One of the most challenging and complex technical rescue disciplines, trench rescue requires specialized knowledge, skills and abilities to operate safely and efficiently in and around collapsed trenches and excavations. This manual helps to prepare today's fire and rescue service to perform well-organized and systematic emergency trench and excavation rescues.

Included are OSHA regulations, soil basics, trench configurations and collapse patterns, trench hazards, on-scene considerations, operational safety, protective systems using timber and mechanical shoring, victim considerations and incident termination.

The Trench Rescue Technician Manual by CMC Rescue was developed in collaboration with the California Office of Emergency Service and Office of the California State Fire Marshal for the California State Fire Training System. Printed in the USA on FSC paper from responsible sources.