0. Essentials of Fire Fighting, 5th Edition
Chapter 8 — Rescue and Extrication
Firefighter II

1. Chapter 8 Lesson Goal
After completing this lesson, the student shall be able to operate various kinds of rescue equipment and practice correct extrication procedures at an accident scene following the policies and procedures set forth by the jurisdiction (AHJ).
Firefighter II

2. Specific Objectives
1. Discuss maintaining emergency power and lighting equipment.
2. Describe characteristics of hydraulic rescue tools.
3. Describe characteristics of nonhydraulic rescue tools.
(Continued)
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3. Specific Objectives 4. Discuss cribbing for rescue operations.
5. Describe the characteristics of pneumatic tools.
6. Discuss lifting/pulling tools used in rescue operations.
(Continued)
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4. Specific Objectives
7. Explain the size-up process for a vehicle incident.
8. Describe items to look for when assessing the need for extrication activities.
9. Discuss stabilizing vehicles involved in a vehicle incident.
(Continued)
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5. Specific Objectives
10. List the three methods of gaining access to victims in vehicles.
11. List the most common hazards associated with wrecked passenger vehicles.
(Continued)
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6. Specific Objectives
12. Explain the dangers associated with Supplemental Restraint Systems (SRS) and Side-Impact Protection Systems (SIPS).
13. Describe basic actions taken for patient management.
(Continued)
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7. Specific Objectives 14. Describe patient removal.
15. Describe laminated safety glass and tempered glass.
16. Discuss removing glass from vehicles.
17. Explain considerations when removing vehicle roof and doors.
(Continued)
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8. Specific Objectives
18. Describe common patterns of structural collapse.
19. Describe the most common means of locating hidden victims in a structural collapse.
20. Describe structural collapse hazards.
(Continued)
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9. Specific Objectives 21. Describe shoring.
22. Discuss technical rescue incidents.
23. Service and maintain portable power plants and lighting equipment. (Skill Sheet 8-II-1)
(Continued)
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10. Specific Objectives
24. Extricate a victim trapped in a motor vehicle. (Skill Sheet 8-II-2)
25. Assist rescue teams. (Skill Sheet 8-II-3)
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11. Maintaining Emergency Power/ Lighting Equipment
Review manufacturer’s service manual
Inspect spark plugs, plug wires
If spark plug damaged or service manual recommends, replace
Check equipment carburetor
Check fuel level, fill if necessary
(Continued)
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12. Maintaining Emergency Power/ Lighting Equipment
If fuel old, replace with fresh
Check oil level, replenish as needed
Start generator; run any tests identified in Operator Manual
Inspect all electrical cords
(Continued)
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13. Maintaining Emergency Power/ Lighting Equipment
Test operation of lighting equipment
Replace light bulbs as necessary
Clean work area
Document maintenance on appropriate forms/records
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14. Powered Hydraulic Tools
Operated by hydraulic fluid pumped through special high-pressure hoses
Most powered by electric motors or two- or four-cycle gasoline engines
May be portable
May be mounted on vehicle
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15. Spreaders First tool available to fire/rescue service
Capable of pushing, pulling
Can produce tons of force at tips
May spread as much as 32 inches (800 mm)
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16. Shears Capable of cutting almost any metal object
May be used to cut other materials
Capable of producing tons of force
Opening spread of approximately 7 inches (175 mm)
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17. Combination Spreader/Shears
Two arms with spreader tips
Inside edges of arms equipped with cutting shears
Excellent for small rapid- intervention vehicles, departments with limited resources
Capabilities less than individual units
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18. Extension Rams Straight pushing operations May be used for pulling
Useful when pushing farther than shears’ maximum opening distance
(Continued)
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19. Extension Rams
Extend from closed length of 3 feet (1 m) to around 5 feet (1.5 m)
Open with tons of pushing force; close with ½ opening force
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20. Manual Hydraulic Tools
Disadvantages
Slower than powered hydraulic
Limited range of operation
Labor-intensive
Advantages
Relatively inexpensive
Light weight
Can be used in areas inaccessible to powered units
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21. Porta-Power Tool System
Operated by transmitting pressure from manual hydraulic pump through high-pressure hose to tool assembly
Advantage — Operates in narrow places
Disadvantage — Assembly/operation time-consuming
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22. Hydraulic Jacks Designed for heavy lifting applications
Excellent compression device for shoring, stabilizing operations
Lifting capabilities up to 20 tons (18 tonnes [t])
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23. Nonhydraulic Jacks Screw jacks
Extended/retracted by turning threaded shaft
Check for wear after each use
Keep clean, lightly lubricated
Bar screw jacks
Trench screw jacks
(Continued)
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24. Nonhydraulic Jacks Ratchet-lever jacks
Rigid I-beam with perforations in web and a jacking carriage with two ratchets on geared side fitting around I-beam
Least stable; can be dangerous
Can fail under heavy load
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25. Cribbing Essential in many rescue operations
Most commonly used to stabilize objects
Wood
Plastic
Storage
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26. Pneumatic (Air-Powered) Tools
Air chisels
Pneumatic nailers
(Continued)
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27. Pneumatic (Air-Powered) Tools
Impact tools
Air knifes
(Continued)
Courtesy of Supersonic Air Knife, Inc.
