One was once injured trying to save a toddler from a burning building. Another helped chase down a serial rapist now serving a 50-year prison sentence. The third was a rookie cop but served as a crew chief on a helicopter crew during multiple U.S. Army tours in Iraq.

Roco wishes to honor these three courageous officers, who lost their lives in the tragic police shooting of July 16, 2016, in our hometown of Baton Rouge, LA. Our thoughts and prayers are with their families, the other officers who are recovering, and with those in law enforcement who continue to serve our community on a daily basis.

Support for the Families

The East Baton Rouge First Responders Fund raises money for law enforcement officers and first responders who may be injured or killed in the line of duty and for their families. It is designed to help survivors who will require much time and assistance to recover from their wounds and the families of those who have fallen in the line of duty. The fund is overseen by EBR Sheriff Sid Gautreaux, Baton Rouge Police Chief Carl Dabadie Jr., Baton Rouge Fire Chief Ed Smith and Louisiana State Police Major Mike Noel. Contributions are tax deductible.

OSHA’s maximum penalty for serious violations will increase from $7,000 to $12,471. The agency’s top penalty for willful or repeated violations will jump from $70,000 to $124,709. OSHA’s maximum penalties have not increased since 1990.

“Civil penalties should be a credible deterrent that influences behavior far and wide,” Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez said in a press release. “Adjusting our penalties to keep pace with the cost of living can lead to significant benefits for workers and can level the playing field [for] responsible employers who should not have to compete with those who don’t follow the law.”

OSHA's new penalty levels are scheduled to take effect after August 1, 2016. Any citations issued after this date will be subject to the new penalties if the related violations occurred after November 2, 2015. The interim final rules were announced June 30. Comments on the interim final rules will be due 45 days after the rules are published in the Federal Register. (Source: National Safety Council.)

Don't miss your chance to take in all the action of real life confined space rescue scenarios created by Roco's lead instructors. This unique training event is one that is anticipated by rescue teams every year. Plus, it provides benefits to participating teams AND those that are attending as observers!

Rescue Challenge offers teams the opportunity to size-up a situation, develop action plans and execute a confined space or high-angle rescue in a controlled but realistic environment. Here's what one team participant had to say...

"Challenge pushes your team to its limit. It gives teams of all experience levels a great benchmark on their capabilities!"

The event can also be used to meet the minimum annual practice requirements of OSHA 1910.146 for all six representative spaces, while giving team members the opportunity to share ideas, experiences and techniques with other teams from across the nation. Individual skills are also put to the test in practice and testing stations. Written reports are provided to each team.

Trophies are awarded for the top performers in the Yellow Brick Road scenario and the Individual Performance Skills evaluation. For more information on how to register your team or register to observe, call 800-647-7626. Spaces are limited!

Check out some of the highlights from the 2015 Rescue Challenge below.

Just in time to celebrate the 4th of July, Roco's limited edition Patriot T-shirt has arrived!

This performance fit shirt is made of 100% cotton and great for showing off your American pride. It is also great for working out or just relaxing.

This limited edition shirt will only be available for a short period of time. So, don't miss your chance to purchase one today. Click here to order!

Quick, efficient patient packaging is a crucial factor in every rescue. Generally, if spinal injury is suspected, two rescuers will be needed to properly manage and package the patient for movement.

In the drill below, keep time for the patient packaging portion. Then inspect for errors and correct as needed. Discuss patient handling and review methods that may reduce the overall time. For this type of drill, timekeeping can begin as soon as rescuers enter the room where the drill is being conducted or once lowered into an area to begin the packaging process.

1) Place a simulated patient/manikin in a given area. This area could be at the end of a short lower or just inside another room that will be considered a “confined space.”

2) Rescuers will enter one at a time as if being lowered into a space.

3) The person running the drill will provide patient condition information and dictate what packaging equipment will be available to the rescuers.

4) The equipment will be “lowered” to the rescuers – or simulated if using a room as the confined space.

5) Rescuers will use the equipment provided to package the patient, and then connect the patient to the retrieval/haul line.

For the next evolution, add requirements for the rescuers to maintain “immediate means of retrieval” lines at all times. Then, step it up by requiring rescuers to don SCBA/SAR during packaging (don’t forget air to the patient!). Or, dim the lights, if possible, lowering visibility and requiring the use of headlamps.

Remember, start off slow. Increase difficulty and speed/time requirements as rescuers become more comfortable and proficient. Working with your team to improve packaging skills will make them more efficient and better rescuers.

Next in this series: Quick Drill #13 - Silent Drill (Know your job, do your job!)