Regina fire crews conduct rope training off the top of city hall
The Regina Fire Department’s technical rescue teams were conducted their bi-annual rope training drill on the east side of city hall on Friday.
The technique they were practicing is called a “pick off,” and is one of the many maneuvers that are used in the field.
“Basically, what it is, is that if a window washer or a worker that was working on the outside of the building gets tangled up in his own system, we’re able to lower a rescuer down and pick him off by putting him onto our system,” Kerry Gardner, a training captain with the Regina Fire Department, said. “We would then safely lower him down to the ground with our rescuer.”
The last time this specific technique was used was in 2011, when two workers were stranded on the 19th floor of Hill Centre Tower II. The rescue was a success and the workers were uninjured.
The department has four Technical Rescue Teams, one for each platoon. All four will be practicing their “pick offs” until Saturday.
“We try to come down here at least twice a year,” said Gardner. “Once in the spring and once in the fall.”
The practice runs on downtown skylines is preceded by a lot of practice at the fire halls. This is so the firefighters can “get the winter rust off,” and get familiarized with the process, according to Gardner. But rescues from the sides of high-rises are not the only thing that the rescue teams do.
“Not only do we do this but were also called for confined space and any low angle rescue in case anyone is stuck in a ditch or a hole. So, our technical rescue team isn’t just the rooftop here, we can do a whole lot of things,” Gardner said.
The simulated rescue at city hall drew a lot of attention from onlookers walking and driving by.
“It’s nice for people to know that we don’t only fight fires,” said Gardner.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
King Charles' cancer treatment progressing well, says Buckingham Palace
King Charles III’s doctors are 'sufficiently pleased' with his cancer treatment and he is expected to return to public-facing duties, Buckingham Palace announced on Friday.
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
AFN chief says Air Canada offered a 15% discount after her headdress was mishandled
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief complained to Air Canada about how staffers treated her and her ceremonial headdress on a flight this week, she says the airline responded by offering a 15 per cent discount on her next flight.
Regina police officer injured after being accidentally shot by fellow officer's gun
An investigation is underway after a Regina police officer was accidentally shot by a fellow officer’s gun during the search of a house early Friday morning.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
DEVELOPING Bird flu outbreaks: WHO weighs in on public health risk
The current overall public health risk posed by the H5N1 bird flu virus is low, the World Health Organization said on Friday, but urged countries to stay alert for cases of animal-to-human transmission.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.
From faulty kids' cribs to flammable kids' bathrobes, here are the recalls of the week
Health Canada issued recalls for various items this week, including kids’ bathrobes, cribs and henna cones.
Island near Mull of Kintyre for sale for US$3.1 million
An idyllic 453-acre private island is up for sale off the west coast of Scotland and it comes with sandy beaches, puffins galore, seven houses, a pub, a helipad and a flock of black-faced sheep.