LA Batt 14 Trench Rescue- Lessons Learned

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On Febuary 5th, the members of LA City Battalion 14 responded to a Major Emergency Trench Rescue.

The incident is detailed here, with photos

http://battalion14.blogspot.com/2007/02/ma...nch-rescue.html

As they always do, they sit down and critique their incidents afterwards,and come up with "Lessons Learned". That information is then published so that all can learn from the incident. They do this with fires, auto accidents, etc and this is what make the LAFD Battalion 14 Blog one of my favorites.

TRENCH RESCUE - LESSONS LEARNED

Following the recent successful Trench Rescue in Battalion 5 (41s District) members who were assigned to the incident were asked to submit information regarding "What went right/What went wrong" and "Lessons Learned" based on the actions of the Rescue Team and Incident Commanders.

This rescue presented several challenges that were unique and specific to this incident (but could be present at others) including:

1. A steep, unstable hillside located directly above the victim.

2. A 15 foot concrete wall directly adjacent to the victim.

3. Very limited access for resources including apparatus and equipment.

4. Very limited egress for resources - specifically the transporting Rescue Ambulance.

Some of the actions taken at the incident were successful and worth noting including:

1. Initial responding Companies attempted to spot apparatus away from the front of the rescue location in an effort to leave an open space for USAR 88 and Heavy Rescue 56.

2. Adequate specialized resources were requested by initial responders.

3. Initial On-Scene Officers attempted to give responding Companies proper directions for access to the incident.

4. Every attempt was made to utilizer only USAR certified members in the rescue zone.

5. Members took advantage of the concrete wall to establish a "high point" for rope and tethering operations.

6. A "Rescue Officer" and "Safety Officer" were immediately designated to control and oversee operations in the rescue zone.

7. No attempts to rescue the victim were initiated until the trench was properly shored.

8. The medical condition of the victim was immediately assessed and constantly monitored throughout the incident.

9. All members in the Rescue Zone were tethered off as a safety precaution.

10. Cooperation between LAFD and LA County was excellent and seamless during the rescue.

11. Designation of an Operations Officer proved to be beneficial and enabled the Incident Commander to more effectively support members in their rescue efforts.

12. The first responding Battalion Chief requested the response of a Vacuum Truck from the Bureau of Sanitation. This resource, which did respond and stand-by at the incident, could have proven to be invaluable in the event the hillside adjacent to the Rescue Zone collapsed and our rescue team became buried.

13. A USAR certified Battalion Chief was dispatched and designated as the SafetyOfficer.

14. Members took advantage of materials on scene for initial shoring efforts.

15. An air line, tank and mask were appropriately requested and in place for the victim in the event of a further collapse.

16. Ladders were utilized to move members in and out of the Rescue Zone from behind the wall in an effort to maintain the integrity of the hillside.

17. A very effective relief schedule was set-up and put in place by the Safety Officer. Members did not resist relief efforts and worked together in teams.

18. The overall rescue effort was slow and controlled due to the stable condition of the victim. All members were reminded to "Take their time" and not rush operations.

19. Members knowledge and use of rope rescue techniques was excellent.

20. Every effort was made to replace non-Usar certified members with certified USAR members as they arrived on scene.

Some of the items that were discussed as "Lessons Learned" included the following:

1. Incident Commanders should have immediately established "Logistics" to support the operation with needed resources and equipment.

2. USAR 88 was unable to access the incident due to blocked streets. It is critical to have the equipment carried by the USAR rigs immediately available to the rescue team.

3. Additional resources should have been requested to specifically address access problems. Members given this assignment could have established an equipmentshuttle with light vehicles to bring equipment to the rescue site pending the clearing of access streets.

4. The area surrounding the Rescue Zone could have been controlled earlier in the incident despite initial confusion and limited resources.

5. All members should work to become thoroughly familiar with the set-up and use of specialized equipment carried by the USAR companies and Heavy Rescue 56.

6. The minimum dimension for effective shoring in 4" X 4".

7. For Trench Rescue the equipment carried on a USAR rig is more specificallydesigned than the equipment carried on HR 56. Make every attempt to get the USAR rig as close to the rescue site as possible.

8. Proper PPEs for Trench ops should be utilized at all times including eye protection and helmets.

9. Every attempt should be made to teather off members at the earliest possible time in the incident.

10. Equipment brought to the Rescue zone should be pre-connected and/or set up andtested prior to being passed to the Rescue Team.

Battalion 14 would once again like to thank and compliment all members who participated in this successful rescue. A special thanks to LA County again for working so well with our members and another tip of the hat to all of the members who take it to the next level by earning their certs and working in specialized assignments such as USAR or Heavy Rescue....you really demonstrated the value of your training!