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11 October 2024
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City of Tshwane prioritises Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) training
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The Chief of the Emergency Services, Mr Moshema Mosia and the MMC for Community Safety, Ald Grandi Theunissen, were on a site visit at Wonderboom Fire Station in Pretoria to observe the Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) training by Emergency Services Department personnel on 25 September 2024. The training focused mainly on trench collapse rescue operations for two weeks, starting from 26 August 2024 and ending on 12 September 2024.
This critical exercise is a vital part of ensuring the safety and preparedness of our emergency response teams who often face the risk of responding to complex and hazardous rescue scenarios.
On the day, the trench collapse training exercise simulated real-life conditions where emergency services personnel stabilised the trench using specialised equipment while the incident commander and the safety officer continuously assessed the environment. After the trench was stabilised, the emergency services personnel safely extracted the trapped individual (rescue manikin/simulation victim) and ensured the safety of the “victims” and rescuers.
The International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG) Guidelines, Volume II of 2020, lists various rescue disciplines (modules) that may capacitate an USAR Technician, which may include the following:
Rope rescue
High-angle or low-angle rescues are likely to occur around cliffs, ravines, caves, mountainous areas, high-rise buildings, communication towers, water towers or silos. These rescues may require complex rope and hauling systems to safely secure personnel and extricate victims.
Confined space rescue
A confined space is an enclosed area with limited entry or egress, which has an internal configuration not designed for human occupancy such that an entrant could become trapped or asphyxiated. It may have inwardly converging walls or a floor that slopes downward and tapers to a smaller cross section. These spaces include sewers, vats, caves, tanks and other areas. Rescues from such spaces are dangerous, especially if the interior environment is toxic or oxygen deficient.
Building and structural collapse rescue
Building and structural collapse rescue technicians perform rescues in incidents that involve collapsed buildings or other structural collapses as seen in large urban areas affected by a sudden-onset event (such as an earthquake). These normally occur in cities that have many older buildings or at new construction sites.
Trench rescue
Trenches are often found in new construction sites where service pipes or cables are being put in place. The most common trench rescue incidents involve the rescue of one or more construction workers who became trapped when the trench walls collapsed.
Swift water rescue
Swift water rescue technicians rescue victims from swift water such as rivers and channels. There are several different specialties within the water rescue discipline, including swift water, calm water, lakes, swamps, flooded areas, the ocean (surf), underwater and ice rescue. Each of these requires specialist training in water rescue.
Industrial and agricultural rescue
Many industrial rescues involve confined spaces or heavy extrication to free victims trapped under or inside industrial or agricultural machinery or silos.
Motor vehicle rescue
Vehicle accidents may result in the entrapment of one or more victims. Extrication of these victims requires specialised knowledge, training and equipment. Almost all firefighters are trained to some extent in motor vehicle rescue techniques.
Other additional supporting components to this specialised USAR training may include Wildland Search and Rescue Technician, Hazmat Technician and Class IV Rescue Diver.
Prior to visiting the Wonderboom Fire Station trench collapse training exercise site, the Chief of Emergency Services and the Divisional Chief for Fire and Rescue Operations, Mr Thabo C Mabaso, also visited the group of qualified USAR technicians in Centurion Fire Station, on 4 September 2024. Technicians from different municipalities in Gauteng Province regularly participate in joint weekly training drills to improve on their technical skills. This joint training also creates great working relationships among the technicians, some of whom are from the Gauteng Provincial Emergency Medical Services.
On the day of the visit, the technicians were busy practising on rope rescue.
Training for emergency situations such as trench collapses or flood responses also constitutes what is referred to as a flexible response, as firefighters not only perform their normal day-to-day firefighting duties but they also fulfil a very important and highly essential function of rendering emergency services in many flexible ways.
This forms part of a broader strategy in emergency, fire and rescue operations to ensure that firefighters are well prepared for a wide range of emergencies and it aims to ensure that all workers are aware of the risks and procedures to stay safe.
The Chief of Emergency Services and the MMC for Community Safety were very impressed by the dedication and professionalism of the emergency services personnel who participated in the training exercises to enhance their skills and response capabilities.
