Tonight we trained on engine operations.  We pulled two 1 3/4″ attack lines (first lines we would take into a house or building that is on fire) and practiced patterns against the building.  We then pulled the blitz fire (high water flow nozzle). And finally we went raised and lowered ladders against a 20′ building.  We have several new members and this type of training is great for them but is also great for the more seasoned members too.

Squad 414 (S414) in our station is used for many different incidents.  Primarily it is outfit for rescues and in particular for extricating patients trapped in vehicles.  For that task it has multiple spreaders and cutters to open up car doors or remove roofs. But there are many other tools on the squad.  There is a whole section for rope rescues, water rescues and confined space rescues.

As well the squad has a large number of lights, which was one of the initial tasks for a squad on a fire.  Some lights would be set-up in the front of the house, some would be set-up around the back (if accessible) and some set-up inside, all so we, and others, can see what we are doing in our fire fighting tasks.

Last night we pulled all the lights off the squad and went over how to set them up (for some newer members).

This morning firefighters and EMTs from stations 41, 42, 50, 40, 56, 18, 46 and 31 went over to Chestnut Ridge to do training on the new MSP helicopters.  MSP received new helicopters to replace their fleet of Dauphin (the new helicopters are larger and heavier and able to carry more equipment).  We had discussion about EMS apparatus they carry, proper landing zone operations and patient packaging and loading.  Thanks to MSP Trooper for coming over for this training.

Tonight we spent an hour training. S414 crew trained on the tripod and rope hauling and E412 crew trained on hoses.

Here at Reisterstown we are always training to keep on top of all the functions we might have to perform.  We spent a couple of hours tonight going through rope rescue training with probationary and new members to the company. This is something we don’t have to use often and so is good to practice.

Tonight we had a good practice session on how to deploy hose from our engine on the main floor up a staircase and down a hall to a room.  Not all fires and hose deployments are simple so this was good practice for all in how to work around corners and up stairwells.

Last night RVFC participated in ice rescue training with companies 31, 50 and Gamber’s dive unit. A 30 minute in-station powerpoint was presented first describing how to secure the scene and methods of rescue.  Then all companies (including E412, E413, S414, SU418, U419 and M415 from 41) went to the Department of Natural Resources game farm off of Gwynnbrook Road in Owings Mills for practical ice rescue training.  A whole was cut in the 8″ thick ice and volunteers in wet suits went into the water and then were rescued.

This morning we did ladder training with Glyndon and T404.  This was done to give some of our newer members experience climbing a 100′ ladder to climb up to a building on the ladder.

Photos courtesy of C Hewitt.

After having a reasonably quiet November we are ending the month with a very busy Tuesday night.  Tonight we were alerted for a house fire in 56’s area just south of us.  E412 and S414 were both on the road but then canceled upon E56’s arrival.

Then shortly after that around 9pm tonight Station 41 was alerted for a rescue box with a patient trapped north of us on Route 30.  S414 arrived and took command and then E412, T404, E422, M505 and several other apparatus arrived.  One patient was trapped in the vehicle and S414 and T404 worked to extricate the person. After about 15 minutes with the spreaders and cutters on the car the person was extricated.  A helicopter was requested for transport but was not able to fly due to the poor weather so the patient was transported by ambulance to the hospital.

E412 arrived back in station and within 10 minutes were alerted, along with S414 and several other stations for another person trapped in their vehicle.  The location was not clear and it took several minutes to find the vehicle which, again, was on Route 30.  One patient was trapped in a vehicle off the side of the road and T404, E412 and S414 worked to extricate the person from their vehicle.  The patient was transported to a local hospital by ambulance.