This past week, 5 members of South Branch Emergency Service's Rescue Company completed a 32-hour Structural Collapse Rescue Operations Class.  

Members worked on these following skills over the weekend, exterior raker shoring with Paratech rakers flying, solid sole and split sole wooden rakers. Interior three post vertical shore, three post vertical with initial Paratech shoring, two post vertical, laced post shore and the horizontal shore.

This was followed by both door and window shores, T-Spot shores, Double-T shores and spot shores using the Paratech struts.  

Last week SBES Rescue Captain Chris Querry and Full-time EMT/Rescue Technician Shannon Guiliani were hard at work training with the states best rescue professionals.

New Jersey FEMA USAR Task Force 1 held an advanced trench rescue shoring course at Hunterdon County Emergency Services Training Center. HCESTC & NJTF1 were nice enough to allow two slots for SBES members. Due to COVID restrictions students were able to attend the first day in the comfort of their own homes via a virtual lecture. Students then had a choice of two different days for two practical sessions. Over those practical days students completed 4 live trench scenarios.

The first scenario was a trench with several void spaces at different levels of the trench. This required students to back fill, use 6x6 whales, low pressure air bags, and other advanced shoring solutions.

The second scenario simulated a large repair hole in which a rescue would have needed to happen within 6 feet of the end wall of the trench. This requires rescue teams to shore not only the trench but the end walls as well. Various lengths of paratech gold struts were used to complete this evolution.

The third scenario was a “deep trench". Due to trench panels standard height of 8 feet this leaves a difficult situation were rescuers must also shore the remaining 4 feet of soil that the panel leaves. Due to soil conditions crews also had to stabilize multiple different void spaces.

The fourth and final trench was also a simulation of a repair hole. For this scenario crews were told they could not reach the opposing end wall with struts. This required the crews to use a specialized panel carried by Flemington Raritian First Aid and Rescue Squad. The panel is an 8X4 sheet of fin form with two paratech aluminum whales bottled fast to the Sheet. This allows rescuers to make a “raker” with paratech gold struts in the trench to support the end wall of the trench so rescuers can operate safely.
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South Branch would like to thank HCESTC and NJ Task Force 1 for the awesome opportunity to train with them. Between soil conditions, weather conditions, and COVID restrictions it made for a challenging week but we wouldn’t have it any other way!

This past week, eight members of our Rescue Company spent over 24 hours at the Hunterdon County Emergency Services Training Center with the outstanding Technical Rescue Instructors, learning more about Trench Rescue.   After reviewing regulations and concepts, out to the grounds we went along with the other providers from across the County.   The course included four 8" deep straight wall trenches, rapid 6 panel sets, void shoring trench using buttress shore, back shore, air cushions & cribbing, a lifting operation using Paratech inside wales, and a digging operation with supplemental shores.   

We'd like to thank the instructional staff for another great program, and congratulate these 7 members for completing additional training to add to their knowledge toolbox.  

FOR SALE: 1997 Central States International Rescue
ASKING PRICE: $59,900
Mileage: 15,800
Location: Hunterdon County, NJ
Contact: allchiefs@sbes365.org 

With only 15,800 miles, this used rescue truck has been very well taken care of over its life. There should be plenty of life left to respond to emergency calls in your own department with this piece of emergency equipment.

The light tower on this vehicle will provide excellent scene lighting on your response. Whether lighting a wreck scene, or making sure your fire fighters have the light needed to prepare for work, this truck can provide that.

In 1982, Lyons Garage incorporated into Central States Fire Apparatus setting the course to become a very successful fire apparatus manufacturer. In less than five years, the company was producing 50 trucks annually. Central States Fire developed a dealer network sales model which, expanded its reach outside of the upper plains. Firetrucks from Lyons were being shipped across the country. Harold and Helen grew the business steadily resisting the temptation to over-expand and over-hire to protecting against the volatile economy of the 1980s. At the core of the Boer's approach to business their commitment to taking care of their customer's needs. The 1990s brought increasing sales growth as they continued to win more business through hard work and standing behind their products. During this period, Harold & Helen formed a relationship with another fire apparatus manufacturer based in Minnesota what was then General Safety Fire Equipment now Rosenbauer Minnesota. Midway through the 90s, thoughts of protecting the business long-term became a focus for the Boer's and similarly for the owners of Rosenbauer Minnesota. In 1994 Rosenbauer International A.G,. and family owned and operated fire apparatus manufacturer based in Leonding, Austria started an effort to seek partnerships with North American fire apparatus manufacturers. Rosenbauer International was becoming one of the world's largest suppliers of fire and emergency response vehicles. The potential partnership would lead to technological exchanges and in a controlled manner building the Rosenbauer brand name in the North American market. The Boer's researched for the best option to solidify the longevity of their South Dakota operations. In 1998, Central States Fire officially joined Rosenbauer International A. G. and General Safety Fire Equipment to form for the first time Rosenbauer America as known today. At the time of the agreement, Central States Fire was active in 32 states, the new partnership brought together the two U.S. based manufacturer's dealers into one group forming a nationwide sales network.

For more information, or to schedule an appointment to see this vehicle, email allchiefs@sbes365.org 

Note: Their is currently damage to officer #3 door over wheel well.  Seller willing to negotiate an as-is sale, or have damage repaired prior to sale. 

​On Friday 11 September at 2028 Hours, the Hunterdon County Technical Rescue Task Force was dispatched to Route 78 near Turkey Hill Road in Bethlehem Township for a serious motor vehicle crash with a vehicle reported to be off of the roadway and down a steep embankment

SBES responded to this call as part of the HCTRTF.  We were initially called to assist with a BLS unit then upgraded to a rescue assignment.  Heavy Rescue 365 and Rescue 365 responded with 11 personnel and operated until 2330 hours.   REHAB365 was special called by command to also assist with monitoring the rescuers..