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28. Pneumatic (Air-Powered) Tools
Air vacuums
Whizzer saws
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29. Tripods Create anchor points above manholes, other openings
Allow rescuers to be safely lowered into confined spaces and rescuers/victims to be hoisted out
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30. Winches Excellent pulling tools
Usually deployed faster, greater travel/ pulling distances, stronger than other lifting/pulling devices
Usually behind front bumper of vehicles
(Continued)
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31. Winches Most common drives Pull by using chains/ cables Electric
Hydraulic
Power take-off
Pull by using chains/ cables
(Continued)
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32. Winches Should be equipped with handheld, remote-control devices
Should be positioned as close to objects being pulled as possible
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33. Come-Alongs Portable cable winches operated by manual ratchet levers
Attached to secure anchor points
Lever rewinds cable
Common sizes 1-10 tonnes ( t)
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34. Chains Used with winches and come-alongs
Only alloy steel chains should be used in rescue work
Special alloys available for corrosive/ hazardous atmospheres
Proof coil chain not suitable for rescue
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35. Pneumatic Lifting Bags
Give rescuers ability to lift/displace objects
High-pressure bags
Low- and medium- pressure bags
Lifting bag safety rules
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36. Block and Tackle Systems
Convert given amount of pull to working force greater than the pull
Useful for lifting/pulling heavy loads
(Continued)
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37. Block and Tackle Systems
Block — Wooden or metal frame containing one or more pulleys called sheaves
Tackle — Assembly of ropes used to multiply pulling force
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38. Scene Size-Up
Begins as soon as first emergency vehicle approaches accident scene
Importance
Prevent injury to rescuers
Prevents further injury to victims
Clarifies required tasks
Identifies needed resources
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39. Positioning Apparatus
Officer in charge should position according to SOP/situation at hand
Position close enough for equipment, supplies to be readily available
Should not be so close that it might interfere with other on-scene activities
(Continued)
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40. Positioning Apparatus
First-arriving engine should be positioned to provide protective barrier
U.S. DOT recommends headlights be turned off, unless needed for scene illumination
At least one traffic lane should be closed to nonemergency traffic
(Continued)
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41. Positioning Apparatus
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42. Considerations When Arriving On Scene
What are traffic hazards; what types of control devices needed?
How many/what types of vehicles involved?
Where/how are vehicles positioned?
How many victims/what is their status?
(Continued)
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43. Considerations When Arriving On Scene
Is there fire or potential?
Any hazardous materials involved?
Any utilities that may be damaged; if so is this hazardous?
Need for additional resources?
