Green Bay Metro Fire Department
GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Members of the Green Bay Metro Fire Department took part in a training exercise Tuesday, practicing what is known as a “high-angle rope rescue.”
GBMFD Captain Quincy Koltz says a range of scenarios may require this type of specialized rescue.
“This would apply for any type of tower or bridge rescue, buildings or high-angle rescue in wilderness areas,” Koltz said.
Tuesday’s simulation was a tower rescue by the department’s Urban Search & Rescue team. About 25 firefighters participated. Koltz says although not every rescue demands that many responders, it’s important for crews to get reps.
“This type of training is very technical, so you want to double and triple-check each thing. Just equipment and operations,” Koltz said.
I think the biggest thing is just getting hands on equipment. With rope rescue and the technical nature of these type of rescues, just the more you’re familiar with the equipment just makes everything go more smoothly. So it’s just reps and using the equipment is what makes things go well.
GBMFD officials estimate that on average, the USAR team conducts approximately 12-20 rescues each year. Crews are able to respond to calls not only in Green Bay, but throughout Brown County and the Northeast Wisconsin region, as well.
Koltz says GBMFD has specialty trainings every month, where the entire team gets together for a practice exercise. Each crew also trains at their individual fire houses.
Conditions don’t matter, because rescue calls can come in at anytime — regardless of the heat, rain, wind or snow — and crews have to be prepared for any scenario.
“Going through these training situations just gets everybody in that mode of responding, gathering the necessary equipment and then setting up for the rescue,” Koltz said.
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