BATTALION 14 News & Information

(To view video of the Rescue click on the links at the end of this story)





The initial company on scene, E 41, reported that they had located a male construction worker who was partially buried (waist high) in a trench behind a structure. E 41 gave the responding companies directions on how to best access the incident location due to the narrow streets in the area that were partially blocked by parked vehicles.


Battalion 14, who was responding from Battalion 11 headquarters, arrived shortly after E 41 and RA 41 and assumed the role of Incident Commander. While enroute Battalion 14 contacted OCD and requested they contact the Department of Sanitation to provide a large Vacuum Truck in the event it would be needed at the incident.



LF 60, led by USAR Certified Captain II Scott Frazier, arrived shortly after BATT. 14 and was assigned as the Rescue Group Leader. Captain Frazier's immediate concern was to assess the medical needs of the trapped worker and begin the difficult task of stabilizing the area around the collapse to provide a safe working environment for the rescue team.


As additional units arrived on scene members who were assigned to the rescue team were divided into a cutting group and a shoring group to address the immediate need for shoring the work/rescue area.



EMS 5 ( O'Gorman )was assigned as the Medical Group Leader and was tasked with establishing Base Station contact (communications) and providing USAR certified Paramedics to begin assesment and treatment of the worker while he was in the trench.





Due to the dangerous condition of the decomposed granite slope behind and above the workers location it was detertmined that the initial rescue efforts would not begin until the area around the worker was secured by proper shoring. Members utilized construction materials on scene along with specialized equipment and materials carried by USAR 88 and HR 56 to accomplish this task.


While the shoring operation was taking place USAR certified Paramedics began patient assessment and stabilization. Members brought O2 and an Air Line to the patient along with a SCBA Facepiece to protect the worker in the event of additional collapse.


Members were directed to take advantage of the concrete construction wall above the trapped worker to begin setting up "High Points" for rope tethering and rescue lines. Members assigned to this task did an outstanding job of setting up the proper rope systems including the establishment of systems utilizing "mechanical advantage" in the event they would be needed. The High Point rope systems were a very critical component of the rescue that greatly increased the overall efficiency and safety of the operation.





With the arrival of Heavy Rescue 56 members began to use additional specialized equipment in the continuing shoring operation and the rescue operation that was now underway. Large Low Pressure Air Bags were carefully placed behind the plywood panels against the steep slope to provide stability for shoring struts. Smaller High Pressure Air Bags were also used at the base of the panels for stability.




With the arrival of additional Command Staff Division 2 Chief Ware assumed the role of Incident Commander and Battalion 5 Chief Fry was assigned the important role of Safety Officer. Battalion 14 Chief Williams was assigned as Operations. Due to the extremely difficult problems involving access to the incident Battalion 10 Chief Comerford was assigned to coordinate the Staging of companies and the establishment of access and egress routes to and from the incident.




As the rescue efforts intensified members worked in concert to move equipment to the work area while removing dirt and debris from around the trapped worker. Members also worked to begin removing a large pile of gravel in front of the incident in order to provide improved access for the Vacuum Truck in the event it would be needed in the rescue effort.


Due to the length of the operation the Safety Officer initiated a relief schedule for the members working in the trench. This proved to be a very critical factor in insuring a safe working environment and helped to speed the operation. All members, as well as the trapped worker, were on High Point Tether at all times while they were in the trench.




Approximately two hours after dispatch the last bit of material was removed from the base of the trench enabling members of the Rescue Team to release the foot of the worker and begin the task of raising him by a harness and placing him on a backboard in a Litter Basket. After successfully removing the worker from the trench the Rescue Team passed the Litter Basket to a waiting team of Paramedics who quickly assessed the patient, performed immobilization (C-Spine) ops, placed a splint on his lower leg and transported him to the hospital via Rescue 97.




All members who were assigned to this incident are to be commended for an outstanding team effort in accomplishing this rescue under difficult and dangerous conditions. Additional companies who assisted in the rescue efforts included TF 5, USAR 5, SQ 70, E 82, RA 88, RA 27 and RA 78.

A special thanks also goes out to L.A. County F.D. 8s and Battalion 1 who assisted in the USAR operation.


For an exclusive Video of the rescue click here.

For CBS/KCAL Video click here.

We will have a number of Lessons Learned from this incident and will be posting them on this site in the very near future. We look forward to your Comments.

A sincere Thank You to all members from the Battalion 14 Command Team!