Low Angle Rope Rescue Operations (LARRO) Course

In October, myself, along with several other rescue instructors taught a CSFM Low Angle Rope Rescue Operations course. LARRO is a California Sate Fire Training is rescue class that includes Rescue scene management, RPM rope systems, anchors, patient retrieval, litter baskets, pickets, rappelling, knots, and other low angle subjects. The course was taught at the Ben Clark Training Center in Riverside with the instructor cadre members from Palm Springs FD, CAL FIRE, and retired Corona FD. What an excellent facility BCTC has developed into...kudos to CAL FIRE Training for all the hard work they put into making this a training center for all agencies and individuals to use! The students are members of Moreno Valley College Fire Academy Class #26. Mostly young men in their twenties, the group were eager to learn low angle rope rescue. Each day brought more information that developed their cognitive and psychomotor skills. As the class was divided into three squads, the rotations challenged them with teamwork cooperation and using the less skilled students in leadership positions. The final day ended with two scenarios that challenged the groups by requiring them to use the proper low angle skills and knowledge to remove simulated victims. Both groups succeeded in safely removing their victim and applauded the instructor cadre for their instruction.

I'm back.

After a year off, I've returned to blogging about USAR. So much has been going on in the world of USAR, that I will try to address regularly.

Heavy Equipment Rigger Specialist Course

I just completed FEMA's 3 day Heavy Equipment Rigger Specialist (aka HERS) course in Ocala, Florida. It was a great course that was run really well by some of the best instructors in the U.S. The days were full, with students from many different task forces. Each squad was a mix of USAR personnel from different regions. This was a good way to work, because we all have a standard basis with our past training from each task force. My squad, had guys from L.A. County CA-TF 2, Colorado CO-TF 1, Virginia VA-TF-1, Utah UT TF 1 & Riverside, CA TF-6.

The course was an intensive one that started early with classroom lecture, participation and group projects. The instructors even kept it interesting with a little score keeping competition between the squads. Afternoons, were out on the "pile" at the Florida State Fire training center. We had several crane types, a hydro crane, a lattice boom, and even a construction loader. We spent hours figuring ways to do "picks". Weights, centers of gravities, crane capabilities, and shifting loads had to be considered before doing any lifts. We used various sling types, and spent time using cutting torches from man baskets.

The final day scenario, gave each squad "watermelon" victims to search, locate, and extract while moving large amounts of concrete, vehicles, slabs, and even a helicopter. During one portion of the day, a personnel accountability report was taken and found that one rescuer was missing...we then spent several minutes searching for our "lost" rescuer. Finally, after a bit, we found him "napping" in the back of a nearby pick-up truck! Made for a good drill and a few chuckles! Our victims were all located and rescued in a faster than anticipated time by the instructors. It appears that FEMA/USAR members were up to the job, no matter which task force they were from!

All in all, the course gave a lot of confidence to myself and others in the class while operating with heavy equipment. I know now, that if any Heavy Riggers need support during a USAR activation, our teams have more trained, competent and confident personnel ready to help out when the need arises.

My thanks to the instructors who put on a great class and challenged us to work outside of our comfort zone.

Los Angeles City Fire USAR respond to Gustav

FEMA/USAR California Task Force 1-Los Angeles Fire Department responded ahead for Hurricane Gustav on August 29th. They drove the 1500 mile trip to Houston in 36 hours. Ca TF-1 will stage and wait for an assignment. With the active Hurricane season already in full force, deployments can run from one into another. USAR teams can be deployed up to ten days, but if needed, longer deployments are probable.

California Task Force 5-Responds to Gustav/Ike

FEMA/USAR California Task Force 5-Orange County responded ahead for Hurricane Gustav back on August 29th. They staged in Dallas Texas awaiting an assignment if necessary. Their team is a Type III USAR team consisting of 32 personnel from Orange County Fire Authority, Santa Ana FD, Orange City FD, and Anaheim FD.

With Hurricane Ike approaching, Task Force 5, finally got to go to work. They assisted with evaucation of 400 special need citizens out of Houston to a safe haven. With the approaching Hurricane Ike, TF 5 worked along with Nevade Task Force 1, Texas Task Forces 1& 2, and National Guard. The team used their experience as Firefighters and FEMA/USAR to safely evaucate all patients.

Metrolink-Freight Train Collision

The official death toll is 25 at the worst commuter train accident in California history. Over 135 patients were transported, at least 40 critical injuries. Clean-up is now under way to open the tracks, with Metrolink officials accepting blame for an Engineers failure to stop at a red signal light. USAR members from Los Angeles City Fire Department, Los Angeles County Fire Department, Search Dogs for California OES, and heavy rescue units from Local Mutual Aid Fire Departments responded to this incident. A Full investigation is now under way by various government safety agencies.

LAFD Chatsworth Metrolink-Freight Train

Update: LAFD reports 18 Dead, with over 135 transported & treated at local area hospitals. 222 passengers were on board. One fatality was a LAPD officer. Overnight, rescue crews worked to free the last of the victims. USAR/Search dogs were being used to locate victims. Metrolink spokesmen, stated that Metrolink was at fault.


Los Angeles City Fire Department uses Engine, truck and Rescue companies to rescue trapped victims of a Metrolink commuter train and a freight train. With a reported 20 dead and 100 wounded, LAFD uses their Urban Search & Rescue Teams to access victims. Mutual aid from LA County, and Ventura County Fire Department USAR teams contribute to this ongoing rescue that will continue in the night. More to follow as tragedy unfolds.