The City of Tshwane Emergency Services Department will continue to prioritise training and development to ensure that emergency services personnel are equipped with the skills and knowledge required to respond effectively to emergencies and protect the lives and property of our residents.
Source: Lindsay Zwelithini Mnguni, acting public information and media liaison officer, City of Tshwane Emergency Services
This critical exercise is a vital part of ensuring the safety and preparedness of our emergency response teams who often face the risk of responding to complex and hazardous rescue scenarios.
On the day, the trench collapse training exercise simulated real-life conditions where emergency services personnel stabilised the trench using specialised equipment while the incident commander and the safety officer continuously assessed the environment. After the trench was stabilised, the emergency services personnel safely extracted the trapped individual (rescue manikin/simulation victim) and ensured the safety of the “victims” and rescuers.
The International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG) Guidelines, Volume II of 2020, lists various rescue disciplines (modules) that may capacitate an USAR Technician, which may include the following:
Rope rescue
High-angle or low-angle rescues are likely to occur around cliffs, ravines, caves, mountainous areas, high-rise buildings, communication towers, water towers or silos. These rescues may require complex rope and hauling systems to safely secure personnel and extricate victims.
Confined space rescue
A confined space is an enclosed area with limited entry or egress, which has an internal configuration not designed for human occupancy such that an entrant could become trapped or asphyxiated. It may have inwardly converging walls or a floor that slopes downward and tapers to a smaller cross section. These spaces include sewers, vats, caves, tanks and other areas. Rescues from such spaces are dangerous, especially if the interior environment is toxic or oxygen deficient.
Building and structural collapse rescue
Building and structural collapse rescue technicians perform rescues in incidents that involve collapsed buildings or other structural collapses as seen in large urban areas affected by a sudden-onset event (such as an earthquake). These normally occur in cities that have many older buildings or at new construction sites.
Trench rescue
Trenches are often found in new construction sites where service pipes or cables are being put in place. The most common trench rescue incidents involve the rescue of one or more construction workers who became trapped when the trench walls collapsed.
Swift water rescue
Swift water rescue technicians rescue victims from swift water such as rivers and channels. There are several different specialties within the water rescue discipline, including swift water, calm water, lakes, swamps, flooded areas, the ocean (surf), underwater and ice rescue. Each of these requires specialist training in water rescue.
Industrial and agricultural rescue
Many industrial rescues involve confined spaces or heavy extrication to free victims trapped under or inside industrial or agricultural machinery or silos.
Motor vehicle rescue
Vehicle accidents may result in the entrapment of one or more victims. Extrication of these victims requires specialised knowledge, training and equipment. Almost all firefighters are trained to some extent in motor vehicle rescue techniques.
Other additional supporting components to this specialised USAR training may include Wildland Search and Rescue Technician, Hazmat Technician and Class IV Rescue Diver.
Prior to visiting the Wonderboom Fire Station trench collapse training exercise site, the Chief of Emergency Services and the Divisional Chief for Fire and Rescue Operations, Mr Thabo C Mabaso, also visited the group of qualified USAR technicians in Centurion Fire Station, on 4 September 2024. Technicians from different municipalities in Gauteng Province regularly participate in joint weekly training drills to improve on their technical skills. This joint training also creates great working relationships among the technicians, some of whom are from the Gauteng Provincial Emergency Medical Services.
On the day of the visit, the technicians were busy practising on rope rescue.
Training for emergency situations such as trench collapses or flood responses also constitutes what is referred to as a flexible response, as firefighters not only perform their normal day-to-day firefighting duties but they also fulfil a very important and highly essential function of rendering emergency services in many flexible ways.
This forms part of a broader strategy in emergency, fire and rescue operations to ensure that firefighters are well prepared for a wide range of emergencies and it aims to ensure that all workers are aware of the risks and procedures to stay safe.
The Chief of Emergency Services and the MMC for Community Safety were very impressed by the dedication and professionalism of the emergency services personnel who participated in the training exercises to enhance their skills and response capabilities.
The City of Tshwane Emergency Services Department will continue to prioritise training and development to ensure that emergency services personnel are equipped with the skills and knowledge required to respond effectively to emergencies and protect the lives and property of our residents.
Source: Lindsay Zwelithini Mnguni, acting public information and media liaison officer, City of Tshwane Emergency Services
