Local Responders Receive Rope Rescue Training
This past Saturday, October 4, 36 first responders from as far south as Grandview, to as far north as Grangeville attended a one-day Introduction to Rope Rescue training event held at the Meadows Valley Emergency Services Building in New Meadows. The training opportunity was hosted by the Meadows Valley Fire Department.
The classroom portion of the training consisted of a description of equipment used in rope rescue situations along with learning how to tie the knots used in rope rescue, including how to rig and carry a stokes basket stretcher used in carrying a patient.
The afternoon was spent at the J.L. Morgan Quarry west of New Meadows where the first responders took everything that they had learned in the classroom and put it into practice. Participants had the opportunity to rappel off a vertical rock face and how to carry a stokes basket down a steep rock face and then return the stokes basket to the top of the rock face.
The training was led by Brian Adams of the Grangeville Mountain Rescue Unit. Adams was assisted by several members of the unit, creating a safe learning experience for all the participants.
The free training opportunity was coordinated by McCall-based Courageous Kids Climbing. Executive Director of Courageous Kids Climbing, Jeff Riechmann said, “Most of our free rock wall climbing opportunities for people with special needs are supported by first responders. Because of the outstanding support that we receive from first responders throughout the western US, we want to give back to first responders. This desire to give back has resulted in the Introduction to Rope Rescue training opportunity.”
This was the third year that the event has been held and interest in the program continues to grow.
Riechmann added, “The intent of the training is not to make all of the participants rope rescue technicians, but to provide enough knowledge and hands on experience that they can support a rope rescue team during a real-world rescue incident.”
As an example, after last year’s training event, the Meadows Valley Fire Department was called out to rescue a woman whose vehicle went over the side of a rural road. Many of the participants in the rope rescue class responded to the rescue and were able to use their new skills in rescuing the woman.
“Hearing stories of how the first responders who have attended one of our programs was able to put those skills to use just emphasizes the importance of this training,” added Riechmann.
The effort to provide free training opportunities for first responders continues when Courageous Kids Climbing will coordinate a program called “Autism In The Wild,” which will enhance the skills of first responders for responding to incidents involving people with autism. This training program will be led by instructors from the Isaac Foundation of Spokane, Washington and will be held in Weiser, Idaho on Saturday, January 24.
Riechmann also pointed out that his organization will be taking people of all ages with special needs – physical or intellectual – ice skating at the LC Ice Arena in Lewiston on Sunday, December 7 and at the Manchester Ice and Events Center in McCall on Saturday, January 31. The McCall event is part of the annual Winter Carnival and the kids will have the opportunity to skate with the Boise State University’s men’s ice hockey club.
For more information on any of the above mentioned activities, please contact Riechmann at courageouskidsclimbing@gmail.com or vist Courageous Kids Climbing on Facebook.
