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ADVANCED TECHNICAL EXTRACTION TRAINING IN SEMINOLE COUNTY Pam Amburgey, CERT Rehab Information Officer, Seminole County CERT Association, Inc. `Rescue Training Consultants out of Saltville, VA, conducted "real-world" training to Seminole County EMS/Fire/Rescue throughout the week of May 13-19, 2002, in Oviedo.` `The Advanced Technical Extraction training will enable the firefighters to respond to an "unusual nature call," of a trench accident. Rescue Training Consultants owner, Charles "Brother" Smith and Instructor James B. Gargon bring 80 years of firefighting experience between the two of them to educate the firefighters of Seminole County.` `During the scenarios, the rescuers were required to properly sheet and shore a trench then reach in and uncover a "victim" who has been buried under at least 18" of Florida muck. The different types of scenes presented to the rescuers throughout the week were single-side cave in, double-side cave in, entrapment by rock, pipe or machinery that's possibly in the hole.`
	`To fully understand exactly what the firefighters might expect at a trench accident scene, and the need for support, the Seminole County CERT Rehab team was requested to provide rehab to the firefighters, heavy equipment operators, and the instructors throughout the week.`
`The heat, dust, humidity, threat of severe weather, rain, and the Florida muck proved to be obstacles in the operations of rescuing the "victims" in the exercises. The CERT Rehab team proved to be a valuable asset to the training scenario. Rehydration, ice cold towels, snacks, fresh fruit, hot cooked meals enabled the firefighters (and instructors) to maintain their focus on training and remain on-scene for at least 9-hours each day.`
	The CERT Rehab team provided 390-hours between the 11 team members that supported this training event. Fried chicken, pizza, sloppy joes and chili made the hot menu selection for the week. A special note of "thanks" goes out to Station 35 for providing hot dogs to "support the rehab team." Thank you! Another special "thanks" goes to Brother and Jim of Rescue Training Consultants in providing this invaluable training to the firefighters and supplying a new "rehab drink" that we beta-tested during this training. Needless to say, the drinks were a complete success and hit with everyone! Based on the reaction, CERT Rehab will be providing a survey in the near future to the stations requesting them to rate the drink and which flavors were most popular.
We, on the rehab team, clearly know exactly why we do what we do for these professionals -- to ensure their safety, health and well-being. The smiles on their faces, the satisfaction of knowing that we made a difference and to be able to be "on-scene" with them is self-gratification. We have a lot of pride and are eager to support those who put their lives on the line everyday for us. They call...we'll respond!

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