Tower Rescue for First Responders July 15-17, 2015 8:00 am 6:00 pm Location: Day 1: Central Pierce Fire & Rescue 8119 Canyon Road Puyallup, WA 98371 Days 2 & 3: Various tower locations in Pierce County Overview: Elevated structures such as electrical transmission towers, cell phone microwave towers and radio transmission towers are numerous and exist in nearly every jurisdiction. At any time, emergency responders may be called to as the rescue of people who find themselves in need of assistance on these structures. Tower Rescue for First Responders is designed to enhance the rescuer's knowledge and skill in rescuing such victims from electrical transmission towers and similar structures thereby making the rescuer's job safer and more efficient. Topics covered include: tower types and hazards to rescuers safely climbing and moving on towers anchor building knot craft recent rescue tool innovations ground-based rescue techniques tower-based rescue techniques double-lanyard climbing lead climbing installed fall protection medical considerations for victims managing victims without harnesses working with victims hanging in harnesses offset techniques for victim protection and more This course is intended to provide a basic level of knowledge that the student can, in time, turn into competence if diligently practiced. It is not intended to be an exhaustive treatment of tower rescue. However, by course end students will have a working knowledge of how to safely climb and move on towers and how to remove victims using ground-based and tower-based systems, which require minimal climbing exposure for rescuers, for towers up to 300 feet tall. This course is designed to assist participants in understanding the varied requirements of the NFPA 1670 Standard on Tower Rescue. Target Audience: First responders who may find themselves responding to incidents involving various tower structures, or people within the tower industry who seek a deeper knowledge of rope access and rescue techniques used by first responders. Pre-Requisites: Completion of PCDEM's Rope Rescue and Rigging or sufficient rope rescue experience as determined by the instructor. Also, be advised that climbing towers is a physically demanding activity. Prospective students must honestly self-evaluate their physical capability of and endurance for climbing up and moving around on towers and be prepared to work up to ten hours per day as training necessitates. Class is held rain or shine with the exception of imminent electrical storms. Special Instructions Participants will be required to sign a liability waiver which will be collected the first day of class.
Cost: Class size: Instructors: $700.00 per student Includes basic lunch. Students are encouraged to bring their own beverages and snacks. Special dietary needs cannot be accommodated. Maximum of 10 Pat Lillie Greg Sobole Required Equipment: Rescue helmet (firefighting helmets are not appropriate for tower rescue) Leather work gloves Hiking or work boots (footwear should have a rigid sole for standing on steel tower components) Safety glasses Full body rescue or work type harness (it is highly recommended that harnesses have side positioning attachment points) Adjustable positioning lanyard (aka "buck strap" is used so students can lean back on the tower and perform work. Petzl Grillon is an excellent example) Wardrobe appropriate to expected weather conditions (Conditions high on a tower can vary drastically from ground conditions. Fleece, wool, windbreakers and rain gear are examples of what to bring.) Hydration (Camelback type system recommended) Whistle Set of Purcell Prusiks Recommended Equipment: AZTEK Double lanyards (Petzl Absorbica Y 105cm lanyard with MGOs for example) Descenders (Petzl I'D for example) *PCDEM uses 1/2 inch diameter rope Ascenders/ handled ascenders (Petzl Croll for example) Small pulleys Aluminum carabiners Fall arrestors (Petzl ASAP for example) Notebooks and cameras If you have any questions regarding the required or recommended equipment, please call the Pierce County DEM University Administrator at 253-798-6598 to leave a message for the instructors.
