| For our monthly fire service oriented drill, members of the Bedford Fire Department assembled at the Bedford Highway Department Garage on Crusher Road, a recently re-acquired space to perform drills, to practice car fire suppression tactics and techniques.
The drill, organized by Foreman Jerome Newman, involved two vehicles donated to the department, and focused on multiple scenarios and evolutions associated with car fires. With the first car fully involved and the snow falling at a decent clip, hose teams in groups of three donned full PPE and air packs, and practiced using both water and foam discharged from Engine 109 to extinguish the flames.
The Bedford Fire Department responds to multiple vehicle fires annually, and has already responded to three car fires this year (all involved on arrival, all on Interstate 684). When summoned for a response, both Engine 109 and Engine 110 are on the assignment, with a combination of nearly 1750 gallons of water and full foam capabilities to knock down nearly any situation presented to us.
Following basic attack practices, focus was shifted to forcible entry techniques and other hazards, such as air bags and magnesium components, associated with motor vehicle fires. At the completion of the exercises and nearly three hours of training, members returned to quarters from an organized, informative, and successful drill. |
