| Since the opening of River Oaks station 23, crews have been taking advantage of the new training tower at the station. Personnel have participated in May-day, high rise, and stairwell simulations. The training tower was designed with 3 floors and 4 landings. The tower has its own training standpipe and FDC connections. It is also designed with rope tie offs and training windows for ladder, bail-out, and rappeling evolutions.
During the drills personnel are shown how to connect to the standpipes and how to deploy the high rise hose lines. Personnel arre also blindfolded to simulate heavy smoke conditions and shown how to move throughout the stairwells while searching for fallen victims. Different techniques are practiced on how to bring those victims and firefighters down the stairs quickly and safely.
On the outside crews practice proper placement of ladders, how to avoid overhead dangers and to maintain a proper angle (stabilty) while working from a ladder. Different techniques like leg locks, escapes, and clearing windows with tools were shown.
Recruits and firefighters alike have sharpened and learned new skills from these drills. The new training tower has proven to be very useful to all the crews. Continuous training will be ongoing and as always other departments and crews are welcome to participate. |
