Training
In order to stay proficient as a firefighter
a vast amount of training is necessary. Training can be in house or it may take
place at a state or county fire school. The New Hanover Fire Company has weekly
training every Thursday night at 7:00 PM (1900 hrs). A wide variety of topics
are covered from water supply and fire attack to vehicle rescue and haz-mat. Not
to mention everything in between! This page is dedicated to keeping you informed
on the various training activities the company participates in.
24 May 2007 - This evening's
training took the company to the Frederick Mennonite Community. Since our
company on the initial fire response, firefighters took this time to acclimate
themselves with the layout of the community and the operation of the complex's
dry hydrant system and other possible water sources.
Photos by Jason Wood
The hydrasist valve in action.
26 April 2007 - Tonight's training
brought New Hanover's firefighters back to the same location they were the week
before. In another water supply drill, the lessons and techniques from the week
before were put to the test. The hydrasist valve was again the primary topic of
the evening.
Photo by Jason Wood
19 April 2007 - Firefighters
traveled to one of the new developments in the township to review different
water supply evolutions, primarily the use of the hydrasist valve. The hydrasist
valve is a device used to boost the pressure of the water that is being fed from
the hydrant to the fireground. Throughout the evening firefighters reviewed
laying hose, the proper setup and operation of the hydrasist valve, and the
proper techniques in connecting a pressurized water source to a pumping
apparatus.
Photos by Jason Wood
Above: Firefighters work to stabilize the
vehicle and begin the evolution as Firefighter P. Agliano stands by at the power
unit. Below: Certain basic skills and considerations were reviewed.
To the left a team goes over accessing a recessed Nader bolt on a rear door. To
the right the front fender of the vehicle has been pinched with a large spreader
to demonstrate a technique used to access the hinges of the vehicle's front
door.
8 March 2007 - This evening
Firefighters traveled to the yard of a local body shop to review some basic
vehicle rescue principles as well as to allow some of the younger members to
gain proficiency in the use of some basic extrication tools. Firefighters used
hand, power, and hydraulic tools to perform some basic rescue functions.
Specific skills completed included vehicle stabilization, glass control, door
removal, and roof removal. Establishment of a standing area as well as scene
lighting were also completed per standard procedures. We would like to thank Jim
Faust for allowing us to train at his facility and look forward to future
Photos by Jason Wood
Top: Firefighter Toub flushes a newly installed
hydrant to ensure proper function. Below: Firefighters practice the
proper way to tie and transfer tools using a rope.
11 January 2007 - One of the tools
that many people think of when they think of a firefighter is a ladder and this
evening that could not have been more true. To freshen up on
"throwing" and working with the various types of ladder that we use,
New Hanover firefighter took a trip to the local Junior High School to practice
placing, raising, and climbing both ground and aerial ladders. In conjunction
with the ladders, the use of rope to transport tools from the ground to the roof
was also practiced.
Photos by Jason Wood
Left: Firefighters practice handling a 2
1/2" hand line with a smooth bore nozzle. Right: Assistant
Chief B. Kent gets practice time on the turntable.
14 December 2006 - For this
evenings practice Ladder and Engine 37 traveled to one of the township's new
developments. Those present had the opportunity to practice various different
skills. The new hydrants in the development were flushed to clear any debris and
to evaluate their quality. The main on the ladder was also set up to give
operators a chance to pump with the truck and to flow water from the ladder pipe
as well as to get practice on the turntable. Some of the younger members were
also given an opportunity to learn the power of large caliber hand lines.
Photos by Jason Wood
Above: Firefighters practice breaching and
maneuvering through a standard interior wall. Bottom Right:
Firefighter Coakley practices using the door ram to force a locked door.
30 November 2006 - In yet another
trip to the old airport, New Hanover firefighters had the opportunity to
practice wall breaching and forcible entry techniques. Members took turns
breaching a sheet rock wall and practicing how to maneuver through the confined
space. This was a great compliment to the confined space class a few weeks
prior. There was also an opportunity to practice with the door ram that the
company had recently obtained.
Photos by Jason Wood
Above Left: The "mighty
trailer." Above Right: After the evolutions were complete the
instructors opened up the simulator so everyone could get a clearer look at
exactly what they had been dealing with all day. Bottom: New Hanover
firefighters prepare for the training evolutions and gather for a group photo
(with the chief's son as the "incident commander").
