Page 11 - Wayne Dispatch Pages

USAR, Continued from page 9

proficient.
Reeves is an original USAR mem-
ber from 2007 and was previously
on the Metro Airport Technical Res-
cue Team since 2001.
“My favorite part is seeing how far
USAR has progressed and come
since we’ve started,” said Reeves.
On Tuesday, February 25th,
USAR was dispatched to the City of
Wyandotte to assist Wyandotte Fire-
fighters IAFF Local 356 with a trench
rescue response.
Two victims were confirmed in an
approximately 15’-20’ deep trench.
These individuals were working on a
sanitary sewer repair, when the side
wall of the trench collapsed on one
of the workers. The second victim
also became trapped while trying to
assist the first.
USAR team members arrived and
established an Incident Action Plan
(IAP) with Wyandotte Fire Depart-
ment Incident Command.
Team members were able to
begin hazard relief measures by in-
stalling trench panels and shoring to
provide a safer environment for the
victim. Then entry crews began res-
cue efforts. Squads worked to ex-
pand the shored area, provide Western Wayne County Fire Department Mutual Aid Association team member gettting lowered down off the parking structure
continuous medical care, and care-
fully work to hand dig material from to begin the extraction training. Photo by John Rhaesa
around the victim. lenging training the crew undergoes, looking for new locations, places, or Teams” tab, or you can find them on
However, due to the complexity of such as the one at the parking struc- old buildings to train at. If you know Facebook by searching “Western
this scene, Washtenaw County Tech- ture in Wayne. of any locations or you’re interested Wayne County
nical Rescue Team was contacted for “My favorite part is working to- in supporting Western Wayne USAR, Urban Search
additional assistance and resources. gether as a team on very cool and you can email Skelly at and Rescue -
Trench rescue situations are complex training that you don't get to shawn.skelly@cantonmi.gov. USAR”.
often fatal, however, due to the sup- normally do,” said Shawn Skelly, For more information about West- To watch 7
port of all responding agencies who USAR Team Administration. ern Wayne County Fire Department Action News
worked together, the best possible Skelly has been a firefighter for Mutual Aid Association, visit wwmu- coverage of the
outcome was achieved and the res- 21 years, a member of the USAR tualaid.com. parking struc-
cue was successful. team since 2013, and Administra- For more information about West- ture training, scan the QR code.
USAR is able to be a part of suc- tion since May 1st. ern Wayne USAR, visit the previous We thank Western Wayne USAR
cess stories like this due to the chal- Western Wayne USAR is always website and click the “Special for all the amazing work they do!

The Wayne Dispatch · May 2025 · 11