Technical Rescue with Helicopter Hoist
 
By Safety Officer Norman Bauer
June 20, 2016
 

At approximately 09:00 on June 20, 2016, Companies 7 and 10 (CALS) were dispatched for a subject fallen. Ambulance 78 and Medic 105 responded. Upon arrival, the units advised that the patient was roughly 1-2 miles off the road under the power lines. At that time, units requested additional resources. Chief 7A (J. Anderson), Safety Officer 7 (N. Bauer) with Company 7's new Gator, Jeep 7 (D. Garrett), Squad 7 (S. Nero), and Engine 72 (J. Harris) responded. As more information became available, Chief 7A requested the Technical Rescue assignment for a medium-angle rescue based on information that the subject was down a hill. Chief 7A and Ambulance 78's crew made their way to the patient along with M-105. Patient care was provided by Company 7 units and Medic 105 while awaiting the Technical Rescue teams.

Due to the injuries sustained, Chief 7A requested medevac support. Trooper 7 was dispatched. Due to the distance from the road along a dirt trail, combined with the patient's condition, Chief 7A requested that the Trooper evaluate for a possible aerial hoist from a nearby clearing. Unable to locate the clearing, Trooper 7 landed in a nearby field and sent the on-board medics to the scene to evaluate the patient and proposed extraction point from the ground.

The Technical Rescue assignment brought Chiefs 5A and 5B, Squad 2, and Squad 5 with multiple rope techs. Company 2 and 5 arrived and set up a rope system with a stokes basket to retrieve the patient from a distance of approximately 60 to 80-feet down the hillside. Company 5 utilized a hoist basket with integrated patient tie-in straps, pelvis strap/harness for patient safety for the helicopter hoist; the Aztec kit; 200-feet of rope, 4 prussics, and 4 carabiners.

Trooper 7 requested the dispatch of Trooper 6 to perform the extraction while they prepared the patient for extraction. Once the patient was raised to the top of the hill and on to flat land, Medic 105 and Trooper 7's Flight Medics stabilized the patient and worked with crews to package the patient. Trooper 7's crew coordinated with Trooper 6 to hover above the clearing approximately 100-feet away and the patient was transported via a Gator to the site. Trooper 6 lowered the hoist and flight medic and the patient was secured. The patient was hoisted to Trooper 6 and transported to the Shock Trauma Center. Command was terminated at 11:05. Units cleared shortly after 11:30.

 
Units: Ambulance 78, Chief 7A, Safety Officer 7, Jeep 7, Engine 72, Squad 7
 
Mutual Aid: Medic 105, Squad 2, Chief 5A, Squad 5, Saint Mary's Gator 79, Trooper 7, and Trooper 6.