THARRP FAQ FOR INDUSTRY

The new THARRP Online Portal Is Now Live!
In 2018, the BCCSA partnered with Ikon Developments to begin building a fully-online platform to administer the THARRP program. With input from the THARRP Steering Committee, fire departments, and the development team at BCCSA, we are proud to announce that the THARR Program is now fully integrated as an online platform. Fire departments, construction companies, and approved THARRP Training Agencies will now submit all THARRP related requests through the web portal.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN IN TO YOUR THARRP ACCOUNT OR TO REGISTER AS A NEW USER

THARR Program Funding Review

In December 2017 & January 2018, Stonecoast Group conducted a research project on behalf of the THARRP Steering Committee to determine whether the current budget allocation for training (including associated costs), tower crane site surveys, and the annual stipend is the best possible allocation to meet the needs of funded fire departments and industry.

The Committee is very pleased with the input provided with approximately 80% participation from funded fire departments. Thank you to all who participated in this review. All recommendations will be reviewed by the THARRP Steering Committee over the next few months. (Click here for full report)

THARRP (Technical High Angle Rope Rescue Program)

The Technical High Angle Rope Rescue Program (THARRP) prepares fire department personnel in technical rope & tower crane rescue procedures for workers in distress working at heights (e.g., tower crane operators). It was established in 1991 by the Greater Vancouver Regional District Fire Chiefs, in response to stated needs of industry.

The THARRP program is administered by the BC Construction Safety Alliance (BCCSA), and overseen by the Technical High Angle Rope Rescue Steering Committee. The committee is comprised of representatives from BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Association, BC Fire Chiefs’ Association, participating employers, labour, BC Construction Safety Alliance and WorkSafeBC.

STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES

The Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) listed below outline the financial, operational, training, administrative, and equipment related policies and procedures that govern the Technical High Angle Rope Rescue program.The SOPs are reviewed by the THARRP Steering Committee and updated as required. For any specific questions not covered in the SOPs, please contact the THARRP administrator at tharrp@bccsa.ca.

Financial
FIN1 Equipment Reimbursement Guide
FIN2 Reimbursement Guidelines & Rates
FIN3 Instructor Replacement
FIN4 Annual Submission
Operational
OPS1 Program Application
Training
TRG1 Training Provider Requirements
TRG2 Crane Training Sites
Admin
ADM1 Program Overview
ADM2 Responsibility
ADM3 Equivalencies
ADM4 Electronic Ballots
Equipment
EQP1 Standard Equipment Package

Applications

For information about how the THARRP program is administered please read the

THARRP Info Sheet for Fire Department Personnel

To apply for acceptance into the program, a letter from the Fire Chief or City Manager is required. The letter must confirm specific eligibility criteria. Applications will also be accepted from departments where there is a desire to form a regional rescue team. Letters from each department’s Fire Chief or City Managers must be submitted with the application.

To request a criteria sheet for application, please contact the BCCSA THARRP administrator at tharrp@bccsa.ca.

Once your department has received the letter from the Fire Chief or City Manager, your application is submitted to the BCCSA via the THARRP Portal. To log in to the portal, please follow the link above.

Training

THARRP is a train-the-trainer program that assists participating fire departments in meeting the requirements for technical high angle rope rescue functions. The training consists of Awareness, Operations, Technician and Rope & Tower Rescue; meeting applicable NFPA Standards; and instructor training. There are currently six recognized training agencies in BC.

Governance

In 1991, at the request of industry, the Greater Vancouver Regional District Fire Chiefs struck a committee to create a proposal for a high angle rope & tower crane rescue training program for Fire Departments. The resulting program is the Technical High Angle Rope Rescue Program (THARRP), a train-the-trainer program that allowed appropriate instructional and practice time to provide the instructor-candidates with the necessary skills to perform high angle rope & tower crane rescue and pass those skills on to others.

Originally developed to meet the needs of the construction industry and WorkSafeBC requirements, the scope of the program was later broadened to include other industries that may also require high angle rescue.