Training: Vehicle Fires

Training opportunities don't always have to be scheduled in advance, and sometimes the best opportunities come from making use of what's already available.

On Wednesday evening, following our monthly company meeting and a response to a fire alarm in our local, East Brandywine Fire Company volunteers took advantage of an opportunity to conduct hands-on vehicle fire training.

With a vehicle still located in our training area from last weekend's training exercises, members decided to put it to good use by conducting several vehicle fire evolutions.

Throughout the evening, crews completed multiple evolutions, allowing firefighters to practice vehicle fire suppression techniques, hose line operations, and teamwork in a controlled training environment. Each evolution provided valuable hands-on experience and an opportunity for members to sharpen their skills.

The training also provided an excellent opportunity for one of our members who is currently working toward becoming a qualified apparatus driver/operator. This member was able to gain valuable experience operating the engine's pump and supplying water to the crews during the evolutions.

Of course, training doesn't end when the fire goes out.

Once the evolutions were completed, crews fully extinguished the vehicle and began the important process of returning the apparatus to service. This included refilling the engine's water tank, repacking hose lines, cleaning equipment, and refilling air bottles to ensure everything was ready for the next emergency.

While the fire suppression evolutions are an important part of training, the work that follows is just as critical. Knowing how to properly restore equipment and return apparatus to service is an essential responsibility of every firefighter.

Even after a monthly meeting and an emergency response, our volunteers were willing to put in additional time to improve their skills and maintain their readiness.

It's another example of the dedication our members bring to serving the East Brandywine community. Whether responding to emergencies, attending meetings, or taking advantage of an unexpected training opportunity, our volunteers continue to put in the work necessary to be prepared when they're needed most.