(Courtesy of Guest Blogger Justin Mobilian, HGR sales & marketing summer intern)
If you didn’t know, Ohio has a regional search and rescue team. This team of elite responders are the ones who we call as our last line of defense in times of a disaster. Curious about what they do, I wandered over to ask a few questions while they used one of HGR’s empty buildings as a training facility.
The Ohio Region 2 Search and Rescue Team is the product of a rescue program that was started in 1990 to train responders on rescue procedures in the event of a building collapse or emergency situation that is beyond the ability of a local fire department or rescue team. The regional team was created as a result of 9/11 to increase the nation’s preparedness for disasters, both natural and man-made, and serves Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake and Lorain Counties. The disciplines taught to its members include rope rescue, confined space rescue, search and locate, vehicle and machinery rescue, structural collapse rescue, and trench rescue. They do it all.
So, what was this team doing at HGR? Training. Lots of training. With the exception of a lunch break, Ohio Region 2 Collapse Search and Rescue team trained 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on building stabilization, collapse, breaching, breaking, lifting debris and moving heavy equipment. Sound like a challenge you might be interested in? All you need are a few hundred hours of training, followed by another thousand or so hours (I get tired from walking from my desk to the car; so, count me out).
When asked what he wants his team to walk away with once training is over, Team Leader Brian Harting says, “I never focus on how we do our job, but on why. There’s two things: One, it’s all about math and physics. Once you understand that, you’ll be successful. It’s very important. Second, we care about the lives of others.” We thank them for their bravery and service.
