By Stephen Smoot
Members of the Pendleton County Tactical Team peered down from the top of the three-story “burn building” as Lieutenant Pat Frank and Stacy Waggy offered last minute advice and encouragement. Some were seasoned pros at repelling, using ropes to gently lower oneself off of a building, a cliff, or some similar obstacle.
A few had never repelled in their lives. Some faces reflected resiliency and strength tinged by nervousness.
Frank explained that “we’re taking the new people and teaching them the basics of repelling.”
Team members climbed through the burn building to reach the roof. They entered through a plain steel door on the ground floor and ascended industrial metal stairs to reach the next story. There, a mannequin sat in a lounge chair staring blankly at the smoke darkened walls.
To get to the roof, one must climb a ladder fashioned of rebar through a square aperture and then climb out.
From the roof, Frank directed the setting of a three-point anchor and the safety line. He shared that he had been repelling since the age of seven.
Repelling serves as an increasingly vital skill in the tool kit of the tactical team. As Frank explains, “We’re having a lot more rock climbers and we’re marketing more to rock climbers and cavers.” While this boosts tourism business, it could also result in more work for the skilled members of the tactical team.
Frank said that the squad lay within close distance to popular attractions such as Eagle Rock and Reeds Creek, as well as Seneca and Nelson Rocks not too much farther distant.
“I haven’t had a rock rescue per se for the past few years,” Frank said, “but we’re way overdue for that.”
Before the team even ascends the stairs, Frank performs an equipment check. Team members climb into gear that must buckle and fit as tightly as possible. This includes special belts, harnesses, helmets, gloves, and more. As their lieutenant pulls at belts and makes sure buckles remain secure, he explains that wearing the tactical gear wrongly can cause anything from serious discomfort to possible injury.
Worn properly, it could also save their lives.
He checks both rookies and veterans to make sure the gear is right, then allows his own to get checked as well.
The gear itself may soon form an obstacle to efficient and effective rescues. As Frank explains, “our gear is at the end of its life span.” He expects to have to go to the board to request funds to pay for replacements.
“Everything in EMS has a life span,” he said. Then he added that one problem lies in buying items in bulk, then having the equipment all hit its life span at the same time, rather than when purchases get staggered over time.
Once the team gets to the top of the building, the rookies go first. Team member Tyler Arbaugh stepped to the edge of the building where the safety railing opens up for repelling practice.
Frank encouraged him, saying ‘when you take that first step, just go a little bit at a time.” Then he added a touch of first responder gallows humor, saying “nice knowing ya pal!”
Arbaugh shook off the nerves quickly as Frank and Waggy talked him down through a mostly routine task.
“Pretty nervous,” Arbaugh said when asked about his experience. “It’s going to take a little bit to get used to it.”
“I feel good now,” he smiled.