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Ala. (WBRC) – Tuscaloosa firefighters rappelled off a bridge during their latest training exercise
Training on Mondays is mandatory for several specialized units within Tuscaloosa Fire Rescue, preparing them to respond to certain emergencies
They say it’s better to practice something a few times rather than do it for the first time when someone’s life depends on it
For this exercise, firefighters had to get someone in the water to safety
“We want to make sure that they’re staying safe and doing things the right way,” Captain Blake Squires said. “Our team leaders had set parameters that they wanted to see some younger guys do it. We wanted to see that you knew how to set some things up.”
They practiced how to get an injured person out of the water in a way that’s safe for them and for the person they’re rescuing
As water rescue teams stood by in boats, technical rescuers on the bridge used ropes and pulleys to lower a firefighter down, then pull them and another person up
Tuscaloosa Fire Rescue’s Hazmat, Water Rescue and Technical Rescue Teams are responsible for covering a 10-county area in west Alabama
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