RESCUE REPORT

By Tom Vines

Preplanning & Joint Training Help in Successful Maryland Rescue

On Feb. 15, at 1737 HRS, Baltimore County Police Department (BCPD) received a call that a person was seen jumping over a fence near a quarry in Brooklandville, Md., near Baltimore. Around 1758 HRS, the BCPD received updated information that the individual had gone into the water at the bottom of the quarry.

Baltimore County Fire Medic 14 was dispatched first, followed by a BCFD rescue box that included Battalion Chief 11, Engine 14, EMS 1 (Medical Shift Commander), Brush 17 and USAR 17. Pikesville Volunteer Fire dispatched Tower 323 and Squad 322.

The quarry, though no longer being worked, is surrounded by a developed area that includes high-rise condominiums, retail stores and restaurants.

Medic 14 arrived on scene first. When Engine 14 arrived at 1807 HRS, the Medic 14 crew reported that the man had been in neck-deep water, but had managed to swim to the side of the quarry, where he had been helped from the water by two BCFD officers. He was now on a ledge approximately 8–10 feet wide but still 40 feet down a steep slope.

The man, who was estimated to be in his late teens or early 20s, appeared to have no serious injuries, but he reported that he was very cold.

By this time, Incident Command had been established and included a rescue sector and safety officer. Medic 14 was charged with patient care. Medics with the patient removed his wet clothing, wrapped him in blankets and placed hot packs around him.

A hauling system was needed to transport the patient up the slope; however, the terrain was rocky with brush and had no secure anchors. The rescuers considered setting up a picket system for the anchor. Fortunately, rescuers had done some preplanning, so they removed a section of fencing and positioned the brush rig, a Chevy pickup, for an anchor. They were also able to position the heavy-rescue unit to help provide lighting. In addition, a Baltimore County Police helicopter hovered overhead to provide additional scene lighting.

Rescuers rigged a 3:1 MA (“Z-rig”) hauling system, using pulleys and tandem Prusiks, along with a separate belay system, to the brush unit. The rescuers on the ledge packaged the patient in a wire mesh basket litter. With litter tenders helping to guide the litter up the slope, rescuers hauled the litter to the top.

By 1843 HRS, the patient had been hauled to street level, and at 1900 HRS, Medic 14 transported him to Sinai Hospital, a Level 1 trauma center in Northwest Baltimore. After being treated for hypothermia, the man was released. All units had cleared by 1923 HRS.

Sources: Captain Kenneth Hughes, BCFD, and Captain Glenn Resnick, Pikesville Volunteer Fire Company, provided information for this report.

LESSONS LEARNED/LESSONS REINFORCED:
One reason the operation went smoothly was the quick institution of the Incident Command System. This ensured that command could delegate tasks and not get overwhelmed, particularly as the number of personnel and equipment on scene increased.

Because the patient and litter tenders were initially out of sight, communication among command, the haul team and the litter tenders was critical. Although they could not see the litter and tenders, the haul team had to react instantly to commands from the litter team. To avoid unnecessary chatter that would interfere with critical communications, command restricted talk during the haul only to those directly involved in the haul operation. In any operation, there’s a tendency toward unnecessary chatter that can overwhelm, interfere or endanger the rescue. Many individuals on scene may think that what they have to say is important, but this often is not true; therefore, strict radio discipline is necessary.

The departments had recently held joint training, and this helped the technical component of the rescue to run smoothly. Additionally, the departments had previously recognized the quarry as a potential hazard and had preplanned in the area with other responsible agencies, including Baltimore County Police.

Rescue Editor Tom Vines is the co-author of “High Angle Rescue Techniques” and “Confined Space and Structural Rope Rescue.” He operates a rope-rescue consulting group in Red Lodge, Mont.