We really like the smaller rescuers as they make great “hole rats”. Some team members are obvious choices due to their physical stature. Identifying Roles for Everyone on the Team
If you have a seasoned superstar on your rescue team, it may be quicker and more efficient to allow that person to decide the rescue strategy and either make assignments or allow the team members to just assume the various positions based on what they can bring to the table. This may be needed when confronted with a rescue where you have no rescue pre-plan prepared. We teach our students to practice short size-up sessions before beginning a rescue scenario. It is important to take pride in knowing that your individual performance and contributions will make the team successful. For most of us, we may not be rescue superstars, but we are integral to our team’s success. And there is nothing wrong and everything right with you learning and practicing your rescue skills to the point where you would be looked upon as a star. While these “stars” are very valuable, even they would struggle to find success without the role players on the team.
Of course there may be some “stars” on your team, the ones who have really built up their skills and knowledge and who seem to have an efficient and safe technique or strategy for just about any situation. If you are just starting out your career as a technical rescue team member, or even if you have been at it for many years, it is important to remember that the success of the team is dependent on the work and cooperation of all team members. The trainers, the nutritionists, the guy running the soundboard, or the lights, there are so many behind the scenes team members that we sometimes forget that without them, the performance would be nothing like what it is with that team support. When an NBA team or a great musical act take the stage, we often forget about the “team” that supports them. And they logged a great deal of time playing together, which helped them develop phenomenal chemistry. What they had was a great mix of talent as songwriters and performers. The Beatles didn’t have one celestial star, and no, just because his last name was close, Ringo was not the “Starr” of the show. The success of that team was centered on everyone doing their job as best they could while supporting their teammates. They were a bunch of really good players that had a deep bench and played as a team no matter what. The 2004 Detroit Pistons were a great team, but they did not have a star player. Some of the very best teams are made up of solid performers but don’t have one standout star.
The best teams are the ones that work cohesively, where each team member can rely on their teammates to perform their tasks so that they can focus on their own tasks. You know I am going to say it at some point, so we may as well get it over with… there is no “I” in team. Technical rescue is definitely a team endeavor that requires each team member to understand and practice their individual knowledge and skills so as to contribute to the success of their team. The Middletown Fire Department carries an extensive cache of rope rescue equipment and all TRT members are trained in urban, suburban, and wilderness rope rescue environments.What Makes a Great Technical Rescue Team?
The TRT is trained to utilize an extensive cache of hydraulic, pneumatic, electric, and manual rescue tools.