Virginia Tech Rescue Squad takes response to new heights

Virginia Tech Rescue Squad has taken its rescue mission to new heights by creating a technical rescue team that specializes in high and low angle rope rescues.

High and low angle rope rescues are used to rescue people who are trapped at height or at depth, such as the bottom of a cliff. Technical rescue operations are considered low frequency but high risk due to the dangerous location of the patient and heightened risks to rescuers.

The team started in August 2023 and has responded to three calls to date. These deployments included mutual aid to local agencies and football operations. “This is important to have as a resource, largely because we have a lot of tall buildings and many difficult places at height to access,” said Jake Wierer, chief of Virginia Tech Rescue Squad.  

Wierer realized the need for the specialized rescue operation after he and other members assisted Giles County with a rope rescue mission. The rescue squad developed the technical rescue team as a service that can be deployed across the Blacksburg campus and locally when requested.  

The 15 members on the technical rescue team undergo intensive training outside of the normal rescue squad training duties. Approximately 80 hours of initial training is required to become part of the team. To remain on the team, members are expected to participate in at least 12 additional hours of training per month.  

High and low angle rope rescues provide a new opportunity for current and future members. “Having the technical rescue aspect diversifies the interest in the squad. We are adding another portion for people to learn and access new skills that you don’t get to do anywhere else on this campus,” said Katie Lynch, special operations coordinator for the Virginia Tech Rescue Squad. 

All squad members uphold a dedication to training, education, and outreach.

In addition to responding to 911 calls on the Blacksburg campus, the Virginia Tech Rescue Squad provides the following services to the campus community:

• Routine transport service from Schiffert Health Center to hospitals throughout the region
• Comprehensive emergency medical services event management for all large-scale planned events
• Routine standby services to affiliated and non-affiliated organizations as requested
• Training incuding CPR and AED, first aid, REVIVE, Vitals, and Stop the Bleed classes