Learning the ropes

RISING SUN - The old house at the Harrisville intersection in Rising Sun provided some valuable training for the volunteers of the Community Fire Company of Rising Sun of late.

Although the house is no longer standing, even its demolition was beneficial to local emergency personnel. The house became a training exercise for a controlled burning the first weekend of April.

Prior to that exercise, however, the house was utilized to train rescue personnel in rope rescue techniques.

CFCRS Fire Chief Karl Reichenbach explained, during the company's annual awards banquet, that the rope training is extensive but well worth it for the volunteers who have dedicated innumerable hours to the training. The team is known as the SAVER Team for Slope And Vertical Emergency Rescue.

CFCRS volunteers spent two weekends at the two story structure learning techniques of rope rescue which can be called upon in many situations, if ever and hopefully not needed, in the future.

• CFCRS volunteers proved a secure ride.
• John Bowser learning techniques for rescuing a victim in a rope secured litter.
• Kevin Miller, Bill Haines and Doug Megee, guide a rope lowered litter down a ladder.

Rising Sun Herald - April 10, 2000