Peebles VFC gets rescue operations accreditation

The Peebles Volunteer Fire Company is now among the top rescue operations in the state.

The Peebles VFC received state accreditation through the state’s Voluntary Rescue Service Recognition Program in September. This puts Peebles in the top tier of emergency rescue service that goes beyond just fire fighting, according to Dr. Tyler McCardell, a volunteer firefighter and medical officer at Peebles.

“We wanted to push ourselves to be the best. It’s something we strive to provide,” McCardell said.

Peebles meets all state Department of Health standards as part of the voluntary rescue service recognition program, according to the accreditation.

Though it wasn’t required to be accredited, Peebles felt the call to make the extra effort.

To be accredited, Peebles had to provide a list of its members, their credentials and certifications; pass an inspection by a regional emergency services council and obtain a substantial amount of rescue equipment that can be used in various types of operations, according to McCardell.

The gear list is extensive, including two sets of hydraulic rescue tools for cutting or spreading apart wrecked vehicles, commonly known as “jaws of life,” McCardell said.

Other equipment includes water rescue throw bags and several hundred feet of rope and harnesses for difficult, technical rescues, such as over a hillside, McCardell said.

The Peebles rescue truck also holds wooden cribbing to stabilize cars or large objects, hand tools for smaller incidents, and medical supplies to care for injured patients.

Matthew Williams is the fire chief at Peebles. There are 35 active members on the Peebles roster. At least 12 have obtained rescue certifications required for accreditation. Accredited agencies also must meet requirements for the number of emergency medical technicians. The Peebles’ team has four paramedics, seven emergency medical technicians, and a pre-hospital EMS physician, who is McCardell.

There was a small cost to the company of about $2,000 to cover the training and equipment costs. This was funded through the station’s annual operating budget, according to McCardell.

The most challenging aspect was getting in training for enough individuals so Peebles could earn accreditation, as well as the volume of record-keeping, he said.

All of this enables Peebles to respond to basic vehicle rescues or special vehicle rescues, such as those pertaining to buses or tractor trailers. They can also perform water and rope rescues and provide landing zone safety, which refers to landing of rotor wing aircraft.

A seemingly basic rescue can become difficult. For example, McCardell said, Peebles once received a residential call for an individual who caught his arm between a cooler and a countertop. However, it was an industrial-size cooler and an industrial-type of counter, requiring special tools.

McCardell, of McCandless, is an emergency medicine resident at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh. He initially joined Peebles to provide quick response service but soon found out that he wanted to be more involved, later training to be an interior firefighter.

“It’s incredibly rewarding,” said McCardell, 28.

Peebles Rescue Lt. Andrew Ferrante, of McCandless, went through the certification process for rescue operations.

He said Peebles could handle a lot different types of rescues prior to the certification, but the accreditation adds legitimacy.

“We felt we should hold ourselves to the standard. We want to be the best in the North Hills,” said Ferrante, who has been a firefighter for nine years, five with Peebles.

Russell Johnson, fellow Peebles volunteer firefighter, earned his certification in water rescue.

“They’re doing something right,” said Johnson, of McCandless, who’s been with the department for nine years.

Peebles protects the Town of McCandless along with the Ingomar Volunteer Fire Company and Highland Volunteer Fire Department. They frequently provide mutual aid for Ross, Hampton, Pine, and Shaler townships.

The Voluntary Rescue Service Recognition Program is jointly administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Health, the State Fire Commissioner and the Pennsylvania State Fire Academy, according to Matthew Brown, chief fire marshal for Allegheny County.