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Firefighters learn the ropes at Cascade Falls

Fire Chief Joe Geary said his members’ new skills will speed rescues at the falls near Christina Lake

Training exercises put volunteer firefighters on the ropes last weekend at Cascade Falls — rescue ropes, that is.

Joe Geary, Chief at Christina Lake Fire and Rescue (CLFR), said nine of his members joined Grand Forks Fire/Rescue’s Tyler Thate for a three-day course starting Friday, Oct. 1. Led by Coquitlam, B.C.’s Dynamic Rescue Solutions, the course advanced the firefighters’ rope rescue skills to the point where they can hoist and lower injured patients vertically and across long distances.

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CLFR is called to haul swimmers out of the falls at least once every year, most recently in July, Geary said. Department members had been trained to use ropes in this scenario. The difference is that they can now use pulleys to effect rescues more quickly and with considerably less discomfort for the patients who can look forward to being lifted through the air as opposed to being hand-carried on the ground.


 

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laurie.tritschler@grandforksgazette.ca

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laurie.tritschler@boundarycreektimes.com

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