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Show Inge Kit, Lakeside Hetiew, April 1, 19111 Traitiing Helps for Prepare Fire Stresses ROY Silently, two fire engines and the fire chiefs car moved down the dimly lighted street in the last flicker of dusk. No lights flashing or sirens blaring. The small convoy wound its way up and on to Hill Air Force Base and proceeded to a predetermined point. One truck waited on top while fire chief Richard Waters and Training officer Ron Hales proceed down a small road to the fire training tower. The fire was set, the call went out, and in came the truck. Quickly the men jumped into action. Hoses were unloaded and hooked up to the hydrant and truck. Self contained air packs were put on and masks adjusted. In minutes the fire was After a short discussion on the procedure was repeated with the other fire truck and a different crew of men. What was happening? It was part of training drill for Roy City firemen to help condition them before they actually face a real fire. Training officer Ron Hales said this type of training helps prepare the firemen for the mental and physical stresses they will actually encounter in a fire situation. This particular drill held last week, was designed to test the mens abilities with the use of self contained airpacks and the laying of the fire hoses from the hydrant to the truck and building. The men in the Roy Fire Department hold regular training sessions twice a month. Hales said prior to this actual drill the department held three conditrioning drills. In these the firefighters covered the basics involved with the use of air packs and how the hoses are properly, laid in to a fire scene. He said this actual drill tied both together and allowed the men to be evaluated in the simulated situation. The men are gradually taken through different steps with the drills until they become more and more proficient and then all of the steps are combined. Hales said it is not as common to find this type of training in a fire department like that of Roy Citys. In a larger department it is common, he said but Roy has only a few full time fire fighters and the rest are part-timHales said the men gain confidence through the simulated drills. It causes the men to have more pride and eliminates hesitation when coming to a fire." e. The fire department officers also go through training with the fire fighters. Hales said the officers will not be aware of the actual situation which is set up for a drill and will be evaluated on how they commanded the men in the drill. The only way you can really learn is by doing, Hales said. The training operation is aimed at saving the tax payers dollars. Hales said the savings will be seen in less loss of life from a fire and fewer injuries to both fire victims and the fire fighters. He said property damages will also be less with a properly trained fire fighting team. The Roy Fire Department is come prised of 7 employees and 20 on call part-tim- e fire fighters. The part-tim- e fire fighters are summoned by pagers when they are needed. During a drill the men receive $2 per hour compensation. Hales said the drill will often run four hours because after they go out the trucks and hoses must be cleaned and put back into operation before the drill is complete. full-tim- SNOW DIDNT stop Roy City firefighters from running through recently held practice drills designed to help train them for real fire situations which may arise. Pictured, from left are Von Draheim, Lynn Taylor and George McCoy. McCoy is bringing the hose laid in from the hydrant to hook onto the pumper truck while Taylor puts on a airpack and prepares to enter the burning structure. DRIVER. ENGINEER Merrill Beck is in charge of operating the pumps to get the wAter from the fire . hydrant to the fire. Above, he checks gauges just before water is brought to the truck. . Mho s TRAINING OFFICER Ron Hales of the fire department discusses the drill just completed with Lynn Taylor (back) and Todd Fischer. Hales organizes the drills in situation, which they were not fully aware of when responding to a drill. - FIRST STOP for the fire truck on its way to a fire is the hydrant. George Burnett III hooks the hose to the hydrant in order to get the water to the truck. |