18 November 2006 - The
Gilbertsville Fire & Rescue Company brought a structural collapse/confined
space rescue simulator to their company to conduct a training exercise. The New
Hanover Fire Company as well as various other local companies were invited to
attend. The trailer had two levels and consisted of two evolutions. The first
was a confined space obstacle type course. Firefighters were required to
navigate through narrow spaces, wire entanglements, and various types of terrain
all while in full protective gear. The second evolution was a firefighter rescue
scenario in which firefighters had to lift and shore simulated collapses as well
as remove debris to facilitate the rescue of a "downed firefighter,"
all while navigating the obstacles encountered in the first scenario. The
trailer, though small in size, proved to be extremely challenging and was a
terrific learning experience, not to mention a lot of fun. A big "Thank
You" to the GFRC for inviting us to train with you and we look forward to
doing it again in the future.
Photos by Jason Wood (less the group shot)
16 November 2006 - This evening,
New Hanover firefighters conducted a brief live burn evolution at a local
acquired structure that was donated for the fire department to train in before
it is demolished. The burn was used as a training tool to observe the growth and
development of a fire and also to give some of the younger members a taste of
what to expect when entering a burning structure. Safety was the number one
priority of the evening. State Fire Academy guidelines were followed and
multiple hand lines from separate water sources were in place as well as
multiple means of egress. Firefighters also took a walk through the building to
orient themselves prior to the burn. The evolution was an excellent way to
refresh on fire behavior and extinguishment techniques.
Photos by Jason Wood
Above Left: The engine compartment of a hybrid
vehicle looks very similar to that of regular vehicle for the exception of the
inverter (right side, silver) which converts the direct current from the high
voltage battery into 600+ volt alternating current. Above Right: The silver box
below the back seat contains the vehicle's 200+ volt high voltage battery.
29 December 2005 - At this evenings training,
firefighters from New Hanover (37) as well as various other area companies met
at the Gilbertsville Fire & Rescue Company (67) for a class on how to handle
hybrid vehicle emergencies. A representative from Toyota brought a new second
generation Toyota Prius for a demonstration and explained the operation of the
vehicle, focusing on the operation of the High Voltage system and its
interactions with the rest of the vehicle. Component location and identification
and how to handle vehicle accidents and fires were all covered in the course of
the presentation.
Below Left: The second generation Prius does
not primarily use a standard key. A Smart Key can either be inserted into the
black slot to the left of the shifting lever or by simply having the key in
close proximity to the vehicle. The car is physically turned on and off by
pushing the power button to the left of the air vent. Below Right:
Gilbertsville firefighter "Rusty" Reinhart practices removing the
breaker from the high voltage battery to disable the high voltage system.
Photos by Jason Wood
15 September 2005 - As newer and larger building pop up
in the township, New Hanover firefighters are working to stay on top of the
challenges presented to them. At tonight's practice, firefighters from the New
Hanover Fire Company (37) as well as the Sassamansville Fire Company (68)
participated in a joint drill at the Boyertown Area Junior High School East
Center, which is currently being renovated. The Renovations include a large
addition as well as updating the interior of the 30 year old existing building.
Firefighters acclimated themselves to the layout of the newly designed structure
and practiced advancing hose lines to various points to assure adequate coverage. Large commercial properties, which
may require long hose lines as well as a large amount of manpower, can pose many
different challenges to firefighters. By preparing in advance, the Township's firefighters
will be better prepared to face the challenges presented to them in these types
of occupancies.
Above: Engine 37 sets up in front of the building
as firefighters go over the internal layout of the building. Below:
Firefighters load hose on their shoulders (Left) to advance into the building
(Right)
Photos by Jason Wood
Above: Firefighters prepare a foam line and then
flow foam using one of the company's practice vehicles as a prop.
23 June 2005 - At tonight's training, New Hanover
firefighters practice skills and techniques used in foam application. Firefighters practiced assembling the
proper components required to place an in-line eductor system into service as
well as the use of the on-board foam system on the rescue. Foam is a
very useful tool that can be used to fight Class A fires (wood, paper, etc.) as
well as Class B fires (flammable liquids). By using different types of foam
solution along with different applications techniques, firefighter can use foam
to both extinguish and prevent fires.
Pictures by Jason Wood
09 June 2005 - This evening, New Hanover firefighters
trained on the use of the company's recently purchased Task Force Tips Blitzfire
Monitor. This new monitor, which replaced the portable deck gun on the rear
bumper of the engine, will be pre-connected for rapid deployment as either a
blitz attack line or a master stream device. The Blitzfire is capable of flowing
500 gallons per minute (GPM) when at full flow. This new device will without a
doubt prove itself invaluable with its increased mobility, versatility, and
safety features.
Above: New Hanover Fire Company chief Bill Moyer
demonstrates the operation of the Blitzfire and also explains the added safety features
incorporated in the new unit. Below Left: Firefighter Tony DeVito
acclimates himself in the use of the Blitzfire as firefighter Mike DiGuglielmo
looks on.
Pictures
by Jason Wood
Page updated 22 November 2007
