Trench rescue

This is an area where we get very few incidents but when they do happen they can be highly dangerous to responders.

All station crews are trained in the dangers of trench incidents and the USAR team provides a full technical trench rescue response capable of operating in this extreme environment.

The introduction and development of the technical trench rescue response has been done over the last few years and is provided by the Urban Search and Rescue Team. The USAR team will use equipment that is carried on the USAR modules and the Search and Rescue Unit to make safe the area around the trench and then shore up the trench.

Sheets of ply are used to distribute the weight of personnel that are required to work on or near the edge of the trench. Paratech rescue struts are used with timber to shore the trench. Gas monitors are used to check the air quality in the trench before and while people are in the trench. Ventilation fans can be used to blow fresh air into the trench if required. Should water build up in the trench then this will be removed using pumps.

Trench Rescue Picture 1

Figure 1 - Rescue of a worker trapped in a trench in progress