Members of Frankfort Fire & EMS and staff from Frankfort Walmart pose with 200 fire extinguishers purchased thanks to a grant from the chain. Photo by Anna Latek, Frankfort State-Journal
L-R: Frankfort Walmart GM Adam Wylie, FoF President Rescue Sgt, Brandon Smither, Chief Jason Monroe, and Fire Marshal Matthew Marshall. Photo: Anna Latek, Frankfort State-Journal
“We never know when we might be needed. We have to be prepared, and that’s why we’re here.”
That was the explanation given to me by Rescue Sergeant Brandon Smither when I asked him why we were about to climb over 200 feet worth of scaffolding outside the State Capitol Building this past Wednesday morning.
Photo courtesy of Brandon Smither, Frankfort Fire & EMS
Understandably, I left the climbing to the professionals before I could reach the outside of the rotunda. The rain, wind, and falling temperatures at about 100 feet up were not my friend, but the crew gathered at the base of the building didn’t let January weather stop their advance.
Watching the members of the Frankfort Fire and EMS’s Technical Rescue Team (TRT) ascend the thin, metal stairs in 10-man groups, it was clear these guys meant business. They were busy surveying the exoskeleton that will be covering most of the Capitol’s facade and dome for the next two years, assessing the best points for securing their rescue rigging, evaluating weight restrictions for lifts and scaffold beams, and documenting the whole process for future use.
Photo courtesy Frankfort Fire & EMS
“There’s a good chance we’ll be called out here at some point during the repairs on the building. Two years is a long time to go without some kind of accident on this kind of site, and we may need to extract someone with an injury too severe for them to walk themselves down," explained Rescue Sergeant Chris Hostetter.
The site, which is still being prepared for the multi-million dollar structural rehabilitation on the Capitol’s dome, will include replacing roof tiles that are over 80 years old as well as replacement of the building’s central air conditioning system. All of these projects will require workers to balance precariously on narrow pathways high in the air over Frankfort.
One worker helping to assemble the scaffolding system told the TRT that he suffered a severe back injury several years ago and had to walk down stairs to receive aid, all because a local rescue unit didn’t have the ability to extract him from a site.
In their first major training exercise of the year, the three, seven-man TRT crews also practiced setting up their AZTEK pulley kit, a special multi-point rescue rigging system that allows ease of access to the kind of narrow, restricted areas found in a worksite like the Capitol roof.
Capt. Johnny Carpenter walks TRT members through set up of the AZTEK rescue pulley system. Anna Latek - Frankfort State-Journal
This gives rescue teams the ability to more easily maneuver not only themselves, but also an injured party strapped on a backboard to safety without relying on a crane or having to use potentially treacherous steps and ladders in restricted spaces.
Later on Wednesday, the team continued training exercises by practicing confined-space rescue scenarios, utilizing the same kinds of equipment to extract someone on a backboard from a small space underground instead of high above the city.
TRT members practice confined-space rescue techniques. Photo courtesy Frankfort Fire & EMS
Frankfort Fire Chief Jason Monroe expressed his belief in the importance of this type of specialty training.
“I was a member of the rescue team my entire career until I joined administration. I was a rescue sergeant for five years, and ran TRT for eight years before promotion. It is a passion of mine.”
He continued, saying that “specialized training like this is vital to not just the department, but the safety of the community as a whole.”
Thursday morning, a contingent of FFD firefighters and leadership kicked off a new program, thanks to a grant they were awarded through Frankfort’s Walmart.
Members of Frankfort Fire & EMS and staff from Frankfort Walmart pose with 200 fire extinguishers purchased thanks to a grant from the chain. Photo by Anna Latek, Frankfort State-Journal
Store manager Adam Wylie worked with the Fraternal Order of Firefighters (FoF) and Fire Marshal Matthew Marshall to secure $4,500 in grants through Walmart’s charity program. This allowed the local chapter of the FoF to purchase automated external defibrillator (AED) equipment for the Frankfort Independent School system, and to also purchase 200 2½-pound “ABC” fire extinguishers.
These extinguishers are rated for smaller class “A” (trash, paper, and wood), class “B” (liquid & gas), or class “C” (electrical) fires. It is recommended to have one in your kitchen and garage, and if possible one on each floor of a home or business.
L-R: Frankfort Walmart GM Adam Wylie, FoF President Rescue Sgt, Brandon Smither, Chief Jason Monroe, and Fire Marshal Matthew Marshall. Photo: Anna Latek, Frankfort State-Journal
“This will allow us to beginhosting fire extinguisher training events in the near future for city residents to come learn how to properly use a fire extinguisher and receive a free 2½ ABC extinguisher for their homes,” Marshall said. “Fire extinguishers can also be received by homeowners within the city limits when scheduling a free home fire safety check and smoke alarm installation.”
These safety checks and alarm installations can be scheduled through the Fire Marshall’s office by calling 502-875-8511.
This kind of community interaction and outreach is of vital importance to Monroe, who stated during his interview that one of his primary goals if appointed would be to increase the visibility and viability of Frankfort Fire and EMS throughout the community.
“I’m an old-school public servant,” he said. “I believe getting out in the community — it’s what we need to do now more than ever.”
Nice story about the detailed preparations and specialty training that our gallant firefighters are enduring to protect our community from a possible construction worker accident/rescue from the labyrinth of scaffolding that has been erected around the Capitol dome. The dangers appear ominous as these ascend the thin metal steps in their fire fighting suits, as they assess the best points to attach their rescue rigging, evaluate weight restrictions for lifts and scaffolding beams. It is good that our fire chief believes in being prepared with specialized training like this that is vital not just for the department but for the safety of the community as a whole during emergencies.
