Tonight for our weekly Thursday night training we used an abandoned building at 4 Route 1 near the York/Kittery town line. crews were divided up into companies as to what piece of apparatus they arrived on. Engine 4, Engine 6, Squad 2, Truck 8, Tank 4, and the SMART truck went out for the training. On scene, the crews remained with their company officer in the companies that they left the station with. The crews practiced such things as hoseline advancement to the second floor with a charged line and flowed water out of an open window for additional realism. While another station assessed the firefighters abilities to conduct a primary search of a dwelling for possible trapped occupants. The third station focused on salvage and overhaul operations. Salvage operations refer to the department’s efforts to limit damage to a homeowners possessions by water, smoke, and fire. We taught the newer firefighters the fine art of throwing salvage covers and the importance of protecting personal effects. Overhaul is the phase of the fire where we open up walls and ceilings to expose potential hidden fire, which may be concealed by the interior finish of a house, failure to detect hidden fire can result in a dreaded “rekindle” which firefighters always take extra care to prevent such an occurrence. These skills were all practiced without live fire or smoke, with as much realism as we could provide. The officers (lieutenants, and captains) from York Village Fire Department played dual roles as company officers and fire instructors to ensure that when there is live fire, heat, and smoke, the firefighters are practiced up and ready for any challenge thrown in the way of our crews. York Village Fire fielded 29 support personnel, firefighters, officers, and chiefs. We are very proud of our robust attendance!!!!!! Great Job Guys!!!!!!
