Heavy Rescue Squad gathers to practice rescue drills | News

MADISON COUNTY, AL (WAFF)- State Troopers wrapped up a two day training exercise with members
of Madison and Huntsville fire departments.

The three groups make up Alabama's Heavy Rescue Squad One.

Rescuers practiced precise helicopter maneuvers, like lifting
people from heavily wooded areas and taking injured people out of the water.

The team is capable of performing a number of rescues.

"They could be used for high rise fires. You know, for instance if
someone is on top of a roof, they have the equipment to lower somebody down and
rescue either a firefighter or a person from the top of a burning building,"
said Stacy Haraway, with Madison Fire and Rescue.

This is the first time all three agencies have worked together in the helicopter rescues. They have more training exercises planned for the future.

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