Picket Anchor Systems

Pickets have many different uses in the rescue side of the fire service. Below are the basics of pickets used as anchor for rope rescue.

Pickets are typically made of 1″ diameter rolled steel that is 4′ long.
The pickets should be driven 2′-3′ into the soil (2′ in stable soil and up to 3′ in unstable soil) at a 15 degree angle away from the planned load.

When connecting the pickets, use a 20′ piece of webbing or 1/2″ utility rope. Connect the base of the read picket with a clove hitch and wrap the webbing or rope to the top of the forward picket up to 6 times (finish with another clove hitch). Use a piece of wood or rebar or another picket inserted between the wrap to twist the pickets. Tension until the forward picket starts to move, then back off one half turn and drive stake into the ground.

Training

2022 Ford Maverick: Vehicle-Specific Body Structure

The 2022 Ford Maverick loaned to the Hurst folks was the star of the extrication show at FDIC. The Maverick was no match for the Hurst tools and

Published

2 months ago

Apr 30, 2022

Mike Smith

Ford Maverick

The 2022 Ford Maverick loaned to the Hurst folks was the star of the extrication show at FDIC. The Maverick was no match for the Hurst tools and the man that makes these vehicles available, Dennis Lark, was pleased with the destruction. The Maverick is available as an ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) vehicle and an FHEV (Full Hybrid Electric Vehicle). Below is an image from Ford’s 2022 Maverick Hybrid Emergency Response Guide.

Boron Extrication

If you notice, the Hybrid battery pack is on the passenger (RHS) of the vehicle. If you take a look at the image below, you can see the rocker on the RHS is reinforced to protect the battery pack. You can find more information about the different steels used in the rockers and floor pan here.

A-Pillar (Hurst Booth FDIC 2022)

Photos by Chief Toranze Lee

B-Pillar (Hurst Booth FDIC 2022)

Photos by Chief Toranze Lee

More Pictures

Photo by John Sileski

2022_FORD-Maverick_Body_Structure-Rocker-Hurst_FDIC-CAD

Photo by John Sileski

Training

Object on a Vehicle

Published

3 months ago

Mar 31, 2022

Mike Smith

An object on a Vehicle

A simple training scenario that only requires a vehicle (that you do not need to cut, yet) and an object to lift. Great objects include large tree sections, utility poles, and concrete pipes. These objects can be easily found in most cities, maybe even in your Department of Public Works yard.

Take a look at the scenario that Connecticut Custom Fire Training LLC. put together a month ago at one of their training classes.

Connecticut Custom Fire Training Paratech Tree on Vehicle Chains

Training

York County Vehicle Technician Class 2021

Published

7 months ago

Nov 30, 2021

Mike Smith

York County Vehicle Technician Class 2021

Take a look at the York County Vehicle Technician Class 2021. It’s a 24-hour Vehicle Rescue Technician program that includes classroom and practical training which applies to those incidents where commercial or heavy vehicles are involved, complex extrication processes will have to be applied, or multiple uncommon concurrent hazards are present, or that involve heavy machinery or more than digital entrapment of a victim. Emphasis will be placed on heavy vehicle lifting and stabilization, utilization of heavy towing and recovery services, and complex patient packaging and removal techniques.

Pictures (by John E. Burruss)