Training is a critical function that enables organizations to evolve, adapt, and prepare for a wide range of emergencies. The Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service (MCFRS) recently identified the need for enhanced training to evaluate the department’s capability to administer advanced life support (ALS) during technical rescue (TR) incidents. The unique factors in this field necessitate specialized equipment to replicate realistic scenarios. As part of this pilot course, MCFRS used a manikin that was procured by the Maryland-National Capital Region Emergency Response System (MDERS). The integration of the advanced manikin into an innovative training program underscores strong collaboration and a shared desire to improve response capabilities between MDERS and its partners.

Technical rescue is a branch of fire/rescue operations that pertains to four areas: trench, confined space, rope, and structural collapse (MCFRS, 2019). This discipline has characteristics that include low-frequency events that normal personnel are not fully accustomed to and may lack the requisite skills to respond effectively to incidents, involve more extreme dynamics at greater heights and depths, and often require the use of complex mechanical systems (MCFRS, 2019). These unique factors require additional and specialized training to prepare a cadre of personnel in this field.

MDERS closely coordinates with all stakeholders to identify training and equipment to enhance each organization’s operational capabilities. MCFRS identified the need for additional manikins to support internal training initiatives. These manikins replicate an individual’s height and weight and allow practitioners to practice ALS skills on a simulated patient.

MCFRS is in the initial phase of developing an advanced TR course designed to apply ALS skills in difficult and austere environments. This phase challenged TR paramedics’ ability to administer ALS care during a high-angle rope rescue operation. Participants went through classroom instruction and practiced their skills during the hands-on portion of the training. Each participant delivered patient care and executed techniques that included airway management, medication administration, hemorrhage control, and the use of treatment and diagnostic equipment, all while suspended in the air.

This training initiative highlights MCFRS’s dedication to hone their skills in unique and challenging situations and the commitment of MDERS to support their stakeholders with the necessary equipment and training.

Source

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service (MCFRS). (2019). Incident Response Policy Appendix J Initial Actions for Technical Rescue Incidents. chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/frs-ql/resources/files/swsj/policyprocedures/admin/IRP_Appendix_J_Technical%20Rescue.pdf

The Maryland-National Capital Region Emergency Response System (MDERS) assisted the Prince George’s County Police Department (PGPD) in digitizing its Emergency Vehicle Operations Course (EVOC) evaluation booklet, modernizing a critical component of recruit training within the PGPD Training Academy. The EVOC booklet, originally a 114-page paper document, outlined 10 separate vehicle courses that student officers are required to complete successfully in accordance with the standards established by the Maryland Police and Correctional Training Commission (MPCTC). The paper-based format presented challenges related to efficiency, consistency, and long-term record management.

MDERS Operational Support staff worked in coordination with PGPD to streamline and redesign the evaluation booklet into a fully digital, fillable format. Through this effort, the booklet was reduced to 73 pages while maintaining all required MCPTC evaluation criteria. The digital format was specifically designed for use on MDERS-purchased tablets, enabling evaluators to complete assessments in real time during EVOC training evolutions. This approach mirrored the successful digitalization previously implemented for the Patrol Scenario Training (PST) program, ensuring continuity and familiarity for training staff.

The digital EVOC evaluation booklet enhanced efficiency, reduced administrative burden, and improved the accuracy and accessibility of training records. By transitioning from a paper-based system to a tablet-enabled platform, PGPD strengthened its ability to track student performance, standardize evaluations, and support data-driven training decisions. This project reflects MDERS’s continued commitment to leveraging technology to support regional law enforcement training, improve operational effectiveness, and align academy processes with modern instructional and documentation practices.

Written by Elizabeth Adams