The Greenwich Fire Department is getting ready to perform a high
angle rescue here at the new training facility on North Street.
“We will do a quick review of equipment, then switch groups and
review some other equipment. Then get geared up, do a safety check
and then start the evolution,” said Asst. Chief Robert Kick.
The fire department says that the highest building in Greenwich
is only about seven stories, but it’s helpful to practice these
skills regularly.
“The rear of those buildings aren’t always accessible to our
ladder trucks. So, if we have an incident on the backside of a
building, we may have to go through this evolution,” said Kick.
“It’s not something we do everyday, but when you do it, it
builds your confidence. When you’re up top looking down at 40
feet of blacktop, it’s a little scary,” said firefighter Chris Poleva.
This shift of firefighters is training with a new piece of equipment
that alleviates 75 percent of a person’s body weight.
“It makes it pretty easy,” said Poleva.
The department has performed this type of rescue in the past.
Just last year, someone got stuck on the rock climbing wall at
Camp Seton and needed assistance getting down.
“there was an injured party up there. We went and secured the
patient, lowered him to the ground. I think it was about 45
feet,” said Kick.
The fire department says the training center has open for a little
less than a year and both career and volunteer fire fighters train
here.
“Prior to that we had to send them out of town to Stamford or other
facilities for training. So, this is really a benefit to having this
facility open. It’s really paying off today on these evolutions,” said
Kick.
The department can also practice elevator rescues, car extractions,
and other necessary skills at the training facility.
