Members of the West Hartford Fire Department participated in a rope rescue training session Wednesday.
From left: West Hartford Fire Department Apparatus Operator / Paramedic Taylor Salva, Firefighter / Paramedic Ryan Kelleher, and Apparatus Operator / Paramedic Sean Howard engage in a ropes training session in the Isham Garage. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
By Ronni Newton
Passersby did a few double takes Wednesday afternoon as members of the West Hartford Fire Department safely descended and then climbed back up, Spiderman-like, along the side of the Isham Garage in Blue Back Square.
Ten members of the department were participating in a “train the trainer” ropes rescue training program on Wednesday that was led by several representatives of Vector Rescue.
Deputy Chief John Sokolowski said training focused on low angle as well as high angle (greater than 45 degrees) rope operations. The high angle rescue skills – which are very similar to the skills used in mountain climbing – would be needed, for example, if personnel needed to assist with a rescue from Talcott Mountain, Sokolowski said.
The ropes skills are highly technical, and require not only knowledge and expertise, but also practice to enable department members to have the ability to reach victims who may otherwise inaccessible.
Apparatus Operator / Paramedic Sean Howard waits while the ropes are checked before his descent from the Isham Garage. Representatives from Vector Rescue conduct a ropes training program with the West Hartford Fire Department. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
With a system of ropes anchored to a large pick-up truck parked on the top level of the Isham Garage, Apparatus Operator/Paramedic Sean Howard was strapped into a harness, and once properly secured he was lowered down the side of the garage to the sidewalk below. The configuration of the ropes was then altered, with a pulley added, so Howard could be raised back up the wall of the garage.
Spider-Man? Nope? It’s a member of the @WestHartfordFD participating in rope rescue training! @TownofWestHrtfd #WestHartford pic.twitter.com/xCK2kUT7US
— We-Ha.Com (@WeHartford) October 7, 2022
Representatives from Vector Rescue conduct a ropes training program with the West Hartford Fire Department. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
As he neared the ledge, the high point anchor suddenly shifted. It wasn’t unexpected, nor did it pose a danger to Howard or anyone else, but was rather a good learning experience, the trainer from Vector Rescue said. He noted the importance of maintaining the proper tension on the ropes, which would be even more critical if the person conducting the rescue was carrying a victim in a stokes basket.
A surprise shift in the support is a good example of the need to keep the ropes taught pic.twitter.com/PEK1mUUj8a
— We-Ha.Com (@WeHartford) October 7, 2022
He also reviewed the proper protocols for unloading, and maintaining the stable tension on the ropes.
Department members continued their practice, lowering Apparatus Operator/Paramedic Taylor Salva to the ground and then hauling him back up the side of the garage.
The skills learned by those who participated in the training with Vector Rescue will be brought back to the rest of the department, Sokolowski said.
After being lowered to the ground from the top floor of the Isham Garage, Apparatus Operator / Paramedic Taylor Salva awaits instructions before being hauled back up. Representatives from Vector Rescue conduct a ropes training program with the West Hartford Fire Department. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Successful descent of the @bluebacksquare Isham Garage! pic.twitter.com/PFXmdhIF2E
— We-Ha.Com (@WeHartford) October 7, 2022
Taylor Salva reaches the ledge after being hauled up the side of the Isham Garage. Representatives from Vector Rescue conduct a ropes training program with the West Hartford Fire Department. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Representatives from Vector Rescue conduct a ropes training program with the West Hartford Fire Department. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Sean Howard prepares to descend from the fourth floor of the Isham Garage. Representatives from Vector Rescue conduct a ropes training program with the West Hartford Fire Department. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Representatives from Vector Rescue conduct a ropes training program with the West Hartford Fire Department. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Representatives from Vector Rescue conduct a ropes training program with the West Hartford Fire Department. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
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