Regional Confined Space Team

The Fredericksburg Fire Department, in conjunction with our Regional Hazardous Materials Response Team currently operates a Confined Space rescue team. The team is composed of approximately 13 members all of whom are certified at the Operations or Technician level. All members of the Department are trained to assist with Confined Space incidents even if they cannot enter. All members of the Fredericksburg Fire Department maintain their certifications, and complete the OSHA Mandated entry each year by participating in the Annual Confined Space Exercise. This exercise often poses unique challenges to prepare our members to operate in a multitude of Confined Space environments.

Duties & Responsibilities

We have the ability to respond to a multitude of confined space incidents and serve as the rescue team for several local industries. These include the city's Public Works Department, the University of Mary Washington, and Birchwood Power Facility, an expansive coal-fired power plant located in King George County.

Equipment

Equipment carried includes eight Scott Supplied Air Breathing Apparatus (SABA) units; two air carts which regulate the air flow to 300' air lines or 150' air lines for personnel to operate in an Immediate Dangerous to Life and Health (IDLH) environment; a Skedco tripod and Skyhook windlass winch assembly; six 1-hour Scott 4500psi bottles; and a cache of other rope rescue equipment to include specialized patient extraction devices. All equipment is kept in a tandem axle Wells Cargo trailer which is housed at Fire Station 2.

The team can be requested to respond or standby for Mutual Aid by contacting our Dispatch Center. Captain Belman serves as the Confined Space Team Leader, and can be contacted at any time with questions regarding the equipment and capabilities of the team or to set up a demonstration of the equipment.