STEVENS COUNTY, Wash. — A specialized rescue team from Thurston County has positioned itself near the Lake Spokane Fire to provide emergency response resources for firefighters working in steep, hazardous terrain.
The Thurston County Special Operations Rapid Extrication Module (REM) from McLane Black Lake Fire Department conducted a full practice drill with a mock patient on Sunday to maintain their rope rescue skills while staged near areas where fire crews face the most challenging conditions.
According to Department of Natural Resources, the highly trained firefighters serve as paramedics and EMTs with specialized training in high-angle rope rescue, rappelling, confined space operations, trench rescue and technical extrication.
Their specialized equipment and extensive training allows them to reach and rescue injured firefighters from remote, hazardous areas where traditional rescue methods would take too long.
Fire crews, like those fighting the Lake Spokane Fire, rely on having the rescue teams on-scene to provide an essential safety net when making decisions about deploying crews into dangerous terrain.
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