Upon arrival, HCTRTF personnel assisted local emergency services with a search for a possible victim reported to have been ejected from the vehicle on impact. Crews used rope systems to access the crash site and searched the densely wooded area. Chainsaws were used to clear debris and create a path. The NJSP NorthSTAR helicopter assisted with the search from above with their FLIR system. The search proved negative. Unfortunately, one subject in the vehicle did not survive the crash.

Personnel set up a monopod system on Heavy Rescue 365 in order to rig a rope haul system on the embankment. The victim was then extricated and carefully brought up to the roadway via the rope system.

Units cleared as released by command.

When things go wrong, sometimes very wrong, the community calls 9-1-1 for help.  South Branch Emergency Services has a specialized team of rescuers that help in answering that call when it comes to someone injured, incapacitated or trapped in a space and has to be rescued.  

One of the best ways to prepare is to practice.  Members of the Rescue Services Unit here at SBES held a drill, testing some of the skills they have learned in the past, in case those are needed.  This helps these professions prepare for and execute a confined space rescue in a timely manner.  Rescue drills provide personnel the experience of working through different scenarios in order to familiarize themselves with situations they could encounter.  Conducting rescue drills helps prepare our teams to, when necessary, rescue those in need.
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Confined Space Rescues fall into two categories.  There are time-sensitive, which usually mean an oxygen-deficient atmosphere or medical emergency exist and may require rescuers to be on supplemental air; or non-time-sensitive, in which case our crews have time to conduct an entry at a slower, more deliberate pace, and usually will not require supplemental air. 

There are a lot of moving parts when it comes to Confined Space Rescues.  Entrants must wear full body harness, have retrieval lines in place, and may be on supplied air to make their entries.   This means communications to the outside or safe area, rope lines for entry and retrieval, supplied air set ups, and command to of all the items occurring.  All of these items are logged into a "Confined Space Entry Permit" to document the activities and roles of each rescuer.  

Having this specialized rescue team is a service that South Branch Emergency Services offers to our response area, but we also are part of a larger, more complex team called the Hunterdon County Technical Rescue Task Force.  For events that may exceed our capabilities, or may be in an area not covered by a CSR Rescue Team, the HCTRTF stands ready to respond.   Made up of trained rescuers  from not only SBES, but also the Flemington-Raritan First Aid & Rescue Squad, Whitehouse Rescue Squad, Lambertville Fire Department, the team is organized by the Hunterdon County Department of Public Safety.  

Each year, our Confined Space Rescue Technicians must make at least one "Entry", and this drill allowed several of our volunteers and staff alike to make that entry.  

If you would like information on how to become a volunteer of our Rescue Services Team, visit our website at https://www.sbes365.org 

The South Branch Emergency Services, Inc dba Clinton First Aid & Rescue Squad (SBES) is a recipient in a recent round of Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grants for first responders.   The grant competitive, meaning we received these funds based on the merits of the Squad's request to offer better protection for our members. 

Awarded last September 8th, the $104,000 FY2018 Assistance to Firefighters Grants was used to purchase sets of EMS non-firefighting turn out gear to include blood-borne-pathogen resistant rescue jackets, ANSI compliant traffic vests, helmets, gloves, googles, pants and boots for more than 50 members of the organization.  

SBES contributed 10% to the cost-sharing purchase, which "without receiving a grant like this, would have been impossible to update to the latest available protection for our members", stated Frank Setnicky, Chief.  

:"When we first applied for this grant in October of 2018, we had no idea if we would be able to make this project possible" stated H. Bucky Buchanan, Deputy Chief of EMS.   "For the past several years, since the AFG Grant program has allowed EMS Agencies like ours to apply, we have submitted unsuccessful applications for funding of multiple projects".   This year that changed with the award of the departments first Assistance to Firefighters Grant. 

"Not only are many of our personnel receiving issued gear, but we are also able to replace State-mandated gear on all our ambulances, some of which dates back over 23 years old" stated Chris Miller, Deputy Chief of Rescue.

Thanks go out to Congressman Tom Malinowski who not only wrote a letter of support for this project, but also time to visit with our leadership last year to review our application request.   We'd also like to show our appreciation to the Town of Clinton Mayor Janice Kovach and Council for offering support of our applications throughout the years.  

By working together as a single organization, the same dedicated group of EMTs and Rescue Associates will bring faster and better emergency care to both communities.

​Clinton and High Bridge, NJ…Throughout each of their decades-long histories, Clinton First Aid & Rescue Squad and High Bridge Emergency Squad have pursued the same goal: Serving their communities by protecting the health and safety of the people who live in, work in, or visit their communities.  Now, with the guidance of local residents, business owners, government officials, they are joining together to create one new organization to serve those communities better.
 
South Branch Emergency Services will officially launch on July 1.  

Discussions that led to this important and necessary step began nearly two years ago. In the face of shifting populations, growing demands on limited resources, and a decline in the number of volunteer EMTs and rescue associates nationwide, the leadership of both organizations knew something had to be done to insure they could continue to provide high quality emergency services for many decades to come.  In January 2019, a Steering Committee comprised of community residents, local business leaders, elected and appointed officials, and representatives from both emergency service organizations was formed. After reviewing current conditions and considering ways to improve them, the committee concluded that a merger was the best option. The committee, Clinton First Aid & Rescue, and High Bridge Emergency Squad, began forming a new organization that will build on the strengths of its two predecessors and seamlessly serve both communities.