June 28, 2010

Simulated open trench rescue

      Firefighters from White River Township Fire Department are conducting specialized training this week in order to broaden and refine certain skills involved in trench collapse incidents. At any given time, there are several open trenches throughout the township where workers are installing underground cable, pipe, or other below-grade equipment. These trenches can be extremely dangerous work environments and have claimed the lives of several workers over the years. The fire department typically trains a few times per year specifically in these types of incidents and has a cadre of focused equipment specifically for trench collapse. This week’s exercises are taking place on land donated for use by the McCarty Mulch Company and involve a simulated rescue of a trapped victim at the bottom of a six-foot trench.
 

           
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