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44. Assess Immediate Area Around Vehicle
Number of victims in/around
Severity of injuries
Condition of vehicle
Extrication tasks that may be required
Hazardous condition
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45. Assess Entire Area Around Scene
Other vehicles not readily apparent
Victims thrown from vehicle
Damage to structures/utilities that present hazard
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46. Stabilizing the Vehicle
Is vital to prevent further injury
Uses cribbing/shoring devices
Prevents sudden/unexpected movement of vehicle
NEVER test stability by pushing/pulling
(Continued)
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47. Stabilizing the Vehicle
Prevent horizontal motion
Chock vehicles’ wheels
Do not rely on mechanical systems
Prevent vertical motion
Jacks
Pneumatic lifting bags
Cribbing
(Continued)
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48. Stabilizing the Vehicle
Rescuers should avoid placing parts of their bodies under vehicle
Vehicles upside down, on side, or on slope should be stabilized using whatever means available
Shut down electrical power in vehicle
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49. Methods for Gaining Access to Victims in Vehicles
Through normally operating door
Through window
By cutting away parts of vehicle body
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50. Potential Hazards of Wrecked Passenger Vehicles
Oil- and air-filled struts
Fuel, other flammable liquids
High pressure tires
Contents of trunk or vehicle interior
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51. Dangers Associated with SRS, SIPS
Accidental activation of SRS or SIPS
Reserve energy supply causes systems to deploy even after battery disconnected
Activities can activate systems
Prevention
Some systems in SIPS design do not require power from vehicle’s electrical system
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52. Actions for Patient Management
Choose easiest route to gain access
Rescuer with emergency medical training should enter vehicle to stabilize/protect patient
(Continued)
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53. Actions for Patient Management
Rescuers inside vehicle should wear PPE
Treatment can be simultaneous with preparation for removal from vehicle
Vehicle must be removed from around patient
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54. Patient Removal Package patient properly Cover sharp edges
Widen openings
Pad edges
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55. Laminated Safety Glass Characteristics
Manufactured from two sheets bonded to sheet of plastic between
Most commonly used for windshields, rear windows
(Continued)
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56. Laminated Safety Glass Characteristics
Produces long, pointed shards with sharp edges
Stays attached to laminate and moves as unit when broken
Keeps shards of glass from flying about
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57. Tempered Glass Characteristics
Most commonly used in side windows, rear windows
Designed so small lines of fracture spread throughout and glass separates into many small pieces
Eliminates long, pointed pieces; can still cause lacerations
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58. Removing Laminated Glass
Can seriously weaken vehicle body; leave intact if possible
More complicated, time-consuming than removing tempered glass
Best method is with saw
Hand tools can be used
(Continued)
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59. Removing Laminated Glass
In older vehicles, total windshield removal should be performed before roof laid back or removed
Requires several rescuers
Passengers inside should be covered with a tarp
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60. Removing Tempered Glass
Methods
Strike window with sharp, pointed object in lower corner
Use spring-loaded center punch
Use standard center punch or Phillips screwdriver
With pick-head axe or Halligan tool
(Continued)
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61. Removing Tempered Glass
Controlling broken glass
Apply sheet of self-adhesive contact paper
Apply aerosol spray adhesive
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62. Removing the Roof
Designations A, B, C assigned to vehicle door posts from front to back
A-post is front post area
B-post is between front and rear doors on four-door; nearest handle on two-door
C-post is post nearest handle on rear door of four-door; rear roof post on two-door
(Continued)
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63. Removing the Roof Removal methods
Cut all roof posts; remove roof entirely
Cut front posts, cut relief notches in roof at top of rear door openings, fold roof back
Plastics do not bend; remove entire roof
Unibody vehicles are prone to collapse
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64. Removing Doors Can be opened from handle side
May be removed by inserting spreader in crack on hinge side
May be removed by cutting hinges, breaking latch mechanism, compromising door locks
(Continued)
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65. Removing Doors
Plastic door panels may have to be removed to gain access to metal frame
Interior plastic molding may need to be removed
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66. Displacing Dashboard
May be necessary to free patients pinned under steering wheel and/or wedged under dashboard
Steps
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67. Rescue From Collapsed Buildings
Difficulty in reaching victim in structural collapse depends upon conditions
In some cases, uninjured/slightly injured occupants can make their way to surface of rubble
These should be helped first
(Continued)
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68. Rescue From Collapsed Buildings
Next, rescue those lightly trapped by debris
Rescuing the heavily trapped/seriously injured requires the services of technical rescue team
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69. Pancake Collapse
Possible in any building where failure of exterior walls results in upper floors and roof collapsing on top of each other
Least likely to contain voids in which live victims can be found
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70. V-Shaped Collapse
Occurs when outer walls remain intact and upper floors/ roof structure fail in middle
Offers good chance of habitable void spaces along both outer walls
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71. Lean-To Collapse
Occurs when one outer wall fails while opposite wall intact
Side of floor or roof assembly supported by failed wall drops to floor, forming triangular void
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72. A-Frame Collapse