Might I suggest that you do a similar piece on the real and present danger of bourbon warehouse fires which have been occurring in our state about every four years. As I understand it, our fire department, not The distilleries, has the total responsibility for fire protection during such a catastrophic event. The last one that occurred was the Jim Beam fire in Millville that burned for days and required the response from five communities just to try to contain it, which they could not, and polluted the Kentucky river all the way the confluence with the Ohio River in Carrollton.
State-Journal.com’s comments forum is for civil, constructive dialogue about news topics in our community, state, nation and world. We emphasize “civil” at a time when Americans, in the words of the current president, need to “turn down the temperature” of political debates. The State Journal will do its part by more carefully policing this forum. Here are some rules that all commenters must agree to follow:
Absolutely no attacks on other commenters, on guest columnists or on authors of letters to the editor. Our print and online opinion pages are sacred marketplaces of ideas where diverse viewpoints are welcome without fear of retribution. You may constructively critique the ideas and opinions of others, but name-calling, stereotyping and similar attacks are strictly prohibited.
Leeway will be given for criticism of elected officials and other public figures, but civility is essential. If you focus your criticism on ideas, opinions and viewpoints, you will be less likely to run afoul of our commenting rules.
Keep comments focused on the article or commentary in question. Don’t use an article about the Frankfort City Commission, for example, to rant about national politics.
Hyperpartisanship that suggests anyone on the other side of an issue or anyone in a particular particular party is evil is not welcome. If you believe that all Democrats are socialists intent on destroying America or that all Republicans are racists, there are lots of places on the internet for you to espouse those views. State-Journal.com is not one.
No sophomoric banter. This isn’t a third-grade classroom but rather a place for serious consumers of news to offer their reactions and opinions on news stories and published commentary.
No consumer complaints about individual businesses. If you’ve had a bad experience with a private business or organization, contact the Better Business Bureau or the government agency that regulates that business. If you believe the actions of a private business are newsworthy, contact us at news@state-journal.com and we will consider whether news coverage is merited.
Absolutely no jokes or comments about a person’s physical appearance.
No promotion of commercial goods or services. Our outstanding staff of marketing consultants stands ready to help businesses with effective advertising solutions.
If you state facts that have not been previously reported by The State Journal, be sure to include the source of your information.
No attacks on State Journal staff members or contributing writers. We welcome questions about, and criticism of, our news stories and commentary but not of the writers who work tirelessly to keep their community informed. Corrections of inaccurate information in news stories should be sent to news@state-journal.com rather than posted in the comments section.
Post a comment as anonymous
Report
Watch this discussion.
(1) comment
Nice story about the detailed preparations and specialty training that our gallant firefighters are enduring to protect our community from a possible construction worker accident/rescue from the labyrinth of scaffolding that has been erected around the Capitol dome. The dangers appear ominous as these ascend the thin metal steps in their fire fighting suits, as they assess the best points to attach their rescue rigging, evaluate weight restrictions for lifts and scaffolding beams. It is good that our fire chief believes in being prepared with specialized training like this that is vital not just for the department but for the safety of the community as a whole during emergencies.
Might I suggest that you do a similar piece on the real and present danger of bourbon warehouse fires which have been occurring in our state about every four years. As I understand it, our fire department, not The distilleries, has the total responsibility for fire protection during such a catastrophic event. The last one that occurred was the Jim Beam fire in Millville that burned for days and required the response from five communities just to try to contain it, which they could not, and polluted the Kentucky river all the way the confluence with the Ohio River in Carrollton.
Welcome to the discussion.
Log In
State-Journal.com’s comments forum is for civil, constructive dialogue about news topics in our community, state, nation and world. We emphasize “civil” at a time when Americans, in the words of the current president, need to “turn down the temperature” of political debates. The State Journal will do its part by more carefully policing this forum. Here are some rules that all commenters must agree to follow:
Absolutely no attacks on other commenters, on guest columnists or on authors of letters to the editor. Our print and online opinion pages are sacred marketplaces of ideas where diverse viewpoints are welcome without fear of retribution. You may constructively critique the ideas and opinions of others, but name-calling, stereotyping and similar attacks are strictly prohibited.
Leeway will be given for criticism of elected officials and other public figures, but civility is essential. If you focus your criticism on ideas, opinions and viewpoints, you will be less likely to run afoul of our commenting rules.
Keep comments focused on the article or commentary in question. Don’t use an article about the Frankfort City Commission, for example, to rant about national politics.
Hyperpartisanship that suggests anyone on the other side of an issue or anyone in a particular particular party is evil is not welcome. If you believe that all Democrats are socialists intent on destroying America or that all Republicans are racists, there are lots of places on the internet for you to espouse those views. State-Journal.com is not one.
No sophomoric banter. This isn’t a third-grade classroom but rather a place for serious consumers of news to offer their reactions and opinions on news stories and published commentary.
No consumer complaints about individual businesses. If you’ve had a bad experience with a private business or organization, contact the Better Business Bureau or the government agency that regulates that business. If you believe the actions of a private business are newsworthy, contact us at news@state-journal.com and we will consider whether news coverage is merited.
Absolutely no jokes or comments about a person’s physical appearance.
No promotion of commercial goods or services. Our outstanding staff of marketing consultants stands ready to help businesses with effective advertising solutions.
If you state facts that have not been previously reported by The State Journal, be sure to include the source of your information.
No attacks on State Journal staff members or contributing writers. We welcome questions about, and criticism of, our news stories and commentary but not of the writers who work tirelessly to keep their community informed. Corrections of inaccurate information in news stories should be sent to news@state-journal.com rather than posted in the comments section.