Tool System: Genesis 5 tool outlets, 3 CMW reels, 2 power units

Here's a youtube video showcasing this truck

https://youtu.be/dqV6Efp7CZE

Thanks for the info folks. 

Bentleyville’s Rescue

Another Facebook follower sent us in his rescue. This rescue is from the Bentleyville Fire Department in Bentleyville PA. It was shared with me from Dominic Sicchitano. Below is the info that Dominic shared about Rescue 11. It’s a sharp looking truck. 

Bentleyville Fire Rescue. Rescue 11 is a 2015 international/hackney. Rescue 11 is PADOH certified QRS. Rescue 11 is equipped with Genesis Rescue Tools (both hydraulic and Edraulic). It’s also equipped with crutch struts along with a variety type of air shores. Rescue 11 is equipped to handle other rescues such as confined space, high angle rope and structural collapse. The department currently covers Bentleyville borough and West Pike Run township (contracted). We utilize this rescue as part of our Rapid Intervention Response. Currently we respond RIT into 12 different municipalities.

Charleroi F.D.’s Rescue

One of our Facebook followers Mathew Prentice from Charleroi Fire Department sent in some pictures of their rescue. Below is the specifics from Mathew. 

Charleroi Rescue-33 a 2000 Pierce, Pa state certified/QRS certified Rescue Truck. Equipment with Genesis Rescue tools, Paratech air shores, also equipment for confined space rescue, high angle rope rescue, trench rescue and structural collapse rescue. 1st due rescue truck covering 4 Boroughs Charleroi, Speers, Dunlevy and Twilight part of Interstate 70 and Turnpike 43.

Thanks to Mathew for sending in the pics and sharing their rescue with us. If you wanna share your rescue with us send us some pics with the specifics. 

Rope Rescue Harnesses

I had a Facebook follower ask the question; "what rope rescue harness do you like?" There's tons of harnesses out on the market. There are some good ones and there some not so good ones out there. When choosing a harness you really have to ask yourself a few questions. The first question is what am I going to be doing? If you are doing a lot of rappelling you might consider a class 2 or seat harness. If you are going to be doing some more technical work a class 3 or full body harness is what you should be looking for. The second question you should ask is, how comfortable is the harness? If you are going to be hanging in the harness for a long time, more paddling will be your friend. Along with the comfort question you should make sure that the harness is going to be easy to put on. You don't want to struggle with putting the harness on when you have an emergency. In an emergency time is critical and being able to put a harness on quick could be a life saver. One of the last questions you should ask about a harness is there accessories that I can add. Some harnesses you can buy the seat harness now and then add the chest harness later. There are tons of other little things that you can add to your harness to make it more functional as long as you get the right harness from the start. So I'm looking for everyones favorite harness. Weigh in and let me know what your favorite harness is and why.