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California training exercise doubles as public education event
Photo and article by Joe Grupalo
Prior to the planned demolition of a 600-square foot in-law unit, Alameda County (CA) Fire Department (ACFD) reserve firefighters asked Assistant Chief Jeff Ramsey to allow us to perform several peaked roof ventilation and interior fire attack evolutions on the soon-to-be demolished structure. Chief Ramsey thought this was an excellent opportunity to practice fireground skills and agreed. The training exercise had two purposes: It served as a public education event for several local families as well as an opportunistic training ground for the ACFD Reserve Unit.
We notified the local fire department, Contra Costa County (CA) Fire Protection District, of the planned activities. Captain Terry Buck from Station 1 (Walnut Creek) was on duty at the time. After reviewing our training ground, equipment, PPE, and walking through the entire evolution, Captain Buck gave us the green light to proceed with the training.
The Edith Drill
The public education portion of the event consisted of the ACFD Reserve Unit putting on an Exit Drill in the HOme (EDITH) exercise for a local Cub Scout group, Troop 534 of the Mt. Diablo Council-Boy Scouts of America. Included were the scouts, their siblings and parents.
Phase One consisted of taking the kids into the soon-to-be smoke filled structure. Here we emphasized the critical need to know how to exit from every room in their home as well as the importance of replacing batteries in smoke detectors. Phase Two involved filling the structure with smoke until there was zero visibility and once again taking the scouts into the structure to stress the importance of knowing exit routes. Phase Three involved taking the parents through the same exercise. The public education event was a huge success, raising awareness of the seriousness of smoke hazards and the importance of preplanned escape routes.
After the EDITH drill was completed, we allowed each of the kids to operate an 1½" hoseline. By allowing the kids to see (and hear) a firefighter on air in full PPE, we were able to associate the fearsome-looking firefighter with a positive and fun experience.
The Reserve Training
Afterwards, we then invited the kids and families to stay and watch the ACFD Reserve Unit perform our training evolutions. The fireground training consisted of a simulated three-person truck company performing peaked roof ventilations working above a three-person engine company performing interior fire attack. Many stayed to watch and were notably surprised by the amount of detail involved in flowing water and venting a roof. Lots of mistakes were made and many lessons were learned. In the end, the public left better educated and our reserve unit left better prepared.
More Alameda County (CA) Fire Department: www.acgov.org/fire
