Battle Creek firefighters take part in specialized advanced rope training
BATTLE CREEK, Mich. (NEWSCHANNEL 3) - Battle Creek firefighters were part of specialized advanced rope training Thursday.
It's the first time the department has ever trained firefighters in this type of rescue.
Our own Christine VanTimmeren got about as up close as you can get, as one of fire fighters test rescues.
And they did a fantastic job, meaning those who live in Battle Creek will be even safer in the hands of rescuers.
High atop the 4th floor of the West Michigan Avenue parking structure in Battle Creek, 13 firefighters trained to become certified rope rescue technicians.
It's rare and expensive, but extremely valuable training.
It will help them perform rescues in confined spaces, as well as high places they can't get to with a ladder.
The training is rigorous--five days, for more than eight hours a day--but the payoff is huge.
The training will not only help with rope rescues, but the communications skills and teamwork the firefighters have built this week can be used every day in fighting fires.
The final day of training is Friday.
Battalion Chief Martin Erskine says having this technical rescue team with his department means they won’t have to wait for members of the fifth district team, saving time and possibly lives.
