Wednesday January, 31 2024

Nature: Fire Company Inservice Training / Drill Night

Location: Station #1 – Oak Orchard

Address:  32628 Oak Orchard Road Millsboro DE  19966

On Wednesday evening, January 31^st, the Indian River Volunteer Fire Company hosted one of its monthly training events at the Oak Orchard facility.  The intent of the training event was apparatus equipment familiarization which included three separate training stations: (1) Skedco Rescue System Practice Evolutions, (2)  Winch / Hoist / Jacks / Come-a-long Evolutions; and (3) Apparatus Equipment Storage overview

What is a Sked Stretcher System?

A sked stretcher system is a Skedco Product that is a durable plastic litter that provides protection for the patient while allowing extrication through the most demanding confined spaces. The stretcher is rolled for storage in a tough Cordura® backpack. Sked® Stretcher becomes semi-rigid when wrapped around the patient.  The Sked® comes equipped for hoisting in horizontal position spaces. When the patient is packaged, the stretcher becomes rigid. The durable plastic provides protection for the patient while allowing extrication through the most demanding confined spaces.

These training evolutions included familiarization with the sked litter, litter straps, litter harness, and lift riggings, tripod set-up and establishment, loading and packaging the patient, etc.  This process could lend itself for patient removal vertically from confined spaces (storm sewer drains/culverts, sanitary sewer culverts, pumping stations, industrial tanks, confined spaces, below grade spaces, etc.) with 4 to 1 hauling systems provided with tripod placement at point of entry or overhead pick point.

 Additional equipment evolutions included utilization of house or farm jacks, steel cable come-alongs, rope bags for safety lines and utility lines to enhance familiarization.

The final evolution identified the proper storage location on the rescue for this equipment as well as the overhead compartment storage capabilities on the apparatus.

The training was well attended with approximately 30 volunteers.