The Coeur d’Alene Fire Department’s Technical Rescue Team will conduct a crane rescue training exercise Thursday morning in downtown Coeur d’Alene, simulating an emergency extraction from the top of an operating construction crane. The drill is scheduled from approximately 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will involve personnel and equipment visible throughout the downtown area.
Dick Anderson Construction, the builder of the AC Marriott hotel at Sixth and Sherman, requested the joint training with the fire department. The scenario will simulate a crane operator experiencing a medical emergency such as a heart attack or traumatic injury, requiring rescue personnel to reach and extract the patient from the crane’s elevated position using ropes, rescue baskets, and other technical rescue equipment.
Training Exercise Details
Multiple cranes are currently operating in downtown Coeur d’Alene as construction continues on various projects. The training will prepare firefighters and rescue personnel to handle real emergency situations involving heights and overhead work hazards. Fire department vehicles and rescue personnel will be stationed on scene and visible on the crane during the exercise.
The fire department does not anticipate any road closures as a result of the training, though street-level access may be restricted as needed for personnel safety and operational security.
What to Expect
Residents and downtown workers should expect to see emergency vehicles, personnel in rescue gear, and activity centered on the construction crane site. The visible presence of fire department equipment is part of the scheduled training and does not indicate an actual emergency. Residents with questions about the exercise are encouraged to contact the Coeur d’Alene Fire Department.