| Over the last two months or so, members have used an acquired structure in the Point Lookout State Park as part of training. Members have practiced forcible entry, hose line techniques, search and rescue and a hose maze. One of our monthly drills had members complete a house fire simulation. In this simulation, Fireboard took calls stating that the house across from the fishing pier was on fire. Engines 43 (Capt. Raley) and 44 (Chief 4B Mercure) responded. Engine 43 laid a 3" line in from the hydrant at the corner while Engine 44 picked it up. The crew from 43 deployed a crosslay and made entry into the house. Once inside the house, crews were met with zero visibility. Despite this, the crew made their way under a tight entrance into the main fire room where extinguishment procedures were under way. While doing this, 44's crew completed search and rescue, where one person was found and subsequently removed from the residence. As the conditions worsened, a mayday was issued for a down firefighter. After the firefighter was located, the simulation was stopped. The crew restored all the hose and did it again, this time switching places. Despite a very hot and humid evening, it was all completed in a quick and safe manner.
On 8/1, the Fightin' Four and NAS headed again to the burn house, this time to complete live fire evolutions. The crews were split into teams of either 4, 3 or 2. Four crews were established, and after setup was completed, everyone did a walk through of the house. While in the house, three burns rooms were established. The rooms consisted of the living room area, a big bedroom and a small bedroom. After meeting back outside and setting the order of entry, backup & RIT, then getting baseline vitals, the burns were ready to begin.
The first room to be set off was the big bedroom in the rear of the house. The first crew went in soon after it was lit off. After spending about ten minutes inside, crews rotated back out. All four crews were able to get atleast one burn in the back room. After the first room was completed, the small bedroom was lit off. Once again, everyone was able to get an evolution in the small bedroom. After that, the living room was lit off. After evolutions were completed, crews backed out and let the house go. Members stood by for approximately an hour and a half while the home burned.
In all, this was a very successful and a very good and valuable learning tool to everyone that participated. We would like to thank the crew from Company 49 (Lt Christy Merrell, Safety Officer Rich Merrell, and EMT Dave Barry) for taking time out of their Sunday to standby for us. We'd also like to thank Company 14 for coming out to burn with us, as well as Sgt. Keith Bussler from Company 3 and the auxiliary for preparing a good lunch at the station.
Crew 1:
Capt. Justin Raley
Sgt. Keith Bussler
FF/EMT David Morris
Crew 2:
Lt. Matt Langford
FF/EMT JW Wathen
FF Danny Reppel
Crew 3:
FF/EMT Joe Raley
FF/EMT Charlie Langley
Crew 4:
Lt. Chris Scully
FF Jason Bean
FF Thomas Fairfax Jr
FF Eddie Raley |
