Rope Rescue course expands Wheeling Fire Department’s capabilities

WHEELING, W.Va. (WTRF) – The Wheeling Fire Department has multiple disciplines including fire, EMS, and water rescue – and now they are adding rope rescue to that list.

17 members of the WFD took part in a rope rescue operations course last year, and now this week they are completing a hands-on, four-day training course.

Local first responders are gaining this experience from Crash Course Village out of Columbus.

Rope rescue can be essential in case an emergency occurs in an area that may be hard to access, like bodies of water or ravines.

”This one is the final scenario, is being able to put together a twin tension high line and move a rescuer out above a span and lower that rescuer to pick up a patient and package a patient, Whatever needs to be done with that patient, elevate them and bring them back to the side that EMS or whatever would be on.”

Gary Hamilton – Instructor, Crash Course Village Fire and Rescue Training

”This is just an addition to what we do for our city, you know. We strive every day not only on shift, but off shift. A lot of our guys have taken time out of their regular days off duty to come in here and work hard to keep the citizens not only from in Wheeling, but those passing through the city to protect them every day.”

Tom Haluscak – Lieutenant Paramedic, Wheeling Fire Department

Those involved in this training were certified under National Fire Protection Association guidelines and earned a certificate for rope technician at the end of this four-day class.

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