"The Chief Speaks"

Fourth Edition - February/March, 2008

 

Driving Exercises on a Saturday Morning  ~ FUN, but TRICKY!

 

Not only do the members of the Hemlock Valley Volunteer Fire Department train in Fire Suppression, First Aid and Rescue they must also be able to operate all the motorized equipment that the department has in a safe manner.

 

The largest piece of equipment we have is our Freightliner truck known to the members as Engine 1-1 or “the Engine”.

 

The old 1985 GMC 7000 or Engine 1-2 is still in operation but only as a support vehicle.

 

Each member must be familiar with all the controls to operate the vehicle to get it to an incident and once on scene must be proficient in operating all the controls that make the water supply system work.

 

During the year the members practice driving Engine 1-1 through a tight course of pylons so they learn to maneuver the unit in tight places.

 

Not only do they have to drive forward through the course but they must also back up through the same course without hitting any of the pylons.

Parallel parking the unit without spotters is also a challenge they must contend with.

 

The “box” used for the parking practice is less than 20% larger than the unit which is tight.   

It’s a lot to learn and the learning never ends for a firefighter.

 

Every year new procedures are found and implemented as more and more testing is done and the NFPA specifications are changed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fire Chief

Marty McKinney

Hemlock Valley

Volunteer Fire Department