Q&A Engine/Rescue Company with Deputy Fire Chief George Sorge

George Sorge, Deputy Fire Chief, Westerville Division of Fire

Q. What is the engine/rescue company?

A: The engine/rescue company is a dual-role firefighting/rescue vehicle. Westerville's engine/rescue carries 750 gallons of water, a 1,500 gpm (gallons per minute) pump and various sizes and lengths of fire hose. Also, technical rescue equipment for extrication (jaws of life), rope rescue, water/ice rescue and structural/stabilization.

Q. What is technical rescue?

A: Technical rescue Includes specific disciplines dependent on the type of rescue. These include auto/machinery (no ropes), confined space (underground with limited entry or exit), trench/cave-in (land-based cave-in, may use ropes), rope rescue (high or low angle rescue and elevated rescue), structural collapse (includes cars in buildings, building collapse), elevator and water/Ice (moving or still water).

Q. What happens during a technical rescue?

A: A technical rescue is different from a fire rescue in that the department will:

• Review the scene • Stabilize the situation • Work to remove occupants in the greatest danger or most severely injured

Q. What does the engine/rescue company do at a fire?

A: An engine/rescue company may be directed to perform any of the following tasks, in tandem, at a fire scene: Fire attack (extinguishing flames), water supply (connecting to a fire hydrant), search and rescue, utility control (turn off gas, electric), salvage (protecting contents inside a building) and overhaul (looking for hidden fire in walls and ceilings).

Q. Does a rescue company have its own vehicle?

A: Westerville does not have a specific rescue vehicle but utilizes its engine/rescue vehicle for this purpose.

Q. What equipment is used on the engine/rescue?

A: A variety of equipment is used depending on the situation. This includes: Extrication (jaws of life) stabilization and shoring (struts and lumber), ropes and harnesses, Stokes basket (for movement of a victim), water/ice (dry/ cold water suits, helmets, ice picks), ladders, axes, prybars, fire extinguishers, fire hose (various sizes), EMS heart monitor, medications, oxygen, in-line breathing air system, air monitors

Q. How many Westerville firefighters are on specialized federal and state rescue teams?

A: Westerville has two members that are on the FEMA Ohio Task Force-1 team (both federal and international) and 14 members on the Central Ohio Strike Team (regional).

Q. What are these teams called on to do?

A: FEMA Ohio Task Force-1 - A team deployed by FEMA to a disaster area to provide assistance in structural collapse rescue, or they may be prepositioned when a major disaster threatens a community.

Central Ohio Strike Team - A team of firefighters from every department in Franklin County who train on technical rescue issues, including structural collapse, confined space rescue, trench rescue, rope rescues and auto/ machinery extrication.

Q. In which station does the rescue team reside?

A: Firefighters that are assigned to Station 111 are cross-trained on equipment and techniques used in technical rescue.