Conditions surrounding trench body recovery were difficult, but possible in part to rigorous training
Trevier Gonzalez/KRIS 6
and last updated 2021-04-08 19:18:39-04
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas â Described as the only technical rescue station in the city, Fire Station 3 is constantly on standby for challenging rescues and recoveries.
Although trench collapses are a rare encounter for many firefighters, Corpus Christi Fireâs Rescue coordinator Frank Solansky, said the collapse near Buccaneer Stadium that left one man dead goes to show that they can be a reality.
Station 3, however, does continue to train for these situations.
âAnytime we drop someone in that trench, itâs dangerous,â Solansky said, adding that the water department actually creates trenches for them to practice at least once a year. âWhen we train on fire and stuff, it may look dangerous, but weâre dealing with artificial smoke, weâre dealing with fire that can easily be put out, itâs very controlled, and so itâs not that dangerous to train on that kind of stuff â but dealing with a trench, whenever we dig a trench and we get in it â weâve just created a real call.â