BY DON FRANK
A heavy structural collapse can result from terrorism, earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, and tornadoes or from poor structure design. Rescuers must know how to operate many tools to remove steel and concrete debris. At some time in their careers, firefighters may need a crane to remove heavy objects to access trapped victims (called “selective debris removal,” stage four of the universal five-stage collapse and rescue operations protocols). A crane can help to remove steel I-beams, reinforced concrete, and other heavy material that would slow the rescue of trapped victims. In operations at the 1995 Oklahoma City Bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building, a crane was a major asset. Certified crane operations personnel who can work in conjunction with local firefighters, special operations teams, and other rescuers are a valuable resource.
However, for some incidents, these specialists may not be readily available. Having a team within your department that is formally trained in rigging and lifting operations is to your advantage. Rescuers’ knowledge of standard crane operations and the crane hand signals will greatly expedite the operation.
A “heavy rigging and equipment specialist” is a recognized position for every state and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) urban search and rescue task force. Typically, they are professional crane or heavy equipment operators who use the hand signals daily. Others assigned to this position include firefighters and other individuals who have completed formal FEMA heavy rigging and equipment training or one of several available state courses.
Crane hand signals are standardized in the United States in accordance with the American National Standards Institute. Using hand signals instead of a radio to communicate offers the following advantages: They require no batteries, are dependable even in bad weather, and will not fade out or be disrupted by noise or site conditions (Figure 1).
Figure 1. Hand Signals for Hoist and Crane Operations |
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Source: Construction Toolbox Meeting Guides-Cranes. ©WorkSafeBC. Used with permission. |
TRAINING
There are numerous options for training in crane operations. The fire department could meet with a local crane company and explain that the department wants to know more about the profession and about how fire personnel can assist at the incident site. The company will usually be more than happy to set up classes and show you its equipment and how to use it properly.
Alternatively, firefighters could receive formal training, or a private company could come to your department to train personnel to the current standards. Professional instruction is preferable to local familiarization classes. Training is available through private crane operators and, as indicated above, state and federal agencies such as FEMA. For example, California’s Office of Emergency Services (OES) manages and coordinates the state and federal urban search and rescue (US&R) response system. Visit your state government’s Web site for information on developing the skills needed, or visit the FEMA Web site at www.training.fema.gov. Carefully research the options available and budget for it in the future.
A typical training routine may consist of classroom and field practice. Topics covered include using cranes; calculating the weight of a lift; properly rigging and balancing a load; using jackhammers; and cutting, welding, cribbing, and shoring at a concrete and steel collapse. This gives the rescuer a head start in learning how to remove objects and to gain access to and rescue trapped victims.
SAFE OPERATIONS
The designated crane hand signal person should be in clear view of the crane operator, must maintain a clear view of the load and the equipment, and must keep personnel outside of the crane’s operating area.
Important safety considerations include the following:
- The signal person is in charge from the beginning of the hoist until the object reaches its designated landing area and has been successfully rested.
- Establish the crane path before the hoist. Make certain there are no obstructions in the path once the hoist begins. Never direct a load over other workers.
- Hand signals should be clear and precise. Hold your hands away from your body so the operator can clearly see your hand signals.
- If the operator cannot see the signals clearly or appears confused, stop the hoist and confer with him. Don’t confuse the crane operator by signaling for more operations than he can perform at one time.
- If you are out of the operator’s line of sight, use a middleman signaler to transfer the signal to the operator.
- All personnel on the site should know the proper signal for STOP. Anyone who sees something wrong with the hoist should signal the crane operator to STOP—the crane operator must obey the signal, no matter who gives it.
When working around any type of collapse site, remember that it is unstable and should be considered “live,” meaning that it can collapse or shift at any moment as a result of ground movement, equipment vibrations, rescuer operations in other site areas, or debris removal by the crane. The hand signal person should be constantly aware of this at all times and never expose the rescuers or the victims to even more danger than already exists and transform a rescue operation into a recovery.
Almost every day in the United States, emergency crews respond to some type of collapse incident. The people we serve expect us to be properly trained in all areas of rescue, including building collapse. We are expected to rescue victims and may have to use equipment with which we are unfamiliar. Many departments have recognized this and have incorporated structural collapse training and equipment into their everyday operations.
The Fire Department of New York has a Collapse Rescue Unit that responds citywide. The Los Angeles County (CA) Fire Department has placed in service a heavy lift rescue unit. It’s a heavy wrecker specially designed to support and conduct rescue operations. The unit is patterned after one that the Los Angeles City Fire Department has operated for many years (photo 1).
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| (1) Photo courtesy of the Los Angeles County (CA) Fire Department. |
Although not all departments may be able to attain these goals, they should have a realistic outlook on what the future may hold and obtain some type of crane operations training, as well as aggressively pursue mutual-aid contracts with other departments, agencies, and private businesses. Many businesses in this specialty will provide free help if they are also trained to work with emergency responders and called when needed.
Every rescue/fire department should train their personnel in all response specialties. A day may come when the investment of time and money will pay off and their training in heavy rescue collapse crane operations will be an invaluable tool when called to rescue the citizens of their community.
DON FRANK retired from the fire service after 29 years. He is a training officer with the Murphy-Reynolds-Wilson Volunteer Fire Department in Melba, Idaho, and a volunteer EMT-B with Jordan Valley Ambulance in Oregon. Before retiring, he served as an EMT/firefighter with the Springlake (CA) Fire Protection District and as an EMT/rescue firefighter with the U.S. Department of Defense. He is an instructor with Emergency Service Training (EST) in Idaho and teaches all phases of aircraft emergency firefighting, confined space, high-angle rescue, and building collapse operations. A nationally certified fire instructor III, he holds fire officer certifications from California and the U.S. Department of Defense.
