The Verde Valley Fire Training Center held its first Structural Collapse training class last week using the facility's structural collapse "prop."
The prop includes an underground tunnel about 80' long which may be obstructed in a number of places with concrete, wood and steel debris as part of training.
Structural Collapse rescue is needed in significant natural disasters in which people may be trapped in debris, such as earthquakes, tornadoes and hurricanes. But, Patrick Ojeda of Sedona Fire, the lead instructor for the class, says such skills are also needed in a case like the roof collapse at the Cottonwood Sears a number of years ago.
Responding rescue crews need to be able to break up concrete slaps and cut steel to move debris in order to rescue victims who may be trapped underneath. Crews are trained to work with jack hammers, drills, cutting torches and air monitors and search cameras.
The skills supplement other technical rescue disciplines including rope and water rescue, confined space and trench work.
In the wake of the September 11 attacks, the federal Department of Homeland Security has called for local departments to give the skills increased emphasis.
Firefighters from Sedona, Verde Valley, Prescott, Prescott Valley and Chino Valley attended the week-long course.
The Verde Valley has one of only two Structural Collapse props in the county. The other is at the Homeland Security training center in Texas.
