On Wednesday evening January 11, MAVFC members and employees reviewed procedures for securing injured patients in the Stokes Basket at this weeks training. The Stokes Basket is a device used to help remove patients from difficult situations such as elevated areas (I.e. roofs, buildings under construction, towers, etc.), below grade areas (excavation holes, below bridges, etc.) and overland areas (woods or slope rescues). Both Truck 1 and Rescue 1 carry Stokes baskets and basic rope rescue equipment to help facilitate these rescue situations.

At this training, members practiced lashing a patient inside the stokes basket and went over the proper way to do so, and the dangers to patients and what happens when not done correctly. Departments do not respond to many rope rescue incidents but must continually keep up with the equipment and procedures for when the call does happen. Several members are preparing for their final ladder truck skills check off this weekend where they will go over and set up the entire system using the ladder truck. Tonight’s training will help them and others build upon those skills.