In the early morning hours of Saturday April 5th, members of the Bedford, Bedford Hills, Katonah, and Pound Ridge Fire Departments said "goodbye" to a donated structure at 444 Harris Road, as it burned to the ground in a spectacular conclusion of a weeks worth of training.
The property, graciously donated by a resident of the Town of Bedford, was used to conduct multiple live fire training evolutions the weekend prior, and allowed for multiple surrounding departments to participate in the activities. Under the direction of Chief George Graniero, the Bedford Hills Fire Department began planning for the burn weeks in advance to ensure optimal safety and organization on the days of the burn.
During the first weekend, room and contents fires were set throughout the house, with light, attack, back-up, and FAST teams on each evolution. Training instructors and coordinators from both Westchester County and the F.D.N.Y. were on hand to assist with the event. To supply water to the scene, a swimming pool, and multiple tankers were made available. Junior Corps members also received their share of the training, creating apartment packs for hose teams, refilling air bottles with North White Plains' cascade unit, and learning what to look for in terms of the behaviors of a structure fire. Additionally, a staff consisting of KBHVAC members, WEMS, and the BHFD Kitchen Crew aided in support and relief operations.
As members returned the following weekend, the fire was set and left to burn the structure to the ground. To ensure all of the remaining pockets of fire were out, Fancher Excavating was on hand to sift through the rubble.
"Kudos" to all the involved departments on a safe and successful training opportunity!
