The Fire Fighting Heavy Hitters

This post is also available in: עברית (Hebrew)

Fire fighting doesn’t just mean dowsing flames, it also means rescuing the wounded and trapped, often under very harsh conditions. Two important tools for search and rescue operations are the crane and the aerial ladder. The Israeli Fire Fighting Authority is currently conducting a special training course in the Modi’in Illit station, where fire fighters learn to operate these heavy machines.

The crane is integrated into the rear of a “Ga’ash” rescue vehicle. The Ga’ash is not intended for actual fire fighting and doesn’t carry any water tanks; its purpose is heavy-duty search and rescue operations, seeing use during earthquakes, traffic accidents involving heavy vehicles, rescue operations involving trains or tanker trucks and more. The crane can lift up to five tons. According to Asaf Evers, spokesman for the Fire Fighting Authority Jerusalem District, most of the time the crane is used when rescue teams need to stabilize vehicles after traffic accidents, in order to free those trapped inside.

IHLS – Israel Homeland Security

In the second stage of training the trainees are introduced to the Nesher (eagle), the authority’s aerial ladder. The ladder is installed on a 10-meter-long truck and can extend to a height of 40 meters (around 130 feet). The basket at the end of the ladder can carry up to four adults. The vehicle is also equipped with a special water cannon, mainly intended for spraying water from above on flames below, especially during fires in industrial buildings or large facilities.

11 fire fighters are participating in the special course, which includes theoretical classes and practical training sessions. Those who pass will be authorized to operate the two heavy, life-saving machines.