From left, Capt. John Rodriguez and Battalion Chief Jamie Crabtree, both from Northshore Fire Protection District, and Capt. Dan McCabe from South Lake County Fire Protection District. Courtesy photo.

CLEARLAKE OAKS – Twenty four fire personnel participated in a 24-hour class in low angle rope rescue this past weekend in Clearlake Oaks.

Twelve firefighters from Northshore Fire Protection District, five from South Lake County Fire Protection District, four from Williams Fire District and three from Kelseyville Fire Protection District took part. Northshore Fire was the host agency.

Classroom and hands-on rescue drills were conducted in Clearlake Oaks.

This course is a California State Certified course taught by senior instructor Ed Mestre, a retired Battalion Chief of Marin County. Adjunct instructors also came from Humboldt Fire, Vallejo Fire and Northshore Fire.

This class is supported by Rescue 7511 out of Northshore Fire's Clearlake Oaks Station and Office of Emergency Services Engine 359 out of South Lake County Fire District.

On Friday, emergency personnel were pulled from the class to respond to the large auto accident with multiple injuries in Nice.

Sunday's drill conducted in a steep hill area was true life with cold temperatures with driving wind and rain.

Pat Brown is battalion chief for Northshore Fire Protection District.