Despite COVID-19, I was fortunate enough to secure a job for the summer of 2020 with Industrial Rescue Instruction Systems (IRIS) as a field hand and Standby Rescue Technician. IRIS teaches industrial firefighting, rope rescue, confined space rescue, hazmat, incident command, and medical classes at the fire training grounds in Beaumont. They also provide industrial rescue standby services as Team IRIS.
Field Hand:
I was first hired on as a field hand for the summer, with the responsibility of doing whatever was needed around the training grounds. On my first day, I recognized that I was not very qualified for the job and had a lot to learn. I took it upon myself to learn as much as I possibly could, so that anytime something came up, I would be able to help and fill that role. Within the first week, I learned how to operate a large forklift and use an oxy-acetylene cutting torch, and soon after I learned how to properly operate the fire-water pump. Any downtime I had from my normal maintenance duties, I would drop in on the classes to learn a little at a time, from how to properly put on and adjust an SCBA to the thought process of confined space rescue. I would also pay attention and ask the main prop builder/maintenance man questions about his work, which is how I learned to operate the water pump and the fuel system for the fire props. A large portion of the time I had the responsibility of recognizing what needed to be done and choosing my own projects.
My responsibilities and projects as field hand included:
- Assisting with classes
- Modifying props to increase safety
- Taking Fuel Readings
- Running the water and fuel systems for the fire training props
- Cleaning out sumps
- Cleaning and painting props and pipes
- Filling air cylinders
- Maintaining company trucks
- Decontaminating hazmat suits and respirators
- Operating a forklift
- Spraying herbicide
- Running ice and water to the classes
- Rebuilding a trailer
Industrial Rescue Standby Technician:
After gaining class time and earning a rope rescue certification, I was asked to get my TWIC card and start working for Team IRIS doing rescue standby as needed. As a standby technician, I work in facilities performing a range of duties to guarantee worker safety.
My responsibilities as a Rescue Technician include:
- Communicate with engineers, operators, and contractors
- Assess safety of confined spaces
- Conduct safety walks
- Decontaminate workers operating in hazardous spaces
- Hole watch and continuously monitor air quality
- Plan for possible rescue scenarios of each project
Volunteer:
While working at the training grounds, I responded to two industrial accidents with the Regional Rescue Team in a volunteer capacity.
Sour Lake Confined Space Rescue July 9th, 2020:
Two workers succumbed to a toxic atmosphere while working in a confined space on a sewer project. There were several safety oversights apparent on scene, and any number of proper protocols could have prevented the accident. On scene I rigged rope rescue equipment, set up a supplied breathing air system, and operated the system that lowered and raised the rescuer that entered the confined space.
Beaumont Trench Rescue July 13th, 2020:
A worker was buried to his waist in the bottom of a large excavation project. Again, there were multiple safety violations apparent on scene. Fortunately, after several hours of work we were able to safely rescue the patient.
Cade Pellerin 