Paratech Virtual Workshop: Trench Advanced

Below is a great advanced trench presentation by leading industry experts. It kicks off with Paratech’s Nigel Letherby followed by MUSAR’s Chief Ron Zawlocki and professional civil engineer Craig Dashner. Craig works closely with Chief Zawlocki to bring the fire service real world knowledge to keep everyone on scene safe. Below is a description off his Linkedin profile of some of the work that he does with the fire service.

 I also volunteer my time working with a Ron Zawloki, a Fire Department Instructor, on the development and refinement of Trench Rescue Shoring Standards. So much of what has been taught to the fire service throughout the years was never reviewed by an Engineer, or was poorly designed, and much of it is a false sense of security and down right dangerous. Working with Ron, we are developing shoring systems that can be deployed rapidly, be flexible to different conditions and provide adequate safety for the victim and rescuers.

Make sure you checkout the full list of different videos available on the Paratech YouTube channel.

Trench Rescue Training

Hunterdon County Emergency Services Training Center held their (HCEST) Trench Operations class in November 2020. Students completed four 8′ deep straight wall trenches – rapid six panel set, void shoring trench (buttress shore, back shore, air cushions, cribbing), lifting operation with Paratech inside wales, and digging operation with 1/4 panels as supplemental shores.

Trench Rescue

In early 2020, the City of Poughkeepsie Fire Department, NY responded a trench collapse with a victim with their legs buried. The first apparatus was on scene in less than 4 minutes from dispatch and reported two patients buried up to their waists and requested a technical rescue team. Both patients were extricated and transported to the hospital. Make sure you checkout the posts below for more details and pictures.