Campbell River fire fighters reached new heights this month, brushing up on their skills with high-elevation rescue training.
“The Technical High Angle Rope Rescue Program (THARRP) program prepares fire department personnel in technical rope and tower crane rescue so they can help workers in distress who are on the job at high elevation, crane tower operators, for example,” said deputy fire chief Thomas Doherty. “Campbell River Fire Department has four funded instructors in the program and receives an annual stipend of almost $6,000 to replace worn equipment.”
Fire fighters took part in a series of high-angle and tower crane rescue scenarios June 3 to 7 at the Island Cogeneration facility and at the Campbell River hospital project.
“We’re very pleased that the Campbell River Fire Department is one of six fire departments on Vancouver Island and one of 34 in the province that are approved by the British Columbia Construction Safety Alliance (BCCSA) to provide this type of rescue,” says Councillor Charlie Cornfield, who holds the public safety portfolio for Council. “This type of service is very important in a community where we have a lot of multi-storey construction taking place, and natural features with high elevation where rescue crews might be called for duty.”
The funding for instructor training is directed by the BC Construction Safety Alliance to select fire departments. The program is overseen by the a steering committee with representatives from Worksafe BC, BC Professional Fire Fighter’s Association, BC Fire Chief’s Association, participating employers, labour and BC Construction Safety Alliance.