The Intermediate 9 portion of the course consists of "Rescue Operations" training.

One of the principle exercises was to "rappel" from the middle level of the fire training tower. An inportant step in rappelling is the establishment of a secure point to which the lowering devices are anchored.

A safety harness, gloves and helmet are donned prior to the firefighter is attached to the lowering line. A safety officer checks the equipment before each member goes "over the side".

One of the objectives of the class is to become proficient in controlling one's rate of descent by increasing or decreasing the tension on the brake line.

The overhead of the loading dock at the training facility provides a good test of the rappeller's ability to get past an "undercut" surface without colliding with the vertical face.