Over the past several weeks, our companies have been busy with a wide range of training opportunities. From welcoming a new recruit class of Volunteer Firefighters beginning their basic in-house training, to conducting rope evolutions and firefighter-down scenarios with our duty crews, there has been no shortage of activity.

Our in-house volunteer training exposes new members to the fundamentals of the fire service and, more specifically, how IFD operates. This introductory program is divided into modules and typically runs 6–8 weeks.

Rope training for our duty crews looked a little different this time. The Monroe County Fire Bureau recently purchased a bariatric manikin, now available for various training classes at the fire academy and for agencies throughout the county. While our crews regularly refresh their rope-rescue skills, the “load” is usually much lighter. In this scenario, companies were faced with extricating a patient who had fallen down a flight of stairs into a basement and required removal via rope system.

Although firefighter-down incidents are low-frequency events and something no firefighter hopes to encounter, our members train for them routinely. IFD is equipped with several tools designed to aid in the rescue of a downed firefighter.

In the photos below, you’ll see firefighters using our “Syracuse bag” for firefighter extrication through a window using a high-point anchor, as well as several angles from our rope evolutions.

Be sure to check back next week as we launch our new website!