Members of the Highland Park Volunteer Fire Department participated in a training drill in November, 2014 to work on vehicle stabilization & extrication techniques and to get some hands-on experience with many of the tools utilized during those incidents.

Firefighters stabilized the vehicle with both cribbing & struts and discussed the importance for vehicle stabilization.

Glass was removed with a variety of tools & techniques & the engine was accessed by cutting the hood with a K12 Saw (picture at top).

Firefighters had a chance to access doors & cut pillars with our combination Holmatro Hydraulic Rescue Tool.

Video of HPVFD Firefighter Billy Bright & Ex-Chief Tony Szemereta using the K12 Saw during the extrication drill:

Video of Ex-Chief Doug Watt using a Sawzall Tool to cut & remove the front windshield. Firefighters Billy Bright and Mordy Gershen are assisting:

HPVFD Firefighter David Seiden using the Holmatro Hydraulic Rescue Tool to open a door with Ex-Chief Doug Watt during the drill:

For more photos from the drill please visit our Facebook Page at:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.372652076231364.1073741858.162883673874873&type=1

At least once per week members of the Highland Park Volunteer Fire Department get together to inspect and review each piece of apparatus (the Fire Engines & Truck) and then head out on the road for training.

The Apparatus Inspections, or “Checkouts” help firefighters familiarize themselves with the working parts and equipment on each vehicle. During the checkout we visually inspect the tools, check the ladders, ensure all lights are working, test the radios, test the air packs, inspect the hoses, test the pump operations (for the Engines) or the aerial ladder operation (for the Truck) and more.

Repeating this process week after week ensures the safety and working operation of our equipment and also helps the memory recall of where & what equipment each vehicle has to offer. On an emergency call that memory recall comes in handy when you instinctively move to a particular compartment to grab a Fire Extinguisher.

Following the Checkout our Members begin Training – Driver Training, Pump Operations, Hose Deployment, etc.

During our most recent outing several members logged time with driver training on Engine 1, Engine 2 & Truck 3. Members also worked on pump operations for Engine 2 which included connecting to a hydrant and securing a water supply, engaging the Engine into pump, flowing water to hose handlines and maintaining specific pressure to the hoses. Members were also able to get valuable “Nozzle Time” – working with the hoses, deploying them from the Engine, calling for water (charging the line), feeling the pressure of the charged line and operating the hose.

The Checkout & Training nights have been valuable for the safety & secure operations of our equipment, to learn & educate how to use & operate during fire ground activities and to build comradery. Great energy & dedication from our Volunteer Members – thank you all.

For more photos please visit our Facebook Page:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.311662395663666.1073741854.162883673874873&type=1

For the June, 2014 Departmental Training Drill, the Highland Park Volunteer Fire Department had a repeat of a popular drill from 2013 – a skill course, for time in and around Station 37.

Each Firefighter began the drill in full personal protective gear except for the self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) & Mask. Firefighters identified parts of the SCBA & harness/backpack before donning the pack to move on. The second skill was to move & setup a ground ladder to the building, ascend up and touch the building. Station 3 was fully dressing a nearby hydrant & making connection to Engine 2 to establish a water supply.

Firefighters then put on their mask & connected the SCBA to go on breathing air before grabbing a pre-connected hoseline from Engine 2 and deploying it 100 feet.

After dropping the hoseline in a designated spot, each Firefighter performed a drag-rescue using a hose-dummy.

The final task was to tie two knots while still in full PPE. This was a timed event and the atmosphere was competitive. HPVFD Captain Tim Langan had the top overall time, with Assistant Chief Marc Robinson coming in second.

For more pictures from the training drill please see our Facebook Page at:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.307356119427627.1073741852.162883673874873&type=1