REGIONAL FOCUS Rope rescue techniques are practiced regularly at the CHS oil refi neries in Laurel, Mont., and McPherson, Kan. Hanging Around With the ERT In a world of towers, vessels and catwalks, oil refi neries have unique challenges for safety rescue. That’s why Emergency Response Team (ERT) members at the CHS refi neries in Laurel, Mont., and McPherson, Kan., regularly practice high-angle and confi ned-space rope rescue techniques. Qualifi ed members learn to secure victims while hanging from ropes high above the ground before rappeling to a medical team waiting below. Trust and teamwork are critical to their success. “The teams are excellent at what they do and how they do it,” says Keith Metzger, Laurel refi nery fi re team chief, about his ERT members who complete a full day of training at least once a month. While rehearsing a high-angle rescue, the “victim” is secured in a stokes basket and lowered to the ground. This procedure is used for situations when someone has experienced a medical condition such as a heart attack or has tripped, By Dan Kliewer fallen or broken a bone, making it diffi cult to move or climb by themselves. A team member rappels down with the stokes basket to give continued attention to the victim’s airway and vital signs. “The guys are professionals and they do an excellent job,” says Rusty Johnson, fi re brigade chief for the McPherson refi nery. “I would trust them with my life any day.” SEE MORE: Visit chsinc.com/c to see a video on rope rescues. EDITORIAL STAFF Linda Tank / publisher/VP Greg Lamp / editor in chief Kristine Thompson / director Lisa Graham-Peterson Lani Jordan Tom Murray David Lundquist / photographer OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS Chairman David Bielenberg, Silverton, Ore. First Vice Chairman Dennis Carlson, Mandan, N.D. Secretary-Treasurer Dan Schurr, LeClaire, Iowa Second Vice Chairman Steve Fritel, Barton, N.D. Assistant Secretary-Treasurer Curt Eischens, Minneota, Minn. Don Anthony, Lexington, Neb., Robert Bass, Reedsburg, Wis., C.J. Blew, Castleton, Kan., Jon Erickson, Minot, N.D., Jerry Hasnedl, St. Hilaire, Minn., David Johnsrud, Starbuck, Minn., David Kayser, Alexandria, S.D., Randy Knecht, Houghton, S.D, Greg Kruger, Eleva, Wis., Edward Malesich, Dillon, Mont., Steve Riegel, Ford, Kan., Michael Toelle, Browns Valley, Minn. Copyright 2013 CHS Inc. All rights reserved. Vol. 6, No. 1 C is sent to you courtesy of CHS to connect you with its broad world of resources and solutions. CHS is the nation’s leading farmer-owned cooperative and a global energy, grains and foods company. C is published bimonthly by CHS, 5500 Cenex Drive, Inver Grove Heights, MN 55077. Subscription cost is $6.00 per year. Please send address changes to C , CHS, mail station 408, 5500 Cenex Drive, Inver Grove Heights, MN 55077; call 630-462-2307; or fax 630-462-2202. For editorial requests, call 800-232-3639, ext. 4323, or send e-mail to greg.lamp@chsinc.com. TM 4 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013 CHSINC.COM
Issue Articles
Hanging Around With the ERT
Dan Kliewer
Visit Article: http://c.chsinc.com/article/Hanging+Around+With+the+ERT++/1285130/142440/article.html.