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In recognition of Chief Instructor Bobby (BK) Kauer’s assistance with several real rescues alongside Wellsville EMS & Rescue and Western New York Ambulance Corps, we are featuring Chief Kauer in our Employee Spotlight.
This past month, we received several great emails and phone calls in appreciation for the services rendered by Chief Kauer when he was conducting a rescue course for the Wellsville EMS and Rescue Squad in New York.
Chief Kauer responded to one emergency incident involving a 600+ lb. fall victim, which was featured here in ROCO RESCUE TALK™. According to Paramedic Andrew Sweezy of the Wellsville Volunteer Ambulance Corp Rescue Squad, “Without the skills learned via ROCO being rapidly implemented, patient extraction would have been severely delayed and most likely resulted in responder injuries or a much worse (or fatal) outcome for the patient who was rapidly deteriorating.” As was the responding agency, we are grateful and proud of Chief Kauer’s willingness to help with this incident – all while watching his brand-new students perform their newly learned and enhanced rescue skills.
Then came Tropical Storm Debbie. When Chief Kauer went back for his second weekend of training, the area was getting torrential rains from T.S. Debbie. Chief Kauer once again went into action with his students to perform several high-line water rescues. Wellsville Rescue Chief Chris Martelle stated, “It was great to see the students working hand-in-hand with their instructor to perform live rescues.”
He added that they had several other incidents throughout the weekend that Chief Kauer assisted with. Chief Martelle commented that Chief “BK” Kauer is not only a great instructor, but also a great friend. He added, “We are absolutely grateful for Chief Kauer. He knew we were exhausted from the multiple incidents, and he stepped in and assisted.” And perhaps best of all, Chief Martelle added, “BK has a huge heart to not only teach classes but also to help people in their darkest hour.”
Here's a little more background information on Chief Bobby Kauer. Chief Kauer (more commonly known as “B.K.”) has two highly visible roles at Roco – one in services and one in training. In services, he manages a growing portfolio of business for Roco’s Contracted Safety and Rescue Teams (CSRT) for the Northeast. In this role, he interfaces with customers to assess jobs and coordinates with his team of experienced rescuers to staff jobs all over the Northeast. In his role as Chief Instructor with Roco, B.K. teaches on a wide variety of topics including rope rescue, confined space rescue, trench rescue, and fall protection.
B.K. began working for Roco Rescue in 2004; however, his roots in technical rescue originate from his 22-year career with New York City’s Department of Corrections (see below), where he was on the Emergency Services Unit (ESU). In that role, he trained alongside NYPD’s Emergency Services Unit, and later was an ESU Instructor. He was a first responder at Ground Zero on 9/11 and performed search and recovery work for four months afterwards.
Here at Roco, we are very grateful for Chief Kauer and his many years of service. We also are very proud of his dedication to emergency responders and willingness to help others.
New York Department of Corrections (DOC) Emergency Service Unit (ESU)
Emergency Services Unit (ESU) responds to all emergencies within the Department of Corrections, both on and off Rikers Island. ESU responds to various incidents, including fire emergencies, high security inmate transport, riot control, inmate escapes, tactical security operations, cell extractions, perimeter security/response, confined space rescue, and vehicle emergencies (i.e. vehicle accidents). ESU also responds to all emergency drills, provides EMT response, and assists the Port Authority with possible air disasters or related events that may arise. Other duties include assisting the Special Operations Division with security breaches and enhanced security for Rikers Island during emergencies.
