| Members and equipment assembled at the recently acquired house from PPL on Roth Road, which has served as the training location for NBFD and firefighters participating in the structural burn class hosted by NBFD over several weeks.
Twenty-four firefighters representing Perry County fire companies 8, 2, 3, 4, 7, 9, 10, along with Juniata County companies 7 and 8, completed their training today through live interior burn scenarios. Teams engaged in extinguishing multiple fires with instructors supervising each burn to ensure safety and effective learning.
Engine 8 drafted water from a fold-a-tank and pumped all attack and safety hoses. Engine 3 drafted from a separate fold-a-tank to manage water transfer and provide backup pumping if necessary. Tankers from Newport and Thompsontown transported water and dumped it at the scene, while an engine from New Buffalo was stationed at a fill site set up by a nearby creek to refill tankers. Air 91 from Swatara Township was also present to refill air cylinders for firefighters. Engine 2 was on scene for any emergency calls they could assist on if needed.
Hosting a burn class involves several steps:
1. A training officer to set up the class.
2. Find a suitable structure and have it inspected and approved by the necessary agencies to ensure it meets specific requirements.
3. Schedule a date that works for all participants.
4. Arrange for state-certified instructors to conduct the class.
5. Remove any materials or items that cannot remain in the house.
6. Coordinate with additional fire companies to supply the required apparatus for the burn.
7. Have EMS on scene to monitor the vital signs of each firefighter during the burn.
8. Provide food, cold drinks, and restroom facilities.
9. Ensure enough personnel are present to handle all necessary tasks, in addition to those taking the class.
Many individuals contributed to making this burn class possible. All participants returned home safely and, hopefully, gained valuable knowledge to continue serving their communities.
A big thanks to everyone who took the class, and those who helped before, during and after that made this class successful.
Also the companies that provided apparatus to make this class possible. Ickesburg, Newport, Duncannon, New Buffalo, Thompsontown and Air 91
Photo Credits: Rita Benner, Lori Geiling and Amye Kerstetter |
