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Teeter Totter
Okay, will it teeter or totter?
Here is one for all of you technical rescue folks.
This was emailed to me and I admit that I don’t know the origins or circumstances.
However, as you can see we have two problems with this scenario: the piece of equipment tilted and the boom in the house.
Let’s for the sake of a good drill say that the reason that the boom did this is because the operator had a medical emergency and is still in the cab. In addition, there are folks in the house trapped.
I know its a lot to think about, but hey, have fun with it. This is not my forte, but the picture was just too good not to use.
Let us know what you would do and how.
Thanks and stay safe.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Ron Ayotte on
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If this came is as an accident, my FD's response would be an Engine, Rescue and the ambulance. The officer of the first due Engine should request the response to be filled out.
If it were me....
I would call Fire Alarm to fill out the first alarm assignment as a precaution and request the response of a heavy duty wrecker ( the type used to tow fully loaded tractor trailer units) to stabilze the crane.
For obvious safety reasons, we would not be able to access the cab until the crane was stabilized.
Check on the residents in the house and get them out safely.
Once the crane is stabilized, a ground ladder would be utilized to access the cab of the crane.
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Permalink Reply by ashfire on
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I sure would like to know what's on the other end of that crane. I would say they over extended their operation and didn't stay on solid surface.
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Permalink Reply by Shareef Abdu Nur on
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At my department the initial dispatch would be a Truck Co, Rescue Engine, and an Squad(medic ambulance). En route, I would request a Chief, a heavy wrecker, another Squad, and a Technical Rescue Box, which brings the Tech Rescue Team. We would make entry into the house for a search, recon, and evacuation. We would try to make verbal contact with the operator if possible from the aerial ladder w/o gaining access to the crane. Once on scene, the heavy wrecker would stabilize the crane and we would make access via ground ladders. The Squad crew would gain access first and assess the patient while the Tech Rescue Team would be setting up for a possible high angle patient removal. The Eng Co would have a charged line stretched for protection and have their extrication tools working to clear away the cab for an easier patient removal. The Truck Co would have their aerial in place as a high angle anchor point as well as ground ladders for acess for as many hands as possible. If necessary, the Squad crew would start treatment inside the cab. We would extricate the patient and transfer him/her to the squad for treatment and transport.
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Permalink Reply by Just Plain Craig Moyer on
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As I look at it I don't think stablization is a really big issue. The cranes weight is forward towards the house so the fear of it falling is slim. Also what would you use to stabilize it. The higher wheel would need something so what would you use and how long would it take you to get it on scene and set up?
I believe most people would be able to get out of the house and the crane themselves before rescue was onscene. Anyone would be injuried and need assistance.
I would keep the area clear except a crew searching the house and car a large wrecker or we have a large rescue with a crane (Aberdeen Md) which is about 30 minutes away that would be more useful then a wrecker because of thier training.
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Permalink Reply by Matthew Powers on
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Craig, I am with you. My body weight is not going to send this toppling down. For a medical emergency, no c-spine precautions, 2 guys and a litter should do. Ropes to make sure we do not drop him 10 feet, and send him on his way.
Now we need to clear the scene, surely a trained operator could maneuver this machine better then a truck company. Start looking for someone to take this over that is bonded. Get liability wavers signed. We do not have to do all the work ourselves, we just need to mitigate the situation. The clouds look friendly, so there should be some time to organize this.
Oh hell, in reality, we would all be fighting for who gets to have the first go at it. Later, in a tail-board debriefing we would be deciding that the above is how we would handle it NEXT time.
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Permalink Reply by Jason Hoevelmann on
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I think you guys hit it on the head, don't over think these things. Common sense is always a good thing.
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Permalink Reply by Firewriter on
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First, I am with you Ashfire ... what the heck is on the other end of that crane?!
Craig - The scenario states medical emergency for operator and entrapment in house (possible multiple victims). Operator may need urgent medical assistance. Thus, any possible stabilization using local equipment would be advisable. Victims in house would be standard search and respond in manner deemed appropriate.
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Permalink Reply by Andrew Richmond on
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First thing that I believe all of us are going to do as we get the arriving view through the windshield is the automatic double or maybe even triple take.
I am pretty sure that this thing is fairly stable but for safeties sake I would get the next crane company moving in our direction.
Utilities would be disconnected and safe area boundaries taped off.
I think that we would be able to access and remove the operator via ladders or perhaps an Ariel from the side between the vehicle and house or as Matthew said stokes and ropes.
I am wondering if the hydraulics are still functioning and if they are, can we simply slowly retract the down side out riggers to get the first two tires on the ground? Also if we are lucky enough to still have an operating system would it be possible to "lower" the boom there by causing the rig to put itself back on the ground?
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Permalink Reply by Richard Armstrong on
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this definatly has me thinkin cause I'm not sure how far past it's balancing point that crane actually is.One guy may be able to go in the crane but the second or third may be enough to bring it back over so a heavy wrecker would definatly be getting a call!.That thing is pretty heavy so I would not trust any of our 2x4 or 4X4 blocking to stabilize it.
Ladder truck with a medical guy on the end to check person in crane if indeed he is still in there upon arrival.Bigger concern would be occupants that could be trapped in house I think they would be in greater peril than crane operator.
Cut utilities cause you don't know if the crane is hitting power from the house because it's not sitting on the rubber anymore so it could be hot.It doesn't look that complicated but it will be very time consuming not a rush for sure purely from the picture we have may be other stuff that you can't see behind the house and what not .You just have to remember that with every action there is a reaction and you have to think about that with everything that is suggestion made.
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I never gave the back flow of electricity from the house a thought. It would seam that the breakers would trip due to the outriggers being in contact with the ground, but safety devices do not always function correctly. This could in fact be the CAUSE of the medical emergency. Mike, Andrew and Richard, that is great situational awareness.
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ya i learned something the other day at a call where a dump truck hooked a couple power lines with his box in the air and when hydro showed up he pulled the breaker on the pole but he said nobody could go in until he checked the line for power because if someone has a generator in a house between the two pole breakers that it can back feed through the lines and still make them live between them two points.Electricity is a very sneeky thing can't be trusted at all.Something that people should be aware of when they get a call.
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Excellent add Richard ... generators are becoming more and more common these days.
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