Crystalline silica is a mineral found in the Earth and is commonly encountered in our day-to-day lives in the form of concrete, bricks, glass, ceramics, and more. When these materials are cut, crushed, sanded, or grinded, the crystalline silica can become respirable (able to be inhaled). Over...

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There are a bunch of descent control devices (DCDs) on the market, and each one has its own set of advantages and disadvantages. Which one is your favorite? Check out my thoughts below. The Most Fun For me, the brake bar rack is still a lot of fun. I believe it was the first DCD I learned to...

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If you didn't already know, our Rope, Confined Space, and Tower Rescue Operations level classes are now blended learning programs. This gives students the ability to complete the cognitive material at their own pace, prior to participating in the hands-on skill sessions. These programs were...

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If you have been providing rescue services within the fire service industry for any amount of time, you have probably heard someone turn down a training opportunity by saying, “No, I won’t be there. I already took that class.” Perhaps maybe you have even said those words. I have personally...

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June is Trench Safety Month, and June 14-18 is Trench Safety Stand Down Week. To recognize next week's safety stand down, we will be launching our new online Trench Rescue Awareness program on June 14. The class is currently open for enrollment but the course content won't drop until the...

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This morning the Fire Department Safety Officers Association posted a short video I recorded discussing confined space safety. Check it out at the link below. If you are feeling extra motivated, give it a like and/or share on YouTube or other social media platforms! If you want to learn more,...

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Do firefighters perform elevator rescues everyday without securing the power to the elevator? Unfortunately, the answer to that question is yes. However, it is an incredibly dangerous practice. When first responders decide they must intervene at an elevator rescue incident, it is imperative...

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May 3-7, 2021 is National Safety Stand Down Week to Prevent Falls in the Construction Industry. Don't work in the construction industry? It doesn't matter! Falls are hazards for many types of workers, including first responders and technical rescue professionals. Technical rescuers and...

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Earlier this year, the 13mm CMC Clutch by Harken Industrial (“Clutch” for short) was released to the rope rescue world. The 11mm version of the device was previously released in 2020. The 13mm version, as the title implies, can be used with rope up to 13mm or ½” in diameter. The device is a...

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In my Machinery Rescue Awareness and Machinery Rescue Operations courses, I teach a concept called the Machinery Rescue Sequence. Like other disciplines that have a “sequence,” such as water rescue (self, reach, throw, row, go), most machinery entrapments can be safely handled by following a...

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