Seeing a growing need for a special services unit for fireground support, salvage and rescue the members worked with the Jeannette Lions Club to raise funds to purchase the citys first specialized services vehicle in 1980. This vehicle was equipped with one of the first mobile breathing air cascades in the area as well as salvage and firefighting equipment. This unit became a popular fixture at almost every working fire in the surrounding areas as a special request as the department Chiefs knew that if requested the unit would respond full of aggressive firefighters to supplement manpower at working fires. The second rescue truck was purchased in 1989 as the need for space for more equipment arose. This unit was primarily set up as a vehicle rescue unit with hydraulic tools, air bags and stabilization equipment. The departments specialized training and equipment storage needs soon overcame the capabilities of these two units and thats when they were sold and the current heavy rescue unit was placed into service. The current specialized rescue unit can not only function for vehicle rescue, haz-mat response, lighting and salvage but it is also a mobile air unit and is equipped for the specialized rescue fields of technical rescue including high angle and confined space. The unit is very well equipped for all of the citys technical rescue needs including three separate hydraulic rescue units, low and high pressure air bags, portable lighting, large and small hand tools, portable generators and pumps, and a plasma cutter. Firefighters worked to obtain a DEP grant in 2009 to obtain $130,000 for confined space rescue equipment that in the eyes of the firefighters is a must for the citys industry employees and municipal workers safety. City firefighters are continually training and practicing these techniques to ensure efficiency if the need for a specialized rescue arises in the city or surrounding areas. All of the full time firefighters and 12 of the part time firefighters obtained national pro-board certification for General Rescue, Vehicle and Machinery Rescue and Confined Space Rescue. We are very proud to say that we have not only trained but nationally certified rescue personnel at levels and number of members certified that only a few departments in western PA can say that they have. In the past two years city firefighters have rescued two people in a high angle rope rescue from a cliff overlooking the railroad tracks, rescued a male patient that was unconscious over a cliff in Grapeville (special requested for rope team), and made four rescues of citizens pets (one high angle and three from confined spaces). You can rest assured that the FDCJ is trained and equipped to handle all of the citys rescue needs!
Posted on: Mon, 26 Jan 2015 01:22:54 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015