Thursday, February 04, 1999

Trench collapse first test for emergency rescue unit

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Man's survival proved worth, leader says

BY MICHAEL D. CLARK
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Jim Bagwell is pulled free from a ditch Saturday. | Story of the rescue |

        The first test for a new Hamilton County rescue team was delivered in the form of one of the most dangerous emergencies.

        The collapse of a 13-foot-deep trench around a Price Hill man had members of the Hamilton County Urban Search and Rescue Task Force (USAR) rushing to the scene in Green Township on Saturday.

        It was a deadly first test, but USAR officials said that while there is room for improvement, the new emergency rescue unit performed successfully.

Unit fills gaps
        Most Hamilton County residents don't worry about trench or building collapses, terrorist attacks or swift-water rescue, and Steve Ashbrock, commissioner of the task force, wants to keep it that way.

        With many community fire departments in the county lacking the specialized, and often expensive, equipment and training for handling rare and deadly emergencies, USAR was designed to fill that need.

        USAR is the county's first attempt to combine countywide fire, rescue and emergency-medical agencies for unusual and deadly rescues or large-scale disasters.

        The task force is one of only 27 urban search and rescue teams established across the country.

        “Our vision is that USAR will be a resource that supplements the initial actions of local fire departments. We can come in with special equipment, special training and ex tra people to help,” Mr. Ashbrock said.

        Jim Bagwell of Price Hill was eventually rescued from the tons of mud that filled the Green Township ditch in which he was working. He was in fair condition Wednesday at University Hospital, where he underwent surgery Tuesday for a variety of injuries obtained from being buried up to his neck in a semifetal position.

        “Most trench incidents are fatalities,” said Mr. Ashbrock, commissioner of the task force and Reading fire chief. “It's usually a body recovery situation.

        “It was our first emergency run. Our personnel were there minutes after Green Township fire officials called for us. Our equipment truck was there in 44 minutes and it came from the Sycamore Fire Department,” he added.

Force all-volunteer
        USAR has no full-time employees, but its volunteer staff of 54 consists of mostly specially trained firefighters from 45 fire departments.

        USAR has no budget but instead relies on private and corporate donations and volunteer efforts of members.

        The team works with the Miami Valley task force in Montgomery and Greene counties to improve disaster response regionally and also will contribute to the Federal Emergency Management Agency's new Ohio Task Force 1.

        Mike Nie, spokesman for the Green Township Fire Department, said the USAR team is invaluable. It provides a level of training and equipment that is not accessible to departments like his, especially in small town or rural areas.

        “This is the type of thing that single departments can't handle alone,” he said. “One department, financially and manpower-wise, can't do all this.”

        Carl Seng lives across the street from the scene of Mr. Bagwell's accident and watched the entire six-hour rescue. He also was a firefighter for 25 years.

        “The (USAR) response is outstanding,” he said. “It's nice to be able to look and see that that's available.”

Victim fund setup
        As for Mr. Bagwell, his family said he lacks medical insurance.

        Friends have set up a Friends of Jim Bagwell Donation Fund at Star Bank to help with medical costs. Those interested in making a donation can do so at any branch.

        Rachel Melcer contributed to this story. headTASK FORCE FOR DANGER

        The new Hamilton County Urban Search and Rescue Task Force, or USAR as members refer to it, was formed in 1997 to aid local fire departments who are not able to handle certain dangerous emergencies.

        Volunteers, who are mostly firefighters, are especially trained to handle unusual and dangerous emergencies including:

        • Terrorist attacks.

        • Confined-space rescues.

        • Structural collapse.

        • Trench collapse.

        • Swift water rescue.

        • Vehicle extraction.

        • Machinery extraction.

        • Searches for either live victims or deceased.

        • High angle rope rescues from high buildings.

       

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