Prompted by increasing inquiries regarding the durability and attributes of 11 mm NFPA General Use Rope, our friends at CMC (Instructors LeRoy Harbach and John McKently) embarked on a sequence of experiments within the CMC lab. Their investigation into knot effectiveness encompassed 487 trials across various rope varieties, uncovering valuable insights into the influence of...
In the world of elite rescue gear, the marriage of carabiners and the aerospace industry is well documented. In 1967, when Jim Clark, Seattle Manufacturing Corporation (SMC) founder, brought his technical skills from the aircraft industry to the rescue world; it was, let’s say, unique. Over the ensuing 50-plus years, SMC Gear has become a...
I love flashlights and pocketknives. Always have. One of the high points of my youth was when my dad finally trusted me enough to carry a pocketknife. From that moment on, the left pocket of my 501’s had a two AA cell Mini Mag in it while the right pocket had an Old Timer three...
A How-To Guide for Selecting a Rescue Service In the first article in this series, we provided a high-level overview of NFPA 350 Guide for Safe Confined Space Entry and Work. We discussed the expanded roles on a confined space entry team with the inclusion of positions such as the Ventilation Specialist, Gas Tester, Standby...
Training time is precious; make sure it’s productive for you and your team. Here are a few suggestions:
The term “penstock” is one you will hear if you work in the Energy Sector or occasionally in Emergency Response. Those working in the Energy Sector generally have a strong grasp of the term and what it entails. If you work in Emergency Response, can you say the same? So, what exactly is a penstock?...
Last week, a teenager dangled from a rope suspended from the 730-foot Auburn Foresthill Bridge, the tallest in California and the fourth tallest in the country. The 19-year-old man and his 17-year-old friend accessed the catwalk underneath the bridge. According to the sheriff’s office, the older teen then used a rope and harness to swing...
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has released the 2022 edition of NFPA 350 Guide for Safe Confined Space Entry and Work. Developed through a consensus standards development process and reviewed for approval by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), NFPA standards are afforded a place of immense importance in the world of emergency response.
Anyone who is a fan of football, more specifically the National Football League, has heard of legendary Green Bay Packers Coach Vince Lombardi. If you are really into NFL football, you know that not only was Lombardi one of the best Head Football coaches in history, he was also a legendary wordsmith. I cannot count...
It’s all over the safety news right now – heat stress is finally getting the recognition it deserves for the millions of employees who have to work out in the heat every day. As the heat wave continues, we’ve got to do a better job of taking care of our personnel and watching out for...
