Money, Money, Money!! We need it to live and operate our services with. There is always plenty of need and not enough money to go around. That's the story in the N.C. Legislature also. Several bills requiring money have been introduced this year, but spending is real tight. Open door enrollment for the pension fund has passed the Pension & Retirement Committee and is in Appropriations. As of this writing, some of us may lose our "fee exempt" status with the community college system. It's still up in the air right now, but the Legislative has sent a mandate to the colleges tying funds to the performance of students. We're still working with these and other bills. Hopefully, we'll experience success. Thanks to all who responded to our cries for help and then sent e-mails, phone calls, etc. to your representatives. They heard you loud and clear. We will continue to keep you advised of changes as they occur.
For those who want the most up-to-date results, get "on-line" with a computer and give our office your address. Sometimes Gordon gives daily updates to those who want to know.
Please remember the brotherhood and what it means to those in need.
The time is drawing near when we will be in Winston-Salem for Convention and fun time. For those squads who are training now to enter a team in BLS Competition, Rescue Challenge Competition or Rescue Competition you have until August 1st to submit your paperwork to the Association Office. To those of you who attend and observe the competition, you will have the opportunity of seeing some of the very best in each field. You still have time to put a team together and become a participant in a real great event.
Also, somewhere is the State, a squad performed their duty in rescuing a victim(s) from a peril and if a member would just take the time to put in in writing so that it can be submitted for "Rescue of the Year" award. Think about it. If you have had one incident during the year that stands out, put it in writing and submit it. Remember, join the Brotherhood now.
AUGUST 7-8, 1999. Sponsored by Blue Ridge Community College and Western North Carolina Association of Rescue Squads. In Memory of David Bennett.
Course Descriptions are as follows:
EMERGENCY VEHICLE DRIVER: NC Fire & Rescue Commission Certification. This course will expose the student to the proper procedures and safety considerations with regard to "hands on" driving and operation of fire & rescue apparatus. Don't wait until an accident happens to get this training.FARM MEDIC: NC Fire & Rescue Commission Certification. This course is designed to familiarize emergency personnel with farm equipment accidents and farm structures. Topics will include establishing a hazard zone, recognizing the need for medical care, recognizing proper rescue techniques, and identifying sources of assistance. An additional $30.00 fee is charged for national certification and textbook. Required equipment: Full turnout gear, SCBA & a spare bottle.
HELICOPTER USE IN RESCUE: This course will concentrate on search techniques combined with the safety and use of helicopters. Emphasis will be placed on Helicopter Flight Dynamics, proper communications, guiding and landing helicopters, establishing and managing landing zones, loading, unloading and balancing helicopters, safety features of helicopters, extinguishing turbine engine fires and actual flight time as part of a staged search scenario in Pisgah National Forest. There is an additional $60.00 fee for payment of flight time. If the Sunday scenario is canceled due to inclement weather, the $60.00 fee will be refunded to the students. Required equipment: goggles, ear plugs, full protective clothing (no turnout gear), leather gloves, boots and folding knife.
MAN TRACKING-BASIC (15 HOURS): This course will cover basic man tracking techniques including night tracking. Required equipment for class: bring a cap or hat, boots, flashlight, canteen, small pocket mirror and a 48 inch walking stick for Saturday night's session.
MOUNTAIN RESCUE I: Participants will begin the first of a five-level, progressive mountain rescue curriculum. Level I will teach different rope types, knots, proper commands, basic climbing and belaying techniques and rappelling rope anchoring systems. Students will be tested on class content and must pass all test components before registering for Mountain Rescue II. See required equipment list following Mountain Rescue V.
MOUNTAIN RESCUE II: Prerequisite: Successful completion of Mountain Rescue I. High Angle evolutions involving stranded, injured climbers will be performed by class participants. Instructors will focus on knots, blanketing and lashing of stokes baskets, various braking and safety belay systems for vertical and horizontal lowers and rappelling. Students will be tested on course content and must pass all test components before registration for Mountain Rescue III. See required equipment list following Mountain Rescue V.
MOUNTAIN RESCUE III: Prerequisite: successful completion of Mountain Rescue II. This course will focus on rigging various mechanical advantage hauling systems for vertical and horizontal raises with a rescue attendant. A thorough review of anchoring and safety systems will be covered. Students will be tested on course material and must pass all test components prior to registering for Mountain Rescue IV. See required list following Mountain Rescue V.
MOUNTAIN RESCUE IV: Prerequisite: successful completion of Mountain Rescue III. Mountain Rescue IV is an intensive hands-on course that teaches rescue personnel safe, effective high-line rope rescue systems. Emphasis will be directed toward the use of static Tryrolean lines. All items learned in Mountain Rescue I, II & III will be reviewed and used. Students will be tested on course material and must pass all test components prior to registering for Mountain Rescue V. See required equipment list following Mountain Rescue V.
MOUNTAIN RESCUE V: ERT Certification for Ascending and Descending a Fixed Line. Prerequisite: successful completion of Mountain Rescue IV. This class is an intensive, hands on course designed to teach rescuers how to properly and safely rescue injured rappellers stranded on rappel lines, including vertical "pick offs" using lowers, raises and mechanical advantages systems for hauling the injured rappellers back to a point of safety. Ascending rescue ropes will be taught. See required equipment listed below.
MOUNTAIN RESCUE EQUIPMENT LIST: Hard hat with chin strap, leather gloves, boots suitable for climbing, clothing for full body protection (no short pants, no turnout gear), rope, canteen, day pack with lunch for both days, three locking carabiners, three prusik slings, rescue "8" with ears, 20' to 25' to 2" section of tubular webbing. Manufactured seat harness required for Mountain Rescue IV & V, and may be used in Mountain Rescue II & III.
OTHER COURSES OFFERED (CONDENSED LISTING): OCCULT & RITUAL IDENTIFICATION, UNDERWATER SEARCH & RECOVERY, VEHICLE EXTRICATION HAND TOOLS, VEHICLE EXTRICATION POWER TOOLS, GENERAL (3 HOURS), MAINTENANCE INSPECTION FOR RESCUE EQUIPMENT (6 HOURS), COMMUNICATION (3 HOURS), LIFT CARRIES & DRAGS (3 HOURS), RESCUE 3 SWIFTWATER RESCUE TECHNICIAN I, LAND SEARCH USING GPS'S, ROPE & KNOTS, SIGN LANGUAGE FOR THE FIRST RESPONDER, SPANISH FOR THE FIRST RESONDER, MASS CASUALTY, RESCUE RIGGING, ICS 100 & 200, RESPONDING WITH THE STATE'S REGIONAL RESPONSE TEAM, HAZARD MATERIAL, LADDER RIGGING, AIRCRAFT EMERGENCIES, NFA TERRORISM FOR THE FIRST RESPONDER.
For more information, call Frank Simpson at Blue Ridge Community College (828) 692-3572, extension 225.