RELEASE AND WAIVER OF LIABILITY For Participants in Tower Rescue for First Responders PLEASE READ THIS DOCUMENT CAREFULLY. BY SIGNING IT, YOU ARE GIVING UP LEGAL RIGHTS. In consideration for being permitted to participate in Tower Rescue for First Responders conducted by Pierce County s Department of Emergency Management, I hereby agree as follows: (print your full name) ASSUMPTION OF RISKS I agree that I am voluntarily participating in the activities involved in Tower Rescue for First Responders, including but not limited to, the use of the equipment and premises. I am assuming all risk of personal injury, death or disability that may result from said participation. I understand that climbing towers is a physically demanding activity requiring physical capability and endurance for climbing up, moving around and performing tasks on and descending from towers. I understand that the training may occur during rain, wind and other inclement weather conditions. I understand that this tower training involves risks to my personal safety including the risk of serious personal injury or death. I understand and accept all such risks related to these activities. (print initials) RELEASE OF LIABILITY I agree on behalf of myself and my personal representatives, successors, heirs, and assigns to hold Pierce County, its instructors, officers, directors, agents, and employees (collectively, the Releasees ) harmless from any and all claims or causes of action arising out of my participation in Tower Rescue for First Responders. I expressly release and discharge the Releasees from any and all liability, claims, demands, or causes of action whatsoever arising out of any damage, loss, personal injury or death while participating in any of these training activities. This release is valid and effective whether the damage, loss, personal injury or death is a result of any act or omission on the part of any of the Releasees or from any other cause. I understand that I voluntarily give up my right to sue the above mentioned parties. (print initials) I ACKNOWLEDGE THAT I HAVE CAREFULLY READ THIS WAIVER AND RELEASE AND FULLY UNDERSTAND THAT IT IS A RELEASE OF ALL LIABILITY AND A WAIVER OF ANY RIGHT THAT I MAY HAVE TO BRING A LEGAL ACTION OR ASSERT A CLAIM FOR INJURY OR LOSS OF ANY KIND AGAINST THE RELEASEES. I have read the above, understand its content, and agree to the terms as stated above. Signature of Participant Date
REGISTRATION POLICY Course Registration: Please register by phone, mail, or fax to the Pierce County Department of Emergency Management. Registration forms are required for each course. Forms must be complete and legible, printed or typed. All registration forms must reach the Department of Emergency Management no later than two weeks prior to the first day of class. Minimum enrollment is determined two weeks prior to the first day of each course. Receipt of registration is mandatory before the deadline. Participants in rescue courses will receive faxed reminders of needed items for class. Cancellation Policy: Pierce County Department of Emergency Management reserves the right to cancel a course at any time due to circumstances beyond its control. If minimum class size has not been met by two weeks prior to the first day of the course, it will be cancelled. For full tuition refund, all cancellations must be written and received NO LATER THAN TWO WEEKS prior to the class. Cancellations may be mail to April Ost, Directors Office, 2501 S. 35th St., Tacoma, WA 98409. You may fax them to (253) 798-3307 or email them to aost@co.pierce.wa.us. Tuition will be 50% reimbursable if notification is received one week before a class. Any cancellations within seven days of class or no-shows will be billed for full tuition. The Director will handle emergency cancellations on a case by case basis. Billing Policy Read Carefully. WE WILL BILL FOR ALL CLASSESS. PLEASE, DO NOT PAY IN ADVANCE. Purchase orders or letter of intent is acceptable. Pierce County Department of Emergency Management invoices after completion of each class. Purchase orders must include the billing address of the paying department. Late cancellations or no-shows that submitted purchase orders or letters of intent will be invoiced for the appropriate amount. Please contact April Ost, Registration Coordinator, at (253)-798-6595, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays if you have any questions.
Training Program Registration Form Name Mailing Address Email Address: Billing Address (if different than above) Work Phone (_ ) Home Phone (_ ) Agency Agency Phone (_ ) Agency Fax (_ ) Class Requested: Check one box only. Please complete a separate registration form for each course. ATC 20 Course Date: Rope Rescue Course Date: Tower Rescue Course Date: Do not pay in advance. Letter of Intent Purchase Order Number Hard copy must be included with registration. NOTE: Application will not be processed if the information in the Registration and Cancellation Policies are not followed. For questions, call April Ost at (253) 798-6595. For classes offering lunch, please note that this is a basic box lunch. Vending machines are available for drinks. Students may want to bring their own snacks. Special dietary needs cannot be accommodated. Mail or fax completed registration And purchase order or letter of intent to: Pierce County Department of Emergency Management Office of the Director / DEM University Training Program 2501 S. 35 th St., Suite D Tacoma, WA 98409-7405 FAX: (253) 798-3307 (Federal Tax I.D. #: 91-6001359)