Norfolk County Technical Rescue Team

04/06/2026

April Drill – Trench Rescue

This week, members of the Norfolk County Technical Rescue Team trained at Local 4 in Canton, focusing on trench rescue operations.

Across Massachusetts, trenches are dug every day for utility work, construction, and infrastructure projects. While common, these environments can become extremely dangerous in seconds due to the risk of collapse, making specialized training critical for rapid and safe response.

Crews worked through essential skills including:
✅ Trench hazard recognition and scene safety
✅ Shoring operations to stabilize trench walls
✅ Safe entry and movement within a confined trench environment
✅ Patient access and packaging for a trapped worker

Training like this ensures our team remains prepared to handle complex, high-risk incidents, protecting both victims and rescuers.

Great work by all involved!

🎙️ & 📸:Norfolk County Control

12/09/2025

12/09/2025

Today, team members participated in a training drill with HeliService USA, who are a veteran-owned and operated Rhode Island based helicopter operation.

They offer 24/7 FAA licensed air-ambulance and search-and-rescue services, including Advanced Life Support (RI Licensed) paramedic care from offshore and onshore locations.

For today’s training, we started the day with a presentation covering the aircraft, the company, and the capabilities their team brings to emergency operations.

From there, crews moved outside to the aircraft for a hands-on overview of the helicopter, including its Advanced Life Support medical interior, hoisting systems, and the various patient-packaging devices used for rescues.

The training concluded with a live demonstration showcasing their hoisting capabilities and the coordination required between the aircraft and ground personnel during a technical rescue operation.

A huge thank-you to our Deputy Director Greg Smith for putting together an excellent drill and for the introduction to HeliService USA. We appreciate the opportunity to train with their team and expand our team’s capabilities.


Massachusetts Association of Technical Rescue Specialists: MATRS
Norfolk County Control
(PFFM)

11/07/2025

November Drill - Confined Space
This week, members of our team participated in a confined space training in Franklin. Crews rotated through three hands-on stations including:
✅ Vortex & rigging operations
✅ Air cart setup and rescuer outfitting
✅ Patient packaging techniques

Following skills rotations, members worked through a full scenario involving a pinned victim inside a confined space and a secondary rescuer in distress.

Training like this ensures our team remains prepared for the most challenging incidents across the region.

Great job, everyone!

10/20/2025

October Drill – Trench Rescue Training

This week, members of the Norfolk County Technical Rescue Team traveled to Canton for a trench rescue drill. The day began with a classroom session covering new techniques, updated shoring systems, and safety protocols before moving to hands-on practical training.

Trench rescue involves the safe and rapid removal of victims trapped below grade in collapsed or unstable excavations — some of the most dangerous environments emergency responders face.

These incidents require highly specialized training, equipment, and coordination to ensure both rescuer and victim safety.

Ongoing training like this ensures our team remains prepared to respond anywhere in Norfolk County and beyond when the call for technical rescue comes in.

10/08/2025

September Drill - Crane and Rigging Review

Last week the team was fortunate enough to have our drill at the IUOE Local 4 Training Center in Medway with their many skilled crane operators and trainers.

Local 4 first presented a presentation reviewing safety around the cranes, types of cranes, rigging, rigging equipment, weight calculations, and the different signaling methods.

After the review, the team broke into 4 squads working with three different crane scenarios and one medical scenario. These included moving objects in the crane operators blind spot, lifting and moving objects to targets, rigging various size/shape objects, hand signaling, and radio signaling.

In addition to the crane drills, team member Leo Reardon ran a crush injury station where we had a victim underneath a large piece of concrete. Crews worked to calculate the weight and safely lift the object, while providing advanced life support. At the station, squads also went over the various life saving interventions our team can provide in scenarios like this.

This was a great opportunity for our team to work alongside professionals in the industry. Along with our team we had members from Norfolk County Control, and tech rescuers from two other counties that are included in our larger team (SEMTRT).

Thank you to the team at Local 4 for providing us with a great training!

10/08/2025

06/19/2025

June Rope Rescue Drill - Weymouth

For our monthly drill, our team members were able to utilize the unique building features at the Fore River Energy Center in Weymouth.

At this drill, rescuers rotated through two scenarios where they combined multiple rope rescue skills.

05/17/2025

🐴May Drill - Equine Rescue with the MSPCA🐴

This week, our team partnered with the MSPCA for hands-on training in equine rescue techniques. From large animal handling to specialized rigging and lift systems, our responders practiced the skills needed to safely rescue horses in emergencies.

These scenarios are rare—but when they happen, preparation makes all the difference. Thanks to the MSPCA for their expertise and partnership in keeping the animals and our members safe!

For a little background, the MSPCA Equine Ambulance Program was founded in 1868 and has evolved into the nation’s pre-eminent service in equine emergency response and rescue. From the early years of a horse-drawn carriage to today’s specialized ambulances outfitted with innovative equipment, the MSPCA has revolutionized the level of expertise available to companion horses and equine athletes in need of urgent veterinary care.

In addition to our team members, we were joined by technical rescuers from the Plymouth County and Barnstable County Technical Rescue Teams. Norfolk County Control was also in attendance assisting in the drill and capturing some great pics.

MSPCA-Angell Norfolk County Control

03/27/2025

March Field Force Extrication Drill - Plainville FD

Yesterday the team ran a Field Force Extrication Drill. The tactics trained on are used to safely extricate individuals from protester devices shown below, while reducing liability and ensuring due process.

Team members first sat for a presentation and reviewed legal considerations, responsibilities of the extrication team, extrication techniques, and how to safely operate in protestor situations.

After, the team began practical stations outside. Pictured below is our team training, as well as photos from the local news outlets from a team response. In February of 2020, the team was called to Weymouth for a protest where team members used their training to safely extricate protestors from devices.

02/25/2025

February Confined Space Drill -
Monday the team traveled to Westwood for a drill at Industrial Safety & Rescue.

To start this drill the team reviewed some different equipment used on construction sites, and went over scenarios in which our rescue equipment can be used in conjunction with what we will find at a local site.

Team member, and IS&R employee Peter Fulton led the drill and created scenarios for the team to respond to. First, we simulated two down workers in a confined space. Our team metered the space, went on supplied air, made entry, and performed rescues bringing the workers up from the confined space below.

For the second scenario, we simulated a worker suspended 50ft in the air. The team worked on a scenario to capture the worker, and create a safe lowering system. A combination of equipment was used including AZTEKs, CMC Clutches, and more to facilitate a quick safe rescue.

This was a great drill, and helped integrate our members with the equipment we may see in the field. Thank you to IS&R for hosting our team and allowing us to use the great props on site.

🎙️📸: Norfolk County Control