Trempealeau firemen are one of the best trained accident rescue departments in the state, according to John Olshanski. And he ought to know, he just finished training them. Olshanski’s credentials are pretty impressive and include being a 10-year member and engineer on the La Crosse Fire Department as well as being an emergency medical technician. He also teaches fire safety and survival techniques through Western Wisconsin Technical Institute in La Crosse. In 1988 he was the conference coordinator for the International Vehicle Rescue Learning Symposium, in 1989 he was the team captain when the symposium met in Washington D.C., and in 1990 he was on the WWTC committee for the vehicle rescue-competition in Florida. He is also a member of the International Association of Fire Chiefs and a TERC specialist (Training Emergency Rescue Committee).

Olshanski doesn’t teach fire control as in burning buildings, he teaches accident rescue techniques that include emergency scene management, use of various tools, rescue application for cars in various positions and multiple car/victim situations.

Olshanski said, "People assume when they have ‘jaws of life’ equipment that is the answer to all their rescue problems. But if they use that tool for one part of the rescue, for instance to hold back a steering wheel that was pinning the victim in place, they then wouldn’t have a tool available to extricate the victim if they needed to cut a "window" in the roof or remove a door."

"It is important for a rescuer to use the right tool at the right time and to have access to all the other tools that may be needed for rescue work. There has to be a command plan in place that utilizes men as well as tools to significantly reduce the ‘golden hour’ of rescue."

In an article written by his brother, Thomas, for Firefighter magazine, the golden hour is described as "the moment injuries are sustained." He writes, "The first 10-15 minutes will be consumed by the actions of the accident witnesses. Attempting to assist the injured people. Driving to a phone. Locating the phone. Making the call. Trying to describe the location of the accident, and the nature of the injuries.

"The next 10-15 minutes will be consumed by the fire department’s action. The reflex time of the department. Determining the units needed. Responding to the scene. Delivery of the necessary equipment. The arrival of advanced life support. Securing the scene with the protection of personnel first, and protection of bystanders, second. Light, traffic flow, positioning of equipment."

The final 10-15 minutes of the golden hour will be consumed by the stabilization and transport of the patient to the emergency facility. Other factors in those final fifteen minutes of transportation time include terrain, weather conditions, traffic congestion, and determination of which medical facility to be used."

"Taking into consideration all of the factors involved, the fire service is left with about 20 minutes to create an entrance to the patient’s area—the ‘patient’s window’ or the opening through which the patient will be removed."

John Olshanski’s job as teacher was to be sure the firemen not only learned the use of the tools but had enough practice, including time sequences, so when an actual accident happened they would be ready without question, with each person assuming the position the fire captain assigns him. He said they are all trained in situations that include hazardous material, electrical problems, and vehicle entrapment. Olshanski stated, "People can still be killed at zero miles per hour if rescue personnel are not aware they can make mistakes that endanger lives."

He added it is vital for rescuers to know how to use more than one piece of equipment and to not waste time to achieve the same goal with a power tool that could be used with another tool in less time than it takes to set up the hydraulic one.

Olshanski summed up the training saying, "Understand it’s a team effort and everyone needs to know his part and work as a team. Sometimes there’s not time to think, only to react instinctively and that’s when being well-trained is a significant factor in emergency rescue."

Fire departments interested in receiving training may contact Tim Check, Fire Rescue Div. Coordinator, WWTC, 608-785-9248.