Implementing a technical rescue training program is extraordinarily difficult due to the low frequency, high risk nature of the business. It is hard to keep your members motivated if they never get to use their skills in the real-world. That is why a well-organized training program is vital. ...

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I'm happy to announce that both our Tower Rescue Awareness and Operations classes are now available in new online and blended learning formats. Tower Rescue Awareness is a self-paced, online program intended for all first responders. Tower Rescue Operations is a blended learning program...

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Vehicles coming to rest on their side pose safety concerns for rescuers and the patient(s) inside the vehicle. In this position, the vehicle has a very narrow footprint, and it can possibly roll over onto its roof or back onto its wheels. Either one of those actions could injure rescuers or...

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We hope you had a great holiday season and a Happy New Year. We are happy to announce that to start off 2021, we have launched our brand new self-paced, online Confined Space Rescue Awareness class. Confined space emergencies can occur in any community, so please make sure your agency is...

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It is that time of the year again. You know that time of the year when everyone goes, “Oh my god its cold outside!” Which begs the question; how accurate is your hypothermia treatment information? Hopefully, you have corrected it as guidance changes. Even something as simple as treating...

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Recently, I have seen a couple of fairly risky technical rescues being performed where the patient/victim was not provided any personal protection equipment (PPE). Without identifying the agencies involved or when exactly they occurred, I will just say that the two rescue scenarios involved a...

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Traumatic musculoskeletal injuries in the technical rescue field are commonplace. Unfortunately, fracture management is generally breezed over in training with a “you already know how to do this” attitude that leads to excessive verbalization and incomplete skill development. Training scars are...

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Earlier this week, the 2021 update to NFPA 1006 Standard for Technical Rescue Personnel Professional Qualifications was released. I have been tracking the changes coming for quite some time and have been tweaking my curriculum accordingly. Here are some of my thoughts on some of the...

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In a previous post, I discussed atmospheric hazards related to oxygen deficient and enriched environments. One of the ways that an atmosphere can become oxygen deficient is from another gas being introduced into the area and pushing all the oxygen out. We refer to this process as oxygen...

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Confined space fatalities are often associated with atmospheric hazards and the “would-be rescuer syndrome.” In this incident which occurred ten years ago, a public works employee and the firefighter who first attempted to rescue him were killed. This post is a summary of the NIOSH LODD...

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