• Look for a company who can provide rescue training, as well as perform standby rescue jobs, as they will be more knowledgeable is all areas of rescue and the use of rescue equipment.
  • Check the certifications of each rescuer who will be onsite for your project. The certifying agency should be approved by the local state. In California, this would be the CA State Fire Marshal’s office, in other states Pro Board and IFSAC are also certifying bodies.
  • Check to make sure the rescue company can provide you with their rescue plan for the project you are hiring them for.
  • A company who provides an all-encompassing safe rescue service will ask you specific questions about the space they will be entering. What is the scope of work? What known hazards are in the space? How many access points are their to the space? What is the size of the access points? What are the dimensions of the space? Will there be any hot work done in the space or chemicals introduced? How many people will be in the space at one time? How far into the space will the crew members be working? What types of communication methods will be available? What type of ventilation will be provided? Will LOTO be required and, if so, who will be responsible?
  • Ask the company what type of documentation they will be able to provide upon request. Do they perform constant air monitoring of the space? Do they have SCBAs as a part of their rescue equipment?
  • Are the rescuers also able to perform Basic Life Services in the event of a medical emergency? Emergency Medical Technicians are available on rescue teams from Capstone Fire & Safety.
  • How long has the company been around? What other companies have they worked with? What confined spaces are they familiar with? What confined spaces are they not able to perform a rescue in?