FAIRFIELD VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT hosts firefighter training at its new training house on South 75 in Fairfield.
The property, located next to the FISD Bus Barn, belong to Fairfield ISD and is on loan to FFVFD for use of specialized training.
On Saturday, April 1, 2017, firefighters from Fairfield, Teague, Dew, and Buffalo gathered to participate in Search & Rescue of Lost or Trapped Victims and Rapid Intervention (rescue of trapped firefighter) training instructed by Lieutenant Bobby Harris and fireman Dustin Brown of Caney Creek Fire Department in Montgomery County.
Firefighters participating in this training are: Fairfield – Garet Sligar, Collin Blair, Rich Schaufert, Matt Foree, and Avery Aultman; Teague – Douglas Allen, Michael Campbell, Zach Gauntt, and Bryan Teer; Dew – Carl Clark, Monte Atchley, and Audry Wattles; and Buffalo – Eduardo Dominguez.
During Search & Rescue, firefighters go into the building in teams of two and begin with a ‘Right-hand Wall Search’ in which they start crawling on hands and knees.
The fireman in front keeps his/her hand on the wall to the right as they move through the building, calling out things encountered, such as furniture, windows, doors, and such.
The second firefighter follows, keeping his/her right hand firmly on the left ankle of the first fireman and uses a tool, such as an axe, to sweep the floor, hoping to find someone that is trapped in the location.
Once the victim is located, they are taken out of the building through the quickest, and safest, route possible.
This training will continue one Saturday per month, for the next several months, with each session being more involved than the previous.
(Photos by Nicole Schaefer)
