Trench Rescue

[tecrsq]

Our dept. is looking to develop a trench rescue program. I was wondering if anyone had a general list of basic equipment, or maybe even a budget already set in place. Were limited to about $5000 a year, spanning about 3 years to train, buy equipment, and develop our program. Any information would be great!

I could do a bunch of typing or simply just send you the link to a very progressive local team that performs this discipline.

The below link will take you to Cobb County Georgia Fire and Emergency Services and they are pretty much the "Go To" agency in the North metro Atlanta area.

They assisted us on a "Trench Job" several months back and it will be in Fire Engineering magazine next month.

They have a dedicated and staffed Technical Team that performs all the disciplines, their instructors teach at the Georgia Fire Academy as well as abroad and they are great to work with.

Call Station # 4 and ask for Captain Blount or Captain Tatum and they will get you what you need in the way of answers.

http://fire.cobbcountyga.gov/station-4.htm

[XCAPT1]

Paslode's are great, but they will build up fumes in a trench that is not vented well. Make sure you monitor your air in the trench when using them. During a drill we had members state they had headaches. When a meter was placed in the hole there was a reading from the Paslode nailers. I found a palm nailer works great when securing the struts to the panels.

Stay Safe

[backsteprescue]

first things first...............PASLODE's are freaking AWESOME.

I work with these all the time and have yet to have a problem.

Secondly, for lumber try local lumberyards or hardware stores including the big chains such as Lowes, 84 Lumber, and Home Depot. They may be willing to part with some or all of the lumber needed.

[CrabtreeW]

As he said, the most basic tools are the most essential. Ensure you have plenty of tape measures and squares, hammers, nails etc. Some other items you might like to consider: miter saw makes quick work of repetitive cuts, a chain saw to make quick work of 6X6, ventilation fans or blowers, ladders as means of egress, possibly a nail gun or two pneumatic or fuel powered (ie Paslode) and then finally trench panels made from a 1X12 mounted on either shoreform or multiple layered plywood. Keep in mind all of this should be secondary to proper training.

[fyrmedic2116]

Thanks for the input. I downloaded our states requirement list for a trench team, so thats my best guideline for now. Turns out we have alot of the stuff required already on our rescue truck. The lumber and training is gonna be our biggest expense. Thanks again!

[ADSNWFLD]

This probably isn't the news you want to hear, but here we go. Start training the team and establish mutual aid with a nearby team. Then see what they don't have but need. One shore from airshore that would cover 26 to 37 inches (a common length) is about $400. and that is without the ability to shoot it or without ends.
This equipment is very expensive, I would train first then work on getting some gear.
Plan on using lumber for now then slowly build up the shores. Look into a grant (the feds aren't the only ones looking to give money away). The other downside is the stuff is heavy, so a trailer or truck is needed to move all the gear. Get creative, see if a beverage distributer is willing to give you a roll up.

For now basic carpenter tools, hammer, saws, nails, PPE, squares, etc are needed then find a lumber supplier and best of luck.

[fyrmedic2116]

Our dept. is looking to develop a trench rescue program. I was wondering if anyone had a general list of basic equipment, or maybe even a budget already set in place. Were limited to about $5000 a year, spanning about 3 years to train, buy equipment, and develop our program. Any information would be great!