This week, the Owatonna Fire Department is hosting a trench rescue training class in which seven firefighters will be certified to the technician level. Members of Faribault Fire, Medford Fire, Mankato Fire, Owatonna Public Utilities, Safety and Security Consultation Specialists and Winona Fire will also be attending the class. The 24-hour training is being taught by nationally-renown CMC, a provider of life safety equipment and education.
During the class, attendees will learn the skills necessary to perform a successful rescue: rescuer safety, preplanning, assessing soil composition and configuration, cave-in evaluation, stabilization and shoring using wood, mechanical, hydraulic and pneumatic shores, victim rescue or recovery and incident termination. By having these skills, firefighters can respond quickly to this type of emergency within Owatonna and the region.
“Thanks to donations from Alexander Lumber and Lowe’s, we have the necessary supplies for the class, and our public works department dug the trenches that we will be using during the class.” said Ed Hoffman, Fire Chief. “It’s great to know that we have community support for these specialized trainings that we do."