On December 4-5 2009, six members of the fire company were trained to be instructors for the RPI personal escape system with which each interior-rated firefighter at Hampstead will shortly be equipped. Ordered in mid 2009, the personal escape systems have arrived. The system is designed for the Gemtor 541 Harness which is already worn as standard-issue equipment at Hampstead. The "Train the Trainer" program was led by Christopher Botti of Rescue Products International, Inc. Chris, a career firefighter with more than 15 years of experience in the fire service, who holds a Bachelors of Science degree in Manufacturing Engineering, and who is currently with the FDNY assigned to Squad 18 in Manhattan, designed and developed the RPI personal escape system. Chris conducted a 3 hour classroom training session Friday evening followed by practical evolutions at the Carroll County Training Center for most of the next day. The six students were taught the techniques for anchoring directly to drywall, window frames, and structures within the room as well using common firefighting tools to augment the anchoring system. They also learned the correct technique for bailing out of a window. The first time going out the window was scary, but after repeated attempts with the system and refinement of the bailout techniques, the students quickly gained confidence in the system and in their abilities to quickly and safely bailout of an upper story window. Although bailing out of a structure is only done as a last resort, and it is hoped that no one will ever need to do it in real-life, it is good to know this option is available. The firefighters who were trained this day will now train the other riding members of the fire company.
Tying the student onto the belay line for safety.
Heading out the window.
A view of the hook on the way out the window.
A view of the floor below.
Performing a final check of the system before continuing out the window.
An "outside" view of the firefighter bailing out.
Another view of the firefighter performing a final check of the system before releasing his leg lock.
A moment after releasing the leg lock.
The escape system is now carrying the firefighter's full weight,
By squeezing the descender device, the firefighter controls his rate of drop.
