VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — 140 firefighters from across the nation got specialized training this week, thanks to a course in Virginia Beach.
The 25th Annual Structural Collapse Specialist (SCS) School hosted by the Virginia Beach Fire Department and Virginia Task Force 2, Urban Search and Rescue Team teaches skills to help firefighters better respond to possible building, elevated road, or other structure collapses.
Saturday wrapped up the 80-hour course, and participants were tested on the skills they learned throughout the week.
“All the skills they’ve learned over the past seven days, they get a chance to apply today in a full-scale exercise,” Virginia Task Force 2 leader Jon Rigolo told 13News Now. He’s also the structure collapse class lead instructor.
Rigolo explained, in the course’s 25th year, the final exercise has three primary stations. Firefighters work in shoring, or securing a structurally compromised building. “There’s been an earthquake or flood and [the building] is weakened or falling down,” Rigolo explained. “We’re going to stabilize it.”
The second stage challenged firefighters with lifting and moving. Rigolo said, “That’s picking up the building components to gain access to people that may be trapped inside.”
Finally, the first responders learned techniques in breaking and breaching. “Concrete, steel, wood: We’re going to break it, breach it, cut it with a torch to gain access to people who are trapped,” Rigolo said.
Before the eighth day of training, firefighters told 13News Now the structure collapse school is strenuous.
“[The days are] long and hard,” said Lt. Matt Hassel of Delaware Task Force 1. “We started last Saturday.”
Newport News senior firefighter medic Kaitlyn Miura agreed, saying, “10, 12 hour days each day. The days are long, but the week is short.”
However, both local and visiting firefighters spoke to the importance of the week-long intensive.
“We’re preparing for the worst, people’s worst day,” Miura said. “If any natural disaster comes through here, we’ll be prepared.”