Trailer ready for confined space, rope rescue emergencies
The new tech rescue trailer is available for use in Crawford County and the surrounding area for emergency scenarios. Pictured are Wauzeka Fire members (from left) Todd Russell, Larry Zeeh and Brady Krachey. (Photos by Correne Martin)
The tech rescue trailer is equipped with a variety of rescue necessities, particularly two sets of aluminum panels that can form a rescue tube and help bring an entrapped individual out of confined space like a full grain bin.
The Wauzeka Fire & Rescue brush truck is capable of hooking up to the new Crawford County Tech Rescue trailer. The trailer is set up so most any rig needing it can hook up and go as well.
By Correne Martin
Crawford County has equipped a technical rescue trailer that is available to emergency workers who may be called to save the lives of people endangered inside confined spaces like grain bins, manholes and manure pits, or over cliffs and down steep grades. The trailer, filled with close to $25,000 in equipment, is stationed at the Wauzeka Fire Department and ready to be dispatched should any need arise across the region.
Eight firemen from the Wauzeka Fire Department have completed 80 hours of the rope rescue and confined space training necessary to respond to these types of rescue scenarios. This is why the trailer will be housed in Wauzeka, according to Brady Krachey, captain of the fire department.
In addition, fire departments in Eastman, Soldiers Grove and other areas of the county have gone through the required, hands-on training.
The 6x12, 6’6” Arrow trailer was acquired about nine months ago from 3D Trailer Sales in Fulton, Ill. It has been filled with two sets of aluminum panels that, when pieced together, can assist with grain entrapment situations. Also inside are harnesses, helmets, drills, impact wrenches, pulleys and ropes, and other materials that are used in those grain bin rescues. There is no generator in the trailer; however, the brush truck Wauzeka would use to pull the trailer does have a generator aboard, said Captain Larry Zeeh.
Krachey was most instrumental in seeking donations from businesses, organizations and individuals around the area. Firefighter Todd Russell helped him outfit the trailer, particularly with installing the interior and exterior lighting.
Getting the tech rescue trailer up and running has been a dream of Zeeh’s for about four years, his colleagues said. It was perpetuated by a grant he wrote back then that awarded the department one rescue tube and a day of training. As part of his grant application, Zeeh stated the department’s intentions to use this in mutual aid situations county and region wide.
“If it saves a life, it’s paid for itself,” Russell said.
Though the grain entrapment rescue apparatus has been an asset for several years, the recent addition of the trailer and more equipment truly brought to light more purposes for this Crawford County unit. It was all developed from community donations.
“This project would never have happened if not for the generous donations from businesses and individuals and because people found it a priority to outfit this trailer,” Zeeh said.
Donors thus far have included Kwik Trip, Nelson True Value, Walmart, Southwest Insurance, Tall Tails, L&Ms BP, Riverdale Ag Service, Roth Feeder Pig, R&S Welding, Zabel Equipment, Pat and Greg’s Pour House, Christianson Feed Mill, Community First Bank, River Valley Power Sports, Town & Country Sanitation, Peoples State Bank, Simpson’s Tractor, VitaPlus Corp., Premier Co-op, American Signs & Designs, Johnson’s One Stop, Culver’s, Bloomington Livestock, Casey’s, Kim Klema, Kozelka Farms, Dillman Equipment, Latham Dairy, Horseshoe Bar, Robert Mitchell, Fillback Auto, Economy Feed Mill, Wagner Electric, Edward Jones, Larry Zeeh, Bassett Trucking, MG&E, Harbor Freight, 3M, Tractor Supply, McCon Building Corporation, NORAG LLC, Land O'Lakes, INC. Foundation, United Cooperative, Rayovac and Northern Ag Service.
The trailer, Krachey noted, came from a grant the Seneca Fire Department received. The Bridgeport, Eastman and Gays Mills fire departments also had a hand in buying some of the items desired. Crawford County Emergency Management continues to write grants toward future purposes for the tech rescue unit.
“I estimate another $19,000 worth of equipment is needed [for the tech rescue trailer] to be fully functional,” Krachey said. “I’m also hoping, within three to four years, to have half the county trained in at least rope rescue,” Krachey commented.
In 10 years, he and Zeeh share the vision for county teams that could provide more swift water and hazmat rescue capabilities.
For more information about the trailer, or to make a donation, send an email to bradykrachey@gmail.com, or contact your local Crawford County fire department.
