| This past weekend we were in Westchester County spending the day with the members of the Tarrytown Fire Department for a full 8-hour Machinery Rescue program. Machinery rescue incidents are low-frequency but high-risk calls that demand strong technical skills, problem solving, and the ability to operate efficiently in tight and unforgiving environments.
The morning began with a classroom discussion and tool lab reviewing the equipment commonly utilized during machinery rescue incidents. Members had the opportunity to go hands-on with various tools and equipment while discussing operational considerations, patient care concerns, scene hazards, and disentanglement techniques prior to moving into practical scenarios.
The remainder of the day focused on hands-on skill stations and scenario-based training centered around realistic emergencies companies may encounter on the street. Throughout the program, members worked through multiple stations including:
• Ring removal techniques
• Floor drain and confined entrapment scenarios• Snow blower entanglement incidents
• Meat grinder rescue operations
• Breaking and breaching concrete to access trapped victims
• Roller and crush injury scenarios utilizing the Gorilla Press prop to simulate industrial entrapments
Students worked through disentanglement techniques, tool selection, victim packaging, patient care considerations, and coordinated removal operations while emphasizing firefighter safety and limiting further injury to the victim.
One of the highlights of the day was utilizing the Gorilla Press prop to simulate realistic roller and crush injury incidents. Members were challenged to work through complex extrication problems requiring communication, coordination, and precision operations under pressure.
We thank the officers and membership of the Tarrytown FD for having us out for the day and continuing to prioritize realistic, hands-on training for their members. |
