CFD Confined Space Rescue Training

Firefighters from across the region, along with members of law enforcement, learned life-saving skills during the Chattanooga Fire Department’s confined space rescue training courses held during the month of September. Participants gained the knowledge they need on how to operate in different, challenging spaces, as well as air monitoring, victim packaging, and air systems. Their final drill consisted of rescuing two victims that were unconscious inside of a tanker trailer donated by BASF and Highway Transport for the CFD’s classes. It provided a realistic scenario with obstacles for the first responders to work through in order to make a successful, safe rescue. This type of training can be brought back to each of the students’ individual jurisdictions in the event of any confined space emergency. It’s important to have trained members on site to evaluate the situation and determine the need for specialized equipment and support. This is also crucial practice for the Regional Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) Team. The regional team has been conducting training in all of the primary disciplines of USAR, including rope rescue, trench rescue, structural collapse, confined space rescue, and trench rescue.