Technical RescueAcademy

Technical Rescue Academy Application


Technical Rescue Course Description
Montana State University Fire Service Training School

Fall 2009

The MSU-FSTS Technical Rescue Course is designed to instruct members of local Fire departments on the following technical rescue skill sets:


• Technical Rope Rescue level 1 and level 2, High Angle Rescue, Liter Operations, Urban and Wilderness Operations, Low Angle Rescue as outlined by NFPA 1983 standard on life safety rope and equipment for emergency services and NFPA 1006 chapter 5 except helicopter operations and chapter 6.

• Confined Space Rescue operations level 1 and level 2 as outlined by NFPA 1006 Chapter 7

• Trench Rescue operations level 1 and level 2 as outlined by NFPA 1006 chapter 8


Technical Rope Rescue:
• 5.2 Site Operations
• 5.3 Victim Management
• 5.4 Maintenance
• 5.5 Ropes and Rigging
• 6.0 Rope Rescue
• 6.1 level 1 Rope Rescue
• 6.2 level 2 Rope Rescue

Students will be knowledgeable and proficient in assessing the need for a technical rope rescue along with the ability to set up and operate raising and lowering systems for high and low angle rescues. Students will also conduct rescues of victims in liter and non liter operations, wilderness and urban settings. This section will address all sections of NFPA 1006 chapter 5 and 6 except helicopter operations.

Confined Space Rescue:
• 7.1 level 1 and supporting sections
• 7.2 level 2 and supporting sections

Student will be knowledgeable and proficient in assessing the need for a confined space rescue and have the ability to make entry into a confined space to perform rescue operations. This section will address all sections of NFPA 1006 chapter 7.

Trench Rescue:
• 8.1 Level 1 and supporting sections
• 8.2 Level 2 and supporting sections

Students will be knowledgably and proficient in assessing the need for a trench rescue and have the ability to make entry into a trench to perform rescue operations. This section will address all sections of NFPA 1006 section 8.


MSU-FSTS Technical Rescue Course focuses on the students becoming proficient in the above skill set through completion of numerous reps of hands on training in multiple scenario based exercises. Through both classroom and field work students will develop the skill sets necessary to demonstrate there ability to affect a technical rescue in any of the above settings. Over 85% of the student time will be spent completing hands on training. The balance of the time will be spent in class room setting reviewing the requisite work to support the operation.

Requirements for this course:

All Participants must be in good physical shape and have the approval of their chief that they are physically fit to perform the duties of a rescue technician.

Upon completion of this course students will receive MSU-FSTS certification compliant with the above NPFA standards and subsets.

What to bring?
- Helmet
- Gloves
- Boots
- Brush pants or comfortable athletic pants
- Eye protection
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Day pack
- Water bottle/CamelBac
- Knee pads
- Long sleeve shirt
- Rain wear

Location: Great Falls Training Facility; 1900 9th Street South; Great Falls, MT

Cost is $495 / $792