Back to Training

The priorities of a fire department being so muddied these days makes me think whats always been a priority for me and what I remind people of the most. Training firefighters just as much as we put up hazmat tents and install carseats, etc might be a great way back to being great at what matters. You know there is this tone that goes off while the CSEPP tents sway quietly in the breezes of a long hot day and the dispatcher says, structure fire with people trapped. What are we going to do now boys, the hose aint been off the truck in months and the powerpoints are faded from over use.

Training is the cornerstone of being your best out in public for those of us who still live in reality. There is no way around it or underneath it, you will be lacking in the life or death effectiveness if you ignore it. Training means even if you did know it yesterday, do it again or show someone else how to do it and it should be something real hands on or best information plus hands on!

And...if you've got to go outside yours to find something wonderful than look no further than North Carolina Breathing Equipment School at Gaston College, boys it rocks!
http://youtu.be/eTyiQTg33XE North Carolina

Rescue Training

There is always great training at the Fire Engineering site and this video demonstrates very well how to go to work on a trapped PT with a large vehicle. The crews are utilized effectively and a quick lift is done to do, what would be a best practice for anyone, in this situation, in your community.

Rescue training demands consistent, long term commitment to training that will be labor intensive and mentally challenging. These events are few and the level of readiness must be high to help these people when the need arises! Get out there and train!