Firefighters Training Program in Medfield

Medfield MA

21 November, 2021

10:47 AM

Description

Firefighters Training Program in Medfield While many in Medfield were having their first cup of coffee on a bright, crisp and early Sunday morning in October, eleven firefighters took part in a training session at the Fire Training Facility Trailer, located at the Transfer Station. This session was comprised of Medfield and Millis firefighters; two full time members of the Millis FD, four Millis FD on-call firefighters and five Medfield FD on-call firefighters. In addition to their Fire Dept Instructors. On October 17th, the eleven were broken up into 4 groups and one instructor was assigned to each group. Other personnel assisted with the live fire evolutions and logistics and in total, about a dozen instructors/support personnel took part in this training. The firefighters have been taking classes and have completed the written Fire State exam. This practical training was the next step in the ultimate goal to become State and National Certified Firefighters. Until they are certified, Medfield's new on-call firefighters can respond to incidents to assist but are not allowed to go into a structure fire. The Fire Training Facility Trailer is owned by the Medfield Fire Dept., and was purchased under a 2008 FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) program under the direction of then, MFD Chief Bill Kingsbury. The training facility is used to train firefighters from the MFD and neighboring fire departments. The use of this trailer is not exclusive to recruits training, it is used for other training exercises including live burn scenarios each year. The Firefighter training exercise was organized by Millis Fire Chief Rick Barrett and Millis Deputy Chief Hladick. Medfield Deputy Fire Chief David O'Toole served as Command during the training evolution while Millis Chiefs ran the interior operation. Medfield Captain, Littman served as Safety Officer and Medfield Firefighter/Paramedic Nick Andexler ran the pump in Engine 1 to supply water for the fire attack lines. Chief Barrett explained that this Fire Training is a crucial part of becoming certified, but to attain Firefighter I/II Certification, the recruits must also pass a state written exam, non-fire practical skills exam (such as ladders, ropes/knots, search & rescue, hose operations), and finally a live fire practical exam in the burn building at the State Fire Academy in Stow. Chief Barrett and Deputy Hladick primarily did the setting up and lighting of the training fires and providing instruction to the recruits, along with other training personnel who rotated through. The firefighters rotated through 4 portions of this training. 1. Fire Attack (Advance the hose line into the building and extinguish the fire) ,2. Back Up (Stand by with a charged hose line to back up and support the initial attack team if needed ), 3. Ventilation (climb ladder and vent roof) and 4. Rapid Intervention Team – RIT (At a fire scene, this team of firefighters is dedicated/assigned to stand at the ready to enter the building if another firefighter is in distress and needs to be rescued). This Firefighter I/II certification preparation class started in July and requires approximately 200 hours of classroom and practical training (2 nights a week and some weekends) but the goal is to have the new personnel certified by year-end. Practical, live fire, Firefighter Training is a critical part of becoming a firefighter. Thanks to all firefighters for choosing this very honorable career and in serving our communities.