Mutual Aid Box Alarm System (MABAS) 201 Technical Rescue

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Clay Fire is an all-risk, all-hazard fire and rescue agency. As such, Clay Fire is prepared for the rescue and recovery of victims involved in technical rescue calls. These incidents include persons trapped in a variety of hazards, such as:

• Collapsed buildings or trenches
• Confined space
• Storm drains

Each of these incidents requires firefighters with specialized skills and equipment to meet a seemingly endless variety of challenges.

Clay Fire, along with member agencies of the MABAS 201 Technical Rescue Team, responds to incidents involving:

• Building Collapse Rescue
• Confined Space Rescue
• Rope Rescue
• Trench Rescue
• Swift Water

Building Collapse

Building collapse rescues involve shoring and stabilizing residential or commercial structures after a fire or damage from a natural disaster or collision from vehicles or other structures. The work is completed with rescue struts and/or lumber shoring. Many of the MABAS 201 Technical Rescue firefighters have completed the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Structural Collapse Technician Course.

Confined Space

Confined space rescues include rescues from any space that:

• Has limited means of entry or exit
• Is large enough for an individual to enter and perform work
• Is not intended for continuous occupancy

Examples

Examples of confined spaces are:

• Hoppers
• Pits
• Rope
• Silos
• Storage bins
• Tanks of various types
• Vaults

Rope

Rope rescues are incidents requiring the use of rope systems and take place in both urban and rural environments. They include:

• High angle
• Low angle
• Tower rescue

Rope Rescue is also a necessary component of confined space rescue and trench rescue incidents.

Trench

Trench rescues involve operations in an excavation that is generally deeper than it is wide. Trenches can be natural, but are also created for a multitude of reasons, such as the placement of utility lines or storm drains and foundation excavation. If no shoring systems are in place, or a failure occurs, side walls can collapse, trapping individuals under heavy dirt and/or mud.