In May, Rhino Staging provided a fall protection rescue demonstration for firefighters of the Monarch, Missouri Fire Protection District. Rhino’s lead trainers were Johnny Stebbing (National Director of Rigging) and Steve Davis (Rigging & Rope Access Advisor) with assistance from Jordon Linn (Director of Rigging for Rhino MO).
The demo took place at Gateway Studios in St. Louis. Gateway opened this year as a production services and rehearsal facility and Rhino is the exclusive stage labor provider there.
Following the demo, Steve took a moment to answer a few questions about the experience.
Working with firefighters is not an everyday thing for us at Rhino Staging, what about the experience stood out as especially new and interesting and different for you?
Steve: When you dial 911 in most emergencies the Fire Department is the 1st EMS personnel to respond. I believe most individuals consider firefighters to be “the” emergency responders for most rescue situations. It was somewhat of a daunting experience doing a demonstration for a group of 1st responders, some of whom were members of their (Monarch Fire Dept.) technical rescue team. They appeared interested in the information and demonstrations that were presented. I found it interesting that they commented on the fact that, even while talking through a rescue demonstration, we could complete the entire procedure in about 5 minutes on average.
Was there significant, meaningful overlap in the knowledge that you brought to the demonstration and that possessed by the firefighters?
Steve: There was certainly an overlap in the techniques we use and some of the equipment. A notable difference to mention is that the FD follows a standard that requires a slightly larger diameter rope than is typical in Rhino’s rescue kits. All of their equipment tends to be slightly larger in size to accommodate the larger ropes.
From the firefighters’ perspective, what do you think was particularly new or interesting about your presentation and did it seem at all a novelty to them that entertainment industry personnel would have something to offer to them?
Steve: Production Rigging and what riggers actually do was the concept that seemed hard to grasp. They were intrigued by the load IN/OUT concept and the difference between touring and the Gateway Productions rehearsal studios. They made several comments about not wanting to be off the catwalk beyond the handrails and were surprised by how comfortable the riggers were with being at heights. On more than one occasion the comment was made about the expeditious nature of Rhino’s rescue protocol.
Was there any feedback from the firefighters during the demonstration that offered you any insights into your work for Rhino?
Steve: One topic that was discussed was the big difference between Rhino’s procedures and that of the FD’s. With proper supervision, training, and preparation (Job hazard Assessments) Rhino has the opportunity to pre-plan rescue procedures tailored to fit our unique situation created by the production environment that we operate in. Whereas the Fire Department is required to respond to any given emergency without having the benefit of knowing in advance what services they are going to need to provide. The FD uses procedures to save lives and they continually practice and refresh those procedures to be better prepared for the unexpected.
There have been Rhino riggers and climbers having had fire fighting experience as part of hotshot or smokejumper crews, for instance. Have you had any fire fighting (or EMT) experience? If so, has it informed in any way the work you do for Rhino?
Steve: I have not had any experience w/ firefighting or EMS. My older brother was a firefighter in Colorado for 30 years. He too did production rigging for Rhino when he wasn’t working shifts for the department.
Gateway Studios is a brand new Rhino client facility. Was this your first time working there and what was it like working there?
Steve: Yes it was my 1st time there. From what I got to see the place is amazing and state of the art. No detail has gone unnoticed from the size of the catering kitchens down to overlaying the rigging beams on the concrete floor to help with marking out the floor and video games in the production offices. The place is impressive!
Did you want to be a firefighter when you were growing up?
Steve: I have always been accused of being a little bit “out there”. So, I was more inclined to become an astronaut. My older brother, as I previously mentioned, was the fireman in our family.
Thank you Steve, Johnny and Jordon for your help in preparing this and your ongoing dedication to our values of safety, training and professionalism.
To read more about Rhino Staging training events, programs, facilities and more, click on the links below.