| On Sunday March 7th, a handful of the Bedford Fire Department members traveled to the Bedford Village Elementary School to hold a Junior Corps drill. Instead of learning in the classroom, techniques and skills for ladders were practiced and observed on the exterior of the building.
For the training attic, roof, and our 35-foot extension ladder was taken off of Engine 109 and raised to the various eaves and peaks on the school grounds. Initially, the proper techniques for picking up and carrying ladders were performed, stressing the use of "legs, not back" to reduce fatigue. This was followed by a "how-to" session on raising, footing and spotting ladders based on ladder type, size, and weight. Junior Corps members were able to scale the ladders in full turnout gear and get a feel for how to safely climb and descend safely. Additionally, a solo ladder raise of a roof ladder was executed against the side of the building.
Once all the various skills were demonstrated, the Junior Corps members applied their knowledge to ladder a building in a mock emergency situation. A raise was completed of our 35-foot extension ladder to the main BVES building, and a roof ladder was raised and secured to the peak of the roof. The members then raised a roof hook, and were able to successfully get tools and members to and from the roof quickly and safely.
Thank you to the Bedford Village Elementary School for letting us use their facilities to train on. |
