By John Howell
State Fire Academy instructors Robert Parker and Matt Hinkle are teaching Batesville police officers and firemen a Level One Rope Rescue Class at the Broome-Florence Training Facility this week.
Eleven firemen and four police officers took turns rappelling from the top of the structure and also lifting with ropes and pulleys a “patient” in a litter basket from the ground to an upper level.
“Usually they teach it at the fire academy,” Batesville Fire Department Training Officer Cowles Horton said.
The heat index exceeded 100 degrees during the morning exercises. The outside training knocked off around noon, BFD Chief Tim Taylor said, “…before it got hot.”
Alderman Eddie Nabors took a turn rappelling from the top of the structure during Wednesday’s class, Taylor said.
Horton said that the class is intended to teach first responders skills needed for high-angle rescues. A hypothetical example would be a worker on a water or cell tower who is stricken unconscious by illness or accident. First responders face situations where they use litter baskets to lift patients from deep ravines, according to the training officer. Law enforcement officers learn skills that could be useful in tactical situations, he said.
Much of the gear and techniques now used for rope rescue was initially developed by mountain climbers, according to Horton, though the rescue gear is heavier and safer.
The five-day class ends today.