Local News: Tracy Fire - Up in the air

Tracy Press Up in the air:

Up in the air

Tracy Fire Department crews practiced rescue skills Thursday with a simulated rescue of a downed firefighter.

Using an abandoned house at Ninth and B streets, firefighters practiced high-angle rescue techniques. They cut holes in the roof and floors leading to the basement and were lowered through the holes on rope suspended from an engine's high ladder. At the bottom, a dummy was buried under rubble.

The training gave fire personnel a chance to practice rappelling, ladder truck operations, rigging, roof ventilation and high-angle operations.

The building is one of three scheduled to be demolished by the city within 30 days. Firefighters will practice fire and rescue skills at all three buildings within the next three weeks.

Tracy fire Capt. Phil Somerhalder is raised by Truck 91 to the roof during rescue training.
Photo by Glenn Moore