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Grain Bin Rescue
Our fire district includes many sq. miles of rural row crop farming area. Traditional grain bins in the 5k to 15k bushel size are common. Our department has hosted state taught classes on grain bin rescue, but they only cover the buried in/under grain evolution. Cutting a drain hole in the side of the bin is taught in this class, but is not something I see as on option in the rescue I am worried about.
Looking at things from the EMS side I see a cardiac, broken leg, electrocution, or amputation rescue much more likely. Climbing the ladder to get in the bin could easily lead to a cardiac patient inside a bin. A fall from the inside bin ladder could easily result in a leg becoming tangled. With the augers and electric motors that run them inside a bin could result in electrocution or amputation. The lay of the land is mostly flat and the nearest high angle rescue department is too far away to be an option if patient survival is desired.
I am looking at Stokes basket out the top ladder access door and ropes and pulleys to lower to the ground, along with lots of manpower. Anyone been thru this situation or know of information covering this situation? Any other ideas/options?
Looking at things from the EMS side I see a cardiac, broken leg, electrocution, or amputation rescue much more likely. Climbing the ladder to get in the bin could easily lead to a cardiac patient inside a bin. A fall from the inside bin ladder could easily result in a leg becoming tangled. With the augers and electric motors that run them inside a bin could result in electrocution or amputation. The lay of the land is mostly flat and the nearest high angle rescue department is too far away to be an option if patient survival is desired.
I am looking at Stokes basket out the top ladder access door and ropes and pulleys to lower to the ground, along with lots of manpower. Anyone been thru this situation or know of information covering this situation? Any other ideas/options?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by D. Steven Kepner on
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Sure, the rope team is an option, but you can also utilize your first due truck company. This was our first option at a grain bin situation where the owner had a cardiac in the bin. Package in a stokes, pass him out to the truck company and the rest is simple. If you need to do the rope work, the same ladder company, stokes basket, pulley and rope and you got yourself a rescue. Let the ladder do most of the work, and the manpower will not be as intensive. We have done these in both grain bins, drying bins and silos. If the ladder company is not available, a ladder gin on the outside and some rope work will be required which sounds to be beyond your experience level. Be sure to practice your lock-out/tag-out procedures before you enter the bin. Some will consider this a confined space, depends on the bin.
Steve
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Permalink Reply by Paul Montpetit on
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Sure....a technical rescue team/high angle rescue team could manage that quite well....if there isn't one in your area you might want to try and start one....Paul
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Permalink Reply by Trainer on
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George, to bad your not on the Illinois side, we/mabas could CYA, having 43 technical rescue teams across the state. Your talking about high angle rescue and it's not for the untrained. Best bet is to send a couple of guy's to the 2-40hr classes(Illinois), this way you'll have the them for technical, the rest is grunt work, or as our guy's call us "mules". I would also forget about a stokes, most of the time the opening is just not big enough, get you a sked sleeve, it will fit through about anything. Also keep in mind you'll need a min of $5000 worth of rope equipment, and there are packages you can buy, we hit up the local elevators for some funding and Pioneer and other seed corn plants are always good for some $.
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Permalink Reply by George Shaw on
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Thanks for the replies, I had lost track of this thread since it originaly sat idle for several days. Our Quint policy does not allow for off paved road access due to very low ground clearance. So in most cases we would not have areial opperations available. Also since the time of the original post resarch into the ladder gin option, rope technician training, and equipment purchase has been done. The department has 2 members registered into a State of Iowa offered high angle rescue class later next month. One of those members is also scheduled for an 8 day rope rescue school out of state later in the year. Our department made rope rescue equipment the priority of our yearly grant request thru the county, and are optimistic of the likelyhood of being approved. Hopefully taking small steps in the right direction.
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Do you have any pictures or SOG information on the "ladder gin" method you spoke of. I have received verbal information, but would like to add written and visual into my research.
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Stokes stretcher and techniques learned through high angle courses are one way to go....Sked stretchers are another....BUT....And READ ME LOUD AND CLEAR....You have no business attempting these without training in high angle rescue.....period...end of sentence...no ifs ands or butts...the object is to make the rescue...NOT to make another victim.....Take the time and train...if this is a situation that you are likely to come across then you should be contacting your local or State agency for training....Stay safe....Keep the Faith...........Paul
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