Members of the Key West Fire Department recently took part in specialized training known as Man vs. Machine.
The program introduces firefighters to unusual incidents they could face. The training starts with the basics of removing a wedding ring from a swollen finger and increases in complexity to include methods for rescuing a person trapped under a vehicle, helping someone who’s been impaled on fencing or rebar and disentangling a victim from a piece of heavy machinery.
The training was presented by National Rescue Consultants (NRC) instructors Herb Tyler, Jason Sekule and Steve Studley. They discussed their experiences and fire industry standards and demonstrated what other firefighters successfully do during Man vs. Machine emergency situations.
NRC instructors demonstrated methods that can be successfully used to disentangle victims from a variety of situations. The training progressed in complexity to include auger entrapments, impalements in fencing or rebar, cutting torch and plasma cutter operations, as well as other tips and tricks learned from real-world experiences.
The classroom and practical skills portion taught firefighters how to identify the least complicated method of performing such rescues rather than overthinking a situation.
This training also introduces personnel to tools and methods that have been proven effective in rescuing victims.
“I am very proud of our Key West Fire Department firefighters,” said Gregory Barroso. KWFD emergency manager and training division chief. “I’m confident in their ability to successfully perform under emergency situations to save life and limbs. I feel very fortunate to work with the best firefighters in our nation.”
