Municipal / Industrial Rope Rescue Programs
Background
Rescue Canada Rope Rescue courses cover all of the 2017 NFPA 1006- and 1670-chapter 5, Job Performance Requirements that pertain to that level of certification. Rescue Canada’s Rope Rescue courses are recognized by the BC Construction Safety Association for funded training through the THARR program and preapproved Continuing Education credits through EMA licencing.
Completion of the online awareness course is required for each level of the practical courses. Each of the practical courses includes a formal practical evaluation of personal and team skills. Listed below is a brief description of the courses available and some of the scheduling options.
Awareness
Awareness is the introduction to technical rope rescue. Awareness certification is the online course and will be included with all levels of certification. The online course is expected to take 2-3 hours, depending on the student’s background. The course objectives are to make all participants aware of the hazards, control measures and requirements to conduct a rope rescue and an introduction to equipment and techniques.
Level 1 – Support
Rope Rescue Support certification is the online course plus 1 day of practical. The course objectives are to make the students a functional part of the rescue operation by acting in support of the rescue team. On completion, the participant will be able to:
- Conduct size up.
- Work safely as an edge attendant.
- Operate a depot tarp.
- Perform line management and support the rescue evolution.
- Function as part of a haul team.
Level 2 – Operations – Embankment, Low to Steep
Rope Rescue Operations can be in a high angle or a wilderness embankment environment. For most rescue organizations, Embankment is the most common type of incident, and the foundation for the development of the rescue team. The required skills are the same for both environments, but the techniques will have some differences.
Course agenda options for classroom and practical courses include:
Course agenda options for classroom and practical courses include:
- 32 hours (4 days) recommended for participants who do not have a rope rescue background.
- 27 - 30 hours (3days) recommended for participants who have a rope rescue background and are part of an existing rope rescue structure. All participants will be expected to be able to tie all rescue knots, bends, hitches and identify equipment used in their organization.
- 24 hours (2.5 days) recommended only for organizations that have an existing rope rescue program with a structure for skills maintenance training. Participants will be expected to be able to tie all rescue knots, bends, hitches and demonstrate proper use of all PPE. Participants will also be expected to be able to identify, load and operate the rigging equipment used in their organization.
Level 2 – Operations – High Angle
The natural progression for rope rescue is to start with embankment, then progress into high angle. Level 2 high angle operations is designed to prepare the participant to confidently operate a rescue station with minimal supervision in a vertical rescue environment.
Course agenda options include:
Course agenda options include:
- 32 hours (4 days) recommended for participants that have completed the embankment course, but 1 year or more has lapsed.
- 27 - 30 hours (3days) recommended for participants that are part of a rope rescue team, have completed the embankment course and have actively participated in regularly scheduled skills maintenance training.
- The 32-hour (4 day) option is recommended for organizations that do not have a mandate for embankment rescue and require High Angle Level 2 only.
- A combined High Angle plus Embankment option is also available. A combined course will have a reduced instructional time commitment based on the participant’s background.
Level 3 – Technician
Rope Rescue Technician training is targeting more complex rescue evolutions and developing rescue team leaders. Participants performing at technician level will be expected to have a higher level of technical skills and ability to function as a team leader. Participants with technician level certification may be a technical adviser for their organization. Participants will have completed both rope rescue level 2 courses as a prerequisite prior to attending the level 3 course.
- Course agenda is 32 hours over 4 days.
Level 4 – Tower Crane
Rope rescue level 4 is specific to rescue from tower cranes. The level 4 course requires completion of the online course and level 3 as a prerequisite. The level 4 course will include a review of level 3 skills, and techniques specific to rescue from tower cranes.
- Course agenda is 24 hours over 3 days.
- An additional course agenda option will be to blend level 3 and 4 to be delivered over 6 days.
Custom Courses
Rescue Canada courses are broken into instructional units or modules. Each module will meet all of the NFPA and Work Safe requirements specific to that subject. This structure will allow for the development of customized training options. Organizations that are not required to meet all of the skills identified by NFPA may be able to select modules that are specific to their scope of practice.
Industrial Rope Rescue Program
Rescue Canada is recognized by the British Columbia Construction Safety Association (BCCSA) as an approved training organization to provide funded rope rescue training for organizations that qualify for funding. Our programs meet all of the NFPA standards for each level of certification. In addition to certification training, Rescue Canada can assist Fire/Rescue departments with the development and support of a structured on-going skills maintenance program required by NFPA standards.
Rope rescue is the foundation for all technical rescue disciplines as all of the technical rescue disciplines contain some form of rope rescue techniques in them. Additional programs offered by Rescue Canada include:
- Bariatric patient evacuations
- Boat operations and rescue
- Helicopter safety and rescue
- Ice rescue
- Rescue program development and consulting
- Rope rescue – vertical and embankment
- Swift water rescue
- Water bound vehicle rescue
Through our partnerships we can also offer programs in:
- Confined space rescue
- Pro Board and IFSAC accredited evaluations for rope and confined space rescue
- Structural collapse and heavy urban rescue
- Trench and excavation rescue
- Vehicle and machinery rescue
Rescue Canada rope rescue training has been added to the Approved Activities List as shown below for EMA licensing continuing education credits.
Rescue Canada – Rope Safety Awareness Program | 0.5 | once per reporting period |
Rescue Canada – Rope Rescue Operations – Embankment | 4.0 | once per reporting period |
Rescue Canada – Rope Rescue Operations – High Angle | 4.5 | once per reporting period |
Rescue Canada – Rope Rescue Support | 1.5 | once per reporting period |
