Trench Rescue

25-27 June 2004

Chief Haraway gave our members an introduction to trench rescue during an intense one-weekend class. After spending Friday evening in the classroom, we put our new-found knowledge to use all day Saturday and Sunday.

Chief had an L-shaped trench, roughly 8' deep and 4-5' wide, dug into the field behind Station 3. On Saturday, we started with the basics - moving a spoil pile and placing walking platforms, setting up a cutting station, and shoring a straight trench with FinForms, timber shores and air shores. Mother Nature ensured a messy operation by pouring down a steady rain most of the day. By the end of the day, everyone and everything was covered from top to bottom in mud.

On Sunday, we did a more advanced evolution, stabilizing the intersecting portion of the trench. We used FinForms and air shores again, but this time added 8"x8" walers and some fancy timber work to stabilize the corners.

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Our trench trailer, one of the many pieces of specialized rescue equipment we recently gained access to through our new cooperation agreement with NC CERT.
Trying to stay dry on Saturday was hopeless
FinForms. REALLY heavy.

Timber shoring in a straight trench. We had to measure and cut each timber to fit.
A closer look - scabs and wedges screwed into the strongback on the FinForm hold the timber shoring in place.
We kept a supply of fresh air flowing while folks were working in the hole.

We had a cutting table set up where we measured and cut timber shores, scabs, wedges, and whatever else was needed.
Mutual aid pickup and trailer, courtesy of Southern Power Clean!
Lunch break! (Sean and Jody)

Roy grabs some lunch
Contemplating the mud hole.
Scooter, Chad, and Howard (sporting the fashionable ORANGE helmet!)

Planning the next task... (Jody, Mike, Chief)
Air shores
Mark had the longest wingspan, so he got voted to secure the scabs from the ladder.

Sean secures the air shore. Until all of the shores were in place for a section, firefighters working in the hole were tethered for an added measure of safety.
Scooter shovels the...

Howard and Roy share a Kodak moment
Josh and Jody get ready to lower the next air shore into the hole

Jody uses the air knife to cut out holes in the trench wall in which we could set the ends of the 8"x8" walers. All who operated this tool for the first time learned one lesson very quickly: Keep mouth closed!
Break time!
Howard, Brad and Jody in the hole

Pickets and ropes stabilized the FinForm sheets
Once the waler was set, we could shoot an air shore against it
Scooter gives his young'uns a peek.

Two of our newest volunteers, Eric and Krystle, get a chance to work in the hole. Here they help set another waler.
L-trench stabilization
Two 2"x12" boards formed the corner brace. A combination of angled thrusters and scabs provided the base for the air shores to support the trench intersection.

Don't jump, Scooter, don't jump!
Captain Foster starts breaking things down.

Our trench trailer, one of the many pieces of specialized rescue equipment we recently gained access to through our new cooperation agreement with NC CERT.	Trying to stay dry on Saturday was hopeless	FinForms. REALLY heavy.
Timber shoring in a straight trench. We had to measure and cut each timber to fit.	A closer look - scabs and wedges screwed into the strongback on the FinForm hold the timber shoring in place.	We kept a supply of fresh air flowing while folks were working in the hole.
We had a cutting table set up where we measured and cut timber shores, scabs, wedges, and whatever else was needed.	Mutual aid pickup and trailer, courtesy of Southern Power Clean!	Lunch break! (Sean and Jody)
Roy grabs some lunch	Contemplating the mud hole.	Scooter, Chad, and Howard (sporting the fashionable ORANGE helmet!)
Planning the next task... (Jody, Mike, Chief)	Air shores	Mark had the longest wingspan, so he got voted to secure the scabs from the ladder.
	Sean secures the air shore. Until all of the shores were in place for a section, firefighters working in the hole were tethered for an added measure of safety.	Scooter shovels the...
Howard and Roy share a Kodak moment		Josh and Jody get ready to lower the next air shore into the hole
Jody uses the air knife to cut out holes in the trench wall in which we could set the ends of the 8"x8" walers. All who operated this tool for the first time learned one lesson very quickly: Keep mouth closed!	Break time!	Howard, Brad and Jody in the hole
Pickets and ropes stabilized the FinForm sheets	Once the waler was set, we could shoot an air shore against it	Scooter gives his young'uns a peek.
Two of our newest volunteers, Eric and Krystle, get a chance to work in the hole. Here they help set another waler.	L-trench stabilization	Two 2"x12" boards formed the corner brace. A combination of angled thrusters and scabs provided the base for the air shores to support the trench intersection.
Don't jump, Scooter, don't jump!	Captain Foster starts breaking things down.