vehicle rescue

[dryhose]

Here is a further explanation of my original subject; There is a vol. rescue squad that provides bls/als, heavy rescue. Our fire dept. is a combination dept. with paid driver/operators and vol. firefighters.We provide only firefighting services.
When there is an mva in our jurisdiction, the rescue squad and our fire dept. respond. The rescue squad has a light duty rescue vehicle that carries all of the hydraulic tools, air bags, cribbing etc... When we are dispatched to an mva, we are there standing around with our thumbs up our (@#%) doing nothing. There have been times when we were asked to help lift the roof after cutting, and basic manpower stuff. The rescue squad asked our dept. for help because of manpower shortages of trained personnel for extrication. We would not need to purchase any equipment since the rescue squad has all of the appropriate tools. They just need us to have trained personnel for extrication.
As for some of the questions posted by M G on 3/11/01 @10:43 AM, here are some answers. the ambulance service is a vol. rescue squad that has performed the service of heavy rescue for as long as they have been in operation.(years) There has been some unhealthy rivalry in the past but it does not appear to be the problem at this time. I don't believe there are any personality conflicts between the department heads. They just don,t communicate at all.

[Captain Gonzo]

Dryhose...I think that it's time for your brothers on the FD to realize that they have to work together with the rescue squad in order to serve your community better....and vice versa. Mutual aid response goes both ways. There may be a time that one of your brothers may require the services of the squad. Knowing how we feel when one of our own is involved, I would think that a working knowledge of extrication tools and their usage would be advantageous.

Does the Rescue squad respond to fire scenes? They can help set up a rehab area and treat any injuries on the fireground.

You have to work together!

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Firefighters: rising under adverse conditions to accept the challenge!
Captain Gonzo

[pyroknight]

As usual, Captain Gonzo is dead on. This is an opportunity for your department to get some additional training (something different provided by different instructors I might add) and provide a worthwhile service. I can't imagine why anyone in the fire service wouldn't want to take advantage of a situation like that.

Besides, most firefighters I know LOVE forcible entry and breaking stuff. How much better could it get than to crush and cut up cars?!?!?!? Shoot, sometimes you get to cut up really nice cars!

[dryhose]

captain gonzo ; answer to your question, does the rescue squad respond to fire scenes?
Yes they do. Although only to confirmed structure fires and whenever requested.
also, any other Ideas/suggestions on my topic would be helpful.

[LtStick]

My advise to you is talk to some of the guys and tell them that if they get this training they would be able to do more at the scene. You never know when you might need an extra set of hands at a scene to preform rescue operations. They would be more of an asset to the community if they had the training.
If nothing else tell them how often can you get away with ripping and tearing on someone else's car and not get introuble for it.
Maybe even try and set up a informal meeting between the officers of the two departments. If you can get some of the members on your side that would be a start and give you something to build with.