Technical rope rescue

The Technical Rope Section (TRS) is part of Hampshire’s response to incidents involving people and animals that require rescuing from places at height, confined spaces or situations such as trench rescues that need ropes to secure casualties and rescue crews.

The TRS complements the HFRS Rope Pack system which has been in place since 2003 and is therefore able to utilise personnel from wholetime stations as additional competent rescue crews.

The TRS was founded in 2006 and was put together, following the selection of personnel from the Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) team, after completing a comprehensive 15 day operators course. This was based around headquarters at Eastleigh and various offsite training venues such as dockyard cranes and communications towers within the county.

There are 12 TRS team members spread over the three USAR sections who will respond, under the guidance of the section rope adviser, to incidents 24 hours a day and seven days a week. The team also provides Safe Working at Height expertise to the national USAR system across the country, utilising the USAR modules and equipment provided by the Government.

The team has had to respond to incidents such as animal rescues, children stuck up trees and confined space rescues on land and on ships.

The team can also utilise BASICS Doctors on the rope systems when required, as this will provide the casualty with enhanced medical care during long and difficult transfers . However all rope technicians are able to provide specialist first aid.

Rope Rescue 1 Rope Rescue 3

Rope Rescue 2