Firefighters conduct rope-rescue training

Photo By Lance Cpl. Mike Granahan | Shuhei Sakihma, a firefighter with MCBJ Fire Department, is lifted during rope-rescue training conducted on Camp Forster Aug. 16. This was Sakihma’s first time being lifted in the Stokes-basket system.  

CAMP FOSTER, OKINAWA, JAPAN

08.16.2011

Story by Pfc. Mike Granahan 

III Marine Expeditionary Force   

CAMP FOSTER, Japan - Firefighters with the Marine Corps Bases Japan Fire Department conducted rope-rescue training on Camp Foster to sharpen their skills Aug. 16.

“You need to keep your skill levels up,” said Tamotsu Vehara, a driver and engineer for the fire department. “It’s not like riding a bike or driving a car where once you learn the skill basically you’re good. It’s something that you have to constantly practice.”

The firefighters set up a scenario during which someone working in an elevated position on a building became stuck. Firemen then positioned themselves above the victim, and, through a system of pullies, lowered one firefighter down to make contact and safely lower the victim to the ground, said Vehara.

Rope-rescue systems have many different applications, such as high-angle rescue, which was conducted during the training, confined-space rescue and low-angle rescue, said Kevin Ramos, assistant fire chief, MCBJFD.

“Even though at this point we’re at a good level of training, I would like to bring [our skill level] even higher by incorporating high-line rescue training and Stokes-basket rescue training,” said Vehara.

“There’s always a higher level of training, and that’s what we’re shooting for.”

These systems come in handy when rescues must be performed in precarious situations.

The rope-rescue system is used to get people out of areas they cannot get out of by themselves, said Ramos.

“A man was skateboarding in an empty pool when he broke his leg,” said Ramos. “Due to the sides of the pool, firefighters could not simply lift him out. A low-angle rescue system was used to accomplish the mission.”

Rope-rescue systems are used to help people who are injured and cannot move on their own or to get people out of areas from which they cannot remove themselves, said Ramos, which was demonstrated by the rescue of the skateboarder.

“Lifting him out of there by ourselves probably would have hurt him more, and maybe some of our guys as well,” said Ramos. “So, the system helped us a lot.”

Although some of these firefighters are new, they are very professional and learn quickly, said Ramos.

“They just started doing this about a week ago, and all of these guys are proficient in building a [rope-rescue] system. I would trust them with my life if I was stuck over a ledge or needed them to rescue me,” said Ramos.

• Date Taken: 08.16.2011
• Date Posted: 08.24.2011 23:45
• Story ID: 75878
• Location: CAMP FOSTER, OKINAWA, JP