By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
Task Force 5 is a regional response team consisting of several first responders that assist with area emergencies such as structural ruins from tornados or building collapses. Task Force 5 includes several Great Bend Fire Department personnel that train annually.
The crew was able to train earlier this month by cutting
and breaking concrete, cutting rebar and setting anchors in concrete. Deputy
Fire Chief Brent Smith said this type of training helps crews with possible
structural collapse emergencies not only in the city and county but also the
region.
"It builds everyone's confidence back up," said Smith. "Everybody went through some initial training on that. This built their confidence back up with the use of the tools, how they operate, go together and tear down."
Stone Sand Company allowed Task Force 5 to come and use materials on the
company’s rubble pile. Structural collapse rescue is one of multiple specialty
teams with the Great Bend Fire Department. There are also teams for trench
rescue, rope rescue and swift water and dive.
