Monday June 22, 2009 - Around 1400 hours, Cowpens Rescue 1 and Squad 1 responded to assist neighboring Converse Fire Department on a wreck with one pinned in the 4000 Block of S. Main Street. Cowpens Rescue One arrived on-scene to a single vehicle resting on its side with one person trapped.  Rescue One crew members assessed the scene and began stabilization of the vehicle. Units from the Converse Fire Department arrived on-scene staffing a handline and began the extrication.  Crews preformed a downward roof flap and removed the patient within ten minutes.  Spartanburg EMS then transported the victim to the hospital. This successful extrication again shows the close co-operation between the Converse and Cowpens Fire Departments. Pictures of the accident can be seen HERE.

Paratech struts and ratcheting tie-backs were used to stabilize the vehicle. Photo by C. Lamb

Cowpens firefighters returned from a long weekend of training with a wealth of knowlege.  A group made the four hour trip to Sanford, NC to participate in the first ever Big Lift University™.  Billy Leach, Jr. developer of the Big Rig Rescue™ series created this new class which focuses on the use of airbag systems to lift heavy loads.  Firefighters worked with instructors and wrecker operators that ranged from locals to Robert Morris (FDNY Rescue 1 Capt.) and Nigel Letherby (National Project Mgr. for Paratech, Inc.)  Crews worked eight scenarios over two days which included a detached mixer drum on a passenger car, school bus overturned with victims trapped underneath, and a tanker car under-ride.

Captain Robert Morris FDNY Rescue 1

Firefighters from around Spartanburg and Cherokee counties converged for a weekend course in Big Rig Rescue ™.  The class developed by Billy Leach Jr. of Sanford, NC and hosted by the Cowpens Fire Department teaches students stabilization, truck anatomy, and extrication techniques to use on these special vehicles.  Towing operators from Jolley's Towing and Recovery were also utilized in the class.  These specially trained operators are essential to a Fire Department on this type of incident.

One night of classroom was followed by two full days of scenarios.  These included under-rides, over-rides, loaded box trailer rollover, and a loaded cement mixer rollover onto a vehicle.  On Sunday crews had the opportunity to hear from a doctor at Spartanburg Regional Medical Center on the effects of rescue and the crucial element of time.  Following the morning classroom crews were met by a final scenario.  Personnel were faced with a S.U.V. which was crushed by a fully loaded tanker truck weighing more than  50 tons.  Crews worked for over an hour to extricate the two victims (manikins) from the wreckage. Pictures of the crews working the scenarios can be seen HERE.

The class was a huge success and plans to continue offering the course at Cowpens are in the works.  Thanks to all who participated and a special thanks goes out to Jeff Jolley and all of his crew at Jolley's Towing and Recovery of Spartanburg, SC for all the effort they put forth as a partner in this class.