| On Tuesday, May 26t, 2009, several members of the Bedford Fire Department as well as Car 2041 traveled to the Westchester County Fire Training Center for presentations and demonstrations on personal "bailout" systems. Many departments in Westchester County are in the process of looking for personal escape systems following a recent fire service mandate requiring interior firefighters to wear and train with the devices.
The main design for these devices is for rapid, emergency deployment in working fire situations, where a quick means of egress is needed either to the ground or an aerial device outside the involved building. These systems usually come with 50 feet of rope or webbing, a solid steel hook or anchor, and a descending device. They also attach to the firefighter either at the waist or in the pocket of the bunker pants, and are used in combination with a harness.
Presentations were given from two separate companies; representing the R.I.T. system was AAA Emergency Supply, and Fire Ground Technologies represented the Petzl system. Members then had the opportunity to try out both systems on the bailout simulator set up on the tower at the training center. In a controlled environment, members descended from the third story window and down the side of the building into the safety net.
Each system had its benefits and drawbacks, and in the coming weeks the Bedford Fire Department will decide on which system our members will use in the future. Thank you to the two companies that took the time to come out and demonstrate their products to our members.
Photos are courtesy of Firefighter Jacob Menken. |
