Ryan Goes to Fire School

Today let's recognize Fire School attendee - Ryan Blake! Ryan has been with LFD for a year and a half and is a Firefighter/EMT-B. In College Station Ryan attended Industrial Confined Space Rescue. In this class they took existing knowledge of rope lowering systems, belay systems, patient packaging and mechanical advantage haul systems, and implemented these skills into a confined space rescue scenario. Ryan says they were taught new skills that are more frequently used in confined space rescues like, different ways to use a Tripod for a high point anchor on numerous rope haul/lower systems. The group also did atmospheric monitoring, where they use special gas detectors and monitors to determine if a confined space contains flammable or toxic/poisonous gases. Ryan learned to use ventilation equipment to evacuate the gases out of the space so that rescuers can enter. In the event that the confined space can't be ventilated, they learned how to operate using SAR's (supplied air respirators). Sar's make it possible for firefighters to enter the dangerous atmosphere to perform a rescue of a patient. Ryan thinks this training is beneficial to LFD because it expands a firefighter's level of thinking and helps them think outside the box. Ryan said, "Technical rescues like high angle rope rescues and confined space rescues are what we call "low frequency, HIGH risk" situations, they aren't our everyday calls but when they happen they are usually extremely dangerous for our patients and our rescuers." We appreciate you taking the time to learn new skills Ryan!