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New trainer lifesaving asset to region

  • Published
  • By Monte Miller
  • 375th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --  The new technical rescue trainer constructed at Scott Air Force Base is a valuable training tool for emergency personnel throughout Southwestern Illinois.

The new technical rescue training facility opened Monday after two years of planning and is the only one of its kind south of Springfield. Additionally, it can be accessed by more than 3,000 firefighters within an hour drive of Scott.

"We were missing this critical piece for training in confined spaces," said Keith Long, Scott assistant fire chief of training. "Previously, we used spaces on base. There was a vested interest in this so we kept prodding. This is really a way we can save the base money in the long run."

Total cost for the project was $300,000.

In addition to the Scott Fire Department, the St. Clair County Special Emergency Services team will also benefit greatly from the new trainer.

Because of their involvement, a $300,000 grant was obtained to purchase the trainer through the Illinois Department of Homeland Security. With St. Clair County overseeing the construction, Scott supplied the site and footing for the project.

"This is a cooperation that has been in place for many, many years," said Col. Tamra Rank, 375th Airlift Wing vice commander, at the ceremony. "It's something I've not seen at other bases I've been to."

St. Clair County will operate and mange the site in addition to being responsible for its upkeep. Mr. Long explained the county received an easement from the base for the property.

Also in attendance for the ribbon cutting was U.S. Congressman Jerry Costello, who spoke about the cooperation between the federal, local and state governments to get the funding for the project.

"I'm always pleased to come to Scott," he said. "We are blessed to have great men and women serving here. This is the best of government. This is what we should be doing. We have room to grow here at Scott and my mission is not done."

Technical rescue includes the following disciplines: structural collapse, trench, rope, and confined space rescue. Technicians complete more 400 hours of training before they can become certified in these abilities.

The training facility will allow technical rescue team members to meet the extensive training requirements required by federal and state agencies.

Technical rescue has many sub-categories:

· "Vertical" which refers to the use of rope systems for rescue. This training has been used to rescue a victim that fell from a train trestle in O'Fallon, Ill., and to assist the St. Clair County Sheriff's Department with a body recovery on a bluff.
· "Trench", as the name implies, refers to victim rescue and recovery from an excavation. This training was used recently in Millstadt, Ill., at a trench collapse at the municipal sewer plant.
· "Confined Space" comes into play with any space that has limited access or can cause entrapment, such as a large chemical or water tanks or grain silos.
· "Structural Collapse" is the most challenging of the rescue skills. This involves rescue or recovery of victims that are trapped by building or bridge collapse. This training was used extensively on Sept. 11 at the World Trade Center and more recently at the I-35 bridge collapse in Minnesota.

This specialized facility includes virtually all of the requirements in order to prepare highly specialized rescuers for any event.

"The big focus will be search and rescue," Mr. Long said. "But, the training is not limited to firefighters. Security Forces can use the facility to simulate hostage situations, clearing buildings and rooms and can also use their simulated ammunition in the trainer. SWAT team members will also be able to use the facility."

This project is yet another way Scott is expanding its interoperability with downtown agencies and surrounding communities.

"This is wonderful," Mr. Long said. "It opens a lot of windows to work side by side with our downtown counterparts. We are working with less and our call volume hasn't changed. Mutual aide is becoming more and more important. If we can work hand in hand and improve our strengths it can only be a good thing."

The St. Clair County Special Emergency Services team is an all-volunteer not-for-profit partnership between local Illinois government, concerned citizens, industry professionals, and organized labor and fire/police departments.

As a Level A emergency response team in the State of Illinois, Special Emergency Services enhances public safety by assisting first responders with highly specialized expertise and technical equipment (i.e., trench rescue, bioterrorism response, HAZMAT response, weapons of mass destruction expertise and other critical areas) during times of crisis.