Post by NeandertalMan on Dec 26, 2007 12:13:12 GMT -5
Probably only in Naples, Italy would local emergency responders drill and rehearse how to extract victims who might fall down into the honeycomb of cavities, caverns, tunnels, aqueducts and passageways that run beneath the entire city. A special elite squad for doing just that is part of the Naples Fire Department. They are trained as well in mountain rescue, and using helicopters for rescues from sinking boats and other water emergencies.
This past December 21st, the Fire Department Squad, known as SAF-2B, or Underground, Mountain, and Water Rescue Team 2B, availed themselves of an offer by engineer Clemente Esposito, president of the Southern Speleological Society, to use the huge caverns, well shafts and tunnels which make up the Naples Museum of the Underground, which is operated by Esposito, for a real life drill site. Napoliunderground staff members, Fulvio and Luca accompanied the rescue team offering tips and advice, as well as photographing the entire mission. After a welcome and orientation to the underground area by Esposito, the 10 man team set about hooking up their highly specialized climbing and rappelling equipment. Strong steel bars were anchored at the top of a deep shaft used for the rescue scene. The Napoli Underground staff were amazed, and drooled at the high quality and diversity of equipment the firemen had on hand! A "victim" was actually hauled up using an improvised basket sling.
You can enjoy the exercise by going to the photo link below and looking over the super photography of Fulvio and NUg explorer/photographer, "Ipogeo!" A second exercise drill is planned for December 27th, 2007 in the same location with a second SAF team participating. Fulvio said everyone enjoyed a get together topside for pizza and beer after the exercise and a general bull session exchanging observations and experiences.
Here are the photos of the exercise.
Larry Ray
by Napoli Underground
