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“When Rides Brake Down”

7 Years of Rescues in the Tourist Capital of the World

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By: Ryan Allen

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About the Author

  • 15 years Firefighter Orange County Fire Rescue
  • High Angle Rescue Team OCFR
  • FL Fire Instructor
  • SPRAT Level 2
  • NFPA Technician Rope, Tower, Confined Space, VMR, Trench, HazMat, Structural Collapse

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Welcome To Orange County

Disney

Universal

I Drive

Seaworld

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Rescue Climbers

  • Founded 2015 Opening of the Wheel @ Icon Park
  • 60 members from a pool of 400 Rope Techs
  • Must pass a rigorous testing process

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Why is Ride Rescue Different ?

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Why is Ride Rescue Different?�Multiple Disciplines

Rope Rescue

Confined Space

Tower Rescue

Rope Access

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Why is Ride Rescue Different?�Making Access

  • Can require climbing ladders of great height
  • Use of unfamiliar equipment
  • Working in confined space at height
  • Working over Water or other hazards
  • Make access to ride vehicles / restraint systems

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Why is Ride Rescue Different?�Restraint Systems �

  • Rides have many types of restraint systems
  • Some require special keys or tools to open
  • Made need portable batteries to open

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Why is Ride Rescue Different?� Harnesses / Packaging

Is your team equipped to package ?

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  • Small children
  • Wheel chair bond
  • Bariatric
  • Service dogs

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How will your system function with someone that is too heavy or too light ?

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Why is Ride Rescue Different?�Reluctant Riders

  • Has your team trained in Psychological First Aid?

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  • How will you deal with someone that refuses to go?

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  • Train with non “Rescue” personnel (dispatchers, office personnel, new recruits)

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Why is Ride Rescue Different?�Reluctant Riders

Credit Loui McCurley

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Why is Ride Rescue Different?�Bad Press

  • Companies may be reluctant to call

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  • What is your relationship with your local theme park?

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  • What happens when passengers start to call 911?

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  • When do we take over?

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How to Form a Ride �Rescue Plan?

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Rescue Plan �Have a Pre Plan

What to include:

  • Location / Address
  • Responding Units First Due
  • Emergency Contacted
  • Height of the Structure
  • Operating Hours
  • Number Occupants
  • Age / Height Requirements
  • Type of Ride Vehicles
  • LOCK OUT TAG OUT

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Rescue Plan�“BEER”

Step by step process in formulating your Rescue Plan

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B = Back up systems

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E = Evacuation

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E = Elevated Platforms

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R = Rescue

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Rescue Plan �”Back Up System”

  • Break release

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  • Counter weight

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  • Back up generators

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  • Good old fashion push

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Rescue Plan �”Evacuation”

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  • Planed evacuation of the ride not requiring rope systems

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  • Usually carried out by the ride’s staff

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  • Staff trained annually

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  • Rescue teams may be needed for assistance with the evacuation

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Rescue Plan

”Elevated Platforms”

  • Pre-plan locations of elevated platforms

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  • Know the height of platforms

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  • Work platforms on sight

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Rescue Plan�”Rescue”

  • Requires the use of rope systems to rescue rides from the ride

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  • Puts the riders and rescuers at the most risk

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Rescue Plan �Combination System

  • Comes into play when multiple ride vehicles stuck in different locations or larger ride vehicle with multiple sections.

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  • Combination of Back up systems, evacuation, elevated platforms, or rescue into one Rescue Plan

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Rescue Plan�What to consider

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  • Number of occupants

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  • Occupants status (medical/injuries)

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  • Height of structure (equipment/climbing)

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  • Reset ability of system

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  • Equipment available

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  • Rescuers on site

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  • Environmental factors (heat/cold)

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Rescue Plan�Top Control Vs Ground Control�

  • Minimal equipment and rigging topside
  • Ground team can rest the system (multiple rests)
  • Must coordinate with ground team

  • Top side has complete control of system
  • Minimal communication with ground team
  • Top side must rest the system

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Rescue Plan

Training

  • Annual Training with Rescuers and Staff

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  • Train late at night when ride are closed

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  • Make preplans available and easy to access in the event of an incident

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  • Develop relationships with the ride companies

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Case Studies

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Case Study

Disney Skyliner

  • 10/26/2019
  • 3 Gondolas evacuated 2 taken to the hospital
  • 3 hour down time
  • Rescues made with aerial trucks
  • 90 gondolas would have needed rescue

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Case Study

Star Flyer

  • 07/02/2011

6 ft fall 90ft up

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  • 09/14/2020

200ft fall 30ft up

2nd victim 200ft up escorted down

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Case Study

Transformers Ride

  • 07/15/2014
  • 12 riders evacuated
  • Combination of rope systems and ladders
  • 40ft max

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Case Study

Knott’s Berry Farm

  • 12/30/2016
  • Ladder trucks did not reach, rescuer attended lowers
  • Rescuers climbed tower 2xs
  • 21 riders rescued
  • 148 ft up
  • 5hr rescue time

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What’s Your Rescue Plan ?

Watch the Videos

Read the Stories

Does your team have the personnel and equipment needed?

What's your plan?

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What’s Your Plan? Swing Ride

  • 300ft up
  • 20ft across 25ft down
  • 12 swings 24 passengers in need of rescue

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What's Your Plan? Sling Shot

  • 200 ft in the air
  • 50ft from the tower
  • 2 occupants in need of rescue not in destress

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Who Has Good Plan To Share?

Swing

Sling Shot

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Rescue Swing

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Rescue Plan Swing

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Rescue Plan Swing

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Rescue Plan Swing

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Rescue Plan Swing

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Rescue Plan Swing

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Rescue Sling Shot

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Rescue Sling Shot

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Rescue Plan Sling Shot

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Rescue Plan Sling Shot

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Rescue Plan Sling Shot

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Rescue Plan Sling Shot

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Questions?