STUDENT EVALUATION GUIDE
Trench Rescue Technician
This is a guide to what is expected of the students in order to complete each of the skills required according to NFPA 1006
Chapter 5 and 11, 2003 Edition. Follow these guidelines when making your decision as the whether a student passes or
fails the skill. Students shall be given no more than 2 attempts to complete each skill.
1. 11.1.1 & 11.1.2 Conduct a size-up of a collapsed trench within the scope of the incident management
system; the existing and potential conditions are evaluated, general hazards are identified, and a witness or
competent person is secured; the probability of victim existence, number, condition and location is
determined; the potential for rapid, non-entry rescues or victim self-rescue is recognized; needed support
personnel, supply, and equipment resources are evaluated, and utility involvement and location are
determined. Also, develop an incident action plan.
The student must have the ability to measure a trench, categorize soil, identify type and degree of collapse, and determine
severe environmental conditions with implications for secondary collapse and victim survivability; demonstrate interview
techniques; implement protocols and resource acquisition agreements; implement public works utility notification,
response, and location procedures, perform a risk-benefit analysis for determining self-rescue, rescue, or recovery mode;
implement and incident management system; and apply governing regulations and standards. Failure to develop an action
plan, identify hazardous conditions, operational mode, and needed resources will result in failure of this skill.
2. 11.1.3 Implement support operations, so that a resource cache is managed, scene lighting is provided for,
environmental concerns are managed, a cut station is established, supplemental power is provided,
atmospheric monitoring and ventilation is are implemented, rehab is facilitated, operations proceed
without interruption, extrication methods are in place, and support operations facilitate rescue operational
objectives.
The student must be able to track equipment inventory, provide power, use lighting, choose and deploy dewatering
techniques, acquire or construct structures for shelter and thermal protection, select rehab areas and personnel rotation,
operate atmospheric monitoring and ventilation equipment, and perform patient packaging and removal. Failure to
establish an equipment inventory and tracking system, a rehab area, or air monitoring and ventilation will result in failure
of this skill.
3. 11.1.4 & 11.1.5 Construct load stabilization systems, so that the stabilization system will support the load
safely, and the system is stable. Also, lift a load so the load is lifted the required distance to gain access,
settling or dropping of load is prevented, control and stabilization are maintained before, during and after
the lift, and operational objectives are attained.
The student shall select and construct stabilizations systems, evaluate structural integrity, determine stability, and
calculate loads. Also, the student must know the proper operations of trench rescue tools. Failure will result if the load is
not properly stabilized and access is not sufficient to meet operational objectives.
4. 11.1.6 Coordinate the use of heavy equipment, given means of communication, equipment and an operator,
and hazards are avoided.
The student must understand the types of heavy equipment, capabilities, applications and hazards of heavy equipment and
rigging, operator training, types of communication, and methods to establish communications. Failure will result if student
does not identify hazards of heavy equipment on or near a collapsed trench.
5. 11.1.7 Support a nonintersecting trench as a member of a team, given size-up, IAP, and a trench tool kit, so
that strategies to minimize further movement of soil are implemented effectively, trench walls, lip, and soil
pile are monitored continuously, rescue entry team(s) remain in a safe zone, any slough-in and wall shears
are mitigated, emergency procedures and warning systems are established and understood by participating
personnel, proper PPE is utilized, physical hazards are identified and managed, victim and rescuer
protection is maximized, victim extrication methods are considered, and a rapid intervention team is
staged.
The team must have the ability to interpret tabulated data information and tables, place shoring and shielding systems, use
protocols, choose methods to stabilize, use proper PPE, anticipate extrication logistics, and create systems in trenches
eight feet deep. Failure will result if the support system(s) fail and victim and rescuer safety is compromised.
6. 11.1.8 Support an intersecting trench as a member of a team, given size-up, IAP, and a trench tool kit, so
that strategies to minimize further movement of soil are implemented effectively, trench walls, lip, and soil
pile are monitored continuously, rescue entry team(s) remain in a safe zone, any slough-in and wall shears
are mitigated, emergency procedures and warning systems are established and understood by participating
personnel, proper PPE is utilized, physical hazards are identified and managed, victim and rescuer
protection is maximized, victim extrication methods are considered, and a rapid intervention team is
staged.
The team must have the ability to interpret tabulated data information and tables, place shoring and shielding systems, use
protocols, choose methods to stabilize, use proper PPE, anticipate extrication logistics, and create systems in trenches
eight feet deep. Failure will result if the support system(s) fail and victim and rescuer safety is compromised.
7. 11.1.9 Install supplemental sheeting and shoring for each two feet of depth dug below an existing approved
shoring system, so that the movement of the soil is minimized effectively, initial trench support strategies
are facilitated, rescue entry team safe zones are maintained, excavation of entrapping soil is continued,
victim protection is maximized, victim extrication methods are considered, and a rapid intervention team is
staged.
The student shall be able to interpret tabulated data information and tables, place shoring and shielding systems, use
protocols, choose methods to stabilize, use proper PPE, anticipate extrication logistics, and identify exposure to hazards
within the trench relative to existing safe zones. Failure will result if proper PPE is not used, the sheeting or shoring is not
placed properly, and the entrapping soil is not excavated continuously.
8. 5.2.5, 11.1.10 & 11.1.11 Conduct a search, given hazard-specific PPE and equipment, victim investigative
information is gathered, and a victim profile is established; personnel assignments match their expertise,
all victims are located as quickly as possible, applicable technical rescue concerns are managed, and risks
to searchers are minimized. Release the victim from entrapment of a trench collapse, giving consideration
to crush syndrome and other injuries, and techniques used do not compromise the integrity of the trench
shoring system. Remove the victim from a trench with methods and packaging devices that are compatible
with intended routes of transfer, universal precautions are employed, and extrication times meet time
constraints for medical management.
Student must conduct a search for a victim, determine an appropriate incident action plan, and locate the victims in a
reasonable time frame with minimal risk to rescuers. Also, the student must release the victim from entrapment, provide
victim stabilization, and remove to a safe location. Failure to locate, extricate, stabilize victim, and remove to a safe
location, or put rescuers at risk will result in failure of this skill.
9. 11.1.12 Terminate a trench emergency, so that all rescue equipment is removed from trench, sheeting and
shoring are removed in reverse order, safe zones are adhered to, rescue personnel are removed from the
trench, the last supporting shores are pulled free with ropes, equipment is cleaned and serviced, reports are
completed, and a post briefing is performed.
The student must know the proper removal of equipment and protective systems, use of trench safety protocols,
equipment maintenance procedures, and debriefing protocols. Failure to clean up and conduct equipment maintenance or
remove protective systems safely, will result in failure of this skill.