High-altitude Rescuer - National Civil Protection

In this chapter of my #WorkExperiences, I explain my role in the Italian Civil Protection from 2009 to 2011.

Table of contents

1. National Civil Protection;

2. High-altitude rescuer;

3. Qualifications.

NATIONAL CIVIL PROTECTION

Italian National Civil Protection logo.

I belonged to the Albignasego branch of National Civil Protection for three years (from 2009 to 2012). I was a high-altitude rescue operator and was part of the S.I.R.E. squad (literally from Italian: Emergency Rescue Intervention Squad).

Italian Civil Protection

The Italian Civil Protection was founded in 1982 as an entity able to mobilize and coordinate all the national resources necessary to guarantee a fast response in case of serious calamities and natural disasters. It also provides aid and support in minor entity circumstances that requires the intervention of technical trained personnel.

HIGH-ALTITUDE RESCUER

Two specialized high-altitude rescuers of the Italian Civil Protection, Alberto Carniel and Alessandro Fiorese, are practicing climbing at the Euganean hills (Padua, Italy).

The Emergency Rescue Intervention Squad is a professional high-altitude rescue crew. I was trained in climbing and climbing rescue maneuvers. As a member of the National Civil Protection, I also attended other training courses and acquired many internal qualifications.

QUALIFICATIONS

Alberto Carniel, a volunteer of the Italian Civil Protection, is going to help the population during a flooding of the river Roncajette in Albignasego (Italy, November 2010). An excavator allowed rescuers to reach the flooded houses.

Hydraulic risk and river rescue

The Hydraulic risk and river rescue is a course which prepares volunteers to face calamities, such as floods and overflowings. It also provides the necessary training to rescue people who accidentally fall in mountain creeks or rivers.

Volunteers learn how to use specific tools such as water pumps, tanks for emergency helicopters and emergency tents.

Thanks to this training, I participated in the rescue operations during a flooding of the river Roncajette in Albignasego (Italy, November 2010).

I helped seal the river banks and build an emergency camp for the people who lost their homes.

The Italian Civil Protection rescuer, Alberto Carniel, with an oxygen tank and gas mask, during a training course called, "Chemical risk and fire control".

Chemical risk and fire control

The Chemical risk and fire control course gives volunteers all the fundamental knowledge and training to face chemical and fire emergencies set inside buildings.

Participants learn how to handle dangerous chemical substances and treat chemical wounds. They are also trained to use fire extinguishers, gas masks and many other individual protection devices (IPD).

Forest Fire Control

The A.I.B. course (literally from Italian: forest fire control) is focused on fire control maneuvers in woods. This certification is necessary to support forest rangers and firefighters during forest fires.

Volunteers learn how to face a fire by using specific tools and individual protection devices. They also understand how to communicate with other rescue players during an emergency situation.