“We are always happy to help the fire service practice rescue drills in a ‘real world’ yet controlled environment,” says Morgan Ashurst safety, health and environment adviser Geoff Sellers. “The skills practiced here may be the life-saving acts of tomorrow.”
The first rescue session involved fire crews from Durham Fire Station rescuing a casualty trapped at the top of the crane using an aerial ladder platform, affectionately known as an ‘ALP’. Once at full height, the rescue team climbed the rest of the crane to attach rope access equipment to the top of the crane and rescue the casualty, before lowering them using the ‘ALP’.
To practice rescuing casualties that are inaccessible or at heights that are much too high to involve aerial ladder platforms, the second simulation saw the Line Rescue Team from Hebburn Community Fire Station climb the entire height of the crane. At the top of the crane, the rescuers attached line rescue equipment, using it to bring the casualty down safely.
Ken Ball, assistant district manager for Durham and Chester-le-Street, said: “There is a lot of building construction taking place in the region using this type of crane and it is important for fire crews to train under realistic circumstances to perfect their skills. Due to the inconvenience this can cause to building sites we rarely get this type of opportunity. However, Morgan Ashurst has been particularly supportive and accommodating to the Fire Service and we appreciate the valuable training opportunity they gave to us.”
Morgan Ashurst is building the showcase £12.3m (EUR 18m) sports and leisure development in the heart of Durham for Durham Villages Regeneration Company – a joint venture between the City of Durham Council and regeneration specialist Keepmoat Ltd. The project is due for completion in July 2008.
Durham, UK firefighters practice tower crane rescue Durham, UK firefighters practice tower crane rescue
