Confined space rescue training instrumental to AEDC

  • Published
  • By Raquel March
  • AEDC/PA
ARNOLD AIR FORCE BASE, TENN. --  "John is unconscious in the east access duct and we need emergency assistance on Fourth Street..."

Arnold Engineering Development Complex (AEDC) personnel and emergency services who may encounter a scenario such as the one above can respond quickly and appropriately due to confined space rescue training.

AEDC firefighters, Emergency Management Services personnel, AEDC Safety Health and Environmental Branch personnel and Aerospace Testing Alliance (ATA) Mission Support personnel who work in confined spaces recently received mandatory training in confined space rescue procedures.

There are many variables that determine how personnel and emergency services will respond. AEDC has confined spaces that are so small that only one person can pass through at-a-time. These and other dangerous conditions make it critical for emergency responders to regularly train for and be prepared to follow specific procedures to rescue individuals who are trapped or injured in small spaces. There are times when the atmosphere in the space may not have sufficient oxygen for breathing.

For the fire department, training culminates in an annual confined space rescue drill that tests the department's expertise in this life-saving skill.

"Confined space training is important on AEDC because we have hundreds of confined spaces, and we have people working in them almost daily," said Chris Bidmead, in the ATA Safety and Health department. "Special training is required before anyone can enter, work, monitor those working or attempt rescues in confined spaces.

"A confined space is any location that has a constrained method of entering and exiting, is not intended for people to remain inside [for extended] times, and is a location where employees can enter to do work."

Confined spaces at AEDC may be test cells, tanks, pits, manholes, sewers, boilers and ducts. These locations can possess hazards and may be difficult to exit in an emergency. Any employee who enters a confined space, monitors others entering, grants others approval to enter or is responsible for making a rescue, must be current on their training.

When the AEDC Fire Department responds to a confined space incident the lack of oxygen may be coupled with other multiple hazards.

Bidmead said, "Generally speaking, the greatest hazard in confined spaces is the air inside the space. If the air lacks oxygen or contains toxins it [the situation] can be lethal.

"For many reasons, the Fire Department's confined space rescue training is as challenging as it is critical because of the many potential risks involved with confined space emergencies response. Fire fighters must be prepared to deal with fire, explosion, hazardous materials and toxins, risks of falling, risks of being struck by something, awkward body positions, carrying heavy equipment, and moving victims while under great physical and emotional stress."

Personnel who work in the confined spaces will have equipment to protect them from the environment such as the appropriate atmospheric monitoring equipment, a body harness, a retrieval line and a lifting device to pull the person out of the space as well as personal protective equipment. The retrieval system may be used by personnel outside the space to attempt a rescue before the Fire Department arrives.

"The Fire Department rescuers also typically wear their turn-out gear with respirators, and have to maneuver rescue requirements for the victim into the space," Bidmead said. He remarked that the rescue procedure with the equipment makes the task more difficult.

The confined space rescue training for AEDC is also beneficial to the surrounding communities.

"The AEDC fire department shares its skill and knowledge in confined space rescue with surrounding community departments and periodically trains with them and both teams depend on one another for assistance during significant rescue events," said AEDC Fire Department Chief Daryle Lopes. "Although we have not recently responded to or requested mutual aid assistance for confined space rescue, we all stand ready to help one another should the need arise."

Tom Lombard, an assistant fire chief and emergency incident commander with the AEDC Fire Department added, "The training we accomplish ultimately becomes a response asset to our mutual aid partners.

"Several of our members are local volunteer fire fighters in Hillsboro, Manchester, Estill Springs and in Franklin County. Ultimately, the training we receive positively impacts our mutual aid partners as our members are able to share this training with those departments."