Occurs when floor/roof assemblies on both sides of center wall collapse
Offers good chance of habitable void spaces on both sides of center wall
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73. Cantilever Collapse
When one or more walls of a multistory building collapse leaving floors attached to/ supported by remaining walls
(Continued)
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74. Cantilever Collapse
Offers good chance of habitable voids forming above/below supported ends of floors
Least stable of all patterns; most vulnerable to secondary/subsequent collapse
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75. Locating Hidden Victims
Hailing — Calling out to elicit response from hidden victims
Seismic/short-distance radar devices
Electronically enhanced acoustic listening devices
(Continued)
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76. Locating Hidden Victims
Search cameras
Thermal imaging cameras
Search dogs
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77. Environmental Hazards
Damaged utilities
Atmospheric contamination
Hazardous materials contamination
Darkness
(Continued)
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78. Environmental Hazards
Noise
Fire
Temperature extremes
Adverse weather conditions
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79. Physical Hazards Unstable debris Confined spaces Exposed wiring/rebar
Heights
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80. Shoring
Means by which unstable structures or parts of structures can be stabilized
Prevents sudden movement of objects too large to be moved in timely manner
(Continued)
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81. Shoring Not intended to move heavy objects
May involve air bags/jacks, cribbing, system of wooden braces
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82. Rescue From Trench Cave-Ins
Caused by trench construction
Sometimes would-be rescuers are killed
Knowing how to make structure safe for entrance and taking time to do so offer best chance of survival
(Continued)
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83. Rescue From Trench Cave-Ins
Rescue operations depend on making site as safe as possible
Rescuers should not be sent into trench unless trained/equipped
(Continued)
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84. Rescue From Trench Cave-Ins
Rescue apparatus, nonessential personnel, equipment, spectators should be kept away
Safety precautions should be taken
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85. Confined Space Rescues
Large enough and configured so that employee can bodily enter/perform assigned work
Limited/restricted means of entry/exit
Not designed for continuous employee occupancy
(Continued)
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86. Confined Space Rescues
Several common types
Should only be performed by firefighters with specific training
Atmospheric hazards
Physical hazards
Command post, staging area outside hot zone
(Continued)
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87. Confined Space Rescues
Do not enter staging area until IAP developed/communicated
Attendant must track personnel, equipment entering/leaving space
Equipment
Lifeline
(Continued)
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88. Confined Space Rescues
O-A-T-H Method
O — One tug; OK
A — Two tugs; Advance
T — Three tugs; Take-up
H — Four tugs; Help
Air monitoring devices
Accountability system
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89. Rescue From Caves, Mines, Tunnels
Most firefighters not trained/equipped to perform
Must be done by those familiar with specific environment
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90. Rescues Involving Electricity
Safety precautions
Electrical wires on ground can be dangerous without being touched
Ground gradient
Rescuers should stay away from downed wires distance equal to one span between poles
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91. Water and Ice Rescue Swimming pools, ponds, low-head dams Rescues
Victim stranded, floundering, has been submerged for short time
Recoveries
Victim submerged for long period of time and likely deceased
(Continued)
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92. Water and Ice Rescue All appropriate PPE should be worn Methods REACH
THROW
ROW GO
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93. Ice Rescue Considerations
Because ice is thick, not necessarily strong
Victims almost certainly suffering hypothermia
Victims may not be able to help
Victim’s chances of survival depend on how quickly out of water/into warmth
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94. Ice Rescue Protocols
Instruct victim NOT to try to get out of water until rescuer says so
REACH
THROW GO
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95. Industrial Extrication
Can be among most challenging rescue situations
Once mechanism stabilized, power should be shut off
If problem outside capability of team, outside expertise required
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96. Elevator Rescue Usually not a true emergency
Usually involves elevators stalled between floors
Firefighters should reassure passengers and wait for a mechanic
(Continued)
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97. Elevator Rescue
Only an elevator mechanic should perform adjustments to mechanical system
Elevator rescue may be necessary; should only be performed by trained personnel
Communication with passengers essential
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98. Escalator Rescue
Stop switches usually on nearby wall, at base of escalator, at point close to handrail in newel base
Activating switch stops stairs
Should be stopped during rescues
Escalator mechanic should be requested when removing victims
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99. Summary
Firefighters must be capable of performing basic rescue and extrication operations as a member of a team.
(Continued)
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100. Summary
Firefighters must be willing to pursue specialized training in each of the rescue areas, including fireground search and rescue operations, vehicle extrication operations, and a variety of technical rescue operations.
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101. Review Questions
1. Describe powered hydraulic tools used in rescue incidents.
2. What are air chisels and pneumatic nailers commonly used for?
3. List four safety rules when using pneumatic lifting bags.
(Continued)
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102. Review Questions
4. Why is stabilizing vehicles involved in incidents important?
5. What are the common means of locating hidden victims in the rubble of a structural collapse?
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